After winning the both the U23 and Elite World Championships on a Scott Scale, Nino Schurter is often asked what goals remain in his future. Winning gold at the 2012 Olympic games and defending his world champion title are certainly on the list, in addition to which Nino says,“ I never won a world cup race so far. The goal is to make this happen in 2010.” He is a man of his word, and at the first opportunity, Nino makes good.

Dalby Forest in Yorkshire, England is a new stop on the World Cup circuit. Amid the forests where Robin Hood once reigned, the Dalby venue boasts a natural outdoor stadium which is surrounded by a playground of trails. With only limited rough, technical sections the SCOTT Scale is the perfect race bike here, versus the SCOTT Spark which is the full suspension bike of choice for a more challenging track.


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The action heated up early, with a lead group of nine driving the pace for the first two thirds of the race. Current U23 champion Burry Stander made his bid for victory in the later stages, but he could not shake the likes of Olympic champion Julien Absalon or reigning World Champion Nino Schurter. After coming up second to Nino in their last couple encounters, Absalon launched a blistering attack on the last lap, distancing Stander and nearly shedding the SCOTT-Swisspower prodigy. Schurter, however, utilized superior technical skills and his Scale’s surefootedness to regain the Frenchman’s wheel, setting up for the nail biting finale.

Coming into the long, final straight, Absalon powered for the line with Nino holding his wheel.  The World Champion timed his sprint to perfection, coming around in the closing meters and throwing his SCOTT Scale first across the line to take his first World Cup victory.