The results are in from dramatic racing in Nove Mesto. Puck Pieterse took her first Elite win at her first Elite race after battling with World Champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot. Puck Pieterse managed to shut down the gap to the French rider on the final lap and with an attack through the tech zone she was able to secure the lead and take the win by five seconds. Following closely behind 2nd-placed Pauline Ferrand Prevot was Loana Lecomte who came from behind in the early stages of the race to a point in the last lap where it looked like she may have been in contention for the win. Loana would eventually cross the line 3rd, 11 seconds off the pace. In an incredible achievement, Evie Richards fought back from a flat rear tire that destroyed her chance at securing the win to end the day with an impressive fourth place.
In her post-race broadcast interview, Puck Pieterse said: “I don’t know what happened, I only knew that normally my start is really good but we were going so fast that I thought I totally blew myself up but it looked like the others did too. Then Pauline and I were going in front of each other and I think after a few laps Evie had a flat or something and then I was suddenly racing for the front and I didn’t know what to do. I just try to keep calm and it worked out.”
With rain making the course even more challenging for the Elite Men all eyes were on Friday’s XCC winner Tom Pidcock and whether he could secure a third consecutive win at Nove Mesto. Despite joining the front of the race in the first lap and looking like it would be an easy ride Joshua Dubau would make sure that a win was not a guarantee for the Olympic champion. A mid-race crash would make things even harder for Tom Pidcock but battered and bruised he fought back and managed to get into a position where an attack on the last lap would create a gap big enough to stay ahead into the finish and secure the win. Joshua Dubau fought hard but he will be more than happy with a 2nd place, just five seconds back. Nino Schurter couldn’t get his 34th win this weekend but with a third place he will have picked up some important series points.
After the race, Tom Pidcock said in a broadcast interview: “Today was a hard race honestly. The conditions were super tricky, we haven’t ridden at all in the rain. So yeah it was tricky, I think my tires were a bit hard and I was struggling a bit on the roots. But yeah it is nice to win in the end.”
The riders will now have a few weeks to wait until the series picks up again in Lenzerheide.
Check out the full results and updates from the racing as it happened below.
Results:
Elite Women:
1st. Puck Pieterse: 1:23:01
2nd. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +5
3rd. Loana Lecomte: +11
4th. Evie Richards: +16
5th. Alessandra Keller: +38
Elite Men:
1st. Tom Pidcock: 1:22:46
2nd. Joshua Dubau: +5
3rd. Nino Schurter: +23
4th. Jordan Sarrou: +23
5th. Thomas Griot: +48
6:00 am PDT: The Elite Men’s Race is Now Underway
The Elites Men sprint off the line as they face some tricky conditions as it is raining in Nove Mesto. The rain isn’t heavy enough to really change the course too much but it may make things extra slippy on the many roots spread out across the lap.
6:02 am PDT: Luca Schwarzbauer Leads the Start Loop
After Tom Pidcock has a slower start than he may have wanted it is the German rider leading the race after he secured 3rd in Friday’s XCC.
6:08 am PDT: Top Five After the Start Loop
1st. Luca Schwarzbauer: 7:15
2nd. Sam Gaze: +7
3rd. Nino Schurter: +8
4th. Tom Pidcock: +8
5th. Titouan Carod: +8
6:09 am PDT: A Big Mistake for Sam Gaze
It appears that Sam Gaze may have made a mistake causing a blockage on the track. Only Nino Schurter seems to have avoided it as he is still right on Luca Schwarzbauer’s wheel.
6:14 am PDT: Joshua Dubau and Nino Schurter Catch Luca Schwarzbauer
The chasing pair of Joshua Dubau and Nino Schurter have closed the gap to Luca Schwarzbauer as the group now sit 10 seconds ahead of Tom Pidock in 3rd.
6:17 am PDT: Tom Pidcock, Sam Gaze and Mathias Flückiger Have Joined the Leaders
The race is closing back up again after a very quick start loop. As we reach the conclusion of the first full lap we now have a group of six riders all very close at the front.
