Richards wins the XCC at Snowshoe with a great performance

Richards puts in a sensational performance to take the victory at the Snowshoe XCC. The British rider decided to change the pace with two laps to go. The move worked out well and she was able to open a gap that was impossible to overcome. Pieterse and Henderson completed the podium.

Richards excels and takes the Snowshoe XCC

The race started under the cloudy skies of Snowshoe with a surprising Teocchi taking the first position, followed by her compatriot Berta. The riders went through the course without incident and completed the start loop in a compact peloton in which they were all grouped together.

It didn't take long for the top riders to come to the fore. Lecomte, Pieterse, Rissveds and Richards succeeded the Italians on the throne. Berta herself, Stigger, Henderson and company followed closely behind.

RECOMENDADO

Top 5 gravel pedals

Garmin Edge GPS range, which one to choose?

Why is the stiffness of a frame so important?

What is heart rate variability and how does it affect the cyclist?

How does age affect performance and recovery?

Our selection of the best road cycling shoes 2024

Lecomte set a brutal pace from the moment she took the lead and forced the rest to do the same. The group stretched out into an intermittent line of riders. Pieterse wanted to assume his usual leading role, but Lecomte refused and went back to the front.

Richards overtook Pieterse while Lecomte remained in the lead, oblivious to what was happening behind. Despite the intensity of the race, signs of weakness were not yet visible.

It took until the start of the third lap to see a change in the lead. Richards took the lead, while Henderson and Pieterse also won the position from Lecomte, who dropped to fourth place. The Frenchwoman was then ahead of Berta and Keller, who closed the leading group.

The Swiss woman abdicated shortly before Richards uncovered her cards. A change of pace that was impossible to replicate for those following her. The British managed to open a gap of five seconds with Pieterse, who in turn made ground on Batten, Lecomte and Henderson.

Last lap. Richards' lead was enough for the Trek Factory Racing rider to take the last kilometers with relative confidence, although she had pedaled enough not to leave the final result in the hands of fortune. Time to keep her head down and keep the watts up.

The stopwatch was counting down and the gap with her pursuers was getting bigger and bigger. 8 seconds with Pieterse and 14 with Henderson.

Richards completed the rest of the course with no problems and raised her arms at the finish line to seal the Snowshoe XCC victory. Pieterse and Henderson followed shortly after to join the winner on the podium.

Results XCC Snowshoe 2023 World Cup - Women's

1. Evie Richards 19'54"
2. Puck Pieterse +5"
3. Rebecca Henderson +9"
4. Alessandra Keller +12"
5. Loana Lecomte +15"
6. Martina Berta +16"
7. Haley Batten +17"
8. Jenny Rissveds +26"
9. Gwendalyn Gibson +26"
10. Mona Mitterwallner +30"

All results at MTBDATA