The XC World Cup circuit made a memorable debut at Crans Montana, with riders facing a real challenge in the wet weather throughout the week. Despite these conditions, Riley Amos continued his perfect XCO season by dominating and securing his fifth consecutive win. Bjorn Riley took second place after a tough race marred by crashes and mechanical issues, while Luca Martin finished in third.
Olivia Onesti celebrated her first World Cup XCO victory with an impressive performance in the muddy terrain, without a dropper post. She built her lead throughout the four laps and finished over a minute ahead of Madigan Munro. Emily Johnston followed up her XCC Short Track win with a third-place finish, showcasing her consistency in different disciplines.
Loana Lecomte showcased her dominance with a commanding performance at Crans Montana, securing her tenth World Cup victory despite challenging conditions. Alessandra Keller tried to close the gap but ultimately settled for second place 46 seconds behind Lecomte. Puck Pieterse finished third, 1:33 behind Lecomte after winning the XCC Short Track earlier in the season.
Tom Pidcock emerged victorious at Crans Montana, adding another XCO win to his record and maintaining an unbeaten streak in the races he has participated in this season. Mathias Flückiger impressed with a strong ride, finishing just over a minute behind Pidcock. Luca Braidot overtook Nino Schurter in a sprint to claim third place at Crans Montana.
Following this challenging race at Crans Montana, riders will have a short break before the final World Cup event leading up to the Olympic XCO which marks the highlight of the 2024 season for many competitors. The Paris Olympics in July will present them with an ultimate test as they aim to compete at the highest level.
In summary, Crans Montana hosted its first ever XC World Cup event and it was marked by wet weather that challenged riders throughout their journey on course. Despite these challenges, riders delivered exciting racing action as they battled for podium spots.
