Nicole Koller triumphs at the XCO Cathedral after controlling the race

Banyoles once again confirmed its status as a historic venue for the Olympic Cross Country in a very special edition, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the event organized by Ocisport. The Catalan circuit, chosen for generations by figures such as Marga Fullana, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Julien Absalon, and Victor Koretzky to kick off the season, once again brought together a good part of the international elite at the start of the season.

Nicole Koller controls and wins in Banyoles

The elite women's race started at 10:40, one minute before the other female categories, on a course of five laps plus a start loop. The first to take the lead was the Italian Chiara Teocchi (BH Coloma Team), heading a group that was initially very compact.

In the first long climb, the first positioning movements began. Runners like Canadian champion Jennifer Jackson (Orbea Fox), Italian Valentina Corvi (Canyon), and Swiss Nicole Koller (Lapierre) sought front positions, although no significant differences were made. Kelsey Urban (Nukeproof), Anne Terpstra (Lapierre), and Sara Cortinovis (Unno Factory) also remained alert in a race that was still very open.

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The first decisive point came at the end of the first complete lap, in the technical climbing section. Some runners were able to overcome it on their bikes, while others were forced to dismount. This detail allowed Koller, Corvi, and Jackson to open a small gap over the rest.

In the second lap, the leading group expanded again. Sara Cortinovis was the first to rejoin, and shortly after, Kelsey Urban pushed the chase to close the gap. From there, the dynamics were constant: small rhythm attacks, partial regroupings, and a progressive wear on a circuit that penalizes any loss of momentum.

As the laps went by, Nicole Koller established herself as the most solid runner. Without the need for an early explosive attack, she hardened the race with continuous pace changes until, after several attempts, she launched the decisive one in the final part. The Swiss managed to break away alone and completed almost the entire last lap in the lead.

Koller crossed the finish line in 1h18:36, achieving victory with an approximate lead of 16 seconds over Valentina Corvi, who despite still being under-23 competed in the elite category and delivered a very consistent performance. The podium was completed by American Kelsey Urban, with Jennifer Jackson very close in the fight for the front positions.

Top 5 Shimano Super Cup Massi Banyoles 2026 – Elite Women

1. Nicole Koller (SUI) – 1h18:36.24
2. Valentina Corvi (ITA) – 1h18:52.86 (+16.62)
3. Kelsey Urban (USA) – 1h19:23.76 (+47.52)
4. Jennifer Jackson (CAN) – 1h19:24.88 (+48.64)
5. Sara Cortinovis (ITA) – 1h19:59.66 (+1:23.42)