The World Champion had no rivals, finding her third success in Trentino, the previous ones dating back to 2019 and 2022. After a first lap which saw her gain an advantage together with Pieterse and Lecomte, the INEOS Grenadiers rider took off in the second round with a burning progression that left no way out for the competition.
Source: press release
Behind the French athlete, Puck Pieterse (Alpecin Deceuninck) tried to oppose her with a very demanding race, but the Dutchwoman, winner of the Short Track on Friday and the Cross Country a year ago, never really worried her rival. For the 22-year-old from Amersfoort, the satisfaction of a second position, 50” from Ferrand-Prèvot’s rainbow jersey, and the awareness that at the Paris Olympic Games she will be one of the few athletes capable of challenging her for the gold medal.
“It wasn't an easy day – declared Ferrand-Prèvot. – After three intense days of training I felt a little tired but I managed to take the lead in the race and run at the front. I just had to focus on my pace, go as fast as I could. In each race I try to understand my form compared to my rivals ahead of the Olympics: the journey is still long, but I can't wait for Paris to arrive.”
After the announced Ferrand Prèvot-Pieterse one-two, the Daolasa audience was able to applaud the surprise of the day, the South African Candice Lill, a regular athlete but capable of finding a sharp breakthrough in Val di Sole and the first top-3 of the season WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. Loana Lecomte (Canyon CLLCTV) and the American Savilia Blunk (Decathlon) completed the top-5.
After a brilliant start, Chiara Teocchi (Orbea Factory) finished 18th as the best of the Italians. Even further away was Martina Berta (Santa Cruz-Rockshox), slowed down in the starting phases by a fall in front of her, Giada Specia (Wilier-Vittoria), 23rd and 25th respectively.
FEMALE ELITE RANKING
1. | FERRAND PREVOT Pauline (INEOS GRENADIERS) | 1:21:04 | |
2. | * PIETERSE Puck (ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK) | 1:21:54 +50 | |
3. | LILL Candice | 1:22:17 + 1: 13 | |
4. | LECOMTE Loana (CANYON CLLCTV XCO) | 1:22:43 + 1: 39 | |
5. | BLUNK Savilia (DECATHLON FORD RACING TEAM) | 1:22:54 + 1: 50 | |
6. | STIGGER Laura (SPECIALIZED FACTORY RACING) | 1:23:28 + 2: 24 | |
7. | * MITTERWALLNER Mona (CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING) | 1:24:19 + 3: 15 | |
8. | BATTEN Haley (SPECIALIZED FACTORY RACING) | 1:24:35 + 3: 31 | |
9. | Risveds Jenny (TEAM 31 IBIS CYCLES CONTINENTAL) | 1:24:36 + 3: 32 | |
10. | KELLER Alexandra (THOMUS MAXON) | 1:25:07 + 4: 03 |
GENERAL WORLD CUP