It was a drama packed elite males’s cross-country Olympic (XCO) race in Araxá with Simon Andreassen (Cannondale Manufacturing facility Racing) in the end claiming his first Whoop UCI Mountain Bike World Cup win since 2020, triumphing in a dash in the course of the second spherical of racing for 2024 in Brazil.
The race – which began with Mairiporã winner Christopher Blevins (Specialised Manufacturing facility 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 Manufacturing facility Racing teammate Alan Hatherly, Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Workforce) and Victor Koretzky (Specialised Manufacturing facility Racing).
Koretzky tried to return round a charging Andreassen however after a tricky day of racing did not have sufficient left to overhaul the 26 12 months outdated Danish rider, who held the Frenchman in second whereas Hatherly claimed third within the dash forward of Colombo.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 sincere,” mentioned a clearly shocked Andreassen. “I haven’t thought an excessive amount of about it but. It has been just a few years since I gained and I’ll take a second to soak it in.”
It had, within the earlier phases of the ultimate lap, regarded 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 proud of my form, so congrats to Simon, he was robust, he did an enormous dash, it was superb to be on his wheel within the final straight.
“I’m very joyful and looking out ahead to the following a part of the season. Even when 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 following cross-country spherical shall be at Nové Město na Moravě from 24-26 Could.
Outcomes
Outcomes powered by FirstCycling
