XC World Cup: Treudler wins the U23 and Specialized triumphs with an elite triple victory

UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup. Men U23 winner Araxá, Minas Gerais Finn TREUDLER

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

Christopher Blevins triumphed in the second World Cup race ahead of his two teammates Martin Vidaurre Kossmann and Adrien Boichis. Sweden's Jenny Rissveds secured victory in the women's race ahead of Samara Maxwell and Evie Richards. In the U23 class, the Canadian Isabella Holmgren also won the fourth World Cup race in Araxá in the U23 women's race, while the Swiss Finn Treudler took victory in the U23 men's race.

At the second Cross Country World Cup of the season in Araxá, Brazil, the Swiss riders put in strong performances - even if the day's victory went to others. In the elite women's race, Sweden's Jenny Rissveds secured victory in commanding style. Rissveds was able to open up a gap on the fourth of nine laps and rode to a solo victory. Switzerland's Nicole Koller confirmed her good form and rode back into the top ten in seventh place as the best Swiss rider. She had been fighting for a podium place at the front for long stretches, but had to admit defeat in the end. With Sina Frei in ninth, Jolanda Neff in eleventh and Ronja Blöchlinger in thirteenth, three other Swiss women rode into the top 15, while Tamara Wiedmann was the best Austrian in fifth place.

In the men's race, Christopher Blevins took victory in a dramatic finish at the second XCO World Cup of the season in Araxá - leading another triple victory for Specialized Factory Racing. Together with Martin Vidaurre (2nd) and Adrien Boichis (3rd), the team controlled the race, but only pulled away decisively on the final lap. Swiss rider Fabio Püntener created a bit of excitement in the meantime, when he animated the race with an attack shortly before the end. But Specialized struck back - and took the lead on the final climb. Blevins sprinted to his first XCO victory of the season and now leads the overall standings in both the short track and the Olympic cross-country.

Success in the men's U23 race for Switzerland

Finn Treudler provided an exclamation mark from a Swiss perspective. The Swiss rider won the U23 race ahead of Norway's William Handley and Italy's Elian Paccagnella.

Isabella Holmgren remains the measure of all things in the women's U23 category. The Canadian world champion dominated once again and took her fourth World Cup victory of the season by 50 seconds. Valentina Corvi from Italy tried to keep up for a long time, but had to let go from the fifth lap onwards. An exciting battle broke out for third place, which Holmgren's compatriot Ella Macphee ultimately won.

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