Emily Batty accelerated her rapid rise back up the World Cup standings on Sunday, jumping up into 10th in the elite women’s race in Vallnord, Andorra.
Anne Terpstra (Ghost) and Luca Braidot (Santa Cruz FSA) take the elite wins in Andorra after a high-altitude edition of the World Cup XCO.
Batty back at the front
Emily Batty’s built momentum all through 2022. After a 17th last weekend in Lenzerheide, the Canadian headed back to a venue that’s been solid for her in the past: Vallnord, Andorra. Batty worked her way through the field in the opening laps, riding into the top 10. The Canyon MTB racer then held that position to the finish line, placing 10th in Andorra. It’s her best World Cup finish this season.
Not far ahead, it was Anne Terpstra (Ghost Factory) taking the win. Moana Mitterwallner (Cannondale Factory Racing) fought through the top-20 to take second place, 57 seconds behind. Ramona Forchini (JB Brunex) lands third, her best result this year. Laura Stigger (Specialized) and Caroline Bohe (Ghost Factory) battled it out for the final podium spots, with Stigger taking fourth ahead of Bohe by six seconds at the line.
With her win in Andorra, Terpstra vaults one point ahead of Loana Lecomte in the overall standings. Rebecca McConnel leads the series with 1317 points to Terpstra’s 1205 with three rounds remaining.
Canadian women
Laurie Arseneault (Canyon MTB) was the next Canadian after Batty, finishing 28th. Sandra Walter (Liv Canada) placed 34th. Haley Smith (Maxxis Factory Racing) returned to World Cup racing with a 42nd. Cindy Montambault in 49th rounds out the Canadian effort.
Braidot lands back-to-back wins
When Luca Braidot sprinted to his first World Cup win one week ago, the controversial finish to the Lenzerheide men’s XCO partially overshadowed the Italian’s achievement. In Andorra, the Santa Cruz FSA racer showed that win was a sign of more to come. Braidot bagged back-to-back wins with a high-elevation victory in Vallnord.
Braidot finished 10 seconds ahead…
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