{"id":2108386,"date":"2026-08-24T07:07:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T04:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2108386"},"modified":"2026-08-24T07:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T04:07:36","slug":"a-fighting-return-for-sammie-maxwell-at-mountain-bike-world-series-round-in-les-gets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2108386","title":{"rendered":"A fighting return for Sammie Maxwell at Mountain Bike World Series round in Les Gets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-2000-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RyT39Rm6mVMRSyhLcSCtYe-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RyT39Rm6mVMRSyhLcSCtYe-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s 2026 mountain bike return confirmed with place on World Cup start list at Les Gets\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVJvoGMBete8FgwMHc7JTE-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVJvoGMBete8FgwMHc7JTE-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;A huge step-up and a lot to learn&#8217; \u2013 Kate Courtney swiftly adapting to WorldTour racing with FDJ United-Suez at the Tour of Britain Women\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bZxVhX8Vooh9Dn8NjCW2bP-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bZxVhX8Vooh9Dn8NjCW2bP-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;Out of my comfort zone&#8217; \u2013 Kim Le Court-Pienaar breaks new ground in Tour of Britain Women sprint finish en route to Montreal Worlds bid\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMountain Bike\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A fighting return for Sammie Maxwell at Mountain Bike World Series round in Les Gets<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nSimone Giuliani <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-24T07:07:36Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">A crash, flat and DNF in the short track left the rider from New Zealand well back on the XCO start grid and with a chase on her hands to snare sixth<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Sammie Maxwell (Decathlon Ford) charges through the field at the UCI MTB World Series Les Gets round<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: \u00a9\ufe0fWHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" 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absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e4285914-9f84-11f1-9452-6b58f810ccc0\">There was no doubt that the excitement levels were high for the return of last year&#8217;s series winner Sammie Maxwell to the WHOOP UCI MTB World Series at Les Gets and, while it was a challenging start in the short-track (XCC), her performance in Sunday&#8217;s cross-country Olympic (XCO) race made it clear that nine months away wasn&#8217;t going to stand in the way of the young rider from New Zealand.<\/p>\n<p>After her first highly successful season in the elite ranks, Maxwell decided to take some time away from the sport, returning with a win at the Swiss MTB World Cup in Lostorf last week before once again joining the top-tier series in France.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e4285914-9f84-11f1-9452-6b58f810ccc0-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An initially strong run in the XCC ultimately ended in a DNF after a crash and a flat, which didn&#8217;t help her start position in the subsequent XCO race, but even though last year&#8217;s series winner began mid-field, she didn&#8217;t stay there for long. Through the first couple of laps she had already worked her way into the top ten, before spending a considerable stretch riding with Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Decathlon Ford rider then pushed up a couple more positions before the race was done, coming sixth in the race won by Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing). World champion Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) was second while Maxwell&#8217;s Decathlon Ford teammate Savilia Blank was third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was clear as the sobs shook through her exhausted form at the end of the race just how much being back meant to Maxwell, but the fans also made their feelings clear as the returning rider was voted rider of the round.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t have a plan, just tried to survive&#8217; 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\u2013 Maike van der Duin returns to podium at Baloise Ladies Tour after a 790 day wait<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Maxwell, who has grappled with an eating disorder through her career, said on announcing her return that while she was &#8220;truly grateful to have had the chance to dedicate the past few months to myself,&#8221; she had missed racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think this has been the hardest eight months of my life, but it is like a hard training session\u2026 the harder it is the more rewarding afterwards,&#8221; said Maxwell in a pre-event WHOOP MTB Series interview, before explaining that a late-season comeback had its benefits.