Ronja Blöchlinger and Adrien Boichis kick off the 2023 Cross-country World Cup with U23 Short Track wins in the Czech Republic

Swiss rider Ronja Blöchlinger (Liv Factory Racing) and Adrien Boichis (Trinity Racing MTB) from France powered to victory at the first Cross-country Short Track event of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Nové Město na Moravě. 

In a close-fought race from start to finish, first place in the U23 women’s race went to Blöchlinger, Noëlle Buri (BIXS Performance Race Team) took second place just one second behind, with Sofie Pedersen (Wilier – Pirelli Factory Team XCO) completing the podium in third.

Ronja Blöchlinger attacked on the final lap

After her win, Blöchlinger had this to say: “This was really amazing. It was the first short track race in the U23 category and I am really happy that I could win today. In my mind yes, I thought I could win but you never know what happens. It’s made me confident going into the next race. It’s my first World Cup win, so I am looking forward to Saturday”

Results XCC U23 Women Top 5:

1. Ronja Blöchlinger (SUI) 20:13

2. Noëlle Buri (SUI) 20:14

3. Sofie Pedersen (DEN) 20:14

4. Ella McLean-Howell (GBR) 20:14

5. Kira Böhm (GER) 20:14

Adrien Boichis (Trinity Racing MTB) held off the USA's Riley Amos (Trek Factory Racing XC) to take the first win of the year.

After another nail-biting race, the men’s podium consisted of the Frenchman Boichis in first place, with second place going to Amos and Oliver Sølvhøj from Denmark taking the bronze.

No one could live with Boichis' sprint at the start of the final lap

After the race, Boichis said: “It's a little hard to believe to be honest. I just did the best race I could do. I tried to stay patient and make my attack on the last lap and it paid off. I still don't believe it. To be able to put that attack in, I still had to feel good. But yes, you have to stay in the right place and make an attack at the right time. Nove Mesto is a mythical circuit. Until last year, this circuit did not suit me very well. Then last year, I did a good race here. This year, I didn't have any expectations, I just wanted to do my best.”

Results XCC U23 Men Top 5:

1. Adrien Boichis (FRA) 18:55

2. Riley Amos (USA) 18:57

3. Oliver Vedersø Sølvhøj (DEN) 18:57

4. Bjorn Riley (USA) 18:58

5. Dario Lillo (SUI) 18:58

The full results from the men's U23 race can be found here.

The full results from the women's U23 race can be found here

Find out how to watch this weekend's racing here