Mathis Azzaro took the victory in the XCC Elite Men at Mona Yongpyong. The Origine Racing Division rider won a frantic sprint finish in 24:09, holding off Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) by just one second, with Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road) completing the podium in third.
Photo: ©️ WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series / Michal Cerveny
The race was wide open from the gun on the new South Korean circuit, with a large group arriving at the line together. World Number 1 ranked Fabio Püntener could only manage seventh, while defending overall champion Christopher Blevins had a race to forget — lapped and finishing 28th.
Charlie Aldridge put in a solid ride for Britain, crossing the line in 12th for Cannondale Factory Racing, Teammate Luca Martin, who many had tipped for a top result, suffered a puncture and did not finish, a bitter blow on the opening round of the season.
Finn Treudler was the standout performer outside the podium, finishing sixth for Cube Factory Racing and setting the fastest lap of the race — a sign of things to come from the young Swiss rider in his first elite season.