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a chance for me to come over here for a shortened period of time, not a whole season, and see what challenges racing has and how I can implement what I have learned in this environment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Just two rounds of the series remain, September 19-20 in Utah and then Lake Placid on October 2-4, but first is the Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy from August 26-30. Maxwell will be lining up there with the New Zealand team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Before the weekend, despite having confidence in her form, the rider wasn&#8217;t quite sure how she would fare on her return to top-level racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I actually am fitter than I was last year,&#8221; said Maxwell. &#8220;What that translates to in racing, I think it&#8217;s hard to say because again you have to get your head in the right space, you have to learn that race intensity which you can only get racing, but I&#8217;m doing my pre-race warm-ups, and I&#8217;m increasing all my power numbers by 10%.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Having some of that race intensity under the belt now, to complement that building form, means the rider who came second in the rainbow race last year will be closely watched this time as well despite her recent return. Still, regardless of the results through the rest of the season, Maxwell seems more than content with the progress she has made this year with the long game in mind.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I feel like I&#8217;ve unlocked a secret key of just fueling my body and focusing a lot on strength and power and sustainability,&#8221; said Maxwell before the return at Les Gets. &#8220;I feel like I can keep progressing, and if that takes a few years, that&#8217;s cool, but I feel like I am really [on] track to having the resources I need to be the best that I can be.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Simone Giuliani<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Australia Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Simone is a degree-qualified journalist that has accumulated decades of wide-ranging experience while working across a variety of leading media organisations. She joined <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> as a Production Editor at the start of the 2021 season and has now moved into the role of Australia Editor. Previously she worked as a freelance writer, Australian Editor at <em>Ella CyclingTips<\/em> and as a correspondent for <em>Reuters<\/em> and <em>Bloomberg<\/em>. Cycling was initially purely a leisure pursuit for Simone, who started out as a business journalist, but in 2015 her career focus also shifted to the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t have a plan, just tried to survive&#8217; &#8211; Danish rider scores first-ever victory at Mountain Bike XCC World Series as veterans struggle in treacherous rain and mud<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A bit of a rollercoaster of a season&#8217; \u2013 Ally Wollaston sets her sights on Track Worlds after going &#8216;back to the drawing board&#8217; at Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I\u2019ve come from a really low point&#8217; \u2013 Maike van der Duin returns to podium at Baloise Ladies Tour after a 790 day wait<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">French riders go one-two in short track men&#8217;s race at UCI MTB World Cup La Thuile as touch of wheels with teammate takes Charlie Aldridge out of contention<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Finally had everything go to plan&#8217; \u2013 New Zealand&#8217;s Matthew Wilson moves past foiled finishes to claim first Life Time Grand Prix podium in Leadville<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Iconic Powerline not being part of the race is devastating but it&#8217;s even more devastating that the mountain is on fire&#8217; &#8211; Melisa Rollins aims for second win at Leadville Trail 100 MTB<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The hardest week I&#8217;ve done by far all year&#8217; \u2013 Amber Pate returns to racing at Tour of Britain Women after six months away due to pancreatic tumour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lauf Gravel Worlds: Geerike Schreurs beats Rosa Kl\u00f6ser in photo finish as Torbj\u00f8rn R\u00f8ed wins three-way sprint after storms cause course rejig<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour of Britain Women: Kim Le Court-Pienaar claims overall title as unstoppable Lorena Wiebes takes fourth victory in stage 5 finale<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s taken me a while to become a consistent rider&#8217; \u2013 Josie Nelson continues strongest season yet on home roads at Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We expected to be attacked left, right and centre&#8217; \u2013 Kim Le Court-Pienaar defends Tour of Britain Women GC lead on hilly stage 4<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I want to develop myself more in the hills&#8217; \u2013\u00a0After another impressive punchy display at the Tour of Britain Women, is Lorena Wiebes evolving?