Richards adn Blevins Conquer Araxá Short Track: Key Takeaways for U.S. Mountain Biking
Araxá, Brazil – The 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series kicked off with thrilling short track (XCC) races in Araxá, Brazil. Evie Richards showcased tactical brilliance in the women’s race, while Christopher Blevins capitalized on a teammate’s misfortune to secure a long-awaited victory. This archyde.com report dives deep into the results and what they mean for the future of the sport,especially for American riders and fans.
Evie Richards’ Calculated Victory in Women’s Race
Evie Richards demonstrated a masterclass in race strategy,conserving energy in the slipstream of frontrunners like jolanda Neff,Loana Lecomte,Jenny Rissveds,Nicole Koller,and Alessandra Keller. The British rider waited patiently before unleashing a decisive attack on the final climb, leaving her rivals struggling in her wake.
Richards’ victory was especially poignant given her concussion suffered at the same venue last year. “I’m super happy, this race was actually not in my focus,” Richards said. “I just try to be tactically a little smarter. I couldn’t have attacked if I hadn’t had my legs, so I just rely on my feeling.”
Samara Maxwell of New Zealand finished second, followed by Alessandra Keller in third. For Keller, the podium finish was especially meaningful after a challenging winter. “It is indeed crazy,” Keller said. “I felt really good today. The podium is a reward for the hard work and a thank you for everyone who has contributed a part since my operation that I am on the podium today. It is great to stand on the podium after such a winter.”
Nicole Koller recovered from a poor start to finish just behind her compatriot, showcasing extraordinary resilience.Kira Böhms, in her elite World Cup debut, secured a remarkable ninth place, signaling a promising future for the young German rider.
| Rider | Nationality | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Evie Richards | Great Britain | 1st |
| Samara Maxwell | New Zealand | 2nd |
| Alessandra Keller | Switzerland | 3rd |
| Nicole Koller | Switzerland | 4th |
| Kira Böhms | Germany | 9th |
Christopher Blevins Seizes Possibility for Victory
The men’s race was a tightly contested affair, with over 30 riders still in contention approaching the final laps. Numerous attacks from favorites like Simon Andreasassen, charlie Aldridge, and Mathias Flückiger failed to create a decisive separation.
The race took a dramatic turn when Victor Koretzky made a slight error on a climb.Christopher Blevins, alert to the opportunity, launched an immediate attack, pulling away with Mathis Azzaro and Andreas. Although Koretzky fought back, Blevins unleashed a final surge in the last lap to secure his frist Short Track World Cup victory since 2022.
Blevins acknowledged the role of his teammate in his victory. “Victor is a champion, I love to have him as a teammate,” Blevins said after the race. “It is one of the best feelings in the world when you struggle with a teammate in the last round with whom you live it all together.”
Koretzky, despite missing out on the win, displayed sportsmanship, stating, “Two laps before the end, I make a mistake on the mountain – this is the moment when Chris attacks and I lose a few seconds and places. In the last round I pick up the gap, but I no longer have full strength. I didn’t want to take any risk in the last curves – in the end it is a victory for the team, and that’s the most crucial thing.”
thomas litscher finished fourth after starting in 40th position, demonstrating remarkable progress. Nino Schurter finished eighth, while Lars Forster and Dario Lillo placed tenth and eleventh, respectively. Maximilian Brandl was the top German rider in twelfth place.
| Rider | Nationality | Position |
|---|---|---|
| christopher Blevins | USA | 1st |
| Victor Koretzky | France | 2nd |
| Thomas Litscher | Switzerland | 4th |
| Nino Schurter | Switzerland | 8th |
| Maximilian Brandl | Germany | 12th |
Blevins’ post Race Interview (example of embedded content)
“It is one of the best feelings in the world when you struggle with a teammate in the last round with whom you live it all together.”
