UCI Mountain Bike World Series 2023 LIVE – Pauline Ferrand-Prevot chases UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup success

10:45 – Richards to the front

She takes the lead on the climb, three seconds ahead of Batten. Ferrand-Prévot has worked hard to join the front group.

10:42 – steep downhill

The front group have successfully navigated the steep and rocky descent.

10:40 – lead group

Front group is made up of Batten, Frei, Richards, Henderson, and Martina Berta (Santa Cruz – RockShox Pro Team).

10:38 – Batten completes the start lap

She now takes the first lap of six. Githa Michiels has fallen off at the back of the group. Ferrand-Prévot crossed in 11th, 22 seconds behind Batten, Friday’s winner Stigger in 12th with the same time. Keller crossed in 13th on the same time as 11th and 12th.

10:36 – Batten clear

The American has gone clear after a great start, Richards a few seconds behind her followed by Frei and Rebecca Henderson (Primaflor Mondraker Genuins Racing Team).

10:35 – Batten ahead

She is ahead on the first descent.

10:33 – second climb

The group are beginning to thin out. Richards and Batten pushing hard on the climb.

10:32 – first climb

Richards looking strong leading on the first climb.

10:30 – Pieterse takes an initial lead

She gets off to a rapid start leading the group early on.

10:30 – they’re off!

And the start lap is underway! First we’ll have a start loop followed by six more laps.

Front row – the top eight

After the short course on Friday evening, the top eight have earned their places in the front row of the start line. Here’s how they line up today: 1. Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing), 2. Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon), 3.Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing), 4. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Ineos Grenadiers), 5. Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing XC), 6. Haley Batten (Specialized Factory Racing), 7. Puck Pieterse (Alpecin–Deceuninck), and 8.Anne Tauber (Orbea Factory Team).

What is Olympic cross country?

Today’s race is a mass start including a start loop, with starting positions determined from the results of the short track race a couple of days ago. The race is made up of laps ranging between 3.5km and 4.5km. The winner today will earn 250 points.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the final day of the opening weekend in Nové Město na Moravě! The action starts this morning with the women’s Olympic race.

What has happened thus far this weekend?

As is customary, the short track race took place at the start of the weekend, on a smaller course and over a reduced distance, and it decided the starting grid for the Olympic distance race.

An enthralling finish played out as Stigger sprinted for the line as Alessandra Keller (Thomus Maxon) and Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) completed the podium just behind the victorious Stigger.

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Ineos Grenadiers), who was one of the pre-race favourites for glory, and Britain’s Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing XC) were also just +0.01 behind Stigger in the bunch finish.

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