Makena Kellerman wins U23 XCC race at Nové Město Na Moravě and extends lead in Mountain Bike World Series day ahead of XCO debut

Makena Kellerman of the United States secured a decisive victory in the Under-23 Cross-country Short Track (XCC) race at Nové Město Na Moravě, extending her lead in the World Cup standings. Kellerman edged out Norway’s Lisa Kristine Jorde in a thrilling sprint finish, maintaining her winning momentum after a previous triumph in South Korea. The race saw a tightly packed group for much of the event, with Kellerman tactically biding her time before making her move in the final lap to clinch the win. In the men’s U23 XCC race, Paul Schehl of the Lexware Mountainbike Team dominated by leading solo for most of the race. Schehl broke away from his closest competitor, USA’s Ian Ackert, to establish a comfortable lead and held off late challengers to take the victory. The race further shuffled the leaderboard, with Thibaut Francois Baudry finishing seventh and Nael Rouffiac and Alix Andre-Gallis completing the podium. Kellerman reflected on the race with a sense of pride and satisfaction, highlighting the importance of patience and teamwork, particularly with fellow American rider Bailey Cioppa. She expressed disbelief at her continued success and excitement about wearing the leader’s jersey into the next rounds. Her win at Nové Město Na Moravě not only cements her status as a rising star in the U23 category but also sets the stage for her upcoming debut in the more demanding XCO race. The Nové Město Na Moravě venue, a staple on the World Cup calendar since 2011, hosted only the U23 XCC events on Friday, with elite XCC and U23 XCO races scheduled for the following days. The weekend promises high-profile clashes, including elite riders such as Puck Pieterse and Evie Richards, as well as Olympic champion Tom Pidcock, who has a strong track record at this venue. The absence of some top contenders due to injury or other reasons adds an intriguing dynamic to the competition as the series progresses.