Rabobank-Giant cross-country racers Fabian Giger and Emil Lindgren finished first and second at Sunday’s Ötztaler Mountain Bike Festival in Austria. Giger, who had a podium finish at the Swiss Cup series opener earlier this month, overcame a slow start, working his way up from 15th position in the first lap to take the win on his Giant XtC Composite 29er.

Giger’s Swedish teammate Lindgren was leading the race when Giger joined him at the front on the final lap. The two stayed well ahead of the competition on the muddy, slippery course, with Giger earning the top spot on the podium, 11 seconds ahead of Lindgren. It was Giger’s first major international win of the 2012 season.

In the women’s XC race, Rabobank-Giant rider Rosara Joseph of New Zealand finished a strong sixth on her Giant Anthem X Advanced SL.