A dramatic end to the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup series in Meribel

Sadly though, the event started with a very sombre mood as athletes paid their respects to the young Dutch rider, 20 year old Annefleur Kalvenhaar, who died following a tragic accident in the qualifying rounds. Despite being airlifted quickly to hospital in Grenoble on Friday and the best efforts of the surgeons there, Annefleur sadly passed away on Saturday morning. In an official statement released by the UCI, president Brian Cookson said: “I’m devastated to hear that the cycling family has lost one of its members at such a young age. Our deepest thoughts are with her family and friends.”

Annefluer had a very promising career ahead of her in what is an extremely technically challenging and physically demanding sport. We extend our condolences to her family, friends and the cycling community at this difficult time.

The French spectators had reason to celebrate yesterday as their hero Julien Absalon took 2nd place in the Elite Mens XCO behind Nino Schurter, which was enough to take the overall win in the 2014 World Cup title, the sixth of his career. He admitted that having this race on home soil was a real boost and he didn't want to let them down, the French spectators really were out in force giving the track a great atmosphere!

Mens XCO 2014 Series Results

1st – Julien Absalon
2nd – Nino Schurter
3rd – Daniel McConnell
4th – Manuel Fumic
5th – Stephane Tempier

​The women's race was was more about the battle for 2nd and 3rd places as the young Swiss athlete Jolanda Neff dominated at the front of the race right from the start and came home with a 14 second lead over Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa. Pauline Ferrand Prevot came in 40 seconds later to take 3rd, with the Canadian Catharine Pendrel 4th and Eva Lechner in 5th. The overall title went deservedly to Jolanda Neff, the youngest ever World Cup title winner.

Womens XCO 2014 Series Results

1st – Jolanda Neff
2nd – Catharine Pendrel
3rd – Tanja Zakelj
4th – Emily Batty
5th – Maja Wloszczowska

You can check out the results in full and video footage of the races on the Meribel World Cup website. I think we can safely say that Meribel had delivered a fantastic World Cup and has become a favourite venue for a lot of the athletes, and we look forward to the event returning here one day.

Again, thanks to AMS Rentals for our accommodation this weekend. If you are heading to Meribel in summer or winter then check out their range of apartments.