Great performance by Alessandra Keller to win the Short Track of the Vallnord 2023 World Cup

Switzerland's Alessandra Keller took the victory in the Short Track of the XCO Pal Arinsa Andorra 2023 World Cup after an agonizing effort that she maintained for more than half of the race.

Keller takes victory in the Short Track of the XCO Pal Arinsa Andorra World Cup

Weather conditions are expected to be very changeable during the weekend of the XCO Pal Arinsa Andorra World Cup, but at least the women's Short Track race started without rain and with an optimal temperature for racing.

In addition to the altitude of the circuit, which at almost 2,000 meters could reduce the performance of some riders, the route of the XCC of Andorra has a very selective start that could be decisive.

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French rider Loana Lecomte (Canyon CLLCTV) took the lead of the race from the start, leading a large group of favorites that included Alessandra Keller (Thomus Maxon), Evie Richards (Trek FR), Martina Berta (Santa Cruz RockShox), Jenny Rissveds (Ibis Team 31) or Linda Indergand (Liv FR), among others. Again a bad start of Pauline Ferrand-Prevot was striking, but the INEOS rider was able to fix it in just 3 laps.

Although the pace was very high and there were cuts from behind, the leading group stayed together as the laps went by despite the continuous attacks that Alessandra Keller began to launch from lap 4 onwards.

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, who was wearing her new rainbow jersey, did not seem to find her rhythm and could only struggle not to fall off the pace. But the big change of pace was marked again by Alessandra Keller on the penultimate lap. The Swiss launched an attack that only Evie Richards could answer.

It all came down to the last lap when, in a tremendous effort, Alessandra Keller did not slow down and was able to reach the finish line exhausted and a few seconds from Evie Richards. Dutch rider Puck Pieterse closed the podium almost 20 seconds behind.

Results XCC World Cup Pal Arinsa Andorra 2023 - Women

1. Alessandra Keller 20:36
2. Evie Richards +0:06
3. Puck Pieterse +0:17
4. Martina Berta +0:24
5. Anne Terpstra +0:33
6. Pauline Ferrand Prevot +0:35
7. Rebecca Henderson  +0:36
8. Loana Lecomte +0:39
9. Mona Mitterwallner +0:41
10. Gwndalyn Gibson +0:47