Hear from @chrisblevins after taking the win in the Men's XCC race in Araxá! 🤩#MTBWorldSeries #UCIMTBWorldSeries pic.twitter.com/fB4tFjWdQL
— UCI MTB World Series (@UCI_MTB) April 6, 2025
U23 Races see Rokke and Holmgren Triumphant
Sondre Rokke and Isabella Holmgren dominated the U23 races, signaling the arrival of new talent in the sport. Rokke secured victory in the women’s race ahead of Brayden Johnson (USA) and Gustav Heby (DEN).Finn Treudler (SUI) and Paul Schehl (GER) rounded out the top five.
Holmgren won the women’s race by four seconds over Katharina Sadnik (AUT) and Ella MacLean-Showell (GBR). Carla Hahn was the top German finisher in eighth place.
| Category | Rider | Nationality | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| U23 Men | Sondre Rokke | – | 1st |
| Brayden Johnson | USA | 2nd | |
| Gustav heby | DEN | 3rd | |
| U23 women | Isabella Holmgren | – | 1st |
| Katharina Sadnik | AUT | 2nd | |
| Ella MacLean-Showell | GBR | 3rd |
Implications for U.S. Mountain Biking
Christopher Blevins’ victory is a notable boost for American mountain biking. As a young, talented rider, Blevins represents the future of the sport in the U.S. His win in Araxá will undoubtedly inspire aspiring american mountain bikers and generate greater interest in the sport domestically.
Brayden Johnson’s second-place finish in the U23 men’s race also highlights the growing depth of talent in the U.S. mountain biking scene. These results suggest that the U.S. is poised to become a major force in international mountain biking in the coming years.
Furthermore, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ increased streaming accessibility via platforms like Max and discovery+ will make it easier for U.S.fans to follow the action. This increased visibility can definitely help grow the sport’s popularity and attract new participants and sponsors.
What do you, the readers, think the U.S. mountain biking scene should prioritize to keep pace with the rest of the world?
Interview with Maria Rodriguez, U.S. Mountain Biking Analyst
Archyde: Maria, thanks for joining us. Araxá was an exciting start to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. What were your initial impressions of the races?
Maria Rodriguez: Absolutely! It was fantastic.The short track format always delivers dynamic racing,and this year’s event in Araxá was no exception. We saw some impressive displays of skill and strategy.
Archyde: Evie Richards’ victory seemed particularly strategic. how did she manage to secure the win?
Maria rodriguez: richards demonstrated exceptional race craft. She conserved energy early on, staying in the slipstream and then unleashed her attack at the perfect moment. It’s a testament to her experience and tactical thinking.She knows how to read a race and capitalize on key opportunities.
Archyde: The men’s race saw Christopher Blevins take the win. What did you make of his performance and the impact it will have on U.S. mountain biking?
Maria Rodriguez: Blevins’ victory is huge for U.S. mountain biking. He’s a rising star, and this win at Araxá is a major step forward. He showed patience and also the ability to pounce on a small mistake by Koretzky. This win will generate a lot of excitement and hopefully,inspire more American riders to pursue the sport. The fact that Brayden Johnson finished second in the U23 race is also encouraging.
Archyde: You mentioned the U23 races – any key takeaways from those?
Maria Rodriguez: The U23 races highlighted some promising young talent. You have Sondre Rokke and Isabella Holmgren dominating their respective categories. it’s grate to see these fresh faces making their mark.They represent the future of the sport.
Archyde: Considering the sport’s growing popularity,do you think increased streaming accessibility will significantly impact the sport’s growth in the U.S.?.
Maria Rodriguez: Definitely. More visibility through streaming platforms expands access to the sport, potentially attracting new sponsors. This increased exposure is critical for attracting new participants and sustaining the sport’s long-term growth.. The more people watch,the more interest there will be.
Archyde: What’s one thing you think the U.S. mountain biking scene needs to focus on to keep this momentum?
maria Rodriguez: I think focusing on nurturing young talent and building a strong development pathway is crucial. We need to continue supporting junior programs and create opportunities for these riders to gain international experience. What do you, the readers, think the U.S. mountain biking scene should prioritize to keep pace with the rest of the world?
Archyde: Maria,thank you for your insights. It’s been a pleasure.
Maria Rodriguez: The pleasure was all mine.
