The Chelva Internationals once again offered two elite races of the highest level, decided in the final lap. The Dutch rider Anne Terpstra and the German Luca Schwarzbauer claimed victory in two very intense elite races.

The first news of the day in the women’s category was the last-minute absence of world champion Jenny Rissveds, who withdrew due to illness. Nevertheless, the elite women’s grid maintained a very high level and the race did not lose intensity.

From the early laps, a leading group formed with names like Evie Richards and her teammate Gwendalyn Gibson (Trek Unbroken), Anne Terpstra (Lapierre PXR), and Kelsey Urban (KMC Nukeproof). Midway through the race, Richards and Terpstra definitively broke away and went solo.

Schwarzbauer wins the sprint with the new Canyon and Terpstra debuts the Lapierre PXR in Chelva

In the final lap, the Dutch rider launched the decisive attack, changed the pace, and gained crucial seconds to cross the finish line in first position with a time of 1:15:52, thus signing the first victory for the newly established Lapierre PXR team.

Schwarzbauer wins the sprint with the new Canyon and Terpstra debuts the Lapierre PXR in Chelva

Top 10 Women’s Elite Chelva Internationals 2026

1. Anne Terpstra (Lapierre PXR) – 1:15:52.890
2. Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC) – 1:15:59.368
3. Gwendalyn Gibson (Trek – Unbroken XC) – 1:17:08.945
4. Mona Mitterwallner (Mondraker Factory Racing XC) – 1:17:45.445
5. Jennifer Jackson (Orbea Fox Factory Team) – 1:17:57.668
6. Vita Movrin (Sunn Factory Racing) – 1:18:02.123
7. Ginia Caluori (Nexetis) – 1:18:39.619
8. Chiara Teocchi (BH Coloma Team) – 1:18:56.179
9. Kelsey Urban (KMC-Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) – 1:19:11.165
10. Lia Schrievers (KMC-Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) – 1:19:19.403

In the men’s race, the competition was fierce. A large leading group arrived compact until the final lap, with continuous exchanges among Riley Amos (Trek Unbroken), Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing), Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing), and Luke Moir (Mondraker Factory Racing XC).

Schwarzbauer wins the sprint with the new Canyon and Terpstra debuts the Lapierre PXR in Chelva

However, the spotlight fell from the first lap on the German champion Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing), who was always well-positioned and setting the pace at key moments. Finally, Schwarzbauer and Luca Martin battled for victory in a tight sprint that went to the German by just half a second.

Schwarzbauer wins the sprint with the new Canyon and Terpstra debuts the Lapierre PXR in Chelva

Moreover, the victory has added significance: Schwarzbauer achieved it on the new Canyon prototype, marking its first victory in competition.

Top 10 Men’s Elite Chelva Internationals 2026

1. Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing) – 1:15:08.286
2. Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) – 1:15:08.771
3. Luke Moir (Mondraker Factory Racing XC) – 1:15:11.012
4. Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) – 1:15:11.759
5. Sebastian Fini Juul (Mondraker Factory Racing XC) – 1:15:31.294
6. Riley Amos (Trek – Unbroken XC) – 1:15:31.699
7. Luke Wiedmann (BMC Factory Racing) – 1:15:57.080
8. Jordan Sarrou (BMC Factory Racing) – 1:16:00.346
9. Jofre Cullell Estape (BH Coloma Team) – 1:16:00.495
10. Tyler Orschel (KMC-Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) – 1:16:06.495

Schwarzbauer wins the sprint with the new Canyon and Terpstra debuts the Lapierre PXR in Chelva

Two high-level races in Chelva confirm that the XCO season has started with maximum equality and several new projects already marking their territory from the first major test of the year.