6:19 am PDT: Top Five After the First Lap
1st. Tom Pidcock: 18:13
2nd. Nino Schurter: +0
3rd. Luca Schwarzbauer: +0
4th. Joshua Dubau: +0
5th. Mathias Flückiger: +0
6:20 am PDT: The Leading Group Grows to 8 Riders
As we start the second full lap the race continues to come back together as we now have a large pack of eight riders setting the pace.
6:21 am PDT: Tom Pidcock Launches an Attack
Tom Pidcock seems to have had enough of the slowing pace as he goes into the lead.
6:22 am PDT: Riders are Struggling in the Wet
The wet rocks on the Shimano Expert Climb are causing some difficulties for the top riders as we see Nino Schurter take a small fall.
6:26 am PDT: Luca Schwarzbauer, Nino Schurter and Mathias Flückiger Form a Chasing Group
Luca Schwarzbauer, Nino Schurter and Mathias Flückiger are hunting down the leading two riders after they broke away following the carnage on the Shimano Expert Climb.
6:29 am PDT: Top Five After the Second Lap
1st. Tom Pidcock: 28:43
2nd. Joshua Dubau: +0
3rd. Nino Schurter: +15
4th. Luca Schwarzbauer: +15
5th. Mathias Flückiger: +20
6:32 am PDT: Tom Pidcock has Split from Joshua Dubau on the First Climb
Tom Pidcock seems to be pushing hard and has managed to find four seconds against 2nd-placed Joshua Dubau.
6:35 am PDT: Joshua Dubau Closes the Gap Again
Joshua Dubau is putting down an impressive performance today as he has once again caught Tom Pidcock.
6:40 am PDT: Top Five After the Third Lap
1st. Tom Pidcock: 39:17
2nd. Joshua Dubau: +3
3rd. Nino Schurter: +30
4th. Jordan Sarrou: +30
5th. Luca Schwarzbauer: +30
6:41 am PDT: Tom Pidcock Stalls on the Expert Climb
The leader of the race is off his bike as he slips out on the wet rocks. Joshua Dubau cleans the climb and is right back on the Olympic champion’s rear wheel.
6:46 am PDT: Nino Schurter and Jordan Sarrou are Closing in on the Leaders
After starting the lap 30 seconds back the gap back to Nino Schurter and Jordan Sarrou has shrunk to 25 seconds at the midpoint of lap four.
6:48 am PDT: A Massive Crash for Tom Pidcock
Joshua Dubau goes into the lead as Tom Pidcock slides out in the woods. The gap is already sitting at 10 seconds.
6:50 am PDT: Top Five After the Fourth Lap
1st. Joshua Dubau: 50:13
2nd. Tom Pidcock: +13
3rd. Nino Schurter: +23
4th. Jordan Sarrou: +25
5th. Luca Schwarzbauer: +42
6:56 am PDT: The Gap is Not Closing Quickly Between Joshua Dubau and Tom Pidcock
So far it does not look like Tom Pidcock can close the gap to the leader as it is sticking around 11 seconds. Tom Pidcock will have to watch out as Nino Schurter will now be in sight and chasing him down from behind.
7:01 am PDT: Top Five After the Fifth Lap
1st. Joshua Dubau: 1:01:06
2nd. Tom Pidcock: +4
3rd. Nino Schurter: +24
4th. Jordan Sarrou: +24
5th. Thomas Griot: +37
7:03 am PDT: Tom Pidcock has Caught Joshua Dubau
A battered and bruised Tom Pidcock has managed to bridge the gap to Joshua Dubau as there are just two laps remaining.
7:05 am PDT: The Pace is Slowing Down
The chasing pair of Jordan Sarrou and Nino Schurter seem to be closing in slightly as Tom Pidcock struggles again on the Shimano Expert Climb.
