Victor Koretzky, Thomas Litscher and David Valero have taken the podium for the first event of the 2021 cross-country season held in Banyoles (Spain).
As has now become the norm each season, the city of Banyoles hosted the first internationally significant race with the MTB International Catalan Cup, featuring many world cup-level riders from several countries.
And, as has also become usual, the Frenchman Victor Koretzky (KMC-Orbea) has won the Elite Men’s category for the fourth time in recent years. Koretzky rode a very smart race, staying towards the front throughout and then going hard on the last lap, definitively deciding the contest. Finishing just behind Victor was his teammate, Swiss rider Thomas Litscher (KMC-Orbea), who was followed just a few seconds behind by the Spaniard David Valero (BH Templo Cafés). All three athletes are representing the GALFER brake brand in 2021 and were using “Disc Wave®” brake discs and red compound Advanced G1851 brake pads. Another Spanish rider, Pablo Rodríguez (BH Templo Cafés), finished in 12th position. The Dutchman Milan Vader (KMC-Orbea), on the other hand, unfortunately had a puncture while riding in the leading group.
In the Elite Women’s category, the excellent 4th place achieved by Rocío del Alba (BH Templo Cafés) is particularly worth highlighting. After leading the race against world champions for a large proportion of the event, she was eventually unable to keep up with the fast-paced finish of her opponents. The Danish rider Malene Degn (KMC-Orbea) finished 13th.
