Austria’s Nino Schurter celebrates his 35th cross-country UCI World Cup victory ©UCI

Austria’s Nino Schurter underlined his legendary status in men's cross-country as he captured another title at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike Series.

Schurter swept his record-extending 35th cross-country UCI World Cup victory with a comprehensive performance at Val di Sole in Italy.

Riding for Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team, Schurter powered across the finish line in 1hr 20min 22sec.

Olympic silver medallist Mathias Flückiger of Thomas RN Racing Team was 26 seconds behind his 37-year-old Swiss team-mate as he clinched second spot, while Romania’s Vlad Dascalu of Trek Factory Racing XC came third in 1:21:00 following a thrilling sprint finish.

"It feels really good realising that I'm in really great shape," said Schurter in a report by Eurosport.

"I have a really great set up at the moment on my bike.

"Having such a great bike working on those difficult tracks, it goes so well.

"From the start I realised I'm quite strong at the climbs as well and it was another insane ride here.


"I love it here in Italy."

Dutch rider Puck Pieterse of Alpecin-Deceuninck, claimed the women’s cross-country crown following another impressive display to increase her lead in the overall standings.

Pieterse triumphed in 1:19:49 to sweep aside the rest of the field, while home rider Martina Berta of Santa Cruz Rockshox Pro Team sealing silver in 1:20:41.

Third place went to Australia’s Rebecca Henderson of Primeflor Mondraker Genuins Racing Team, who finished in 1:20:49 to complete the podium.

"I decided to go for it from the start," said Pieterse.


"And then it was just about riding my own pace and trying not to fall back. Yeah, it worked again, so it’s apparently a good tactic!

"I’ll try to keep it [the leader’s jersey].

"I’m really happy to still have it."

Austria’s Valentina Höll of Rockshox Trek Race Team secured the women’s downhill title in a time of 4:07.440.

Switzerland’s Camille Balanche of Dorval AM Commencal sealed silver in 4:10.353, while New Zealand’s Jess Blewitt of GT-Continental Factory Racing came home in 4:12.210 for bronze.

There was a Canadian one-two in the men’s downhill final as Jackson Goldstone got the better of Finn Iles.

Goldstone of Santa Cruz Syndicate crossed in a winning time of 3:34.926, while Iles of Specialized Gravity taking silver in 3:37.150.

France’s Thibaut Daprela of Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding finished in 3:37.150 for bronze.