Hafjell: A Battle Rather Than A Sporting Event

Treacherous terrain, dust-filled air, muddy roots and rocks. The 2014 Mountain Bike World Championships in Hafjell, Norway is considered by many to be the wildest World Championships in history. The 2014 Hafjell Championships was more of a battle than a sporting event. And it brought a lot of emotional moments. Luckily, the photographers were ready to capture them! The riders left it all out there on the course. Missing out on a podium finish by one spot is tough to take. A love story on wheels as Denmark’s Simon Andreassen (junior), well ahead of the pack, blows a kiss to his beloved Malene Degn, who already won silver in the junior women’s race. Perhaps not at first glance, the cross-country course in Hafjell was pretty treacherous with roots, rocks and mud. Crossing the finish line, even the lady riders looked like they just got out of battle. When you have got a pack of young riders raring to go at the starting line, chaos tends to ensue, and even more so when the world title is up for grabs. Switzerland’s Jolanda Neff celebrated another world title, although like Pauline Ferrand Prevot she had to start in the U23s. Some of the technical sections were not easy to ride. Germany’s Helen Grobert lost a lot of ground here and last year’s men’s world champion Nino Schurter went straight over his handlebars. 106 riders took part in the seven rounds of the elite men’s race. After a less-than-successful cross-country season, Jaroslav Kulhavy, gold medallist at the London Olympics, came eighth, signalling his return to the top. Manuel Fumic and Marco Aurelio Fontana are best friends, Cannondale teammates and there’s just one medal up for grabs. In the end Italy’s Fontana came out on top. Nino Schurter gave it his all, but had to settle for silver. Photos: Michal Cerveny / WeLoveCycling.com