2024 WES UCI E-MTB XC World Cup season inaugural race, the Trentino Round, took place for the first time in Arco di Trento. Windy and sunny weather conditions made an exciting fight on a brand-new and demanding track.
Specialized riders kicked off the weekend successfully by securing the Raspini Pole Position. Sofia Wiedenroth and Joris Ryf claimed the top spots, achieving podium finishes for both, though on different steps.
The German and the Swiss pedalled to take the lead at the first turn, securing the season’s first Santero Holeshot and establishing the pace for the initial lap.
The Action
Wiedenroth and Anna Spielmann (Haibike) repeatedly exchanged the lead during the race. In the last two laps, the German managed to surpass the Austrian to claim the win. The podium was rounded out by Reigning World Champ, Nathalie Schneitter (Trek Bosch).
Kathrin Stirnemann (Thömus Maxon) crossed the finish line in fourth position, trailing the podium by a mere four seconds, while simultaneously widening the gap ahead of the local contender, Anna Oberparleitter (Team Cingolani Specialized).
On the other hand, Reigning World Champ Ryf started aggressively but lost the lead to Reigning World Cup Winner Gilloux on the second lap. From that point on, the Lapierre rider held onto the lead until crossing the finish line first, while the Italian Mirko Tabacchi (Leynicese RDR Italia Factory Team) finished in third place.
Local hero Martino Fruet (Lapierre Trentino Ale’) nearly made it to the podium on his home turf, while the Spaniard Ismael Esteban Agüero (Logos Energía Bh) finished in fifth place, matching his qualifying position.
