Oliver Solvhoj and Sofie Heby Pedersen victorious at U23 UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup

Denmark’s Oliver Solvhoj produced a superb performance to pip Dario Lillo of Switzerland to the line in a thrilling two-man battle for U23 men’s glory at the UCI cross-country Olympic World Cup, part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series.

Solvhoj finished the opening lap of the seven in first place and remained part of the leading group throughout, his rivals dropping off one by one to create a climactic two-horse race with Lillo.

The Dane steadily increased his lead over Lillo to leave him with time to high five spectators at Nove Mesto na Morave and punch the air in celebration as he crossed the line in 1:08.09.

“Just incredible,” Solvhoj told Eurosport. “It’s still coming to my mind. Just flat out racing all day, so just a general good weekend for me and I’m over the moon with this one.”

Lillo finished as runner-up, four seconds behind, after a late sprint failed to make up time lost in the tricky climbs and technical descents of the 3.1km course in the Czech Republic.

Tom Schellekens of the Netherlands came out on top of a hard-fought battle for the third and final podium place.

The Dutchman finished 41 seconds off Solvhoj’s pace, but crucially four seconds ahead of Ukrainian Oleksandr Hudyma and 14 seconds in front of New Zealander Matthew Wilson.

Luca Martin of France crossed the line in sixth, with Britain’s Peter Blackmore in seventh.

Andreas Vittone of Italy, Germany’s Emil Herzog and Luke Wiedman of Switzerland rounded off the top 10.

Solvhoj was at the front of the pack after a busy opening lap that saw a group of six riders splinter away from the rest, but Riley Amos was in front by the end of lap 2.

By the end of lap 3 a seven-man group had a lead of 30 seconds over the rest of the field, but it started to break apart slowly but surely as the gruelling course took its toll.

The trio of Solvhoj, Lillo and Amos had pulled away from the rest by the end of the fourth circuit, but there was heartbreak for American Amos when his back tyre came off the rim to rule him out of the contest.

That left the stage set for Solvhoj’s battle with Lillo to the finish line, with the Swiss opening up a five-second lead on the penultimate lap before his rival stepped on the gas to finish in style.

Later in the women’s race, Denmark’s Sofie Heby Pedersen produced an outstanding performance to claim a fine victory.

Pedersen simply had too much for her rivals as Switzerland’s Ginia Caluori had to settle for second place with Canada’s Emilly Johnston in third to round out the podium.

Sara Cortinovis of Italy pushed the top trio very hard but had to make do with fourth place, one minute and 32 seconds down on Pedersen, who was triumphant on the day.

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