Puck Pieterse and Sam Gaze both claimed victory in the Elite UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup event in Val di Sole, resulting in an Alpecin-Deceuninck double. In the women’s race, Pieterse muscled her way to the front and set the pace, with top contenders such as Evie Richards and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot doing their best to keep up. Chiara Teocchi later took the lead, but Pieterse remained strategic and ultimately sprinted to victory against Ferrand-Prévot.
Reflecting on her win, Pieterse expressed her satisfaction with her performance and tactics in the race. She acknowledged that the previous weekend in Nove Mesto had not gone as well for her, but in Val di Sole, she was able to execute her plan and secure the win. The Dutch rider emphasized the importance of playing it smart in the final moments of the race.
In the men’s race, Sam Gaze, the UCI World Champion, took the lead early on and held a strong position throughout the race. Riders like Simon Andreassen, Filippo Colombo, and Nino Schurter were also in the mix, battling for position and making strategic moves. Luca Braidot made a significant breakaway but was eventually caught by the chasing pack as the race neared its conclusion.
As the race entered its final laps, Nino Schurter made a decisive move to increase the pace and test his rivals. Riders like Charlie Aldridge and Alan Hatherly struggled to match the speed, leaving a select group of contenders vying for the win. Jens Schuermans made a powerful effort on the climb, setting the stage for a sprint finish among the remaining riders.
In the end, Sam Gaze showcased his strength and endurance, out-sprinting his competitors to claim victory in the men’s race. Victor Koretzky and Jens Schuermans rounded out the podium, with Nino Schurter finishing in fourth place. The intense competition and tactical maneuvers throughout the race kept fans on the edge of their seats, highlighting the skill and athleticism of the elite mountain bikers.
Overall, the UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup event in Val di Sole provided an exciting showcase of talent and determination. From Puck Pieterse’s strategic victory in the women’s race to Sam Gaze’s impressive performance in the men’s race, the competition was fierce and unpredictable. As the riders navigated challenging terrain and pushed themselves to the limit, the audience was treated to a thrilling display of mountain biking prowess.
For fans eager to experience more world-class mountain biking action, the UCI Mountain Bike World Series is available for streaming live on discovery+. Follow along as the best riders in the world continue to push the boundaries of the sport and compete for glory on the global stage.
