On Sunday, October 6, 2024, the Men’s Elite Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) race at Mont St. Anne, Canada delivered a spectacular performance, with South African rider Alan Hatherly from Cannondale Factory Racing taking first place. Hatherly dominated the competition, completing the 31-kilometer course in 1:26:56 with an impressive average speed of 21.4 km/h and a 30 second lead over the second place finisher, Mathias Azzaro.
- Alan Hatherly (RSA) – Cannondale Factory Racing, 1:26:56
- Mathis Azzaro (FRA) – Decathlon Ford Racing Team, 1:27:26 (+0:30)
- Victor Koretzky (FRA) – Specialized Factory Racing, 1:27:44 (+0:48)
Race highlights
- Fastest lap: Victor Koretzky recorded the fastest lap time of 9:58, showcasing his explosive pace. Unfortunately it was not enough to secure the win.
- Close contenders: Mathis Azzaro and Victor Koretzky finished within one minute of the leader and 18 seconds apart, maintaining tight competition throughout.
- Performance insights: Hatherly held a consistent lead across all laps, leveraging his technical skill and endurance to secure victory.
Race conditions
The weather was cloudy, with temperatures at a comfortable 63°F (17°C), creating ideal conditions for the athletes. The race included a mix of steep climbs, technical descents, and challenging terrain, putting riders’ skills and stamina to the test.
Notable performances
- Charlie Aldridge (GBR) finished fourth, just 50 seconds behind the leader and two seconds off third place, solidifying Cannondale Factory Racing’s strong presence.
- Simone Avondetto (ITA) and Jordan Sarrou (FRA) rounded out the top six, both showing consistent form.
This victory cements Alan Hatherly’s status as one of the premier riders in elite cross-country mountain biking, and his exceptional performance is a great finish to the 2024 World Cup season. It was his fifth podium finish this year, and second time at the top of the steps. Hatherly also earned a bronze medal in XC mountain biking at the Paris Olympic games.
This article was written with assistance from generative artificial intelligence.
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