7:09 am PDT: Joshua Dubau is Really Pushing Hard Now
Joshua Dubau has upped the pace as they head into the second part of the lap but Tom Pidcock is holding his wheel so far.
7:12 am PDT: Top Five Heading Into the Final Lap
1st. Joshua Dubau: 1:12:01
2nd. Tom Pidcock: +1
3rd. Nino Schurter: +21
4th. Jordan Sarrou: +21
5th. Thomas Griot: +28
7:17 am PDT: What a Ride from Joshua Dubau
No matter what happens in the second half of this final lap Joshua Dubau has laid down an incredible performance today as he denies Tom Pidcock an easy ride.
7:19 am PDT: Tom Pidcock Launches his Attack
Tom Pidcock goes hard on the pedals in an effort to lead into the next downhill but Joshua Dubau will not be dropped easily.
7:21 am PDT: Tom Pidcock Goes Hard on the Pro Climb
Tom Pidcock has finally created a gap but at only four seconds it could still be closed. But any gap this close to the end is a real danger when it is Tom Pidcock you have to chase down.
7:23 am PDT: Tom Pidcock Takes a Third Consecutive Win at Nove Mesto
After an incredibly tough race for Tom Pidcock he secures another win at Nove Mesto.
2:30 am PDT: The Elite Women are Off
The Elites are off the line with Puck Pieterse leading into a shortened start loop before six full laps.
2:35 am PDT: Evie Richards & Haley Batten Lead the Start Loop
Evie Richards & Haley Batten take control of the pace as riders head around the start loop. They will be hoping to break the big group up before starting the first full lap of the course.
2:37 am PDT: Haley Batten Builds a 5-Second Gap
Haley Batten takes advantage of her lead into the first singletrack downhill as she gaps Evie Richards and the chasing group by five seconds.
2:39 am PDT: Top Five After the Start Loop
1st. Haley Batten
2nd. Evie Richards: +4
3rd. Rebecca Henderson: +4
4th. Sina Frei: +4
5th. Martina Berta: +5
2:46 am PDT: Evie Richards Now Leads After a Mid-Climb Attack
Evie Richards has gone into the front of the race after a big effort with Haley Batten and Sina Frei close behind. The pace will need to stay high as Puck Pieterse, Loana Lecomte and Pauline Ferrand Prevot are making their way through the chasing group after a slower start to the race.
2:51 am PDT: Top Five After the First Lap
1st. Evie Richards: 20:29
2nd. Puck Pieterse: +14
3rd. Haley Batten: +15
4th. Sina Frei: +15
5th. Martina Berta: +15
2:55 am PDT: Evie Richards is Keeping the Pace High & Making Big Gaps
After just one full lap Evie Richards has already created some huge gaps as Kate Courtney in 14th is the last rider within a minute of the current race leader.
2:57 am PDT: Puck Pieterse is the Only Rider Matching the Leader’s Pace
After crossing the line 14 seconds back Puck Pieterse is the only rider to keep this gap equal as she makes her way up the steep Whoop climb. The rest of the chasing group are now led by Sina Frei in third who has dropped to 22 seconds behind Evie Richards.
3:00 am PDT: Sina Frei has a Technical Issue
Sina Frei has pulled into the tech zone but after a quick stop, she is back in the race. Despite the stop being short she has dropped by to 9th place, 33 seconds back.
3:01 am PDT: Big Moves from Loana Lecomte
After falling back to around 10th position in the early stages of the race so far Loana Lecomte seems to be pushing hard as she is now in 6th and only 26 seconds off the pace.
3:01 am PDT: Top Five After the Second Lap
1st. Evie Richards: 32:47
2nd. Puck Pieterse: +10
3rd. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +12
4th. Martina Berta: +32
5th. Haley Batten: +32
3:06 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot Takes the 2nd Place Position
Pauline Ferrand Prevot has overtaken Puck Pieterse as the two riders try and chase down Evie Richards. Alessandra Keller is now heading up the following chasing group although they are still around 30 seconds off the pace.
