The 2024 season of mountain biking has kicked off in Brazil with two new venues, followed by the European rounds at the classic venue of Nove Mesto. The U23 riders were the first to race on a flat-out and slick course, with Riley Amos continuing his unbeaten streak for the season. In the women’s race, Isabella Holmgren emerged as the victor, crossing the finish line nine seconds ahead of her competitors.
The elite women’s XCC race was a thrilling 19 minutes of racing, with Alessandra Keller clinching her first win of the 2024 season with a dominant performance. The short course format provided a challenging competition for the riders, with high pace and mixed track conditions creating intense racing. Pauline Ferrand Prevot and Haley Batten closely followed Keller, but couldn’t quite match her final sprint across the line.
In the elite men’s short track race, Victor Koretzky and Christopher Blevins claimed the top two spots once again, mirroring their results from round two. Koretzky managed to out-sprint Blevins and Thomas Litsher in a tight finish, securing a podium position for himself. With only a day of rest between the short track race and the main event, riders will face the full challenge of Nove Mesto course in an upcoming competition.