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 sphere 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 Group) and Victor Koretzky (Specialised Manufacturing facility Racing).
Koretzky tried to come back round a charging Andreassen however after a troublesome day of racing did not have sufficient left to overhaul the 26 yr outdated Danish rider, who held the Frenchman in second whereas Hatherly claimed third within the dash forward of Colombo.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 trustworthy,” stated a clearly stunned Andreassen. “I haven’t thought an excessive amount of about it but. It has been a couple of years since I gained and I’ll take a second to soak it in.”
It had, within the earlier phases of the ultimate lap, seemed like Koretzky may very well be on his method to victory as he was out entrance alone however then a mechanical as an alternative left him with a chase on his palms 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 fully empty,” stated Koretzky. “I’m unhappy however on the identical 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 glad and searching ahead to the subsequent a part of the season. Even when I had a mechanical, I’m nonetheless right here,” stated 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 Could.
Outcomes
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