THERE’S ONLY ONE

In an unforgettable race in both the Men’s and Women’s XCO World Championships, Nino Schurter (SCOTT-SRAM Racing) and Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing) proved that history can be made for the first time, or the ninth time, and spur the same emotions – shock, joy, disbelief, elation – that no other title can match. Because at the end of the day, there is only one World Champion.

Nino came into World Championships hungrier that ever after a season of near misses. It was clear from the start gun, that Nino was bringing his breadth of eight previous World Championships to the track, tactfully moving into the front pack. Creating a tempo that the rest of the field could not match, Nino and his Swiss compatriot broke away by the second lap and it quickly escalated into a battle between Nino and Mathias Flückiger (SUI).

A different race played out in the Elite Women’s field, but it boiled down to making the right move at the right time. Evie had a strong start riding in the lead group on the first two laps. After Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Absolute Absalon-BMC) characteristically broke away, Richards put in a valiant effort to reel her back in and make a decisive pass that would stick for the final two laps to come. 

Evie charged ahead, riding fearlessly through the technical descents. For those who thought this course did not favor her riding style and strengths, Evie proved that confidence overrides skepticism.   

“I hadn’t even won a World Cup yet so to be out in front on my own with two laps to go I was worried someone might catch me. I had lots of people giving me splits on the course and the gaps were getting bigger and this gave me confidence in myself to just keep pushing. I have learned this season what pace I can maintain so I wasn't worried about fading. I was more worried that someone would suddenly find a second wind of energy!” 

And at just 24 years old, Evie has plenty more career highlights to come. In addition to being Great Britain’s first mountain biker to win the Elite Women’s XCO World Championship title, Evie is also a world-class baker. With spirits high, Evie is looking forward to being home and getting back in her groove. “I have got a celebratory dishwasher on order. Once that is fitted, I can get baking again!”

In the Elite Women’s short track, Jolanda Neff (Trek Factory Racing) stole the holeshot out of the gate, keeping a group of six including Evie, Pauline, and Rebecca McConnell (Primaflor Mondraker X-Sauce) on the chase. With attacks being thrown throughout the seven laps, Sina patiently waited to make her move on the final lap. In an all-out effort, Sina laid down the watts for a photo-finish win with Evie. Pauline finished one second behind the battling duo for bronze. 

The Elite Men’s short track took on a different tone with riders settling into consistent pace as a large group of riders fought for the lead. Colorado-native, Christopher Blevins found himself in the mix, working diligently to stay within striking distance of the leader. With a few laps to go, Christopher attacked and moved into third place where a fierce battle ensued with Enrique Avencini (BRA). In the final corner, Christopher launched his winning move to outsprint Avencini and Maximillian Brandl (GER). 

Christopher also won a silver medal in the Team Relay and a bronze in E-MTB making him the first ever athlete to win three medals at World Championships and the first American Elite Men’s racer to win a cross-country title since 1991.