Friday's Under 23 Short Track races kicked off the weekend's U23 racing at the UCI MTB World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě, with Makena Kellerman and Paul Schehl claiming the victories.
Photo: ©️ WHOOP UCI Mountain BIke World Series / Michal Cerveny
Women U23
American Makena Kellerman successfully defended her World Cup lead with a hard-fought win in the Women's U23 XCC, crossing the line in 20:06. Norwegian Lisa Kristine Jorde pushed her all the way to the line, finishing level on time but taking second by the narrowest of margins. Italian Valentina Corvi of Canyon XC Racing rounded out the podium three seconds back in third.
Austrian Katrin Embacher of KTM Factory MTB Team impressed in fourth, with American Bailey Cioppa fifth and Dutch wildcard Bloeme Kalis taking sixth place.
Men U23
German rider Paul Schehl of Lexware Mountainbike Team took a commanding victory in the Men's U23 XCC, crossing the line in 22:06. Frenchman Naël Rouffiac of Origine Racing Division came home second, with compatriot Alix Andre-Gallis of Decathlon Ford Racing coming in 3rd.
World Cup leader Nicolas Halter of Thomus Akros finished fourth, losing ground at the top of the standings as Schehl closes the gap heading into Sunday's XCO race.
Racing continues on Saturday with the Elite XCC — Women at 11:20 and Men at 12:10 local time. Tom Pidcock lines up for the men's race as he returns to MTB racing for the first time this season.