Kulhavy wins elite men's cross country at Hafjell World Cup

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Jaroslav Kulhavy (Specialized Racing) won the elite men's cross country World Cup in Hafjell, Norway on Saturday afternoon. He triumphed in the two-man battle with Nino Schurter (Scott Swisspower) for the top spot on the podium. Manuel Fumic (Cannondale), Mathias Flueckiger (Stockli) and Marco Fontana (Cannondale) rounded out the top five.

It was Kulhavy's first World Cup win of the season and his first since 2011. The Czech rider showed good form at Worlds two weeks ago, but didn't have great luck there after an otherwise lackluster season.

"It's amazing because I had a crazy season. This is the last race and I'm back in my old shape," said Kulhavy. "It's important for me for going into the winter time. It was a nice fight with Nino - I'm very happy. I don't know who is best, maybe me."

The race was largely between Schurter and Kulhavy. In the early laps of the eight-lap race, a few other riders took turns joining them, including Marco Fontana (Cannondale), Ondrej Cink (Multivan Merida) and Mathias Flueckiger (Stockli).

The race was absent Schurter's usual rival, Julien Absalon (BMC), who did not start after breaking his ribs at the world championships. Schurter had already won the World Cup mathematically, with the absence of Absalon, but Kulhavy, the Olympic champion and 2011 World Cup champion, stepped up in this last race of the year to show the form that previously made him unstoppable.

The men raced on what was a rough course. Schurter and Kulhavy were joined at the front in the opening laps by Cink and Fontana, with Fumic and Flueckiger chasing up through the field to join the leaders by the halfway mark.

"It was a hard course. It was bumpy and rocky and there were a lot of sharp stones, which meant a big chance of a flat tire. It was a good course for my full suspension," said Kulhavy. "I look forward to next year and the world championships that will be here."

With two laps to go, Schurter turned on the afterburners and decisively opened a permanent gap on everyone but Kulhavy. The two came through the start/finish together with one to go. Neither of the leaders could crack the other, with Schurter stronger in the technical sections, and Kulhavy showing power on the climbs.

Schurter had seemed to be saving something during most of the race. He strategically stayed near the front and answered all the attacks. During the first half of the last lap, Schurter and Kulhavy traded leads, each attacking the other to get the coveted front spot, but on the final big climb, Kulhavy powered around Schurter for good. The world champion was unable to answer the Olympic champion's attack.

Fumic dropped Fluckiger in the last lap to take third.

Schurter was happy to bask in the glory of the World Cup overall win, just two weeks after re-staking his claim on the rainbow jersey for another year.

"I'm really not disappointed. After Worlds, it's hard to stay focused and to work hard again. I'm super happy about the second place," said Schurter. "It was a nice battle with Jaro. I had a little bit of a flashback to the Olympics. I was sad that Absalon wasn't here - it's always good to race him. But the chance to win a World Cup is always enough motivation."

"It's an awesome feeling to win the world champs and win the World Cup," said Schurter. "It's the perfect season for me. The world championships is maybe the bigger victory because you get to wear the rainbow jersey all year, but the World Cup, you have to do well all season to win it.

While Schurter had locked up the title prior to the race, there was a battle for the remaining top spots, with round one winner Daniel McConnell (Trek Factory) finishing seventh and taking second place overall from the absent Absalon, who dropped to third, while Kulhavy climbed from seventh to fourth with his win.

Race note

Lukas Flueckiger, brother of Mathias, did not start due to broken ribs sustained in a crash at the world championships.

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