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UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Rising Australian multi-discipline star Connor Wright takes junior men’s XCO title, Anja Grossmann wins women’s race
Race Results
By
Owen Rogers
Published
Both riders dominate their races
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Results
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Australian rider Connor Wright took the Junior cross-country title at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Italy on Thursday.
The 18-year-old multi-discipline rider took control on the second of five laps of the Val di Sole Circuit, eventually beating the Austrian Michael Hettegger by well over a minute. Swiss rider Marwan Barhoumi was third, a further 27 seconds down.
“I attacked exactly where I wanted to attack … even after coming off the bike, and I kept it clean through the singletrack and the roots,” said Wright. “I got to the bottom of that descent with 22 seconds and I couldn’t believe it. From there I rode my own race and I could really soak it in over those last two laps.”
Wright is a rising star, winning on and off-road and recently signing with Tudor Pro Cycling’s Development team.
“Everything was perfect. Legs felt good and the mind was in the right place and all I had left to do was execute it and I’m super happy with how the race played out,” said Wright in a media release from the ARA Australian Cycling Team.
In the women’s race, the Swiss rider Anja Grossman took the rainbow jersey, the 17-year-old taking the lead from Barbora Bukovska on the second of four laps, eventually beating her Czech rival by 48 seconds, with French rider Agathe Vauchamp in third place.
Like Wright, 2026 has been an excellent season for Grossmann, during which she has won European and national titles.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“The last few years have taught me a huge amount, disappointments included, and I have had the best people around me: people who give everything, every day, and who believed in this dream as much as I did,” said Grossman.
Results
Men Junior Cross-Country Olympic
|
Position |
Rider (Country) Team |
Time Gap |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Connor Wright (Aus) |
1:00:09 |
|
2 |
Michael Hettegger (Aut) |
+1:16 |
|
3 |
Marwan Barhoumi (Swi) |
+1:43 |
|
4 |
Daan Bakelaar (Ned) |
+1:59 |
|
5 |
Mathieu Ghibaudo (Fra) |
+2:10 |
|
6 |
Noa Filippi (Fra) |
+2:24 |
|
7 |
James Climo (NZl) |
+2:34 |
|
8 |
Michael Ortner (Aut) |
+2:37 |
|
9 |
Leonardo Bernardes de Castro Filho (Bra) |
+2:39 |
|
10 |
Niko Terho (Fin) |
+3:12 |
|
11 |
Emilien Belzile (Can) |
+3:21 |
|
12 |
Lucas Rodriguez (Fra) |
+3:30 |
|
13 |
Marlon Riess (Ger) |
+3:32 |
|
14 |
Johannes Braedstrup-Holm (Den) |
+3:32 |
|
15 |
Luke Trafford (GBr) |
+3:37 |
Women Junior Cross-Country Olympic
|
Position |
Rider (Country) Team |
Time Gap |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Anja Grossmann (Swi) |
57:57 |
|
2 |
Barbora Bukovska (Cze) |
0:00:48 |
|
3 |
Agathe Vauchamp (Fra) |
0:01:26 |
|
4 |
Nikoletta Bettina Kiss (Hun) |
0:02:42 |
|
5 |
Mariachiara Signorelli (Ita) |
0:03:18 |
|
6 |
Lise Revol (Fra) |
0:03:56 |
|
7 |
Daniela Gaviria Ramirez (Col) |
0:04:20 |
|
8 |
Lou-Anne Halter (Swi) |
0:04:44 |
|
9 |
Giorgia Pellizotti (Ita) |
0:04:46 |
|
10 |
Adina Daubner (Ger) |
0:04:46 |
|
11 |
Zelie Lambert (Fra) |
0:04:52 |
|
12 |
Aida Linton (USA) |
0:05:27 |
|
13 |
Eva Terpin (Slo) |
0:05:50 |
|
14 |
Jeanne Duterne (Fra) |
0:05:56 |
|
15 |
Angelica Gatto (Ita) |
0:05:59 |
For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You’ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a España, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! Join today.
A recent addition to the Cyclingnews staff, Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, working as a freelancer covering the sport for various magazines and websites for more than 10 years.
Initially concentrating mainly on the women’s sport, he has covered hundreds of race days on the ground and interviewed some of the sport’s biggest names.
Living near Cambridge in the UK, when he’s not working you’ll find him either riding his bike or playing drums.
