Highlights: 2025 Lenzerheide XC World Cup
Drama & Dominance: Hatherly Takes Command Amid Mechanical Mayhem
It was a race of highs and heartbreaks at the latest XCO World Cup round. Series leader Christopher Blevins (Specialized) suffered a snapped chain early on, derailing his race and dropping him to 27th by the finish. Up front, chaos reigned. Victor Koretzky (Specialized) looked strong until a puncture ripped his tyre off the rim, ending his day. As the front group whittled down, SA’s Alan Hatherly rolled off the front at the start of a descent and soon opened a commanding lead.
Despite a late-race scare with chain issues – forcing two stops – Hatherly held on for the win. Britain’s Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale) chased hard to take second, 32 seconds back, while Adrien Boichis (Specialized) claimed third after a gritty ride. From here Alan Hatherly moves back to the road bike leaving Blevins (overall series leader) and the rest to contest the final two rounds of the World Cup.
Also in the race, South African’s Luke Moir placed 74th after a wild crash, Michael Foster was 70th and Damon Terblanche 83rd. In the U23 racing Ernest Roets placed 32nd and 57th in the XCC and XCO respectively. Massimiliano Ambrosi placed 37th and 18th in the weekend’s racing and Luca Ruiwiel placed 76th in the XCO. Watch the highlights here:
Keller Takes The Win
Switzerland’s Alessandra Keller rose above the chaos to take a commanding home-race victory in Sunday’s XCO. As her rivals faded and faltered, Keller timed her move perfectly, launching her winning attack on the penultimate lap. After a punchy start and mid-race fade, Evie Richards was just seven seconds back heading into the final lap but saw her podium hopes vanish with a puncture, eventually finishing fourth.
Jenny Rissveds who had set the pace early on, battled to a strong second finish and Savilia Blunk recovered from a horrible crash while leading, to finish third. South Africa’s Candice Lill rounded out a solid ride in seventh. In the U23 racing, South Africa’s Tyler Jacobs finished fourth in the XCC and ninth in the XCO. Watch the Elite XCO Highlights here:
| Images: UCI |