Highlights: World Cup XCO – Lake Placid, USA
Elite Women
Sina Frei, the Swiss speedster had just enough in reserve to fend off Italian Martina Berta in a sprint finish.
At the start, Jenny Rissveds took the early lead but drifted backwards knowing that a safe day, – merely finishing the race – would secure the overall title. And that she did. Remarkably, for a rider that has so many race wins for so many years, this is her first overall title.
During the opening laps of the race Berta, Frei, Maxwell, Keller and others all had a go at rolling away from the group. In particular it was Berta, coming off two wins at Soldier Hollow just two weeks back, appeared aggressive and determined to take another win.
Onto the final lap and it was a group of three; Frei, Berta and Maxwell that would contest the win. Through a tricky uphill rock garden, Berta stalled and Frei managed to open a small gap. Incredibly, Berta managed to reel Frei back and the two would sprint for the win. Frei led into the final straight and opened the sprint but Berta pulled up alongside her and both riders lunged for the line. The win, by the tiniest of margins went to Frei, Berta second and Maxwell a few seconds back in third. Candice Lill placed 12th.
Results
1st) Sina Frei: 1:25:59
2nd) Martina Berta: +0
3rd) Samara Maxwell: +5
4th) Nicole Koller: +33
5th) Alessandra Keller: +1:05
Elite Men
Charlie Aldridge digs deep to close the season with a win.
The opening laps were perhaps just as exciting with two large groups pacing and jostling for positions like it was a 20-minute XCC race. Around the halfway mark the race favorites solidified their positions upfront and controlled the proceedings. Colombo, Vidaurre, Aldridge, Puntener and Avondetto were at the head of the race going into the final lap and it was Colombo setting the tempo.
As we saw in the Women’s Race, the race would conclude with a sprint finish, this time it was Aldridge who attacked and wound the pace up a few corners before the line as Colombo chased. At the line it was super close, Colombo very nearly gave the 32er it’s first World Cup win but Aldridge had him by less than half a wheel on the line. Luke Moir finished 37th. Meanwhile, Frenchmen Luca Martin secured fifth place and with that the overall title for 2026.
Results
1st) Charlie Aldridge: 1:23:21
2nd) Filippo Colombo: +0
3rd) Martin Vidaurre Kossmann: +1
4th) Cole Punchard: +7
5th) Luca Martin: +20