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The MTB events at the Glasgow 'Super Worlds' are currently building towards their natural conclusion: this Saturday's elite XCO races. Before we get there though, let's take another look at Thursday's elite short-track races, where Sam Gaze (New Zealand) and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (France) were defending their titles from last year.
As Ryan Simonovich wrote for Escape Collective, both riders managed to earn another year in rainbows, but not without a spirited fight from their rivals. Photographer Piper Albrecht was there in Glentress Forest to capture the action, which you can see in the gallery below.
Defending champion Sam Gaze was a picture of concentration before Thursday's race.Love that Slovakian kit. Love even more the prospect of Sagan throwing himself into MTBing more seriously once his road career is done.And they're off.Note Gaze on the left.Luca Schwarzbauer leading early, as is his trademark.Gaze attacked uphill during the final lap ...... and ended up taking a second-straight XCC world title, just ahead of Victor Koretzy.XCC races might only be around 20 minutes long but that certainly doesn't mean they're easy.Tom Pidcock finished third on the day.Gaze's performance will leave him buoyed ahead of Saturday's XCO race. The Kiwi has unfinished business there – he crashed out in Les Gets last year, breaking his collarbone and several ribs.Evie Richards took to the start as the host nation's best chance of a medal.Former world and Olympic XCO champ, Jolanda Neff, hasn't had her best season so far, but can never be ruled out.Puck Pieterse, the revelation of the 2023 MTB World Cup season, came to the fore early. She was second by race's end.Aussie Bec Henderson in yet another appearance for her country. She'd end up fifth on the day.Evie Richards put in a strong showing for a bronze medal. She is followed here by eventual winner, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot.Back-to-back short track world titles for a woman who's well familiar with rainbows, in a range of disciplines.Silver for Pieterse, but she'll start the favourite for Saturday's XCO race.PFP with the win ahead of Pieterse (left) and Richards (right). Bring on Saturday!
