XCC Photo Epic: Snowshoe World Cup 2022

Jul 29, 2022 at 20:12
by Ross Bell  


title
XCC Photo Epic

Snowshoe XC World Cup


Words & Photography by Andy Vathis & Ross Bell


There was drama aplenty in tonight's XCC as Gwendalyn Gibson took a phenomenal maiden win and Chris Blevins backed up his heroics from last year with a last lap lunge for victory. After another wet and wild day in West Virginia we were treated to a dry evening although the track was left soft and muddy, making for some interesting racing conditions. The bountiful home support was rewarded with both victories tonight which will make Sunday's XCO that bit more exciting. Gibson was joined by Terpstra, Rissveds, Keller and Neff in the top five whilst Dascalu, Braidot, Fini Carstensen and Carod took the top spots in the men's.


Sun rays welcomed the riders to the start boxes yet the dark clouds refused to let up.
Sun rays welcomed the riders to the start boxes yet the dark clouds refused to let up.

Jolanda Neff limbers up for battle.
Jolanda Neff limbers up for battle.

Kate Courtney ready to fire on home soil.
Kate Courtney ready to fire on home soil.

Jenny Rissveds is a top candidate when it comes to XCC. She ll be in the mix this evening without a doubt.
Jenny Rissveds is a top candidate when it comes to XCC. She'll be in the mix this evening without a doubt.

All smiles for Gwendalyn Gibson. She s been on the climb this year chipping away at the results sheet.
All smiles for Gwendalyn Gibson. She's been on the climb this year, chipping away at the results sheet.

Women s start.
Women's start.

The chase group making quick work of the climbs. By mid race the positions were shuffled.
The chase group making quick work of the climbs. By mid race, the positions were shuffled.

Gwendalyn Gibson was on one. Moved from second row start to the front of the race in the last few hundred meters for the sprint finish.
Gwendalyn Gibson was on one. Moved from a second row start to the front of the race in the last few hundred meters for the sprint finish.

Rissveds all but had it in the bag.
Rissveds all but had it in the bag.

The lead group up the first punchy climb. Rissveds took control for the majority of the race.
The lead group up the first punchy climb. Rissveds took control for the majority of the race.

Anne Terpstra hunting down the lead pack and battling lap after lap. She ll see the front row come Sunday.
Anne Terpstra hunting down the lead pack and battling lap after lap. She'll see the front row come Sunday.

Rebecca McConnell and Jenny Rissveds at the front of the pack before disaster struck for the Aussie.
Rebecca McConnell and Jenny Rissveds at the front of the pack before disaster struck for the Aussie.

Jolanda Neff blasts through the crowd that lined the track.
Jolanda Neff blasts through the crowd that lined the track.

Alessandra Keller takes charge at the front as the pack heads up the steep and punchy climb.
Alessandra Keller takes charge at the front as the pack heads up the steep and punchy climb.

Anne Terpstra tracking Alessandra Keller s every move.
Anne Terpstra tracking Alessandra Keller's every move.

Sixth place for Ghost s Caroline Bohe.
Sixth place for Ghost's Caroline Bohe.

The evening didn t go without a hitch for some. Emily Batty finding the ground in the slippery conditions.
The evening didn't go without a hitch for some. Emily Batty finding the ground in the slippery conditions.

Reality hitting Gibson as she crossed the line taking her first XCC win. She was on the gas all race and challenged the lead enough to make her pass.
Reality hitting Gibson as she crossed the line taking her first XCC win. She was on the gas all race and challenged the lead enough to make her pass.

Anne Terpstra s hard efforts were rewarded with second place.
Anne Terpstra's hard efforts were rewarded with second place.

Jenny Rissveds dictated the pace for the majority of the race but eventually fell back to third.
Jenny Rissveds dictated the pace for the majority of the race but eventually fell back to third.

A win on home soil feels the absolute best- especially when it s your first.
A win on home soil feels the absolute best- especially when it's your first.

Your women s flower ceremony Gwendalyn Gibson Anne Terpstra and Jenny Rissveds
Your women's flower ceremony: Gwendalyn Gibson, Anne Terpstra, and Jenny Rissveds

The calm before the storm for Christopher Blevins.
The calm before the storm for Christopher Blevins.

The final quiet moments before the start for Sebastian Fini Carstensen.
The final quiet moments before the start for Sebastian Fini Carstensen.

Nino Schurter was in the fight but would go down hard. Here s hoping he is all good and will line up on Sunday.
Nino Schurter was in the fight but would go down hard. Here's hoping he is all good and will line up on Sunday.

Coming off two back to back XCO wins Luca Braidot takes to the line here in Snowshoe.
Coming off two back to back XCO wins, Luca Braidot takes to the line here in Snowshoe.

The men blast off the start and rip wthrough the center off Snowshoe village.
The men blast off the start and rip through the center of Snowshoe village.

Fifth place for Titouan Carod.
Fifth place for Titouan Carod.

Vlad Dascalu toyed with the lead throughout. His efforts had him place second.
Vlad Dascalu toyed with the lead throughout. His efforts had him place second.

Current XCC World Champ Christopher Blevins fought for the front of the pack a few times and last being the one where in counted most.
Current XCC World Champ, Christopher Blevins, fought for the front of the pack a few times and last being the one where in counted most.

Max Brandl made some serious moves finishing up in seventh.
Max Brandl made some serious moves, finishing up in seventh.

Luca Braidot made crucial moves during the early laps before attacking later on. He d finish third.
Luca Braidot made crucial moves during the early laps before attacking later on. He'd finish third.

Alan Hatherly was in the mix once again and retained his lead in the XCC overall.
Alan Hatherly was in the mix once again and retained his lead in the XCC overall.

Christopher Blevins returning to the scene of his heroic victory last season. He didn t dissapoint the home fans today.
Christopher Blevins returning to the scene of his heroic victory last season. He didn't disappoint the home fans today.

The front of the men s field head up the punchy climb near the start of the lap.
The front of the men's field head up the punchy climb near the start of the lap.

Sebastian Fini Carstensen followed by Vlad Dascalu Titouan Carod and Luca Braidot.
Sebastian Fini Carstensen followed by Vlad Dascalu, Titouan Carod, and Luca Braidot.

Sebastian Fini Carstensen was riding strong at the front and would end up 4th after the final lap squabbling.
Sebastian Fini Carstensen was riding strong at the front and would end up 4th after the final lap squabbling.

Another win in Snowshoe for Chris Blevins - can he back it up on Sunday
Another win in Snowshoe for Chris Blevins - can he back it up on Sunday?

Another strong and consistent ride from Vlad Dascalu into second.
Another strong and consistent ride from Vlad Dascalu into second.

No easy task putting down the watts on this course.
No easy task putting down the watts on this course.

Chris Blevins takes the XCC win in front of Vlad Dascalu and Luca Braidot.
Chris Blevins takes the XCC win in front of Vlad Dascalu and Luca Braidot.


Must Read This Week
Final Results from the Pietra Ligure Enduro World Cup 2023
58351 views
Review: The Orbea Wild M-LTD Raises the Bar for eMTB
48161 views
Check Out: Mons Royale's SS 23 Apparel, A Tiny Torque Wrench & Key Lime Pie Protein Powder
47620 views
Slack Randoms: Triangle Wheels, Gee Atherton's Backcountry Ride & More
38945 views
Must Watch: Brandon Semenuk's Fools Gold
37723 views
Spotted: Pivot's Lugged Carbon DH Bike Prototype
36815 views
North Shore Billet Announces New Canadian-Made Talon Cranks
31557 views
Formula Releases MOD DH Coil Shock
27502 views

16 Comments

  • 15 6
 Despite the lack of coverage, Fluckiger shouldn't be involved in Nino's crash this time....still under UCI investigation Smile
  • 15 11
 Some spectators reported that NS said to the bridge: "you are not normal, you crashed me out"
  • 10 0
 Wow! One of the best photo epics yet. Amazing.
  • 1 0
 To explain how steep that track is, its the same length as my local trails "warm-up" loop, but will the same vertical as the first hill you climb in the system. That is insane.

Also, that photo of Emily Batty is exactly why I don't do clipless.
  • 9 0
 Clipless isn’t what she was thinking. The dumb decision not to wear gloves is!
  • 2 0
 Anyone have a clip of Nino’s crash? Seems like they had multiple cameras on the bridge but only showed one replay during the race that didn’t show it well.
  • 2 0
 What happened to Rebecca? Ive heard she crashed but how bad, she still in for XCO?
  • 2 0
 Went over the bars on the drop over the logs. Looked like she was OK, and that most of the time she lost was because of the handlebars went out of position.
  • 1 0
 Nothing on her 'gram about being out for Sunday....but.... Won't really know until raceday I'll bet. She said she felt like she was "hit by a bus" in the crash, but no serious injury.
  • 2 2
 Is this XCC world cup, without a start gate and lights making it look like a local race, a preview of what we can expect next year with the new organization?
  • 1 0
 I wouldn’t be too worried. Discovery and GCN have a lot experience covering cycling and races!
  • 2 0
 They mentioned they were having technical difficulties, which is why the women’s start was 5 minutes late. I assume the lights were the problem, hence the whistle starts. And I’m assuming the company broadcasting the race and the company managing the race logistics are two different things. Not sure how start light malfunctions are a reflection of the camera crew?
  • 1 0
 The start was delayed by 5 mins due to technical difficulties, I wonder if the start lights were the issue. We'll see tomorrow.
  • 1 0
 Anyone notice the top 3 are American Bike Factory teams?
  • 2 0
 Norco is Canadian
  • 1 0
 @taprider: In the men's field, I meant.





You must login to Pinkbike.
Don't have an account? Sign up

Join Pinkbike  Login
Copyright © 2000 - 2023. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.039741
Mobile Version of Website