The 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series double header in Brazil concluded with two adrenaline-pumping elite UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup (XCO) events, with Haley Batten and Simon Andreassen emerging as the winners. Batten and Andreassen won the XCO races in Araxa, Western Minas Geras State, following competitive battles in the UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup events the day before. The final day of racing took place on a dynamic cross-country course that encouraged fast-paced racing, with a jubilant crowd of local fans in attendance.The women’s race saw a thrilling battle between Batten and Jenny Rissveds, with Batten ultimately securing her first elite level XCO win. On the men’s side, a dramatic race unfolded with five riders battling to the finish line. Victor Koretzky initially led but suffered a mechanical issue on the final lap, allowing Andreassen to claim victory. Batten and Andreassen’s wins capped off an exciting weekend of racing in Brazil.
In the women’s elite XCO race, a chaotic start saw the lead change several times before a group of riders, including Batten, Keller, Rissveds, and Blunk, broke away from the pack. Keller set the pace early on, with Rissveds launching an attack on lap four to briefly take the lead. However, a mistake on lap five allowed the quartet to regroup. The race came down to a strategic battle on the final lap, with Batten ultimately pulling ahead to claim victory. Rissveds finished second, followed by Blunk, Keller, and Terpstra.
The men’s elite XCO race started off with total chaos, with Blevins dropping to last place after a hectic first lap. Gaze, Sarrou, and Schurter were among the early leaders, with a group of riders tightly packed heading into lap three. Vidaurre surged ahead on lap three, opening up a gap before being caught by the chasing group. Koretzky and Gaze then took control at the front, with Koretzky opening a lead on lap seven before suffering a mechanical issue on the final lap. Andreassen made a decisive late attack to secure the win, with Koretzky finishing second and Hatherly in third.
In the women’s U23 UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup race, Kira Bohm continued her undefeated streak, winning all four races in Brazil. Despite Munro’s early lead, Bohm asserted her dominance to pull away from the chasing group and secure the victory. In the men’s U23 race, Riley Amos claimed victory, adding to his wins in the XCC events in Araxa and Mairipora. The series now heads back to Europe, with the next stop being Fort William in Scotland for the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup.
Overall, the 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series double header in Brazil showcased thrilling racing action, with Batten, Andreassen, Bohm, and Amos demonstrating their dominance in their respective categories. The series now moves to Europe, where riders will continue to compete in various events leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Fans can catch all the action live and on-demand on discovery+.
