Bankes and Bozzolo on top of the podium in Cervinia (ITA)
Dec 17, 2022·Snowboard Cross
The second FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup race here in Cervinia (ITA) not only showed us some spectacular racing down this fast and challenging course but Cervinia also presented itself in the best way possible. Under blue skies and in front of a breathtaking scenery Bankes won her tenth World Cup and the young Bozzolo (FRA) earned his maiden win.
Bankes (GBR) taking home her 10th World Cup victory
Saturday’s big final women showed us a good mix between newcomers and experienced riders. In red we had Charlotte Bankes (GBR) the reigning World Champion 2021, in green current World Cup leader Chloe Trespeuch (FRA), in blue the young Australian and winner of the first World Cup this season Josie Baff and in yellow the most experienced of this heat Eva Adamczykova (CZE).
After some start problems in Friday’s big final, Bankes showed a good start today and was leading the field into the start section, followed by Trespeuch and Baff. Adamczykova with a delayed start was following far behind the others.
The young Australian Baff showed some really good riding in the roller section before the first turn and so managed to overtake Bankes and Trespeuch in the inside lane. Bankes who almost won back her lead in the next turn was than passed by the French Trespeuch in the third turn. Bankes now had to fight that she didn`t get passed by Adamczykova who unnoticeable closed the gap to her competitors.
Nevertheless, the experienced Bankes showed some excellent riding over the next obstacles and managed to not only overtake Trespeuch, but also Baff right before the last two turns and so won her 10th World Cup race of her career underneath the world-famous Matterhorn.
The 19-year-old Baff crossed the finish line in second position which means her second podium in her young career. Trespeuch got third and so keeps the leader bib for the next race.
Bozzolo (FRA) with his maiden win
On the men’s side we saw some amazing racing from the French rider Bozzolo in blue, the World Cup leader Noerl (GER) was riding in red, Eguibar (ESP) in green and Koblet (SUI) in yellow.
Noerl with the fastest reaction time was leading into the start section, followed by Bozzolo, Koblet and Equibar. The 23-year-old Bozzolo showed some really got riding over the last rollers before the first bank and so managed to catch up with Noerl. Bozzolo took the inside lean, touched the board of Noerl, which almost led to a fall of the German, and took over the lead.
The two riders got followed by Eguibar, who also passed Koblet in the first turn. The snowboard cross train continued the course in this order when suddenly Eguibar rode too close to Noerl, touched his board which led to a fall of the Spanish rider and brought Koblet back in third position.
In the end, the young Bozzolo was dominating this run, winning his first World Cup race of his career, Noerl got second and Koblet third, which means the first podium for team Switzerland this season.
New World Cup leaders: Chloe Trespeuch (FRA), Martin Noerl (GER)
The FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup will now drive home for Christmas. After more than a month break, the next race is slated to take place in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy where one individual race is scheduled for 27 – 28 January 2023.
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