XCO World Series report: Controversy dominates both men's and women's races in Leogang

An early crash in the women’s race and a disqualification in the men’s made for eventful racing in Austria.

Alex Hunt

Whoop UCI MTB World Series

In the week leading up to the third XC round of the Whoop UCI Mountain Bike World Series, heavy rain fell throughout Leogang, creating testing conditions and setting the stage for the second mud race of the season.

Friday’s short track was held in biblical conditions, with riders fighting for visibility as much as grip. Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) continued her recent run of form to win the women’s race, while Simon Andreassen (Orbea Fox Factory Team) dominated the men’s event.

Heading into Sunday, the forecast offered little certainty, making tyre choice one of the biggest talking points in the pits. Riders faced a difficult compromise between grip, rolling speed and weight on a climb-heavy course that retains an old-school character.

Yet by the end of Sunday, the biggest talking points had little to do with the weather, with both elite races producing controversies that lingered after the finish.

Brief results Elite WomenJenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) 1:25:29 Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) +0:56Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon) +1:14 Nicole Koller (Lapierre PXR Racing) +1:32Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) +2:03 Elite MenAdrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) 1:21:09Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) +0:18Bjorn Riley (Sc0tt-SRAM MTB Racing Team) +0:45Simone Avondetto (Willier Vittoria Racing Team) +1:05David List (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) +1:14

*DSQ: Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) +0:08

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