UCI E-MTB World Championships: Göldi and Gilloux defend their titles in Les Gets

Tight, root-ridden bends and large, man-made rock barriers. The Olympic cross-country course in Les Gets, where the E-MTB world championship titles were also contested on 26 August, is not overly difficult in dry conditions. In the rain, however, it can be treacherous and that's exactly what happened in Les Gets this year.

Women's E-MTB race: Göldi pulls away early

The women started at 10am in dry jerseys. World champion Nicole Göldi was able to take an early lead in the race, while a traffic jam at the back before the first descent broke up the field. Former world champion Natalie Schneitter and French hope Justine Tonso were still in the middle of the field and fell back a little.

EWS E specialist Laura Charles and Germany's Sofia Wiedenroth take up the pursuit of Göldi, but the Swiss rider confidently rides away. And she is not fazed by the onset of rain either - she quickly masters the slippery cross roots in the first section of the course, the stone fields at the end and crosses the finish line as world champion again with a lead of over a minute.

Tonso and Schneitter take silver and bronze after catching up: Wiedenroth in 4th place

Second and third place went to Justine Tonso from France and former world champion Nathalie Schneitter, who, after some initial difficulties, worked their way forwards and eventually overtook EWS E-Champ Laura Charles.

Fourth place goes to Sofia Wiedenroth from Germany, Charles ends up in sixth place ahead of former sprint world champion Kathrin Stirnemann from Switzerland. The world champion from the mud race in Leogang 2020, Melanie Pugin, only managed 9th place after apparent problems with her bike.

Men's E-MTB race: World champion Gilloux gets off to a fast start

The reigning world champion, Jérôme Gilloux, also gets off to a particularly fast start in the men's race. Right at the start, the Frenchman takes the lead of the field and leaves the position battles to the chasers before the first downhill. Will he also be able to ride unchallenged to another title?

But Gilloux has not reckoned with the Swiss Joris Ryf and Hugo Pigeon from France. While the persistent rain makes the course increasingly unpredictable, Joris Ryf in particular fights his way forwards and is able to close the gap on Gilloux more and more from the second lap onwards. He comes dangerously close to the reigning world champion. But the race to catch up comes at a price.

Ryf and Pigeon catch up - Gilloux can defend lead

Ryf made a mistake in a rock garden, lost contact with Jérôme Gilloux and Hugo Pigeon was also able to overtake Ryf in the end, securing the silver medal. However, the title itself goes to Jérôme Gilloux - he has successfully defied the attack and the weather and can wear the rainbow jersey for another year.

And former road world champion Peter Sagan? The racing bike star fights for his position in the peloton for a long time. On one of the last laps, the Slovakian ripped himself off his bike after one of the many rock barriers and ended up defending 16th place.

You can also find all the results of the race on the Website of the UCI.