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1
‘Hopefully I can get a start to my season’ – After injury-plagued season, Jay Vine finds form supporting Tadej Pogačar at Vuelta a España
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2
‘We didn’t know that Enric was so close’ – Inaccurate time gaps explain how Tadej Pogačar was caught during Vuelta a España attack
-
3
‘I was like – what’s going on, is this a spectator?’ – Tadej Pogačar surprised by Enric Mas on Vuelta a España gravel climb
-
4
‘A good day, but let’s not give it too much importance’ – Enric Mas remains cautious after matching Tadej Pogačar on Vuelta a España gravel climb
-
5
Scare for Tadej Pogačar as he veers off-road following rival’s warning to take it easy on Vuelta a España descent – Video
UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Rising Australian multi-discipline star Connor Wright takes junior men’s XCO title, Anja Grossmann wins women’s race
Race Results
By
Owen Rogers
Published
Both riders dominate their races
-
Results
-
Facebook
-
X
-
Pinterest
-
Email
Follow us
Australian rider Connor Wright took the Junior cross-country title at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Italy on Thursday.
The 18-year-old multi-discipline rider took control on the second of five laps of the Val di Sole Circuit, eventually beating the Austrian Michael Hettegger by well over a minute. Swiss rider Marwan Barhoumi was third, a further 27 seconds down.
“I attacked exactly where I wanted to attack … even after coming off the bike, and I kept it clean through the singletrack and the roots,” said Wright. “I got to the bottom of that descent with 22 seconds and I couldn’t believe it. From there I rode my own race and I could really soak it in over those last two laps.”
Wright is a rising star, winning on and off-road and recently signing with Tudor Pro Cycling’s Development team.
“Everything was perfect. Legs felt good and the mind was in the right place and all I had left to do was execute it and I’m super happy with how the race played out,” said Wright in a media release from the ARA Australian Cycling Team.
In the women’s race, the Swiss rider Anja Grossman took the rainbow jersey, the 17-year-old taking the lead from Barbora Bukovska on the second of four laps, eventually beating her Czech rival by 48 seconds, with French rider Agathe Vauchamp in third place.
Like Wright, 2026 has been an excellent season for Grossmann, during which she has won European and national titles.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“The last few years have taught me a huge amount, disappointments included, and I have had the best people around me: people who give everything, every day, and who believed in this dream as much as I did,” said Grossman.
Results
Men Junior Cross-Country Olympic
|
Position |
Rider (Country) Team |
Time Gap |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Connor Wright (Aus) |
1:00:09 |
|
2 |
Michael Hettegger (Aut) |
+1:16 |
|
3 |
Marwan Barhoumi (Swi) |
+1:43 |
|
4 |
Daan Bakelaar (Ned) |
+1:59 |
|
5 |
Mathieu Ghibaudo (Fra) |
+2:10 |
|
6 |
Noa Filippi (Fra) |
+2:24 |
|
7 |
James Climo (NZl) |
+2:34 |
|
8 |
Michael Ortner (Aut) |
+2:37 |
|
9 |
Leonardo Bernardes de Castro Filho (Bra) |
+2:39 |
|
10 |
Niko Terho (Fin) |
+3:12 |
|
11 |
Emilien Belzile (Can) |
+3:21 |
|
12 |
Lucas Rodriguez (Fra) |
+3:30 |
|
13 |
Marlon Riess (Ger) |
+3:32 |
|
14 |
Johannes Braedstrup-Holm (Den) |
+3:32 |
|
15 |
Luke Trafford (GBr) |
+3:37 |
Women Junior Cross-Country Olympic
|
Position |
Rider (Country) Team |
Time Gap |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Anja Grossmann (Swi) |
57:57 |
|
2 |
Barbora Bukovska (Cze) |
0:00:48 |
|
3 |
Agathe Vauchamp (Fra) |
0:01:26 |
|
4 |
Nikoletta Bettina Kiss (Hun) |
0:02:42 |
|
5 |
Mariachiara Signorelli (Ita) |
0:03:18 |
|
6 |
Lise Revol (Fra) |
0:03:56 |
|
7 |
Daniela Gaviria Ramirez (Col) |
0:04:20 |
|
8 |
Lou-Anne Halter (Swi) |
0:04:44 |
|
9 |
Giorgia Pellizotti (Ita) |
0:04:46 |
|
10 |
Adina Daubner (Ger) |
0:04:46 |
|
11 |
Zelie Lambert (Fra) |
0:04:52 |
|
12 |
Aida Linton (USA) |
0:05:27 |
|
13 |
Eva Terpin (Slo) |
0:05:50 |
|
14 |
Jeanne Duterne (Fra) |
0:05:56 |
|
15 |
Angelica Gatto (Ita) |
0:05:59 |
For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You’ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a España, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! Join today.
A recent addition to the Cyclingnews staff, Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, working as a freelancer covering the sport for various magazines and websites for more than 10 years.
Initially concentrating mainly on the women’s sport, he has covered hundreds of race days on the ground and interviewed some of the sport’s biggest names.
Living near Cambridge in the UK, when he’s not working you’ll find him either riding his bike or playing drums.
