Press Release

Lukas Flueckiger Scores First World Cup XC Podium for Trek World Racing


Lukas Flueckiger Scores First World Cup XC Podium for Trek World
Racing


2.8.2009


25 year old Lukas Flueckiger made history for Trek World Racing today by
completing the set of World Cup podiums. His 5th place here at Bromont, Canada,
at Round 6 of the UCI World Cup means that TWR has now had a rider on a World
Cup podium in all three disciplines that the team is contesting in season one;
firstly in Women's and Men's Downhill and now in Men's XC. Team mate Liam
Killeen completed the race and finished in 21st place after finding the
unseasonal cold conditions a little tougher than anticipated.

Just prior
to the start of the 6 lap, 30km race, the heavens opened up and the rain came
down in sheets. Lukas opted to run the Bontrager Mud X tyres on his Top Fuel
Full Suspension bike, and received praise from many of the top riders for his
descending skills throughout the race. US rider Adam Craig said "Luk passed me
on the downhill as if he was on a downhill bike!" But it wasn't smooth sailing
all the way. On the opening climb, after starting strong and sitting with Ralp
Naef, Lukas was pushed off the track by another competitor who was trying to
muscle his way past. Lukas went off a steep section and it took him time over a
minute to get back onto the course, fighting mid bunch for track position. He
finished lap one well outside the top 40. The same rider did a similar thing
later in the event, impeding Luk's progress through the field. By the end of Lap
3 though, Luk was back into the top 10 and continued his charge through the
field for a well deserved podium. His lap times were comparable to eventual race
winner Geoff Kabush (CAN), twice having the 2nd fastest lap of the field, and
twice having the 3rd fastest lap.

Lukas said: "I'm a little bit angry
about this rough riding from another competitor who should know better, but I'm
super happy to get this World Cup podium. I have been so close at nearly every
race but had bad luck in many. This week felt perfect, my preparation was
excellent, the Top Fuel is amazing. This is my first podium ever with a fully
and on this course it was more than great. If I had a clean start with the top
guys, well who knows, but now I am much more relaxed to get this result and I'm
super happy for the team. The Downhill riders were cheering me on and I know
when the conditions are warmer for Liam, and Mathias rejoins us after his Worlds
training camp, all three of will be very strong, like South Africa".


Liam said: "I'm quite happy with that. The cold got to me a little. It's
been so hot and humid this week in the lead up, and that's what I like to race
in, it suits me more, so the cold and heavy rain was not expected or ideal. I
did better than I have in similar races in such conditions, so in general not a
bad day but obviously I'd like to get a little higher. I'm excited about the
World Championship in Canberra and feel I'm getting where I need to be."


Men's Results:

1. Geoff Kabush (CAN) 1hr 52m 39secs
2. Jose
Hermida (ESP) @1m 31secs
3. Ralp Naef (SUI) @1m 51secs
4. Florian Vogel
(SUI) @2m 10secs
5. Lukas Flueckiger (Trek World Racing) @2m 22secs
21.
Liam Killeen (Trek World Racing) @8m 05secs

Men's Overall Standings:


1. Julien Absalon (FRA) 1272 pts
2. Jose Hermida (ESP) 860 pts

3. Burry Stander (RSA) 840 pts
4. Ralph Naef (SUI) 810 pts
5.
Wolfram Kurschat (GER) 657 pts
6. Nino Schurter (SUI) 655 pts
7. Geoff
Kabush (CAN) 617 pts
8. Lukas Flueckiger (Trek World Racing) 564 pts
35.
Mathias Flueckiger (Trek World Racing) 207 pts
37. Liam Killeen (Trek World
Racing) 198 pts

Team Ranking (22 Ranked Teams)

1. Multivan
Merida Biking Team 469 pts
2. Specialized Factory Racing 327 pts
3.
Orbea 279 pts
4. Cannondale Factory Racing 233 pts
5. Scott Swisspower
MTB Racing 227 pts
6. Trek World Racing 167 pts

The next World Cup
event is Round 7, the second weekend in September at Champery (SUI), however the
week prior to that all three XC riders will be at the World Championships in
Canberra, Australia, as will all 3 Downhill riders. More news to come.


 


Lukas Flueckiger Scores First World Cup XC Podium for Trek World Racing


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