Henderson and Oliver win Hero Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island
The first edition of the HERO Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island passed its debut with flying colours. The event’s last race was the XCO Class 1, the only UCI race in the Arab Peninsula.
The HERO starting line featured the crème de la crème of the discipline, who travelled from all over the world for the first qualifying race to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The winners of the Trail X of the Hudayriyat Island sports facilities were Rebecca Henderson and Ben Oliver.
THE MEN’S PODIUM
The winner of the Men’s race was Ben Oliver from team Denver Disruptors at 1:17:43. A clear win over Thomas Litscher from team LAPIERRE MAVIC UNITY, with a difference of 28 seconds. The third place went to David List from LEXWARE MOUNTAINBIKE TEAM who finished the race at 1:18:24.
“It was a high intensity race from the start, on an extremely fast course,” Oliver commented, “and I waited for the last few laps to see who could hold out. And I think I can say I started the season.”
THE WOMEN’S PODIUM
The winner was Recca Henderson from team Primaflor Mondraker with a time of 1:17:41. Just behind her, Noëlle Buri from team LAPIERRE MAVIC UNITY at 1:17:46, followed by Martina Berta from Santacruz RockShox Pro Team, who crossed the finish line at 1:17:47.
“I played a lot of tactics early on, but there was never a moment’s relaxation, always full throttle,” said Henderson. “I didn’t know what physical condition I was in and this is the best start to the year I could expect.”
Amateur races
The amateurs competed on Saturday on the very same trail on Hudayriyat Island. Among the Men, Benjamin Willeit won, while Rachael Delaunay triumphed in the Women’s race.
RANKINGS
XCO Class 1 HERO Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island, Women
1. Rebecca HENDERSON – NZL – Primaflor Mondraker – 1:17:41
2. Noëlle BURI – SUI – LAPIERRE MAVIC UNITY – 1:17:46
3. Martina BERTA – ITA – Santacruz RockShox Pro Team – 1:17:47
4. Giada SPECIA – ITA– WILIER-VITTORIA FACTORY TEAM XCO – 1:17:53
5. Sofie Heby PEDERSEN – DEN – WILIER-VITTORIA FACTORY TEAM XCO – 1:17:53
XCO Class 1 HERO Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island, Men
1. Ben OLIVER – NZL – Denver Disruptors 1:17:43
2. Thomas LITSCHER – SUI – LAPIERRE MAVIC UNITY 1:18:12
3. David LIST – GER – LEXWARE MOUNTAINBIKE TEAM 1:18:24
4. Ethan ROSE – NZL – Trek Future Racing 1:18:51
5. Simone AVONDETTO – ITA – WILIER-VITTORIA FACTORY TEAM XCO 1:18:57
Full rankings available on myraceresults.com
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