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;When Wout goes, you have to react&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar retains Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a lead after sizzling finale duel with Van Aert<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar comes full circle at Tour of Britain Women to take her first-ever GC victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The hardest week I&#8217;ve done by far all year&#8217; \u2013 Amber Pate returns to racing at Tour of Britain Women after six months away due to pancreatic tumour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t really have much left for such a hard finish&#8217; \u2013 Ethan Hayter misses out on red jersey again at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a despite gutsy breakaway ride in ripped shorts<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lauf Gravel Worlds: Geerike Schreurs beats Rosa Kl\u00f6ser in photo finish as Torbj\u00f8rn R\u00f8ed wins three-way sprint after storms cause course rejig<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not completely under my control but I&#8217;m going to try&#8217; &#8211; After ultra-narrow TT defeat to Poga\u010dar, Ethan Hayter throws hat in ring for red in Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>A fighting return for Sammie Maxwell at Mountain Bike World Series round in Les Gets<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;The hardest week I&#8217;ve done by far all year&#8217; \u2013 Amber Pate returns to racing at Tour of Britain Women after six months away due to pancreatic tumour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Lauf Gravel Worlds: Geerike Schreurs beats Rosa Kl\u00f6ser in photo finish as Torbj\u00f8rn R\u00f8ed wins three-way sprint after storms cause course rejig<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;When Wout goes, you have to react&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar retains Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a lead after sizzling finale duel with Van Aert<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Kim Le Court-Pienaar comes full circle at Tour of Britain Women to take her first-ever GC victory<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMountain Bike\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A fighting return for Sammie Maxwell at Mountain Bike World Series round in Les Gets<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nSimone Giuliani <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-24T07:07:36Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">A crash, flat and DNF in the short track left the rider from New Zealand well back on the XCO start grid and with a chase on her hands to snare sixth<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Sammie Maxwell (Decathlon Ford) charges through the field at the UCI MTB World Series Les Gets round<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: \u00a9\ufe0fWHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" 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absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e4285914-9f84-11f1-9452-6b58f810ccc0\">There was no doubt that the excitement levels were high for the return of last year&#8217;s series winner Sammie Maxwell to the WHOOP UCI MTB World Series at Les Gets and, while it was a challenging start in the short-track (XCC), her performance in Sunday&#8217;s cross-country Olympic (XCO) race made it clear that nine months away wasn&#8217;t going to stand in the way of the young rider from New Zealand.<\/p>\n<p>After her first highly successful season in the elite ranks, Maxwell decided to take some time away from the sport, returning with a win at the Swiss MTB World Cup in Lostorf last week before once again joining the top-tier series in France.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e4285914-9f84-11f1-9452-6b58f810ccc0-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An initially strong run in the XCC ultimately ended in a DNF after a crash and a flat, which didn&#8217;t help her start position in the subsequent XCO race, but even though last year&#8217;s series winner began mid-field, she didn&#8217;t stay there for long. Through the first couple of laps she had already worked her way into the top ten, before spending a considerable stretch riding with Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Decathlon Ford rider then pushed up a couple more positions before the race was done, coming sixth in the race won by Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing). World champion Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) was second while Maxwell&#8217;s Decathlon Ford teammate Savilia Blank was third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was clear as the sobs shook through her exhausted form at the end of the race just how much being back meant to Maxwell, but the fans also made their feelings clear as the returning rider was voted rider of the round.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t have a plan, just tried to survive&#8217; &#8211; Danish rider scores first-ever victory at Mountain Bike XCC World Series as veterans struggle in treacherous rain and mud<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;A bit of a rollercoaster of a season&#8217; \u2013 Ally Wollaston sets her sights on Track Worlds after going &#8216;back to the drawing board&#8217; at Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I\u2019ve come from a really low point&#8217; \u2013 Maike van der Duin returns to podium at Baloise Ladies Tour after a 790 day wait<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Maxwell, who has grappled with an eating disorder through her career, said on announcing her return that while she was &#8220;truly grateful to have had the chance to dedicate the past few months to myself,&#8221; she had missed racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think this has been the hardest eight months of my life, but it is like a hard training session\u2026 the harder it is the more rewarding afterwards,&#8221; said Maxwell in a pre-event WHOOP MTB Series interview, before explaining that a late-season comeback had its benefits.