cannondale on the rocks

Belgian world champ wins marathon and cross country

Last year, Roel Paulissen became the first man to win both the Roc d'Azur's Roc Marathon 83 and the cross country in the event's then 25-year history. This year, he did it again, continuing his reign as the king of the Roc d'Azur in France.

On Friday, reigning World Champion Paulissen did what he does best - race to a win in long races. At the end of the 83km marathon, he came out ahead of the other top three contenders such as Alban Lakata in second and Jochen Kass in third.

MOUNTAIN BIKE sábado, 10 de octubre de 2009

Roel Paulissen gana el marathon del Roc d´Azur
El veterano de 33 años, Roel Paulissen, ganó el viernes el marathon del Roc d'Azur.

Pos.Tot Corredor Cat. Pos. Cat Tiempo
1 PAULISSEN ROEL MA1 1 3:35:53
2 LAKATA ALBAN MA1 2 3:37:44
3 KASS JOCHEN HOM 1 3:39:54
4 BUCHLI LUKAS MA1 3 3:39:56
5 KUGLER ANDREAS MA1 4 3:41:16
6 TRAYTER ALEMANY MARC MA1 5 3:41:49
7 STANDER BURRY ESH 1 3:46:53
8 PAEZ LEONARDO HOM 2 3:49:12
9 BOHME TIM HOM 3 3:50:31
10 SAUSER CHRISTOPH MA1 6 3:50:33
11 LUTHI NICOLAS ESH 2 3:52:39
12 MOOS ALEXANDRE MA1 7 3:52:46
13 MAIGNAN OLIVIER MA1 8 3:54:01
14 DIETSCH THOMAS MA1 9 4:01:18
15 SAHM STEFAN MA1 10 4:01:18
16 LAMARQUE OLIVIER MA1 11 4:05:28
17 CARO JULIO HOM 4 4:06:21
18 PERRIN DAMIAN HOM 5 4:06:44
19 DELEPINE ROMARIC MA1 12 4:10:28
20 DAFFLON XAVIER HOM 6 4:11:01




Two days later, on Sunday, he faced a talented field with many World Cup contenders on hand for a 53km cross country race. He took the win ahead of Leonardo Paez and Ruben Ruzafa as well as Lakata in fourth and Kass in fifth.

Christoph Sauser was a favorite on the start list and was riding among the leaders when a flat tire cost him a chance for the podium.

"Traditionally in one of the two races, I puncture here at the Roc d'Azur, and unfortunately this tradition continued...," he wrote on his website, http://www.sauserwind.com.
Sauser flatted while in the lead group with just one flat section remaining to the finish. "I tried to refill it with a CO2 cannister, but after a few minutes, the air was gone again."

"Sauser was strong today," said Paulissen. "He was dangerous throughout the race."

"At the end of this week, I'll give a party, and I'll treat after a good season," said Paulissen who added that the Roc d'Azur is a perfect place for a mountain biker to spend a week after a long season.



Roel Paulissen, King of the Roc d’Azur
Belgian Roel Paulissen will leave his mark on the Roc d’Azur and the steep trails of the Maures massif. For the second year running, the world champion (Team Factory Racing) pulled off a double by winning the Roc d’Azur (53km),two days after taking victory in the Roc Marathon (83 km). On Sunday 11th October, at the Fréjus nature base in France’s Var region, Roel Paulissen triumphed by finishing (2 hrs 11 mins 51 s) with a 27 
second lead over Columbian Leonardo Paez (Team TX Active Bianchi, 2 hrs 12 mins 18s) 
and more than a minute ahead of Spaniard Ruben Ruzafa Cueto (Team Orbea, 2 hrs 12 mins 56s). 
In a summery atmosphere, Roel Paulissen became king of the Roc. Despite being introverted by nature, he danced on his bike prior to crossing the finish line…

roel ganò por segundo año consecutivo, pero este año llevaba una cannondale flash, el segundo fuè el colombiano leonardo paez y el español ruben ruzafa fue tercero !
esta carrera de bici de montaña es la de màs inscripciones del mundo 16.800 personas!



http://www.rocazur.com/pdf/Dimanche1110_en.pdf
http://www.rocazur.com/pdf/MEDIA_GUIDE-ROC_AZUR_2009.pdf