Nino Schurter enacted a masterclass in race management as he out-thought and out-paced Julien Absalon for the third race in a row.

The Swiss also managed to clinch the World Cup overall title in a weekend which has surely set him apart as favourite for the World Championships next week in Andorra.

Schurter and Absalon both broke clear early in the race and the usual game of cat and mouse ensued. Absalon led and was constantly trying to attack, but Schurter was too powerful and simply reeled him in.

Schurter made his usual attack on the final descent and Absalon had no answer. Schurter rode clear and even managed to squeeze out some style on the four cross section. Florien Vogel followed them home in third place.

Schurter finished the season 250 points clear of Absalon, Kulhavy finished in third a further 188 points in arrears.

This is now the eighteenth race in a row that has been won by one of Kulhavy, Absalon or Schurter, with the World Championships just one week away, it is very likely that one of them will be adorning the rainbow stripes in the 2016 season.

Special mention should go to Grant Ferguson who took his first win in the Under 23 category. Britain’s cross country scene is disappointingly barren at the moment so it’s good to see some potential hope for the future.