Swiss cyclist Nino Schurter, the five-time mountain biking elite cross-country world champion, finally won his first gold medal. Schurter won silver in London and bronze in Beijing, but finally got that elusive gold in Rio.
The Czech Republic’s Jaroslav Kulhavý rode with Schurter at the front until the final lap when Schurter pulled away. At the 2012 Games, it was Kulhavý who outsprinted Schurter in the final 500m at the 2012 Games to win his gold. Schurter wasn’t going to let history repeat itself as he took his healthy lead at the end of lap six.
Almost one minute behind the leading pair, France’s Maxime Marotte and Spain’s Carlos Coloma Nicolas battled lap after lap for the bronze medal. The Spaniard ended up pulling away in the final lap to win the bronze.
Many had hoped for a two-man race between Schurter and his rival France’s Julian Absalon, but that showdown never occurred. The two-time Olympic gold medalist Absalon never challenged the leaders and ended up finishing in 8th place.