Race Recap: Nové Město World Cup
The Men’s Race
Tom Pidcock victorious in the XCC and XCO
Despite securing a starting position moments before the XCC race began, Pidcock fought his way from the back of the field to edge out New Zealand’s Samuel Gaze and German Luca Schwarzbauer at the top of the final descent and held an advantage to the line, taking the win. Inside the top 10 for most of the race, Alan Hatherly went down on the final lap and remounted to finish 33rd.
In the men’s XCO race, Pidcock led in the early laps until he crashed awkwardly on a descent which allowed Frenchman Joshua Dubau back into the race. Pidcock remounted and sat with Dubau over the remaining laps before powering past him late in the final lap to secure a perfect weekend.
Nino Schurter won the sprint for third and Alan Hatherly crossed the line in P10.
Men’s XCO result
1. Tom Pidcock GBR 1:22.46
2. Joshua Dubau FRA +0.05
3. Nino Schurter SUI +0.23
4. Jordan Sarrou FRA +0.23
5. Thomas Griot FRA +0.48
Men’s 2023 cross-country rider standings
1. Tom Pidcock GBR 330 points
2. Joshua Dubau FRA 219
3. Nino Schurter SUI 198
4. Jordan Sarrou FRA 185
5. Luca Schwarzbauer GER 180
The Women’s Race
Cyclo-cross star claims maiden win in Elite XCO race
In Friday’s XCC race, a pack of race favorites kept the pace high for all nine laps. In the end, Laura Stigger punched across the line to take the win ahead of Alessandra Keller and Sina Frei.
In Sunday’s XCO, Evie Richards opened a gap early on in the race and looked to be running away with it until a mechanical cost her valuable time and positions. For the remaining laps the lead was held by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Dutch Cyclo-cross star, Puck Pieterse.
In the end, Puck Pieterse opened a small gap on Ferrand-Prevot and flew down the last descent to secure the win. Loana Lecomte crossed the line in 3rd with Evie Richards 4th. Showing great XCO form, SA Champion Candice Lill clawed herself from 59th on the grid, to end the day in 25th.
After her first UCI MTB World Cup race as an elite rider, Pieterse, 21, told Eurosport: “Normally my start is really good. I thought I totally blew myself up, but it looked like the others did too. I was suddenly racing for the front. I just tried to keep calm and it worked out.”
Women’s XCO result
1. Puck Pieterse NED 1:23:01
2. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot FRA +0:05
3. Loana Lecomte FRA +0:11
4. Evie Richards GBR +0:16
5. Alessandra Keller SUI +0:38
Women’s 2023 cross-country rider standings
1. Puck Pieterse NED 286 points
2. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot FRA 240
3. Alessandra Keller SUI 205
4. Evie Richards GBR 188
5. Loana Lecomte FRA 185
| IMAGES: UCI, Red Bull |