Womens XC Eliminator Rocky Roads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano

The Rockyroads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano saw new faces on the top step of the podium of the Eliminator at Nove Mesto na Morave in the Czech Republic. Alexandra Engen (Ghost Factory) dominated the women s competition. The second round of the Eliminator was completely different from round one in Houffalize, Belgium. Where the Belgian race had short, steep climbs, technical descents and narrow singletrack, Nove Mesto was wide open, with pavement and dirt forest roads. This led to multiple sprints and some photo finish results in the heats. Engen qualified first for the women and won both of her preliminary heats to move into the final. She was joined there by 2011 crosscountry World Cup champion Julie Bresset (BHSR SuntourPeisey Vallandry), Eva Lechner (Colnago Sudtirol), Australia s Rowena Fry, Laura Turpijn (MPL Specialized) and Cecile Ravanel (GT Skoda Chamonix). Missing from the final were former world champions Tracy Moseley and Anneke Beerten (MilkaSuper br, br,