UCI MTB XCE World Cup Finals Highlights – Congonhas (BRA)

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Brazil tops the podium in the women’s UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup, as Marcela Lima wins a spectacular final round of the women’s eliminator in Congonhas/MG, Brazil. As the finals began to start, the rain started to fall. Marcela Lima managed to hold off Karen Olimpio after a tight battle for first place. The rain didn’t keep the crowd away from watching the race. Tania Clair Pickler and Paula Gallan finished respectively third and fourth.

Marcela Lima told afterwards: “It was an amazing event from start to finish. I’m very happy with this victory. It’s great to have a challenging XCE race on home soil. At the time I realised there is going to be a World Cup in Brazil, I found out this race could be my biggest goal of the year. I’ve been working hard to get here. Having a World Cup in Brazil really motivated me to perform well. I’m glad to share some experience now and spread the word of this exciting discipline. It’s simply amazing to finish this way.”

In pouring rain, home rider Luiz Henrique Cocuzzi had an amazing start and held off his main contenders when entering the local laps. The Brazil rider led the entire race and was favoured to win in Congonhas. It was Jeroen van Eck who could stay in his slipstream. The Dutch rider saw his chance to overtake Cocuzzi before entering the sneaky corner that leads to the uphill cobbled sector. German champion Simon Gegenheimer was riding for third place and finished ahead of French rider Lorenzo Serres.

Jeroen van Eck and Ingrid Boe Jacobsen win overall title of the UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup

The UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup wrapped up in Congonhas, Brazil this weekend with Norway’s Ingrid Boe Jacobsen and Dutch rider Jeroen van Eck claiming overall titles in the seven-round series. Van Eck won with a total of 263 points, while Boe Jacobsen secured her title with 265 points.

Dutch champion Jeroen van Eck had a stellar season, by finishing 6 out of 7 World Cups in the top 4 and winning the first and last round of the year.

Jeroen van Eck: “Finishing off my season with a victory in Brazil is just great, especially when wearing the leader’s jersey. The race course is just crazy! I really loved it. I felt very relaxed towards the finals in Congonhas, the crowd was absolutely amazing! I couldn’t be here where I am today without the help of my family, trainer, coach and of course my girlfriend. I believe it’s time for some well-deserved holidays now.”

Photos: Marcelo Rypl