3:11 am PDT: Disaster for Evie Richards with a Rear Flat Tire
Luckily she is close to the tech zone but this will cost her the advantage she had built so far.
3:13 am PDT: Evie Richards has Slipped Back to 6th After a Flat Tire
It is now Puck Pieterse and Pauline Ferrand Prevot who lead with Loana Lecomte back in third, 10 seconds off the leading riders’ pace. Evie has made her way back to 6th so far but she still has more work to do.
3:16 am PDT: Top Five After the Third Lap
1st. Puck Pieterse: 45:27
2nd. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +1
3rd. Loana Lecomte: +10
4th. Rebecca Henderson: +15
5th. Alessandra Keller: +20
3:19 am PDT: Puck Pieterse has Ridden Away from Pauline Ferrand Prevot
After passing Pauline Ferrand Prevot on a climb Puck Pieterse has managed to pull five seconds ahead of the World Champion to take the race lead on the fourth full lap.
3:21 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot has already Closed the Gap
Heading up the incredibly steep Whoop climb Pauline Ferrand Prevot has already shut down the gap created by Puck Pieterse. Loana Lecomte is also keeping matched to the leaders as the gap remains at 10 seconds.
3:28 am PDT: Top Five After the Fourth Lap
1st. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: 57:57
2nd. Puck Pieterse: +2
3rd. Loana Lecomte: +17
4th. Alessandra Keller: +27
5th. Rebecca Henderson: +27
3:30 am PDT: The Race Pace Remains High
As we cross into the final stages of the race the speed of the leaders remains high as it is only the top nine riders who are within a minute of Pauline Ferrand Prevot.
3:31 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot Looks to be Pulling Away
Pauline Ferrand Prevot is starting to attack at the front with the gap to second-placed Puck Pieterse building to seven seconds. Puck Pieterse isn’t letting her get away though and is also pushing hard to catch the World Champion.
3:36 am PDT: Puck Pieterse is Closing Back in on Pauline Ferrand Prevot
After the gap extended to around 10 seconds Puck Pieterse is pushing hard again to close this down to just five seconds. Ideally, Puck Pieterse will want this closed soon as they make their way around to start the final lap.
3:38 am PDT: Evie Richards has Joined the Chasing Group
Evie Richards has fought hard after her mechanical and is now on the rear wheel of the chasing group featuring Alessandra Keller and Anne Terpstra. These riders are currently fighting for 4th, 5th and 6th place.
3:41 am PDT: Top Five Going into the Final Lap
1st. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: 1:10:29
2nd. Puck Pieterse: +7
3rd. Loana Lecomte: +19
4th. Evie Richards: +37
5th. Alessandra Keller: +37
3:45 am PDT: Puck Pieterse has Caught Pauline Ferrand Prevot
Pauline Ferrand Prevot has let Puck Pieterse catch her at the front as they make their way around the final lap. Loana Lecomte has also massively closed the gap down from 19 to just seven seconds. We could be in for a three-way sprint finish.
3:49 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot Can’t Build a New Gap
Puck Pieterse is right on the World Champions rear wheel despite the best efforts of Pauline Ferrand Prevot. Loana Lecomte is also setting her sights on the lead as she is now just five seconds back. Evie Richards has nearly done the impossible as she is back to only 15 seconds off the pace, a 20 seconds reduction from the start of the lap.
3:50 am PDT: A Huge Attack from Puck Pieterse
Puck Pieterse has launched a huge attack on the fireroad and builds a small gap into the Cannondale BMX section.
3:53 am PDT: Puck Pieterse Wins in Nove Mesto
After a dramatic battle with the World Champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Puck Pieterse takes her first Elite win after an early move up from the U23 racing.
Full Results:
Elite Women:
Elite Men:
Overall Standings:
Elite Women:
Elite Women’s Teams:
Elite Men:
Elite Men’s Teams:
