The start does not go in Alessandra Keller's favor. The Swiss rider slipped off the pedals and struggled to catch up with the eleven-strong main group, which also included Sina Frei. However, the Dutchwoman Puck Pieterse mostly sets the pace.

Just at the start of the fifth of ten laps, Sina Frei got stuck on Evie Richards and crashed. The first female short track world champion then retires from the race. The leading group is now only six women strong, including Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (FRA) and Gwendalyn Gibson (USA). One lap later, Savillia Blunk (USA) and Steffi Häbelin (SUI) join them. But the Swiss soon lost touch again under the pace dictated by Rebecca Henderson (AUS), Richards (GBR) and Pieterse, while Keller played hand organ.

The final lap begins and Richards launches another attack, which is countered by Ferrand-Prevot, while Pieterse tries to follow. The Frenchwoman pulled through and became world champion again, this time ahead of the Dutchwoman and the Briton, who fought her way to bronze ahead of her team colleague Gibson.
"I feel good now. We had to wait so long with such a late start, but I wanted to finally ride. I was a bit nervous when the time finally came, so I'm even happier that I was able to win this title again," said the old and new world champion.

Alessandra Keller put in a spirited race, but probably lost too much energy at the start to be able to grab a medal at the end.

Ranking list women XCC

Gaze defends by a wafer-thin margin

In the men's race, Luca Schwarzbauer sets the tone at the start. The German repeatedly parried the advances of his opponents, such as New Zealander Sam Gaze, Victor Koretzky (FRA) and South African Alan Hatherly. Switzerland's Thomas Litscher and Vital Albin are also among the leaders.

At the halfway point of the race, Britain's Tom Pidcock has now also reached the front after having to make up a lot of ground from 31st on the grid. Thomas Litscher now also appears at the front, but quickly hides in the slipstream again. But there is no real action worth mentioning, Gaze and Schwarzbauer continue to control the race.

The final lap begins and Gaze rides the attack from the front, Schwarzbauer loses the connection but is able to catch Koretzky. The Frenchman takes a lot of momentum with him, catches up and delivers a great sprint for gold with Gaze, remaining wafer-thin behind the New Zealander. Third place goes to Tom Pidcock, who takes Schwarzbauer out of the medal decision with an extremely questionable maneuver. Although he rode into the gap on the last corner, he lost his line and drifted off the German's front wheel - leaving him in ninth place and a good dose of frustration.

Sam Gaze, on the other hand, commented on his winning tactics: "That was a very tough race. But I decided to control the race from the front as much as possible. My legs were good and the last lap worked out perfectly. Of course, I prepared especially for the World Championship, but the fact that I managed to win the title again is another great feeling."

Thomas Litscher was unable to take part in the final battle, but finished a good eighth

Results men XCC

Double victory for Canada

In the junior women's cross-country race, Isabella Holmgren and Marin Lowe take gold and silver. The bronze medal goes to Natalia Grzegorzewska from Poland. Eva Herzog from Austria comes fifth, while Anina Hutter from Switzerland takes sixth place.

Results XCO U19 women

Dane Albert Philipsen takes the world junior title. He clearly beat Italy's Elian Paccagnella by almost a minute. Ian Ackert from Canada comes third. Loris Hättenschwiler and Nicolas Halter ride to eighth and tenth place respectively.

Results XCO U19 men