Saalfelden Leogang in Salzburger Land, Austria, June 14 2014 – the UCI Four-cross World Championships in Leogang were dominated this year by the sport’s favorites. In the women’s race, Anneke Beerten (NED) and Katy Curd (GBR) dueled for the title, with the latter having the better end. Czech rider Tomas Slavik put himself in front of fellow countryman Michael Mechura to secure the gold medal.

Great atmosphere and an awesome crowd made for a worthy setting for this year’s UCI Four-cross World Championships, with 49 male and 16 female athletes fighting for the rainbow jersey. And literally, fighting it was. The challenging track built by Four-cross legend Guido Tschugg revealed tricky sections, where passing was possible with seriously dedicated riding. The last jump with two different lines offered advantages, for those who were not faint-hearted.

The Women’s final turned out to be a perfect example on how to efficiently use these areas to overtake. Right from the start, Beerten and Curd were leading it out and battling for the title. Both favorites opted for the pro line with bigger jumps to put an uncatchable lead in between them and the other riders Steffi Marth (GER) and Helene Fruhwirth (AUT). Beerten, looking like the safe winner in front of the “Tschugg corner” went for the safe line, when Katy Curd headed for the big berm. With perfect riding technique she pulled ahead of Beerten before the last corner and held on to her lead on the finish straight. German Steffi Marth took 3^rd with Austria’s Helene Valerie Fruhwirth placing 4^th.

Women’s results:

Big Final:

1. Katy Kurd (GBR)
2. Anneke Beerten (NED)
3. Steffi Marth (GER)
4. Helene Valerie Fruhwirth (AUT)

Small Final:

1. Lucia Oetjen  (CH)
2. Dana Elena Schweika (GER)
3. Julia Lackas (GER)
4. Tanja Hendysiak (GER)

The men’s race showed the massive domination of Czech riders in the Four-cross sport. After 38 heats Tomas Slavik and Michael Mechura put their feet on the top spots of the podium. Last year, Slavik and Mechura eliminated themselves and opened the door for Joost Wichman to grab the title. This year, they seemed to treat each other a lot more gentle on the race course. Mechura, Four-cross vice-champion for the third time in a row, couldn’t hide his disappointment after the competition.

Swiss Simon Waldburger (3^rd) and  German Aiko Göhler (4^th) had nothing to put up against the Czech armada in the big finals. Favorite Scott Beaumont (GBR) and local hero Hannes Slavik abandoned the fight for the top spots already in the semi finals after crashing spectacularly in the first corner. Placing third last year at the UCI Four-cross World Championships, Quentin Derbier (FRA) was said to be one of the big guns as well as Jakub Riha, but they just didn’t have the power to proceed to the finals. Although Michael Mechura placed first in his semi finals heat and secured himself an ideal starting position, Tomas Slavik turned things around and was one happy champion at the end of the day. Slavik commented his victory as follows: “I was hunting this title for more than 3 years. I always had bad luck since my last title and this is great satisfaction for it. I’m really stoked.” My luck in Leogang is back and hopefully I can keep it for next year!” Perfect redemption for all the tough luck he experienced within the last years in Leogang.

Men’s results:

Big Final:

1. Tomas Slavik (CZE)
2. Michael Mechura (CZE)
3. Simon Waldburger (CH)
4. Aiko Göhler (GER)

Small Final:

1. Quentin Derbier (FRA)
2. Scott Beaumont (GBR)
3. Jakub Riha (CZE)
4. Hannes Slavik (AUT)