October 4/20 6:45 am - Nove Mesto World Cup 2: Ferrand Prevot Dominates Final World Cup XCO

Posted by Editoress on 10/4/20
 

The pandemic-shortened Mountain Bike World Cup concluded on Sunday in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, with the second of two back-to-back cross-country races. World champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Canyon Collective) proved that she is one of the top favourites with her win in the women's race, leading from start to finish. Emily Batty (Trek Factory) was, once again, the top Canadian finisher in 30th place. Jenn Jackson (Norco Factory) finished 35th and Haley Smith (Norco Factory) 46th.

After already racing two Short Tracks and an XCO in the previous five days, riders were likely pleased with the slight reduction in the lap length; especially the cut to one of the climbs. The weather was also the best of the week, with the course hard and fast. The women did a shortened start lap before five full laps.

Emily Batty

Haley Smith

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Ferrand Prevot was part of a group of seven that broke clear on the start lap. Others in the group included XCO #1 winner Loana Lecomte (Massi), Anna Terpstra (Ghost Factory), Rebecca McConnell (Primaflora Mondraker XSauce), Austria's Laura Stigger, Sina Frei (Ghost Factory) and Evie Richards (Trek Factory), winner of both Short Tracks.

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Ferrand Prevot opened a gap on the first full lap, climbing more strongly than the others. Terpstra tried to stay in contact, gaining time in the technical second half of each lap only to lose it again on the climbs. Lecomte - an Under-23 rider - took control of third for the rest of the race, while McConnell battled Stigger and Richards for fourth, taking control of it in the final two laps, with Stigger holding off Richards for the final podium spot. A number of big names struggled, including defending World Cup overall champion Kate Courtney (Scott-SRAM) in 36th.

"I felt much better than in the Thursday race [the first XCO, where she finished third]," said Ferrand Prevot. "I knew I had to attack and make a hard race, because it was a shorter lap. So I started full gas and tried to open a gap. At the end it was a small gap, but enough. So I'm happy. It's quite technical on both the climbs and the downhills, so it is better to be at the front. I wanted to be able to choose my lines, so it was better for me to be at the front. It's been a tough year for everyone, but I also had surgery in January [on her leg], so I had to come back. Now, after the four races in one week I feel much better and I think I'm ready for next week [Worlds]."

Batty rode her way up from the high-30s, while Jackson was strong mid-race to move into the 20s before fading on the final lap.

Jenn Jackson

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"It was a solid go for me today," said Jackson. "I had a good push for the start and rode most of the race inside the top-30 with a fluid pack until the last lap when the wheels totally came off. That was pretty disappointing, to be honest, but up until that point it was an engaging race and felt like I had really good pace through some of the technical sections."

"The track in Leogang will be new to everyone, so hopefully I can learn it quick and hustle up a good result to end off this mini-race season. Being able to travel and compete this Fall has definitely been a privilege and opportunity I have not taken for granted. I still really want some performance improvements in these races, but if not now, then at least take these as markers for where I need to go forward towards next season."

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Results from the Elite Women's XC race, World Cup #2 in Nove Mesto na Morave in the Czech Republic