If you’re one of those people who thinks that XC racing is dull as the proverbial dishwater, Round 2 of the UCI World Cup at Fort William would have changed your mind. If you’d been there, which if you’re of that particular mindset you probably weren’t. But take it from us, it was good stuff…

We’ve talked about the course before. It’s a purpose-built 8.5km trail in Leanachan Forest (it’s otherwise known as the Witch’s Trail, and anyone can go ride it), and with hot, dry conditions it was fast and hard. There’s plenty of loose rock, cobbly slabby bits and all sorts of other hazards to catch out the unwary, and we saw plenty of riders forlornly returning to the pits with pinch flats and injuries. One guy in the men’s race came back with the seat ripped out of his shorts… A couple of others kept going in the face of missing-saddle adversity, so they don’t all quit at the first sign of trouble.

Gunn-Rita Dahle on her way to victory

Anyway, the racing. The women were up first, and Gunn-Rita Dahle (Merida) led from the start. Actually, that’s about all we can say about that race, as she led at the finish as well. Her Merida team-mate Sabine Spitz was only eight seconds down, but that was about as close as she’d managed all race. Dahle’s winning time of 1:47:25 represented an average speed of 19.05kph – pretty impressive.

Third was Barbara Blatter (Specialized), also within 20 seconds of the leader. Finishing off the podium were another Merida rider, Irina Kalentieva, and past Junior World Champion Anna Szafraniec (Lotto-PZU).

The mens’ start – bring dust masks

The men’s race was pretty amazing. The start was impressive on its own, with 152 frighteningly thin people, led by Roel Paulissen (Siemens Mobile Cannondale), pounding the big ring up the first climb in close formation, kicking up a dust cloud that probably made the Nevis Range look like it was on fire…

And they didn’t slow up much, either. A lead group soon developed, opening up a minute’s gap on the rest of the field. The pace was too great even for some of those, though, with the odd rider or two dropping off the back each lap. Then, on the final lap, Lado Fumic (T-Mobile) and Filip Mierhaeghe (Specialized) broke from the lead group. Mierhaeghe repeatedly attacked on the final climb and eventually got ahead of Fumic with 2km to go, holding the lead until the finish. Julien Absalon (Motorex Bianchi) came in third, ahead of a sprint for fourth between defending champ Christoph Sauser (Siemens Mobile Cannondale) and Jose Antonio Hermida (Motorex Bianchi) – Sauser just got it.

Filip Mierhaeghe – he’s got all the vowels

Neither race was great news for the Brits, though – highest placed woman was Jenny Copnall (Motorex Bianchi) in 57th, highest placed man Liam Killeen in 18th. Actually, 18th isn’t at all bad, is it?

We were exhausted just watching the XC races, and the heat and dust certainly made it hard work for the riders. And watching them navigate ultra-lightweight, low front ended, skinny-tyred steeds through the rocky singletrack and bermed corners of the Witch’s Trail was definitely an eye-opener. The sizable crowds lining the course certainly thought so. And a note for any attention-seeking XC racers – jump and you get cheered.

Mere mortals will get their chance in the Alpine Bikes World Cup Chaser tomorrow…