Wiedenroth and Gilloux shine on Spa-Francorchamps and take the Race 1 win

The German rider is second in the standings while the French is on top

Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium 11 September 2024 – With trees standing as witnesses and an unusual sun shining over Spa-Francorchamps, the WES UCI E-MTB XC World Cup moved to the Belgian circuit for the first race of a speed-filled weekend.

Jérôme Gilloux (Credit: WES/Remcosmits.nl)

The morning saw the action begin on the track, with first-time recently crowned World Champ Sofia Wiedenroth (Specialized) and Jérôme Gilloux (Lapierre Overvolt) taking the Raspini Pole Position.

Once the race kicked-off at full pedal, the battle for the Santero Holeshot saw a bit of chaos as Mirko Tabacchi (Leynicese RDR Italia Factory Team) got off his bike to push on the first muddy uphill in the middle of the pack.

However, Wiedenroth and Jeroen van Eck (GHOST Bikes Racing Team) were the first to break free.

Sofia Wiedenroth and Jeroen van Eck were the Santero Holeshot Race 1 Winners (Credit: WES/Remcosmits.nl)

Spa showdown

From the start, the Specialized rider never gave up her lead, clinching a win that moves her closer to overall leader Anna Spielmann (Haibike), who finished just behind her, followed by French Solene Bouissou (Team Oise Organisation).

Sofia Wiedenroth (Credit: WES/Remcosmits.nl)

Fight for the podium

Gilloux pushed hard throughout the race, securing his second win in a row after his stellar performance in Germany Race 2 and with a huge gap on his chasers from the very first lap.

Behind him, Mirko Tabacchi and Joris Ryf (Specialized) battled for the second step of the podium and swapped places at the end of lap 3.

Mirko Tabacchi (Credit: WES/Remcosmits.nl)

These positions were locked in with three laps remaining determining the Men’s race results.

What’s next? 

The fifth race of the season set the stage for high-level competition. More to come at Spa-Francorchamps, with Race 2 scheduled for tomorrow.

Results HERE
WES Spa-Francorchamps Round Event Schedule and Race Maps HERE
Download the photo gallery HERE (Credit: WES/Remcosmits.nl)