Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) claimed a stunning victory in the Elite Women's XCO at the opening round of the 2026 WHOOP UCI MTB World Cup in South Korea, winning in 1:27:03 to complete a remarkable XCC and XCO double - only the tenth rider in World Cup history to achieve the feat in a single weekend.
Photo:©️ WHOOP UCI Mountain BIke World Series / Javier Zubiko
Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) crossed the line 26 seconds back in second, with Madigan Munro (Liv Factory Racing) taking third just two seconds further behind in a dramatic sprint finish to the podium positions. Jennifer Jackson (Orbea Fox Factory Team) rode strongly to fourth, with Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) and Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) rounding out the top six.
Notable by her absence was Alessandra Keller, who withdrew before the start citing fatigue following her Cape Epic campaign - a significant loss for the field given her status as one of the pre-season favourites for the overall title.
The race began in light rain on a heavily saturated course, making conditions treacherous from the opening metres. Rissveds was fastest out of the blocks, getting herself to the front alongside Stigger as the field scrambled for position on the opening climb - where many riders were already off their bikes and on foot.
By the end of the opening section Rissveds had opened a four-second gap over Frei through the wooded singletrack. Loana Lecomte's race was effectively derailed before it had really begun, caught in a crash at the start and left working through the field from far back. She would recover to finish 21st.
Rissveds continued to build her lead through the first lap - stretching it to 14 seconds at one point - crossing the timing line at the end of lap one with a 21-second advantage over Frei, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process at 15:59 at 12.75km/h. Savilia Blunk, Madigan Munro and Evie Richards occupied the chase positions.
The second lap changed everything. Frei gradually closed the gap to Rissveds, getting to within six seconds before making her move and taking the lead. The descents were causing chaos throughout the field - Richards was among those to crash heavily, dropping from inside the top five to fifteenth in moments. She would fight back to finish twelfth.
With two laps complete Frei led by a single second, with Munro moving through to join the battle at 38 seconds. A mistake from Frei on a tricky section allowed Rissveds to retake the front, and on lap three the World Champion began to pull clear - building a 30-second gap over Frei as Munro caught and joined the Swiss rider in the chase group.
Frei and Munro worked together to reel Rissveds in over the final laps. With one lap remaining the gap was down to eight seconds. Frei made contact almost immediately on the final lap and surged to the front, creating a six-second gap. Both riders had moments in the mud - Frei nearly going down, Rissveds losing her rhythm - and in a dramatic late development, Rissveds slipped to third with Munro briefly inheriting second.
Rissveds fought back past Munro but by then Frei had rebuilt a decisive advantage. The Swiss rider crossed the line 26 seconds clear to claim her first elite World Cup XCO victory and complete a perfect weekend.