Recap: 2025 Elite Women’s XCO World Championships
It wasn’t to be for Candice Lill
In a dramatic showdown that came down to the wire, Jenny Rissveds claimed the 2025 Women’s Elite XCO World Championship, adding yet another accolade to her impressive career. Coming off a dominant win at the last World Cup in France, Rissveds set the pace early, charging off the start line and establishing a lead on the first lap.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Rissveds as New Zealand’s rising star Samara Maxwell and Switzerland’s Alessandra Keller kept the pressure on through all seven laps. South Africa’s Candice Lill was with the leaders in the opening minutes but appeared to lose contact in the technical sections before a mechanical quashed all hopes of a medal.
As the final lap unfolded, Keller faded, but Maxwell turned up the heat, cutting Rissveds’ lead to just 10 seconds heading into the last descent. It made for a nail-biting finish, but Rissveds held her nerve and powered through to the line, crossing with an 18-second advantage and the rainbow jersey firmly in hand.
Results
1st. Jenny Rissveds: 1:21:35
2nd. Samara Maxwell: +18
3rd. Alessandra Keller: +56 //
| Full results here | Images: UCI |