UCI MTB XC WORLD CUP, Houffalize, Belgium Results 2012

A very exciting race with Schurter and Absalon swapping the lead on every lap. The steep technical switch backs looked impressive but the riders took there lines with ease. Schurter's line on this section always gained him a bit of time which Absalon had to fight to claw back.
After the first lap Absalon started taking the same line but still was slightly slower over the full descent.
On the final lap Absalon pushed hard on the climb and started to bridge a gap between himself and Schurter. At the half way point on the last lap Absalon had a 21 second lead over Schurter. Absalon's last lap just proved to strong for Schurter on this occasion and he had to settle for 2nd. Schurter still leads the world cup but Absalon moves up to second place.

Absalon "I needED to attack before the last lap as I knew Nino was faster on the last lap"

Results:
1st Absalon
2nd Schurter
3rd Fontana
4th Stander
5th Fumic
6th Vogel
7th Tempier
8th Peraud
9th HERMIDA