Göldi and Ryf took the win on Day 2

The World Champs consolidate their lead after Round 5 of 6

Girona (Spain), Saturday 24 September 2022 – The Sea Otter Europe Festival weekend gets to an end with excitement and some drama on Day 2. The UCI E-MTB XC World Cup Girona Round witnessed big smiles and disappointment on a hectic race day adrenaline-filled.

Today’s Qualirace saw Reigning World Champion Nicole Göldi taking the Raspini Pole Position Award thanks to the lap time of 8:11.13. a new Pole setter in the Men’s: expert XCO rider and local hero Jofre Cullell (Mondraker) was the fastest in the field with a lap time of 7:19.98

In the Women’s field, Göldi was the fastest at the start and took the Holeshot, but French Justine Tonso (Lapierre) still leads this classification despite a DNS in this round.

The Swiss in Rainbow Jersey crashed in lap 1 and lost some precious seconds but she eventually managed to lead the race, despite her chain kept falling off over the race distance – 5 times on the last lap only, she reported. German Sofia Wiedenroth (Specialized) in second place, was already 50” behind on lap 2, but kept her race pace, feeling comfortable with no pressure from local rider Sandra Santanyes (Trek), in third. Maintaining the gap with the Women riders behind her, Göldi secured another victory, taking the double this weekend. Runner up Wiedenroth crossed the line in second and Santanyes got on the third step of the podium.

The Men’s race had an unbelievable start and nevertheless was an exciting one to watch for the crowd onsite. Jofre Cullell started first, Joris Ryf (Bergstrom) was faster and took the Holeshot, the second scored by the Swiss Champion this year. The “Wild Bunch” of top riders in the following corners was more chaotic than ever, and after 1 lap Ryf was leading ahead of Jeroen van Eck (Ghost), Ismael Esteban (BH), Jofre Cullell and Jérôme Gilloux (Lapierre). Immediately after, Cullell had a flat tyre making van Eck and Esteban’s manoeuvre more difficult and somehow helping Gilloux take advantage of the situation. The French managed to sneak through and put himself in second place.

With an advantage of 25” Ryf maintained the lead for the entire race distance, followed by Gilloux, feeling safe for the great advantage he has in the overall standings. The battle for the third place was an incredible show as van Eck was pushing hard, Esteban managed to overtake him on lap 3, but Théo Charmes (Cube) and Alberto Mingorance (Cannondale) behind didn’t mean to give up. The French Champ Charmes crashed, Mingorance got closer to van Eck, but there was no chance for them in the last two laps.

Ryf won the race in style, Gilloux got second and Esteban completed the podium, becoming third overall.

The Magneti Marelli Checkstar Power Lap Award goes to Jérome Gilloux and Nicole Göldi in this round, as they both set the fastest lap today.

Next and final stop for WES and the UCI E-MTB World Cup will be again in Spain, Barcelona, next October, 15th.

Get the Results HERE
Download the Photo Gallery HERE
Download this Press Release in PDF HERE