The much-praised course, which is as difficult as it is varied, produces some spectacular images, not least because the rain, which started on Saturday evening, makes the two-kilometer course a major challenge. Basically, hardly any rider gets down without minor difficulties.

Canadian Steve Smith's third World Cup victory of his career makes the battle for the overall standings exciting again ahead of the final race in Leogang. Leading Gee Atherton, who was the fastest rider in qualifying, makes a mistake in a technical section and comes to a halt against a tree. As a result, the Brit only managed twelfth place. World champion Greg Minnaar from South Africa also makes too many mistakes, but still finishes fifth. World championship runner-up Michael Hannah (AUS) even rides straight ahead in a bend and leaves the track.

After just a few seconds, Nick Beer also had the crowd holding their breath. In the second jump, he receives a massive template and is only just able to prevent a terrible fall. "The jump is a bit soft up there," says Beer, explaining this spectacular move, which earns him a round of applause at the finish line. After just under three minutes of riding, he produces a further interlude. In speedway style, the sixth-placed rider in the world championship skids around a bend. Here, too, he avoids a crash. Beer is accordingly dissatisfied with his ride. "I made a few too many small mistakes and didn't hit some corners properly," admits Beer.

Lars Peyer (SUI) made it through without any major mistakes and is not unhappy with his run. "It's just brutally difficult now because you don't know what the conditions will allow," says Peyer after his run, which puts him in 43rd place. The Bernese athlete thus achieves his best result of the season in the World Cup.www.hafjellworldcup.com