Martín Vidaurre achieves strong seventh place in Andorra despite ankle injury

Chilean cyclist Martín Vidaurre achieved a notable seventh-place finish at the UCI MTB World Series in Pal Arinsal, Andorra, overcoming the significant handicap of an ankle sprain.

The result gained considerable value due to the physical difficulties Vidaurre faced in the days leading up to and during the competition. He was still recovering from an injury sustained at the previous event in La Thuile, leaving him uncertain about his fitness levels upon arrival in Andorra. The high altitude and the challenging circuit further compounded his struggles.

During the Short Track race on Friday, Vidaurre finished 18th. He used this event primarily to gauge his physical sensations and manage his effort due to the discomfort in his ankle. However, on Sunday, he demonstrated a substantial improvement in his performance, maintaining a competitive pace that allowed him to rank among the top ten in the elite category of world mountain biking.

"It's a super tough race, at altitude, which made it difficult for me to compete because my foot wasn't in the best condition due to a sprain. On Friday, the short track was tougher, but on Sunday, I managed to pull through. I think this break without racing will do me good now," the athlete commented.

Following his performance in Andorra, Vidaurre is set to begin a brief recovery period to focus on healing his ankle. He will then prepare for his next major objective: the UCI World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy, scheduled from August 25th to 30th.

“

It's a super tough race, at altitude, which made it difficult for me to compete because my foot wasn't in the best condition due to a sprain. On Friday, the short track was tougher, but on Sunday, I managed to pull through. I think this break without racing will do me good now.