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Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
1
‘Hopefully I can get a start to my season’ – After injury-plagued season, Jay Vine finds form supporting Tadej Pogačar at Vuelta a España
-
2
‘We didn’t know that Enric was so close’ – Inaccurate time gaps explain how Tadej Pogačar was caught during Vuelta a España attack
-
3
‘I was like – what’s going on, is this a spectator?’ – Tadej Pogačar surprised by Enric Mas on Vuelta a España gravel climb
-
4
‘A good day, but let’s not give it too much importance’ – Enric Mas remains cautious after matching Tadej Pogačar on Vuelta a España gravel climb
-
5
Scare for Tadej Pogačar as he veers off-road following rival’s warning to take it easy on Vuelta a España descent – Video
UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Rising Australian multi-discipline star Connor Wright takes junior men’s XCO title, Anja Grossmann wins women’s race
Race Results
By
Owen Rogers
Published
Both riders dominate their races
-
Facebook
-
X
-
Pinterest
-
Email
Follow us
Australian rider Connor Wright took the Junior cross-country title at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Italy on Thursday.
The 18-year-old multi-discipline rider took control on the second of five laps of the Val di Sole Circuit, eventually beating the Austrian Michael Hettegger by well over a minute. Swiss rider Marwan Barhoumi was third, a further 27 seconds down.
“I attacked exactly where I wanted to attack … even after coming off the bike, and I kept it clean through the singletrack and the roots,” said Wright. “I got to the bottom of that descent with 22 seconds and I couldn’t believe it. From there I rode my own race and I could really soak it in over those last two laps.”
Wright is a rising star, winning on and off-road and recently signing with Tudor Pro Cycling’s Development team.
“Everything was perfect. Legs felt good and the mind was in the right place and all I had left to do was execute it and I’m super happy with how the race played out,” said Wright in a media release from the ARA Australian Cycling Team.
In the women’s race, the Swiss rider Anja Grossman took the rainbow jersey, the 17-year-old taking the lead from Barbora Bukovska on the second of four laps, eventually beating her Czech rival by 48 seconds, with French rider Agathe Vauchamp in third place.
Like Wright, 2026 has been an excellent season for Grossmann, during which she has won European and national titles.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“The last few years have taught me a huge amount, disappointments included, and I have had the best people around me: people who give everything, every day, and who believed in this dream as much as I did,” said Grossman.
Results
Men Junior Cross-Country Olympic
|
Position |
Rider (Country) Team |
Time Gap |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Connor Wright (Aus) |
1:00:09 |
|
2 |
Michael Hettegger (Aut) |
+1:16 |
|
3 |
Marwan Barhoumi (Swi) |
+1:43 |
|
4 |
Daan Bakelaar (Ned) |
+1:59 |
|
5 |
Mathieu Ghibaudo (Fra) |
+2:10 |
|
6 |
Noa Filippi (Fra) |
+2:24 |
|
7 |
James Climo (NZl) |
+2:34 |
|
8 |
Michael Ortner (Aut) |
+2:37 |
|
9 |
Leonardo Bernardes de Castro Filho (Bra) |
+2:39 |
|
10 |
Niko Terho (Fin) |
+3:12 |
|
11 |
Emilien Belzile (Can) |
+3:21 |
|
12 |
Lucas Rodriguez (Fra) |
+3:30 |
|
13 |
Marlon Riess (Ger) |
+3:32 |
|
14 |
Johannes Braedstrup-Holm (Den) |
+3:32 |
|
15 |
Luke Trafford (GBr) |
+3:37 |
Women Junior Cross-Country Olympic
|
Position |
Rider (Country) Team |
Time Gap |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Anja Grossmann (Swi) |
57:57 |
|
2 |
Barbora Bukovska (Cze) |
0:00:48 |
|
3 |
Agathe Vauchamp (Fra) |
0:01:26 |
|
4 |
Nikoletta Bettina Kiss (Hun) |
0:02:42 |
|
5 |
Mariachiara Signorelli (Ita) |
0:03:18 |
|
6 |
Lise Revol (Fra) |
0:03:56 |
|
7 |
Daniela Gaviria Ramirez (Col) |
0:04:20 |
|
8 |
Lou-Anne Halter (Swi) |
0:04:44 |
|
9 |
Giorgia Pellizotti (Ita) |
0:04:46 |
|
10 |
Adina Daubner (Ger) |
0:04:46 |
|
11 |
Zelie Lambert (Fra) |
0:04:52 |
|
12 |
Aida Linton (USA) |
0:05:27 |
|
13 |
Eva Terpin (Slo) |
0:05:50 |
|
14 |
Jeanne Duterne (Fra) |
0:05:56 |
|
15 |
Angelica Gatto (Ita) |
0:05:59 |
For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You’ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a España, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! Join today.
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