What a drama in Lenzerheide! Nino Schurter is well on the way to clinching World Cup victory number 34 at home in Lenzerheide of all places. But shortly before the end something happened away from the cameras between him and his pursuer Mathias Flückiger, they fall behind. In the end, the winner is Luca Braidot.
Everyone asks: What happened? Nino Schurter explained to SRF following the race: “In the last forest I was able to overtake Math. He then tried to overtake where it just wasn’t possible. He just shot me.”
Of course, this brings back memories of last year’s World Cup, when Schurter chased away the victory from Flückiger at the last moment. “The only way I can interpret it is that he still can’t get over it from last year and just shot me down. I do not get it.”
Emotions are still running high at Schurter in the finish area. He arrives shortly following Flückiger and snaps at him, pissed off: “You’re not normal!” “Hey, stay decent,” someone tries to defuse the situation. Exhausted, the 36-year-old trudges into the team tent and buries his face in his hands.
“Something like this shouldn’t happen”
In the end, all that remains for the Grisons is bitter disappointment at the missed victory that was believed to be certain. Instead of the record triumph, the local heroes only get leather. “We’re at a World Cup in Switzerland, first and second … something like that shouldn’t happen.”
When asked regarding the incident, the third-placed man from Bern tried to calm him down: “I would say it’s just a race. We’ve seen enough overtaking maneuvers by me and Nino recently. This time it just ‘knocked’». He too had been surprised shortly before by Schurter’s attack in a place “where I would not have expected it”. “He taught me how to overtake and how cheeky you can drive.”
For the reigning overall World Cup winner, this is part of the business. “It’s not the first time in the history of mountain biking that you’ve fallen over. It does exist. It’s a shame, but we’ll continue next week.” He might understand his competitor’s frustration, because he too would have liked to win. But: “I don’t give him a win just because he expects it. We both have to sleep on it. I was frustrated a year ago too. I think he’ll get over it.” (smi)
