The women took to the famously steep course after a storm blew through, creating difficult conditions as the dry, dusty course they’d practised earlier in the day gave way to a slick, rain drenched course.
It proved no match for the power of Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Ineos Grenadiers) though, who muscled her way to the front of the pack to take her first win of the season. Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck) would cross the line five seconds back in second place, with Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing XC) rounding out the podium in third.
Next up were the Elite Men and it was Jordan Sarrou (Team BMC) who romped to victory, with Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon CCLTV) just two seconds back in second place. Martin Blums (KMC MTB Racing Team) took third place.
Very different conditions on course between Thursday's U23 XCC and Friday's Elite's.The U23 XCC riders got between the tapes on Thursday and enjoyed dry conditions that the elites could only dream of.
In the women’s race Ronja Blochlinger (Liv Factory Racing) came out on top, while in the men’s it was Adrien Boichis (Trinity Racing MTB) who secured top honours.
The cross-country athletes will be back in action on Sunday when they line up for the UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup.
Full results from today’s race are available here.
Missed any of the action? Full replays from the UCI Mountain Bike World Series races in Leogang are available here.
