Race Report written by: Bobby Behan

Photos: Gary Perkin

At the front Jose Hermida, in his usual flamboyant fashion attacked from the gun, but he was not allowed the leash that he normally attains, especially here he Houffalize, which he won last year. Christoph had problems at the start – a foot slipped out of the pedals and he lost his chain. He got going again, but had to fight from 30th. Slowly, but surely the Swiss man started to pull his way through the field and on lap five moved to third overall and came very close to catching his fellow countryman Schurter. Mr consistent Julien Abaslon once again showed that he is the man to beat. Julien looked strong from start to finish, taking his first world cup win of 2008 and to head up the rankings leading into Offenburg next weekend.

Men’s Results:

1. Julien Absalon (Orbea) 2 hrs 6’ 56’’
2. Nino Schurter (Swisspower MTB) Team + 51’’
3. Christoph Sauser (Specialized Factory Racing ) + 1’14’’
4. Jakob Fuglsang (Cannondale Vredestein) + 2’00’’
5. Cedric Ravanel (Team Lapierre International) + 2’37’’
6. Jean Christoph Peraud (Orbea) + 3’10’’
7. Jose Antonio Ramos Hermida (Multivan Merida Biking Team) + 3’33’’
8. Roel Paulissen (Cannondale Vredestein) + 3’35’’
9. Kashi Leuchs (Cannondale Vredestein) + 3’55’’
10. Martin Gujan (Athleticum MTB Team) + 4’10’’

Men’s Overall World Cup Rankings:

1. Julien Absalon (Orbea) 250 points
2. Nino Schurter (Swisspower MTB Team) 200 points
3. Christoph Sauser (Specialized Factory Racing) 160 points
4. Jakob Fuglsang (Cannondale Vredestein) 150 points
5. Cedric Ravanel (Team Lapierre International) 140 points
6. Jean Christoph Peraud (Orbea) 130 points
7. Jose Antonio Ramos Hermida (Multivan Merida Biking Team) 120 points
8. Roel Paulissen (Cannondale Vredestein ) 110 points
9. Kashi Leuchs (Cannondale Vredestein) 100 points
10. Martin Gujan (Athleticum MTB Team) 95 points

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 3:00 am and is filed under categories: Chrisoph Sauser 2008 Season, World Cup Races and tags: , bobby behan, Christoph Sauser, Gary Perkin, Houffalize World Cup, Jakob Fuglsang, Julien Absalon, Nino Schurter, Specialized Factory Racing Team. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.