The rain started to come down just as the Elite Women took to the start line of the UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup (XCC) in Val di Sole Trentino.
Just a few hours earlier the riders had practised in deep dust, but the changing conditions didn’t slow down Laura Stiggers (Specialized Factory Racing) who came out on top after an intense sprint finish to the line with Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck). Pieterse’s efforts were rewarded with second place, whilst Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Ineos Grenadiers) took third which was enough to see her lead the series.
In the men’s race Nino Schurter (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) took the early lead, but it was not enough to best Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon CCLCTV) who stormed to victory by an impressive two seconds. Alan Hatherly (Cannondale Factory Racing) took the second spot on the podium, with Joshua Dubau (Rockrider Ford Racing Team) rounding out the top three. Schwarzbauer maintains his series lead.
The U23 categories raced their XCC on Thursday evening, with Ronja Blochinger (Liv Factory Racing) once more proving her dominance in the women’s field with an incredible winning margin of six seconds. Meanwhile in the men’s competition Carter Woods (Giant Factory Off-Road Team - XC) won his race by a second.
The action continues on Saturday when the UCI Downhill World Cup semi-finals and finals take place on the famous Black Snake of Val di Sole Trentino.
And on Sunday the cross-country athletes are back between the tapes for the UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup.
For the full schedule and more information on this week’s races click here.
You can watch this weekend’s action live globally on GCN+, and across Europe on Eurosport.com and discovery+.
For more information on Where to Watch: Val Di Sole Trentino, click here.
