Luca Martin breaks Blevins' winning streak in a thrilling finish and Alessandra Keller wins the Short Track in Andorra with a powerful attack

The MTB World Cup in Pal Arinsal (Andorra) started with an atypical day marked by the risk of storms. The weather threat forced the race to be moved up to Friday morning, an unusual time slot that, combined with the altitude of the track, posed an additional challenge for the cyclists.

Alessandra Keller dominates the women's Short Track in Pal Arinsal with a powerful final attack

The sky was clear and the women's race took place under the sun, with good temperature and a dry atmosphere that favored an explosive start. Dutch rider Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took the lead from the first corner, setting a strong pace from the beginning of the nine scheduled laps.

The course, with demanding climbs and trail sections that quickly stretched the group, soon defined the contenders for the podium. Throughout the early laps, Pieterse alternated the lead with Jenny Rissveds (Canyon), Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing), and Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon), without any of them managing to break away from the group of favorites.

It was in the fourth lap when Pieterse launched a strong attack on the grassy climb, followed by Richards. It seemed like the group was finally going to split, but the equality was maximum and the main candidates continued to ride together for one more lap.

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The pace increased significantly in the last three laps thanks to the continuous attacks from Richards and Keller. This increase in intensity eventually took its toll on Pieterse, who lost ground as Richards and Keller pulled away at the front.

In the final lap, Swiss rider Alessandra Keller saved her best for last. She took advantage of the toughest climb on the circuit to launch a powerful attack that allowed her to open a gap and maintain it until the finish line. Richards tried to respond, but couldn't close the decisive meters and finished second, 4 seconds behind. Ronja Blöchlinger (Liv Factory Racing), with an excellent performance, completed the podium 10 seconds behind the winner.

Top 7 Results - Women's Elite XCC Pal Arinsal 2025

1. Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon) - 20:32
2. Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing - Pirelli) - +4"
3. Ronja Blöchlinger (Liv Factory Racing) - +10"
4. Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck) - +17"
5. Nicole Koller (Ghost Factory Racing) - +21"
6. Jennifer Jackson (Orbea Fox Factory Team) - +21"
7. Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) - +34"

Luca Martin breaks Blevins' winning streak in a thrilling finish

The men's race started with the question of whether American rider Chris Blevins (Specialized) could extend his streak of five consecutive Short Track victories. All eyes were also on Swiss rider Lars Forster, whose last-minute withdrawal left the Thömus Maxon team without one of their key riders. Spanish riders Jofre Cullell, David Campos, and David Valero started from rear positions (22nd, 33rd, and 36th).

The race began with an explosive start from Mathias Flückiger, who moved from the second row to first in the first corner, followed by an increasingly crowded group of favorites. Among them, Nino Schurter, Chris Blevins, Mathis Azzaro, and a surprising David Campos who broke into the top 10 in the early laps.

The 11-lap race provided constant excitement with continuous changes at the front. Different riders led at various moments, such as Schurter, Azzaro, or the newly crowned French champion Luca Martin, while Luca Schwarzbauer was pushed back after a fall following a top 5 position.

Everything changed in the penultimate lap. Victor Koretzky crashed after breaking his chain and took down Nino Schurter in the incident.

Martin then took the lead and managed to hold on until the end, resisting the final sprint from Blevins who closed in on him but couldn't snatch the victory. Mathis Azzaro completed an all-French podium.

Top 10 Results - Men's Elite XCC Pal Arinsal 2025

1. Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) - 22:00
2. Chris Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) - +00"
3. Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) - +02"
4. Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) - +02"
5. Ondrej Cink (Cube Factory Racing) - +13"
6. Carter Woods (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) - +15"
7. Alan Hatherly (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) - +16"
8. Simon Andreassen (Orbea Fox Factory Team) - +16"
9. Luca Braidot (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) - +18"
10. Nino Schurter (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) - +19"

The action continues on Sunday with the XCO races, here you can check the schedules and how to follow the races for free.