Evie Richards wins an impressive sprint at the 2024 Short Track World Championships

In one of the most competitive and exciting Short Tracks tests of the season, British rider Evie Richards has just been crowned XCC World Champion 2024.

Evie Richards wins the XCC World Championship 2024 in Andorra

With cloudy skies and perfect temperature for competition, the XCC World Championship kicked off at the Pal Arinsa station in Andorra. A test full of favorites and with the notable absences of American Haley Batten or French Loana Lecomte.

The green light came on and while Dutch rider Puck Pieterse took the lead with some nervousness, it was French rider Pauline Ferrand-Prevot who quickly overtook everyone and started to set a fairly high pace.

Italian Chiara Teochi tried to follow Pauline's wheel, but the French rider launched an attack during the 3rd lap that only Swedish rider Jenny Rissveds could join.

With the race limited to 8 laps, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot was managing to break the group and while Rissveds fought not to fall behind, a second chasing group, formed by Pieterse and British rider Evie Richards, tried to catch up with the leaders.

Less than 12 minutes of competition and the race was tough with 3 laps to go. An impressive attack by Evie Richards allowed her to jump from the back group to Pauline, but the British rider did not settle for that and continued her attack to take the lead and try to drop the current Olympic champion.

The bell for the final lap rang and the podium positions were far from decided. Ahead, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Evie Richards continued to attack each other, while the fight for bronze was between Jenny Rissveds and Puck Pieterse.

The victory was decided in the final meters when Evie Richards beat Pauline at the finish line. The bronze went to Swedish rider Jenny Rissveds.

This result confirms that the best Evie Richards is back, the 2021 world champion, and she will be a force to be reckoned with for Sunday's XCO race.

Results XCC World Championship Andorra 2024

1. Evie Richards - GBR - 19:46
2. Pauline Ferrand Prevot - FRA - 19:47
3. Jenny Rissveds - SWE - 20:04
4. Puck Pieterse - NED - 20:08
5. Gwendalyn Gibson - USA - 20:11
6. Anne Terpstra - NED - 20:12
7. Kate Courtney - USA - 20:16
8. Savilia Blunk - USA - 20:18
9. Rebecca Henderson - AUS - 20:22
10. Laura Stigger - AUT - 20:42