On the opening day of the Mountain Bike World Championships in Pal Arinsal (Andorra), the United States won the world title in the team relay. The match turned into a battle with France and the US team won by three seconds. Bronze went to Italy by over a minute.

A team relay in mountain biking works the same way as in cyclocross: six riders from all categories (juniors, promises and elite for men and women) each ride a lap and pass the ‘baton’, and the order is completely self-determined. to be filled.

In the end it turned into a battle between elite men Christopher Blevins and Mathis Azzaro, narrowly won by USA finisher Blevins. As a result, juniors Nicolas Konecny ​​and Vida Lopez de San Roman, hopefuls Brayden Johnson and Madigan Monroe, and elite player Haley Payton can also call themselves world champions. Italy was third by a minute and a half, followed by Canada and Switzerland. After that, the gap with sixth-placed Germany was too wide.

Earlier in the day, the World Championship titles in E-MTB were also awarded in Andorra. Germany’s Sophia Lena Wiedenroth won the women’s race, while France’s Jerome Guilloux topped the men’s race. In that tournament, Jeroen van Eck was the only Dutchman; He finished seventh by more than four minutes.

The 2024 Mountain Bike World Cup runs through Sunday, when cross-country races are scheduled for men and women. Short track races in Andorra on Friday for the benefit.