In the initial round of UCI XCO World Series, Samara Maxwell triumphs to clinch her first World Cup title, while Victor Koretzky secures a victory despite experiencing a flat tire.
Arow a Wild Ride During the inaugural Weekend of World Cup XC Racing!
Whoa, buckle up cycling enthusiasts! The XC World Series brought the heat to Brazil in its first round for the 2024 season, and boy was it a riveting showdown if you could catch it on TNT Sports/Discovery! Let's dive into the action-packed weekend and recap the intense races that went down.
XCO World Cup in Araxa: A Can't-Miss EventEvie Richards from Trek Factory Racing - Pirelli took an electric victory in the XCC Elite Women's race on Saturday, while Specialized Factory Racing's Christopher Blevins dominated the men's division, beating his teammate Victor Koretzky.
The XCO races on Sunday were just as thrilling. In the face of blazing hot red clay and punishing climbs, Samara Maxwell from Decathlon Ford Racing Team claimed her first-ever World Cup win in the Elite Women's race, with Koretzky reversing their Saturday results and securing the win in the Elite Men's.
How it Went Down: Women's XCCWith all the winter shuffling in the cycling world – riders like Alan Hatherly swapping mountain bikes for road bikes, and Kate Courtney launching her own team – the first race of the year was bound to be a curious affair. The fast Araxa track was the perfect setting for some exciting surprises.
In the women's XCC race, Evie Richards sprinted for the win after launching an attack on the last lap, barely holding off kiwi underdog Samara Maxwell. Maxwell's second-place finish was a triumph for her, especially after struggling with an eating disorder and low confidence in past years.
Richards' win was doublesweet, as she'd suffered a concussion at the same location during the previous year, tragically marring her early 2024 season. In her post-race interview, an elated Richards remarked, "It wasn't a target race for me, but I like to win so I was really focused. This is what I love doing, so I just give it everything and see where I come. I'm just trying to be a bit smarter tactically, the first race of the year it's more like sus everyone else out and ride my own race. I couldn't have attacked if I didn't have the legs, so it was just on my feelings really."
Men's XCC: Battle of the TeamThe men's XCC race followed a similar pattern, with Christopher Blevins attacking on the final lap and outlasting his Specialized Factory Racing teammate, Victor Koretzky in a thrilling sprint finish. The two embraced during the race, embodying the camaraderie and fierce competition that makes XC racing so addicting.
"I was feeling really good on that kick and then the jumps as well," said Blevins. "So I wanted to lead there and try to old it off which is a hard thing to do with Victor behind you.
"UCI World Cup Short Tracks are such a fight for position the whole time, I made an effort to be more intentional, be more of a fighter and don't give up positions. This time I spent more time in the wind than I usually do but that paid off for me."
XCO: Maxwell Seizes Her MomentDuring the XCO races on Sunday, Samara Maxwell continued her incredible form from the previous day to claim her first-ever World Cup victory in the Elite Women's race. After several breaks in the group over the first seven laps, Maxwell took her chance to attack and managed to pull out a decisive gap, beating Savilia Blunk from her own team, Decathlon Ford Racing, and Nicole Koller from Ghost Factory Racing.
Maxwell's win was a fitting reward for her tenacity and perseverance as she continues to bounce back from her past struggles. In her post-race interview, a grateful Maxwell acknowledged her team's support and her commitment to her health.
"I genuinely can't [believe it], Jenny [Rissveds] was so strong at the start and I was on the limit the whole time. On the descents I've been working so hard technically over the summer on my skills, it was just a matter of getting to the front and I just went for it."
"I just kept telling myself 'this is for a world cup win, hurt as much as you can because you won't get it if you don't'.
"The team has been so incredible for me, I've had a bit of hard time the last few years and the team stood by me and said, 'no matter what you do, as long as you put your health and yourself as a person first, we will support you'.
In the Elite Men's race, the Specialized Factory Team duo of Blevins and Koretzky repeated their performance from the XCC, taking the top two spots on the podium. However, Koretzky punctured on the last lap, reducing his margin and making for a tense finish. Despite the flat tire, Koretzky managed to hang on for the win, securing his first victory of the year.
"Chris [Blevins] was super strong at the beginning of the race, he did a super-high pace and it was difficult to follow him. Then I had a second life in the middle of the race.
"We just did one lap each all the time, I had a flat on the last two laps so it was tricky for me on the downhill, tough stuff until the end, but I managed to finish like this.
"I think we were all the time teammates; the goal was to be together until the last moment. Alone it was difficult to do it but with my teammate it was like a hard day in training. It's so cool to share that with the team."
The second round of the XC World Series will take place at the same location in Brazil, with the XCC races scheduled for Friday, April 11, and the XCO events on Saturday, April 12. Make sure to catch all the high-octane action and witness who will come out on top in this intense racing series. Get ready cycling fans, because it's looking to be an exciting season ahead!
- Remember to gear up for the upcoming sports event in Brazil, as the second round of the XC World Series promises even more thrilling helmet-to-helmet action on April 11 (XCC races) and April 12 (XCO events).
- Evie Richards' triumphant return to Araxa, after suffering a concussion last season, is a testament to the resilience and competitive spirit of XC racers in the world of sports.
