Manon Bakker wins maiden World Cup in Val di Sole, beating Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Puck Pieterse

Manon Bakker emerged as the queen of the snow in Val di Sole. The Crelan-Corendon rider stormed through the 7th World Cup round and took a surprising victory, overtaking and beating Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado in the final lap.

The race began and in a matter of second riders found problems, with both Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Puck Pieterse - the main favourites - tumbling in a corner. Early minutes of the race were chaotic for the riders but as soon as gaps began to form riders found their space. Kristyna Zemanová was the first rider to dig deep in the snow getting a gap, but was joined by Alvarado soon after.

The riders were taking a long time to go through a lap, and the gaps were small. Alvarado had the lead but visibly struggled on a few occasions, specifically having her gap cut completely when she was unable to run up a steep bank. Zemanová and Manon Bakker chased her closely, as Pieterse rode behind but far from the fight for the victory.

With only four laps to be raced, the gaps extended with Alvarado leading, chased by Bakker, but entering the final lap the gap was of only two seconds. The chase was completed in the final lap and Bakker then rode off solo. It is the biggest win of her career as she crossed the line. Alvarado rode to second place, extending her gap in the World Cup to her main rivals, whilst Puck Pieterse overtook the Czech rider to finish third on the day.