PAL ARINSAL, Andorra: Germany’s Sofia Wiedenroth and France’s Jérôme Gilloux have shone in E-Mountain Bike Cross-Country (E-MTB), with USA clinching gold in Cross-Country Team Relay (XCR) at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Andorra.

The opening day’s competition at Pal Arinsal Bike Park on Wednesday saw Germany’s Sofia Wiedenroth assert her dominance early in the women’s E-MTB XC race.

The 29-year-old led the proceedings alongside Austria’s Anna Spielmann and defending UCI World Champion Nathalie Schneitter from Switzerland. France’s Justine Tonso, another pre-race favourite, struggled and fell behind after the first lap.

Spielmann’s race ended prematurely on the second lap due to an apparent injury, while Wiedenroth extended her lead steadily. Schneitter, 38, managed to stay within reach, with Chile’s Florencia Espiñeira Herreros, known for her E-enduro prowess, securing third place ahead of Italy’s Alia Marcellini in fourth.

Wiedenroth claimed the rainbow jersey in commanding style, finishing with a time of 1 hour and 9 seconds — just over a minute ahead of Schneitter and more than two minutes ahead of Espiñeira. The experienced Kathrin Stirnemann (SUI) rounded out the top five.

Men’s E-MTB XC

In the Men’s E-MTB XC, 2021 and 2022 UCI World Champion Jérôme Gilloux faced off with defending champion Joris Ryf from Switzerland right from the start. France’s Hugo Pigeon held third place, with Olympic cross-country (XCO) specialist Martín Vidaurre Kossmann of Chile and Italy’s Mirko Tabacchi in close pursuit.

Gilloux, who was hampered by a mechanical issue in last year’s final, gradually built a small lead while the positions behind him shuffled. Vidaurre overtook both Pigeon and Ryf, the latter slipping further behind as the top four riders remained within 20 seconds at the halfway mark.

Having won the first two rounds of the 2024 UCI E-MTB World Cup, Gilloux continued his perfect streak, reclaiming the UCI World Champion title with a winning time of 1:01:32—29 seconds clear of Vidaurre, who secured the silver medal. Pigeon took the bronze (+45 seconds), with Ryf and Tabacchi completing the top five.

Blevins leads USA to victory, edging out France

Fifteen national teams lined up for the Cross-Country Team Relay (XCR), each fielding six riders for one lap each. The lead and most positions changed hands multiple times, showcasing the race’s unpredictability.

Italy’s Luca Braidot (Men Elite) set a strong pace, with five-time former UCI World Champions France (Luca Martin – Men U23, then Nicolas Kalanquin – Men Junior) trading the lead over the first two laps. Denmark and the USA, with Nicholas Konecny (Men Junior) prepping for a handover to Haley Batten (Women Elite), stayed close behind.

Meanwhile, reigning UCI World Champions Switzerland climbed from 9th to 6th by the end of lap two, while Austria closed in on Denmark for a provisional fifth place.

In lap three, the Women Elite riders battled at the front, with Italy’s Martina Berta initially leading before France’s Loana Lecomte surged ahead. Ramona Forchini advanced Switzerland into fourth, eyeing their final leg with Thomas Litscher (Men Elite). Batten’s efforts allowed Vida Lopez (Women Junior) to move the USA into second, trailing France’s Olivia Onesti (Women U23) by 30 seconds, with Italy in third.

When Lopez faltered, Italy’s Giada Martinoli (Women Junior) moved ahead, handing off to Valentina Corvi (Women U23) for the penultimate lap. Madigan Munro (Women U23) regained second place for the USA, setting up Christopher Blevins (Men Elite) for the final push. Isabella Holmgren (Women U23) propelled Canada into fourth before handing over to her older brother Gunnar (Men Elite).

On the final lap, Blevins overtook Frenchman Mathis Azzaro, while Holmgren pursued Italian Mattia Stenico (Men Junior). The USA secured victory with a time of 1:19:38, finishing just 3 seconds ahead of France. Italy took third, with Canada and Switzerland rounding out the top five. (With inputs from UCI)