Who will be the first Norwegian pumptrack champion in history?
- Hallingdal Rides
- 15 Sep. 2021
- 3 min reading
Updated: 16 Sep. 2021
On Saturday, September 25, the 4th and final round of the national pumptrack series "Norwegian Pumptrack Series" starts. This year's series has so far been an intense battle between cyclists from different branches of mountain biking, and much is still open before the final round in Geilo.
The national series is new for 2021, which means that the overall winners will be able to crown themselves with the title of the first unofficial Norwegian pumptrack champion in history. We have studied the result list and here are our predictions for what to expect in the final.
Photo: Lars Storheim
Elite ladies:
So far this year, one name has covered everything to do with women's pumptrack cycling. Annika Pettersen has made a clean sweep of all the trophies, checks and prizes. Behind her, Eira Stavanes has had several good races, and placed herself right at the top in every round of the series. This is how points are scored, and it has given Eira a solid second place in the overall standings. Vilde S. Svendsen is currently in 3rd place, after a great 2nd place in the previous series round in Trysil. There are only 5 poor points separating Vilde and 4th place Nellie Aabech - and we bet the latter is reasonably motivated to get on the podium. One thing that is 100% certain is that nothing is settled until the front wheel crosses the finish line in Geilo. This is where final nerves can come into play, and it can quickly turn the podium upside down in the last competition of the season.
Top 5, elite women (3 out of 4 competitions):
Annika Pettersen: 600
Eira Stavanes: 425
Vilde S. Svendsen 270
Nellie Aabech: 265
Joline Johansson 160
Photo: Magnus Grönberg
Elite men:
On the men's side, we have so far had 3 different winners in the series. Michael Thomson is currently at the top of the standings after a second place in Hafjell and victory in Trysil. Right behind him is Petter R. Dyrdahl, the only rider in the top tier to have competed in all three rounds of the series. Although Petter finished some way down the results list in Hafjell, he has finished in the top 5 in the other rounds. That's good enough for a provisional 2nd place. From here on down it's incredibly close. In 3rd place is Isak Osmoen-Prange with 220 points. This is followed by two series round winners in the shape of Niklas Halvorsen and Simen Smestad - both with 200 points. As little as 40 points separate the next 7 riders. A lot can happen in the final in Geilo, and the points count can quickly be fine-tuned when the winner is announced. Lurking just outside the top 10 is pumptrack rocket Sixten Simonsen, who has taken two victories in Hallingdal's regional pumptrack series this summer. Our guess is that Sixten is keen to show the pumptrack elite who is the fastest man on the asphalt - even if it may not be enough for victory in the overall standings.
Top 5, elite men (3 out of 4 competitions):
1. Michael Thomson: 360
2. Petter R. Dyrdahl: 295
3. Isak Osmoen-Prange: 220
4. Niklas Halvorsen: 200
4. Simen Smestad: 200
Photo: Magnus Grönberg
Combined results list 2021
5.000,- to the winners in Geilo!
The final of the national series is also the last round of the Hallingdal Pumptrack Series. As usual, the winners of the two elite classes will receive a total of NOK 5,000. The Hallingdal Pumptrack Series also has classes for children (0-8 years) and juniors (9-12 years) - as well as an "open class" for those who just want to ride and have fun. There will be diplomas for the kids and lots of nice prizes for those who participate. In other words, there's room for all cyclists, but if you prefer to come along and cheer on the participants, that's perfectly fine.
The Hallingdal Pumptrack Series is made possible thanks to the support of our phenomenal sponsors:
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