Crazy WC in Gothenburg with von Eckermann taking a win at home.
However, the most intriguing part was the battle for the final places at the WC final in Omaha! 18 riders that will represent Western Europe are...
Kevin Staut - 78
Lorenzo de Luca - 67
Denis Lynch - 64
Henrik von Eckermann - 59
Ludger Beerbaum - 56
Steve Guerdat - 47
Guido Klatte - 47
Gregory Wathelet - 45
Leopold van Asten - 44
Simon Delestre - 44
Romain Duguet - 43
Carlos Lopez - 43 - extra athlete
Holger Wulschner - 42
Marcus Ehning - 41
Max Kuhner - 41
Sergio Alverez Moya - 40
Nicola Philippaerts - 39
Olivier Robert - 39
Markus Brinkmann - 39
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(reserves)
Maikel van der Vleuten - 38
Martin Fuchs - 38
Scott Brash - 35
Pieter Devos - 35
Carlos Lopez is competing for Colombia, which is obviously not in Western Europe. However, since he ranked within the top 18 he gets to go as an extra athlete.
I'm not sure if Steve Guerdat is prequalified as the defending champion. If he is indeed prequalified then Maikel van der Vleuten will be invited too.
Some really big names failed to qualify, including current World No. 1 Daniel Deusser. Another big German Christian Ahlmann is missing too. Scott Brash once again fails, for the third time in a row...
On the other had, some very interesting names are in. Including Guido Klatte, Carlos Lopez, Markus Brinkmann and Olivier Robert. Who would think that Leopold van Asten will be the only Dutch in the final (for now). Holger Wulschner meanwhile qualified for his first WC final since 1997!