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Surprise at the 2008 Maribor 4-cross, with the Spanish victory by Rafael Alvarez. Guido Tschugg’s German team and Johannes Fischbach’s are second and third. Anneke Beerten, a woman who won the contest without difficulty, was ahead of Anita Molcik (4 Element Yeti), and Fionn Griffiths (Norco World).
There are many victories in Spanish mountain biking history. Misser, Gonzales, and Vasquez all won major international downhill races, but no Iberian rider has ever won a 4-cross. It is now over. The event was suspenseful, with Lopes and Wichman being eliminated early. In the absence of Prokop (committed in Denmark to BMX), a major shift in the hierarchy was expected. Alvarez ran smoothly despite the crowd of thousands that gathered along the track. The brilliant Spaniard was able to get to the final, even though he had to let Guido Tschugg through in the quarter finals and semi finals. Romain Saladini, last year’s winner, fails to make it into the semi-finals. In the final run, none of the five top World Cup overall standings were included. It’s amazing! It’s amazing!
Anneke Beerten, the World Cup winner last year, didn’t have to do much. The Dutch rider from Team MS-Intense won the sixth World Cup round, and was awarded the leader’s jersey. Fionn Griffith and Anita Molcik, both from Austria, are second.
MARIBOR CUP 4X RESULTS
1. Rafael Alvarez (Spn)
2. Guido Tschugg (Ger)
3. Johannes Fischbach (Ger)Ghost Int
4. Tomas Slavik (Cze)
5. Cedric Gracia (Fra)Commencal-Furious
6. Romain Saladini, (Fra).
7. Mickael Deldycke, (Fra).
8. Jurg Meijer (Ned)
9. Kamil Tatarkovic (Cze)Suzuki-Rb
10. Tomas Haluza, Cze
18. Ross Milan (USA)Yeti-Fox Shox
33. Brian Lopes (USA)Oakley-Ibis
36. Michael Haderer (USA)Fox-Yeti
WOMEN
1. Anneke Beerten (Ned)Ms-Intense
2. Anita Molcik (Aut.4 Element Yeti)
3. Fionn Griffiths (GBr)Norco
4. Melissa Buhl (USA)KHS
5. Lucia Oetjen (Swi)
6. Helene Fruhwirth (Aut)
7. Eva Castro (Spn)
8. Diana Marggraff (Ecu)
9. Kathleen Pruitt (USA).
10. Marielle Jonker (Ned)
