The UCI Cross Country Olympic (XCO) World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě (Czech Republic) brought surprising results and dramatic twists and turns. Mona Mitterwallner (Mondraker Factory Racing XC) took advantage of a technical failure by Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck) to win the women's elite race, while Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) triumphed in the men's race.
Mitterwallner benefits from Pieters' bad luck
Puck Pieterse, who had won the short track race (XCC) the day before, got off to a strong start in the XCO race and took the lead early on. The reigning world champion showed off her technical skills, particularly in the challenging sections such as the Rock Garden and the WHOOP Wall. However, Pieterse suffered a serious rear wheel defect on the third lap, which set her back a long way. Despite an impressive recovery, she was unable to make up the deficit and finished the race in 13th place.
Mona Mitterwallner seized the opportunity and took the lead. In a thrilling final, she beat Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) to secure her first World Cup victory since 2023, with Candice Lill completing the podium. Mitterwallner was overwhelmed after the race: "I can hardly describe it. It's been a long time since I stood at the top of the World Cup podium, and to do it here in Nové Město na Moravě, the birthplace of cross-country, is something I've always dreamed of."
Blevins dominates, Van der Poel gives up
In the men's elite race, all eyes were on Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who was making his comeback to mountain biking after a successful road season. But the Dutch star had a day to forget. Van der Poel crashed twice on the starting lap and finally gave up on the third lap.
Christopher Blevins took advantage of the moment and put in a tactically clever performance. The American stayed in the leading group for a long time before launching the decisive attack on the penultimate lap. Blevins crossed the finish line with an impressive lead and celebrated his second victory of the weekend after his triumph in the short track race. Mathis Azzaro secured second place in the sprint ahead of Lars Forster.
"Nové Město means so much to me, it means so much to our sport," said Blevins after his victory. "I've been here for 11 years now, crying in the forest after bad races as a junior and U23 rider. To feel all the emotions after winning my first European World Cup in this iconic stadium is a beautiful day and I'm really grateful."
A German winner in the U23 race
There were also exciting decisions in the U23 races. In the women's race, Ella MacPhee (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) came out on top after the overall leader Isabella Holmgren crashed in the Rock Garden. MacPhee was overwhelmed after her first World Cup victory: "I have no words, it's just crazy."
The men's U23 race ended in a thrilling sprint final. Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) beat Rens Teunissen van Manen (KMC MTB Racing Team) by a wafer-thin margin. Finn Treudler (Cube Factory Racing) completed the podium and defended his lead in the overall standings.
Technical challenges characterise the race
The course in Nové Město na Moravě presented the riders with major challenges. The Rock Garden and the steep WHOOP Wall in particular demanded maximum concentration and technical skill. The dry conditions in the women's elite race gave way to rain and slippery surfaces during the course of the day, which once again increased the demands on the athletes.
The UCI Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě once again showed that surprises are always to be expected in mountain biking. While established stars such as Pieterse and Van der Poel suffered setbacks, other riders took their chances and celebrated important successes. The season promises to remain exciting when the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues next weekend with the gravity disciplines in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, France.
The results of the World Cup in Nové Město
Elite Women XCO
- Winner: Mona Mitterwallner (Mondraker Factory Racing XC)
- Second: Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team)
- Third: Candice Lill
Elite Men XCO
- Winner: Christopher Blevins (Specialised Factory Racing)
- Second: Mathis Azzaro
- Third: Lars Forster
U23 Women XCO
- Winner: Ella MacPhee (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team)
- Second: Fiona Schibler
- Third: Sara Cortinovis (Ghost Factory Racing)
U23 Men XCO
- Winner: Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team)
- Second: Rens Teunissen van Manen (KMC MTB Racing Team)
- Third: Finn Treudler (Cube Factory Racing)
