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Harrop and Bonnet conquered the Vertical time trial

A unique Vertical race decided that Rémi Bonnet and Sarah Dreier won the first small Globes of the week.

 

Tromso, 12 April 2023 – The second WÜRTH MODYF ISMF World Cup competition in Tromso was the Vertical race. The race was held in Fjellheisen, with the finish on the Floya mountain. The race was unique not only because of the stunning views but for the first time since 2016, we saw a time trial in the ISMF World Cup circuit.

This decision was to have a fair course for all athletes as it narrows to a technical section in the woods shortly after the start. So women and men started in 20-second intervals from the highest bib down to the leaders of the Vertical ranking.

The track was 3100 metres long with 600 metres of elevation. The first part in the forest was the steepest and most technical, with many kick turns and rhythm changes.
Senior Women

For the second time in a row, the women’s Vertical race had a different winner than Axelle Gachet-Mollaret. Emily Harrop (FRA) was the fastest in today’s time trial, beating second Sarah Dreier (AUT) by 22 seconds. Third was Giulia Murada (ITA), the leader of the World Cup, 35 seconds behind Harrop.

“I felt good, and I liked the time trial format. The first technical part was great, I feel strong in this kind of track. This place is amazing, I am looking forward to the Individual race,” said Harrop, who reduced the gap to Murada to 26 points and moved into second place.

Fourth place went to Johanna Hiemer (AUT), her best World Cup result ever. Axelle Gachet-Mollaret (FRA), leader of the Vertical World Cup before the race, finished fifth and lost the battle for the small Crystal Globe to Sarah Dreier.

Senior Men

Rémi Bonnet showed another incredible performance winning by more than a minute gap. He has a winning streak of  7 World Cup Vertical races and secured a small Crystal Globe for this discipline. Maximilien Drion du Chapois (BEL) recorded the fourth second place in the World Cup Vertical this season. 21-years old Paul Verbnjak (AUT) grabbed his first-ever podium in the Senior category after an excellent effort.

“Today, it was a hard race as we started in intervals, so you had to push more than the typical Vertical race. I had the power from start to finish, and the victory feels great, especially with these views. It’s amazing to be unbeatable two seasons in a row. I am in good shape, and I feel confident I can repeat this on Friday,” said Bonnet, the king of the Vertical races.

The Overall leader Thibault Anselmet (FRA), was fourth, and Michele Boscacci (ITA) closed the Top 5.

Thursday is a rest day, so the athletes will use it to check the Individual track. The action will continue on Friday afternoon with the queen discipline.

For the results, click HERE.
For the press gallery, click HERE.