'That crash scared me' – Evie Richards resting up after hard fall at Nové Město Mountain Bike World Cup

Evie Richards, the British cross-country mountain biker for Trek-Unbroken XC, is currently recovering after a significant crash during the Whoop UCI Mountain Bike Series event in Nové Město. The incident occurred on the penultimate lap of the XCO race while Richards was chasing race leader Laura Stigger. The severity of the crash was evident as Richards was unable to continue, with her bike removed from the course and the rider lying obscured behind course markers, causing concern among spectators and commentators alike. Following the crash, Richards was taken to hospital for medical evaluation, where scans confirmed there were no broken bones in her neck. However, she sustained a heavy blow to the head and will require time to recover. Richards, who has a history of serious injuries including concussion, a partially dislocated knee, and wrist injuries, shared a message on social media expressing how the crash had unsettled her and emphasised the need for rest. Her team echoed this sentiment, confirming she will be resting at home for the foreseeable future. Richards had been performing strongly in the World Cup series, having won the overall World Series short-track (XCC) title last year and starting the Nové Město weekend with a fourth-place finish in the XCC race. She currently sits third on the XCC leaderboard, trailing behind Laura Stigger and Sina Frei. The next round of the cross-country series is scheduled for mid-June in Leogang, Austria, providing Richards with a crucial recovery window before competition resumes. The crash serves as a reminder of the physical risks inherent in mountain biking, especially at the highest levels of competition. Richards’ resilience and previous comebacks from injury underscore her determination, but the emphasis now is firmly on her health and recuperation. Fans and the mountain biking community will be watching closely to see how she progresses in the coming weeks ahead of the next World Cup round.