Unleashed Puck Pieterse becomes Netherlands' first female XCO World champion while Pauline Ferrand-Prévot falls through in her last MTB race

Puck Pieterse absolutely stormed through the course of the XCO World Championships. The Dutch talent left everyone in the dust and arrived to the finish with nearly a minute advantage over compatriot Anne Terpstra. Martina Berta completes the podium. Disappointed pre-race favourite Pauline Ferrand-Prévot finished only 14th in her last MTB race.

The best female mountain bikers in the world came into action quite early today in the battle for the world title. The UCI decided – in consultation with the local organization and local authorities – to adjust the competition schedule for the Mountain Bike World Championships in accordance to the unfavorable weather forecast with multiple storms except to arrive to Andorra in the afternoon.

Originally, the elite women were supposed to start their race at 13:30, but the start was now brought forward to 10:15. And not only that: The U23 women had to complete their race together with that of the female pros, but a separate jersey was awarded for the best U23 woman in the race.

In addition, the races were all shortened by one lap: the women now rode five instead of the planned six laps.

Before the race, a clash between the queen of mountain bikes Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and the rising star Puck Pieterse was awaited. The young Pieterse wasted no time and immediately created a gap to her opponents from the start. The French lady countered and gradually crawled back to the Dutch leader of the race. However that was also the last thing Ferrand-Prévot showed in this race, as she went too far into red to close the gap and eventually fell through the standings.

Only South African Candice Lill was seemingly able to counter the flying Pieterse, but that only lasted until the third lap when the 22-year-old finally shook off the last remaining enemy. Pieterse then continued a smooth sail towards the victory.

Behind, a trio with Anne Terpstra, Martina Berta and Loana Lecomte caught up to struggling Lill and battled for the remaining places on the podium. At the start of the last lap, Pieterse already held a minute-lead and behind her was compatriot Terpstra who managed to ride away from the rest of her group and passed Lill. The final lap was more of a formality and the Dutch ladies secured a phenomenal triumph.