Unlucky Carod left disappointed with sixth place in Guéret

Bad luck strikes for Titouan Carod in the second lap of the second race in the Coupe de France, as he suffers a bad-timed mechanical. A long chase race follows, ultimately resulting in a sixth place at the line.

“Podium would have been possible today, maybe even better than that”, Carod recaps after crossing the line, “but it was a long way to the mechanics' zone when I suffered from the mechanical problem."

After the XCC race on Friday (Carod 5th, Zanotti 14th) and the U23 race on Saturday (Baumann 10th), Team BMC’s riders were determined to create speed in the XCO elite race on Sunday. Carod felt comfortable on the physically demanding course in Guéret, with long uphills and downhills, and dictated the pace in the opening laps.

After that unlucky second lap, Carod bounces back exceptionally well, coming back to the top 10 of the race very quickly. Sixth is ultimately the best possible result for the luckless French XCO champion. Zanotti crosses the line in 13th, Baumann settles for 23rd.

Team BMC’s next event, also the last preparation race towards the World Cup season, is the HC race in Chur. Team BMC will be complete in its home country, as Jordan Sarrou is expected to make his reappearance in Chur. For Baumann it will be a special race, as he lives close by the course.

Photos: Sjors Beukeboom