E-X Bike World Cup: The results!
Admittedly, it took some getting used to this scoop from Youthstream and the F.I.M. The very first electric mountain bike race at the Imola circuit was even a bit surreal. No roar of engines, but a starting gate filled with 17 riders on bicycles of all kinds.
The field of participants was nothing to write home about, but it was the first time that racing at this level had taken place with this technology. When the starting gate was lowered, 25 minutes + 1 lap had to be completed on the entire motocross circuit. The German Mark Scheu was the fastest away, but after two bends he had to watch patiently as the Slovenian Anze Svetek (photo below) took to the open water on a self-built bicycle. They certainly didn't see him again because he or his bicycle seemed out of category. He expanded his lead with remarkable ease and won the EXBGP category (pedal assistance up to 45 km/h).
French rider Caroline Duchenne won in the EXBGPW category (pedal assistance up to 45 km/h for women). No opposition for her because she was the only one in her series. Only one lady was also registered in the EXB2W (pedal assistance up to 25 km/h for women): Niki Makk from Hungary. She was also allowed to sit on the top step of the podium. There was more competition in the men's (EXB2) category. Former MXGP rider Davide Guarneri and SBK champion Marco Melandri appeared at the start. The Italians were masters at home with a win for Roberto Fabbri, a second place for Guarneri and a third place for his compatriot Mattia Folchi. Marco Melandri finished sixth.
This E-X Bike World Cup will go down in the history books and we remember a number of things: The format could use some polishing, the names of the four categories could be clearer and the race is difficult to follow with four combined series. Of the traditional motorcycle brands, only KTM was represented.
EXBGPW
1 31 Duchene, Caroline FROM FFM GIANT
EXBGP
1 12 Svetek, Anze SLO AMZS Qulbix
2 14 Scheu, Mark GER DMSB Rocky Mountain
3 13 Meschini, Gianni ITA FMI KTM
4 7 Bovendorp, Tini NED KNMV Haibike
EXB2W
1 81 Makk, Niki THEIR MAMS Scott
EXB2
1 64 Fabbri, Roberto ITA IMF BMC
2 39 Guarneri, Davide ITA FMI Haibike
3 68 Folchi, Mattia ITA FMI Focus
4 63 Findling, Eddie GER DMSB Specialized
5 54 Mattia, Arduino ITA FMI Kona
6 33 Melandri, Marco ITA FMI THOK
7 65 Dabrowski, Konrad POL PZM Specialized
8 62 Clementi, Ivan ITA FMI Merida
9 59 Bouvier, David FRA FFM KTM
10 69 Kellett, Todd GBR ACU Mondraker
11 66 Dabrowski, Marek POL PZM Mondraker
12 51 Magri, Publio ITA IMF Whistle
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