La Thuile – Valle d'Aosta wrote a new page in its mountain bike history today by hosting, for the first time, a mountain bike race. UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup (XCC)The discipline's debut on the calendar in the Aosta Valley resort provided spectacular races on a short but extremely challenging course, characterized by steep climbs, technical sections, and constant changes of pace at the foot of Mont Blanc.
Among the Elite men, the victory went to the Frenchman Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), protagonist of a thrilling duel with his compatriot Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) decided only on the last lap thanks to a winning attack on the final ramps of the course. Completing the podium was the British Charlie Aldridge, while the leader of the general classification Mathis Azzaro, despite a fall in the initial stages, managed to come back to eighth place, maintaining the lead of the World Cup.
In the women's race, the Swedish champion was instead Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) to prevail after a hard-fought race against the Swiss Sina Free, detached only on the final climb. Third place for the American Savilia BlunkAt the end of the race, Rissveds praised the La Thuile course, calling it an authentic mountain bike trail, immersed in an extraordinary natural setting.
Great celebration also for the Italian colours thanks to the victory of Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) in the Under 23 women's race. The young Italian dominated the race, achieving her first victory in the history of the XCC World Cup in La Thuile and strengthening her lead in the overall World Cup results. She also performed well Simone Avondetto, who after a mistake in the central stages of the race managed to recover positions, finishing in the Elite Top 10.
With the debut of the Short Track another piece of the great weekend of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.
Saturday will be the day dedicated to gravity disciplines with the finals of the UCI Downhill World Cup , UCI Enduro World Cup, which will conclude in the evening with the highly anticipated Night Fall by CVA, the only night special stage in the entire world calendar.
The grand finale on Sunday will be entrusted to Olympic Cross Country (XCO), also making its absolute debut in La Thuile.
MEN'S ELITE RANKING
| 1 | Adrien BOICHIS (FRA) | 19:39 |
| 2 | Luca MARTIN (FRA) | + 0: 01 |
| 3 | Charlie ALDRIDGE (GBR) | + 0: 16 |
| 4 | Bjorn RILEY (USA) | + 0: 17 |
| 5 | Dario LILLO (SUI) | + 0: 22 |
| 6 | Fabio PüNTENER (SUI) | + 0: 28 |
| 7 | Luca SCHWARZBAUER (GER) | + 0: 34 |
| 8 | Mathis AZZARO (FRA) | + 0: 38 |
| 9 | Simone AVONDETTO (ITA) | + 0: 43 |
| 10 | Juri ZANOTTI (ITA) | + 0: 47 |
FEMALE ELITE RANKING
| 1 | Jenny RISSVEDS (SWE) | 20:27 |
| 2 | Sina FREI (SUI) | + 0: 01 |
| 3 | Savilia BLUNK (USA) | + 0: 16 |
| 4 | Alessandra KELLER (SUI) | + 0: 20 |
| 5 | Nicole KOLLER (SUI) | + 0: 28 |
| 6 | Martina BERTA (ITA) | + 0: 44 |
| 7 | Rebecca HENDERSON (AUS) | + 0: 51 |
| 8 | Heby Sofie PEDERSEN (DEN) | + 0: 55 |
| 9 | Puck PIETERSE (NED) | + 1: 02 |
| 10 | Evie RICHARDS (GBR) | + 1: 08 |
