Initially, it looks like a titanic three-way battle between Schurter, Absalon and Kulhavy in the World Cup race in Monte-Sainte-Anne. However, the Czech was forced to abandon the race after a short time and was literally handed to the back. Nothing stands in the way of the Schurter-Absalon duel. Absalon goes on the offensive on the fourth lap so as not to end the race in a sprint finish. As is well known, he has already lost out to Schurter several times on the home straight. However, he put Schurter under so much pressure with his attack that he took too much risk on a descent and suffered a puncture. This is the "verdict of victory" for Absalon, who continues to keep the pace high and rides solo to his first World Cup victory in the BMC outfit - and his 26th World Cup victory ever.

Schurter is also overtaken by José Hermida and finishes in third place. This means he is still in the lead in the overall World Cup standings, but the decision will not be made until the final race in Hafjell in mid-September. Schurter's cushion on Absalon is 220 points. With a victory in Mont-Sainte-Anne, he would have decided the overall standings for himself ahead of time. "Julien was stronger today. I still felt good at the start, but then I noticed it in my bronchial tubes, I was struggling to breathe. I still had a cold last week and certainly wasn't one hundred percent fit. That's why I had to let José go," Schurter explained his situation at the finish.

At the back of the three podium riders, Ralph Näf delivered an impressive recovery and managed to catch up with the world's best after a long injury break. If the race had gone on a little longer, he would probably have challenged Schurter for third place. Näf started the race in a hopeless position. "Sometimes the start goes well from behind, sometimes not. I didn't want to risk my life, but I always rode full throttle," he says after the race. Näf was accompanied for a long time in his race to catch up by Fabian Giger, who delivered another top result with sixth place.

Lukas Flückiger, who is preparing for the World Championships at the high altitude of the Engadine, will not be at the start - he has a silver medal to defend at the World Championships. His brother Mathias will finish eleventh in Mont-Sainte-Anne. Florian Vogel is still trading below his value. He only finished 17th in Mont-Sainte-Anne after beating Hermida a week ago in Davos. "I don't know the reason for my slump after doing so well last week," he says in consternation. He was still in the top ten in the first half of the race, but then had to let many riders pass him.

Cooper dominates the U23 race
Junior world champion Anton Cooper wins the U23 race. The New Zealand super talent relegates Julian Schelb and Reto Indergand to the remaining podium places. Andri Frischknecht finishes in 16th place. On the second lap, a four-man lead group forms with U23 World Cup leader Markus Schulte-Lünzum, but he suffers a rear wheel defect on the third of six laps and drops back. At the end of this lap, Reto Indergand also increasingly loses touch. "I was at the limit, lost concentration and made a few mistakes. I had to recover and find my rhythm again," explains Indergand. However, the man from Uri was able to keep his rivals behind him at bay and secure his second podium finish of the season. Andri Frischknecht rides a strong race from his poor starting position. After a good start, he rides at a constant pace, which leads him to his best World Cup result of the season.