World Championships Lugano: Frischi wins the marathon title

Thomas Frischknecht wins the gold medal at the Mountain Bike World Championships in Lugano in excellent weather conditions. In a sprint against the Dutchman Bart Brentjens, the Swisspower rider Frischknecht secures the rainbow jersey, with the German Carsten Bresser in third place.

Frischi started very well and was in the lead until halfway through the race. Dietsch in second place pulled away slightly on the climb from Isone, Frischi was a good two minutes behind the Olympic champion from Atlanta, Bart Brentjens. Frenchman Thomas Dietsch was able to defend his lead until a good two kilometers before the finish. However, a puncture and a torn valve ruined Dietsch's chances of gold shortly before the finish and he dropped back to ninth place. This meant that nothing stood in the way of a Frischi-Brentjens duel - one is reminded of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, where Brentjens won the duel. This time it will be different.

Frischi was overjoyed with the world champion title. With regard to the cross-country race, anything is now possible and he is more motivated than ever before. Physical recovery should not be a problem, Frischi always questioned his marathon start due to psychological aspects. A fourth or even a second place would result in a mental setback that could not necessarily be made up for in a week. Frischi is therefore definitely one of the favorites again for the cross-country race next Sunday - but a handful of other athletes haven't necessarily put their legs up either...

The Feldbach "Master of Mountainbike" was riding the new full-suspension Scott bike, the Scott Genious. According to Frischi, one reason for his title: He was able to make up a lot of time on the descents and win. Frischi also benefits from his many years of racing experience in such long races. He is now riding in his 14th Bike World Championships and has never stood on the top step of the podium; he was once awarded a World Championship title retrospectively after the winner was convicted of doping.

Ranking list men
1st Thomas Frischknecht
2nd Bart Brentjens (NEL)
3rd Carsten Bresser (GER)
4th Bas Peters (NED)
5th Mauro Bettin (ITA)
6th Marzio Deho (ITA)
7th Massimo De bertolis (ITA)
8. Frédérique Frech (FRA)
9. Thomas Dietsch (FRA)
10. Sandro Spaeth (SUI)
11th Thomas Spichtig (SUI)
15th Andreas Kugler (SUI)
17th Pascal Cattin (SUI)
18th Christof Bischof (SUI)
19th Reto Manetsch (SUI)