It was a drama packed elite males’s cross-country Olympic (XCO) race in Araxá with Simon Andreassen (Cannondale Factory Racing) finally claiming his first Whoop UCI Mountain Bike World Cup win since 2020, triumphing in a dash throughout the second spherical of racing for 2024 in Brazil.
The race – which began with Mairiporã winner Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) being pushed to the again of the sector by a primary lap crash – ended with a four-way sprint to the road between Andreassen, his Cannondale Factory Racing teammate Alan Hatherly, Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) and Victor Koretzky (Specialized Factory Racing).
Koretzky tried to return round a charging Andreassen however after a troublesome day of racing did not have sufficient left to overhaul the 26 yr previous Danish rider, who held the Frenchman in second whereas Hatherly claimed third within the dash forward of Colombo.
“That was good to win a World Cup once more, to be trustworthy,” mentioned a clearly stunned Andreassen. “I haven’t thought an excessive amount of about it but. It’s been a couple of years since I gained and I’ll take a second to soak it in.”
It had, within the earlier levels of the ultimate lap, seemed like Koretzky may very well be on his option to victory as he was out entrance alone however then a mechanical as an alternative left him with a chase on his arms to regain contact with the entrance group earlier than the dash for the highest placings unfolded.
“I made an enormous effort to shut the hole and I used to be utterly empty,” mentioned Koretzky. “I’m unhappy however on the similar time I’m pleased with my form, so congrats to Simon, he was robust, he did an enormous dash, it was wonderful to be on his wheel within the final straight.
“I’m very blissful and searching ahead to the subsequent a part of the season. Even if I had a mechanical, I’m nonetheless right here,” mentioned Koretzky of his second spot.
Koretzky leads the general standings with 520 factors, 136 forward of Andreassen after which it is only one extra level again to spherical one winner Blevins, who completed twenty second in Araxá after combating again from his first lap crash.
The subsequent cross-country spherical will likely be at Nové Město na Moravě from 24-26 May.
Results
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