Richards and Blevins double up: Second short track victory in a row at the World Cup in Araxá

UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup. Men Elite winner @ Araxá, Minas Gerais Christopher BLEVINS

Photo: © WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series / Michal Cerveny

Race-Ticker

Evi Richards and Christopher Blevins remain the measure of all things in the short track: both secured victory in the second short track of the current World Cup season. From a Swiss perspective, there was also reason to celebrate - Nino Schurter rode to third place in the men's race, while Nicole Koller underlined her good form in the women's race, finishing second.

There was no way around Evi Richards in the second Short Track World Cup race in Araxá (Brazil). Even when Switzerland's Nicole Koller attacked on the last long climb on the seventh lap, Evi Richards could not be shaken off. Shortly before the home straight, Richards, current world champion in the short track discipline, showed her strength and rode past the Swiss with a counter attack and secured victory ahead of Koller and Jenny Rissveds. Nicole Koller rode onto the World Cup podium in the short track discipline for the first time in her career, one week after her second place in the cross country. With Ronja Blöchlinger in seventh place, Alessandra Keller in eighth place and Sina Frei in tenth place, the Swiss women ensured a successful team result. Laura Stigger rode to fourth place as the best Austrian and the best German was Nina Graf in 13th place.

Results Elite Women

Christopher Blevins also repeated his victory from the first World Cup in impressive style. After a slow start, he fought his way to the front and pulled away decisively on the final climb. His team-mate Victor Koretzky once again took second place, while Nino Schurter secured third place with a strong performance. Blevins' attack in the technical section left even Koretzky no chance - he rode to the finish with a comfortable lead. This makes Blevins only the second man after Mathieu van der Poel to win the first two XCC races of a season. Germany's Luca Schwarzbauer also put in a strong performance, but was unable to maintain the high pace at the end.

Results Elite Men

Finn Treudler in second place in the U23

Isabella Holmgren remains unbeaten in the short track and took her second U23 World Cup victory in Araxá. The Canadian showed another tactically clever race and won the sprint against Valentina Corvi and Katharina Sadnik. The latter had led the race for a long time, but had to settle for third place in the end. The five-strong leading group remained close together until the final lap. Holmgren thus confidently defended her overall lead. She is also riding road races for the WorldTour team Lidl-Trek this season.

Elian Paccagnella achieved a convincing first World Cup victory in the men's U23 category. The Italian from the Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team attacked on the last lap and left his rivals standing. Only the Swiss Finn Treudler was able to follow briefly, but was clearly distanced. Heby Gustav Pedersen secured another podium for the team with third place. The race was open until shortly before the end, with a large leading group until the penultimate lap. Paccagnella had finished eighth in the season opener - so the surprise of his victory was all the greater.

All results