Moioli claims first win as rivals tumble on day of SBX drama
Mar 03, 2024·Snowboard Cross
Michela Moioli (ITA) claimed her first win of the FIS World Cup season in dramatic fashion as Merlin Surget (FRA) denied runaway overall men’s leader Eliot Grondin (CAN) his fifth on an action-packed day of racing in Sierra Nevada.
In a sensational climax to the women’s event on Sunday, Moioli (ITA) and Josie Baff (AUS) profited from a feisty duel between Charlotte Bankes (GBR) and Chloe Trespeuch (FRA) which brought down both riders only metres from the line.
“I couldn’t believe that I was first - it’s unbelievable, it’s crazy,” Moioli said.
“I have been trying to get this result since the start of the season and I knew that I was close to it, so I’m super happy. It’s been hard to get back on the first step of the podium so I’m really glad that I’ve made it.”
Moioli had qualified fastest for the first instalment of the Spanish double-header on Saturday, only to watch on from ninth position as Bankes rode away with the win.
Sensing another success on Sunday, the Brit went for the inside line around Trespeuch on the final bend but with both riders glued back-to-back, they crashed heavily on the final roller. Trespeuch went face forward into the snow at speed as Bankes, her momentum checked, toppled heel over head.
Barely half a second later, Moioli and Baff breezed past.
“I thought I was going to finish third but then Chloe and Charlotte crashed,” Moioli said. “Fortunately they are fine and they made it to the finish line.”
As the race jury reviewed the contact, both riders remained down. Trespeuch was lying flat on her back only centimetres the wrong side of the finish line, while Bankes had the presence of mind to shuffle over it on her backside. With the result confirmed, a concerned Baff then dashed back from the finish area to help Trespeuch onto her feet, while Bankes was able to walk gingerly down the slope alongside Moioli.
“It was tight racing and unfortunately we clashed,” Bankes said. “Hopefully we’re both OK for Cortina next week.”
Baff breaks 'Small Final curse'
Initially it was Baff and Moioli locked together at the top of the Big Final, with the Australian momentarily racing on one outstretched forearm to stop herself from toppling out. Given the drama that was still to follow, Baff was delighted to have steadied her own ship.
“Today was a lot of fun,” she said. “I was making a few mistakes in the earlier heats and I’m glad I was able to get my head in the right place and be in the game.
“I seem to have been in a Small Final curse for the last couple of races so I was super happy to make the Big Final. Hopefully everyone can get to Cortina in good nick – there was a nasty crash in the final so I hope everyone is all good and ready to race again.”
Surget surges clear
In a men’s event with no less drama, Merlin Surget held his line and kept his head to claim his first podium of the season and only his second victory in 59 World Cup starts.
But many riders also suffered a series of falls through the heats, producing the great paradox of Sierra Nevada in 2024 – clean racing in Saturday’s dense fog, and heavy crashes beneath blue skies and sunshine a day later.
“Today was super-tight racing, quite a bit different from yesterday because we could actually see the track properly,” Grondin joked after landing his eighth podium finish in eight races this season.
“I think I rode pretty well all day, but Merlin rode super well and to see him win after a tough start to the season, I’m super proud for him.”
Mental refresh
After placing no higher than seventh this season, Surget revealed how a psychological reset had aided his rides to fifth and first over two days in Sierra Nevada.
“That was a tough beginning of the season for me, and then we had the break in February so I managed to get some mental and physical preparation. That was pretty good and today I think I was ready. I had a big battle with Eliot.”
Grondin was leading Surget into the second bend of the Big Final and the two went helmet-to-helmet through the middle section before the French rider edged ahead at the final turn. Centimetres behind them, Jakob Dusek (AUT) beat Aidan Chollet (FRA) to the final podium spot as all four riders crossed the line within one third of a second.
“Today’s racing was crazy,” Dusek said. “My heats were all tight and there was always something happening – a crash here and a crash there – but it was super fun to race.”
Chill-time for Grondin
For Grondin, the results in Spain have given him the psychologically-important lead of 301 points over Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT) in the overall standings. With five races to go, the Canadian knows two more wins will guarantee him a first Crystal Globe of his career.
“Now I’ll go to the beach in Malaga and rest for a few days before we get back to it next week in Italy,” Grondin said.
“So it’ll be a few days a bit more chilled, and then we go full gas again until the end.”
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