Thomas Genon & Tomas Lemoine ready to fight at the Crankworx 2021 opening in Innsbruck this week

It’s finally time for contests again! After hosting the last Crankworx event of 2020, Innsbruck will welcome the world’s best riders in the world once again for their first contest of 2021 this week. Among them will be the all-round talent Tomas Lemoine and the legend Thomas Genon, aka Tommy G. We put some questions to the two Canyon Collective riders on their objectives and how they feel ahead of their official return to competition.

How do you feel about coming back to Crankworx?

Tomas Lemoine: I can’t wait to ride again. We’ve used this long off-season to ride a lot more than the previous years, when traveling took a lot of time. Innsbruck was the last competition in 2020 and it’s also the first in 2021 so there is a little bit of wonder: who will execute new tricks, new runs? In any case, I can’t wait to be there and see how I’ll feel.

Thomas Genon: I’ve been feeling very well on the bike for the past weeks. I’m extremely happy to be returning to competition!

Thomas Genon during last year’s Crankworx Innsbruck
How did your preparations go?

Tomas Lemoine: I don’t really have a specific preparation for events. I always try to stay consistent all year long. I noticed that the more I ride, the better I feel on my bike, no matter the environment. I also listen to what my body tells me, resting when I feel it’s necessary. Physically, I’m feeling even better prepared than usual, we’ll see!

Thomas Genon: My preparation went really well. This year, the modified calendar has given us way more time than usual to prepare for Crankworx, I think it’s great!

What are your main goals for 2021?

Tomas Lemoine: My final objective will be to be on the podium and win medals. But before anything, I want to stay relaxed and not put pressure on myself. I just want to ride and listen to my body. If everything goes well and I pull good runs, I’ll already be very happy. If then I manage to land on the podium, it will be the cherry on the cake. My goal is to stay focused and motivated during the whole season, never giving up!

Thomas Genon: My focus will be to enjoy riding, have fun with everyone and make the most out of the travel opportunities we will get. On contests, I want to be as consistent as possible.

Tomas Lemoine celebrating the second place in the 2020 Slopestyle Contest at Crankworx Innsbruck.

In Innsbruck, they will face the best Slopestyle riders in the world – like Emil Johansson, Erik Fedko or Max Fredriksson – once again. Tomas Lemoine will have a busy week, taking part in the Dual Slalom and Pump Track Challenge on Thursday, Speed & Style on Friday and Slopestyle on Saturday. Thomas Genon will probably ride the European Whip-off Championships on Wednesday, and then focus on Speed & Style and Slopestyle.

Crankworx Innsbruck will be broadcast live and for free on Red Bull TV from Thursday to Sunday: https://www.redbull.com/int-en/events/crankworx-austria  

 

Follow them social media:

Thomas Genon

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThomasGenonMTB

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thomasgenon

Tomas Lemoine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TomasLemoineFanpage

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomaslemoine/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknV8loOnvQVyr0vdd2Awaw/

 

Pictures: Sebastian Sternemann

Action-packed double World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang

The first double World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang is in the books; a weekend of pure excitement, action, cheering fans and emotions. The organizers put on a great event and are already looking forward to hosting their next double World Cup, which will take place in Saalfelden Leogang from June 10 – 12, 2022.

Already for the tenth time the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup took place in Epic Bikepark Leogang, but for the first time with the two traditional disciplines Cross-Country and Downhill as part of the Out of Bounds Festival. Across disciplines, a total of 629 athletes from 44 nations were at the start of the first double World Cup in Salzburg Land. Friday’s racing was heavily influenced by rainfall on the day before. Riders were faced with slippery descents and challenging conditions, but by Saturday morning, Leogang was flooded with sun.

For the Downhill riders, the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang was the first World Cup race of the season. The new track sections, especially Vali’s Hölle, was the key section where the best riders decided the victory among themselves. In the Downhill Elite Troy Brosnan (AUS) and Camille Balanche (SUI) turned out to be the fastest riders.

World Champion Camille Balanche on her way to win the first World Cup of the 2021 season, © Stefan Voitl

In Cross-Country, the forest sections were just as tough, while the long, steep climbs showed who was in best shape endurance-wise. Over the entire weekend, 1,600 spectators were onsite to cheer for their favorites; the excitement of the audience created a great atmosphere. Both the World Cup race over the Olympic distance and the Short Track race were won by Mathias Flueckiger (SUI) in the Cross-Country Elite. In the women’s race, young Loana Lecomte (FRA) took a superior double victory.

Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik and organizer of the event: “The efforts of the previous year have paid off. By hosting the World Championships, we got the chance to hold double World Cup events in the future. We are very happy about such a successful event. Thanks to all helpers; without all parties involved this would not have been possible!”

Kornel Grundner, Managing Director of Leoganger Bergbahnen and organizer of the event: “We’ve got great feedback from all sides, and that the best was to have fans and spectators back at the races onsite again. The atmosphere and the weather were perfect and we are already looking forward to the upcoming double World Cup next June.”

The one to beat: French young gun Loana Lecomte has won all XCO World Cup races of the 2021 season, © Stefan Voitl

With a sophisticated health and safety concept, it was possible for spectators to attend a UCI Mountain Bike World Cup for the first time since 2019. Especially for the athletes, but also for the staff and helpers, this was a great highlight.

Women’s UCI Downhill MTB World Cup overall standings
Rank
Name
Points
1
Camille Balanche (SUI)
220
2
Valentina Höll (AUT)
210
3
Monika Hrastnik (SLO)
156
4
Marine Cabirou (FRA)
155
5
Tahnee Seagrave (GBR)
122
Men’s UCI Downhill MTB World Cup overall standings
Rank
Name
Points
1
Troy Brosnan (AUS)
250
2
Thibaut Daprela (FRA)
190
3
Amaury Pierron (FRA)
140
4
Reece Wilson (GBR)
137
5
Danny Hart (GBR)
135
Women’s UCI Cross-Country MTB World Cup overall standings
Rank
Name
Points
1
Loana Lecomte (FRA)
1045
2
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (FRA)
680
3
Haley Batten (USA)
669
4
Rebecca McConnell (AUS)
544
5
Linda Indergand (SUI)
533
Men’s UCI Cross-Country MTB World Cup overall standings
Rank
Name
Points
1
Mathias Flückiger (SUI)
794
2
Ondrej Cink (CZE)
654
3
Victor Koretzky (FRA)
623
4
Mathieu van der Poel (NED)
570
5
Anton Cooper (NZL)
570

 

Start lists and results of the double World Cup can be seen here.

For all those who couldn’t be present live at the double World Cup, there is a replay available on RedBull TV.

More current news, dates and information about the tracks of the Epic Bikepark Leogang can be found at bikepark-leogang.com, instagram.com/BikeparkLeogang orfacebook.com/BikeparkLeogang

Header Picture: © MAblinger