It's two from two for Marco Dallago, as the young Austrian raced to victory in the second Red Bull Crashed Ice race of the season in Saint Paul, USA, on Saturday night.
Crowd favourite Cameron Naasz took the early lead in the four-man final on the 430-metre-long track, but Dallago took over midway through and a crucial stumble at the Wallride put paid to Naasz's chances of claiming victory. Dallago was followed home by Canadian Scott Croxall, with Naasz claiming the consolation of third place in his home race.
Fellow American Andrew Bergeson's first final appearance meant it was still a night to remember for the US, not least for the tens of thousands of spectators who witnessed a spectacular night of ice cross downhill under the lights in front of the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
Afterwards, Dallago dedicated his victory, his second straight win in the Ice Cross Downhill World Championship, to the support he and his brother, Luca, received during a summer of intense training. "We practiced so much this summer – it's not just my victory, it's a victory for everyone who's supported us."
For the full rundown from each of the heats, visit redbullcrashedice.com/results. Fans in the US can watch the whole race on Fox Sports 1 on Monday, February 24, from 9.30pm (ET) / 6.30pm (PT).
After capturing his first win ever at the 2014 season opener in Helsinki, Dallago was on a mission in Saint Paul, putting in the top speed at the individual time trials and winning the Team Competition as a member of the Couch Garden Crew on Friday night before claiming victory in Saturday's individual finals. Scott Croxall, who placed third overall in 2011 and 2012, was a formidable opponent as he took second, and Naasz, who lives not far from the race site in Saint Paul gave his all for the fans as he scrambled to third place.
The action-filled evening seemed to confirm a changing of the guard, with favourites like the first and second-place overall finishers from last season, Derek Wedge, of Switzerland, and Kyle Croxall, of Canada, eliminated in earlier rounds. The results also demonstrated how ice cross downhill is surging in the United States, with three Americans in the semi-final round and two in the final race, including Naasz, who is looking to build momentum for another overall podium with this third-placed finish.
Moscow, Russia, hosts the next stop of the Ice Cross Downhill World Championship on March 8.
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