2023 WES UCI E-MTB XC World Cup season kicks-off at Monaco

The first-ever race at Breil-sur-Roya dominated by Nicole Göldi and Jérôme Gilloux

Monaco (P.ty), Saturday 20 May 2023 – The inaugural race of 2023 WES UCI E-MTB XC World Cup season, the Monaco Round presented by Département Alpes-Maritimes, took place for the first time in Breil-sur-Roya. Windy weather conditions made and exciting fight on a muddy and slippery, brand-new track, the most demanding so far, some of the riders reported.

The event brought together skilled riders from around the world to showcase their talent and push the boundaries of e-bike racing, where W&M Reigning World Champs and World Cup Winners, the Swiss Nicole Göldi (Trek-Bosch) and the French Jérôme Gilloux (Lapierre Overvolt) were the first Raspini Pole Position winners of the season, after an intense morning’s Qualirace.

A bit of chaos seemed to take center stage at turn 1, after the crash of two riders but fortunately, it was nothing serious.

In the Women’s field, Göldi was the fastest at the start and took the first Holeshot Powered by Fassi. The race saw an impressive performance by the Swiss in rainbow jersey, the Race Winner who never relinquished the lead, followed by an intense battle between Justine Tonso (Lapierre Overvolt) and Sofia Wiedenroth (Specialized) who fought for the second and third place towards the end of the race, after the German rider had been second for most of the competition.

In the Men’s, Frenchman Emeric Ienzer (Scott Sr Suntour Enduro Team) took the Holeshot home. The action began with Jorys Rif (Specialized) leading the way, followed by Jérôme Gilloux, Hugo Pigeon (Scott Sr Suntour Enduro Team), and the rest of the pack. However, in the second lap, “the Specialist” Gilloux took the lead to win. Also, Théo Charmes (Team AOTL) tried to fight with Pigeon for the podium’s last step, overtaking his rival who would later reclaim the third position after regaining it.

The first race of WES successfully set the stage for future competitions, with the thrill of e-bike racing. But Monaco Round isn’t over yet as tomorrow the action will return for Race 2, where the action will be once again the protagonist in the Alpes-Maritimes.

Entry Lists, Race Live Timing and Results HERE
WES Monaco Round Event Schedule and Race Maps HERE
Download the photo gallery HERE