The opening round of the 2021 UCI XC World Cup brought a few surprises as the season began. A physical track, soaring temperatures and some technical sections, Albstadt was likely a shock to the system after such a long break from racing.
Results:
- Loana Lecomte: 1:21:38
- Pauline Ferrand Prevot: 1:22:31
- Haley Batten: 1:22:53
- Kate Courtney: 1:22:58
- Yana Belomoina: 1:23:08

- Victor Koretzky: 1:20:23
- Nino Schurter: 1:20:25
- Mathias Flรผckiger: 1:20:46
- Ondrej Cink: 1:20:48
- Thomas Pidcock: 1:20:52

- Mona Mitterwallner: 1:08:02
- Caroline Bohe: 1:10:40
- Blanka Kata Vas: 1:11:51
- Leonie Daubermann: 1:12:06
- Giada Specia: 1:12:46
- Carter Woods: 1:11:49
- David List: 1:11:55
- Simone Avondetto: 1:12:06
- Joel Roth: 1:12:14
- Riley Amos: 1:12:23
Check out the highlights to see what went down over the weekend.
As one of the races that count towards qualification for the Olympics, there was everything to play for. In the women’s field Lectome was untouchable and strong on the climbs. There was some close racing in the dry with the rest of the field chasing Loana to try to close the gap.
Women’s Highlights
In the men’s race, Victor Koretzky took his first elite win landing him the leader’s jersey in the opening round. The pace was flat out and some new faces appeared on podium this round, notably that of Thomas Pidcock. Nino was hunting for his 33rd win, but it wasn’t to be this time around.
Men’s Highlights
The next round will be this upcoming weekend (15-16 May) in Novรฉ Mฤsto, Czech Republic.
2021 UCI XC World Cup Schedule:
- 15-16 May Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
- 05-06 June Leogang, Austria.
- 03-04 July Les Gets, France.
- 04-05 September Lenzerheide, Switzerland.
- 18-19 September Snowshoe, USA.
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Thanks for this – definitely appreciate more of these in the future. And 5* for putting the womanโs results first ๐
The best bit of the weekend, not shown here but on the Red Bull coverage, was Kate Courtney coming into the finish area in 4th, looking 20 metres in front and seeing fellow US racer Haley Batten take crossing the line to a first podium – Kate was whooping, waving, shouting. Great to see.
Brutal racing & Nino doubling on the last lap!
Also worth mentioning the womenโs short track – results not posted above – where Annie Last got 3rd- great to see her up there !