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a chance for me to come over here for a shortened period of time, not a whole season, and see what challenges racing has and how I can implement what I have learned in this environment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Just two rounds of the series remain, September 19-20 in Utah and then Lake Placid on October 2-4, but first is the Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy from August 26-30. Maxwell will be lining up there with the New Zealand team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Before the weekend, despite having confidence in her form, the rider wasn&#8217;t quite sure how she would fare on her return to top-level racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I actually am fitter than I was last year,&#8221; said Maxwell. &#8220;What that translates to in racing, I think it&#8217;s hard to say because again you have to get your head in the right space, you have to learn that race intensity which you can only get racing, but I&#8217;m doing my pre-race warm-ups, and I&#8217;m increasing all my power numbers by 10%.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Having some of that race intensity under the belt now, to complement that building form, means the rider who came second in the rainbow race last year will be closely watched this time as well despite her recent return. Still, regardless of the results through the rest of the season, Maxwell seems more than content with the progress she has made this year with the long game in mind.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I feel like I&#8217;ve unlocked a secret key of just fueling my body and focusing a lot on strength and power and sustainability,&#8221; said Maxwell before the return at Les Gets. &#8220;I feel like I can keep progressing, and if that takes a few years, that&#8217;s cool, but I feel like I am really [on] track to having the resources I need to be the best that I can be.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Simone Giuliani<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Australia Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Simone is a degree-qualified journalist that has accumulated decades of wide-ranging experience while working across a variety of leading media organisations. She joined <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> as a Production Editor at the start of the 2021 season and has now moved into the role of Australia Editor. Previously she worked as a freelance writer, Australian Editor at <em>Ella CyclingTips<\/em> and as a correspondent for <em>Reuters<\/em> and <em>Bloomberg<\/em>. Cycling was initially purely a leisure pursuit for Simone, who started out as a business journalist, but in 2015 her career focus also shifted to the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t have a plan, just tried to survive&#8217; &#8211; Danish rider scores first-ever victory at Mountain Bike XCC World Series as veterans struggle in treacherous rain and mud<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A bit of a rollercoaster of a season&#8217; \u2013 Ally Wollaston sets her sights on Track Worlds after going &#8216;back to the drawing board&#8217; at Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I\u2019ve come from a really low point&#8217; \u2013 Maike van der Duin returns to podium at Baloise Ladies Tour after a 790 day wait<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PTREhkRqSPdjydCFWtcBnn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">French riders go one-two in short track men&#8217;s race at UCI MTB World Cup La Thuile as touch of wheels with teammate takes Charlie Aldridge out of contention<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NzRzmTrJc2Hgn2t5F6uCzH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Finally had everything go to plan&#8217; \u2013 New Zealand&#8217;s Matthew Wilson moves past foiled finishes to claim first Life Time Grand Prix podium in Leadville<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8HzT6EVS5DMq5JqQzhTbpg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Iconic Powerline not being part of the race is devastating but it&#8217;s even more devastating that the mountain is on fire&#8217; &#8211; Melisa Rollins aims for second win at Leadville Trail 100 MTB<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The hardest week I&#8217;ve done by far all year&#8217; \u2013 Amber Pate returns to racing at Tour of Britain Women after six months away due to pancreatic tumour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lauf Gravel Worlds: Geerike Schreurs beats Rosa Kl\u00f6ser in photo finish as Torbj\u00f8rn R\u00f8ed wins three-way sprint after storms cause course rejig<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/as8Z4qRNG2969Xm5zz6JSM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour of Britain Women: Kim Le Court-Pienaar claims overall title as unstoppable Lorena Wiebes takes fourth victory in stage 5 finale<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ok8zpNrbM9FuWB4jGwqEtY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s taken me a while to become a consistent rider&#8217; \u2013 Josie Nelson continues strongest season yet on home roads at Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DRQuxgf3dM9QoT2cxCjf4E-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We expected to be attacked left, right and centre&#8217; \u2013 Kim Le Court-Pienaar defends Tour of Britain Women GC lead on hilly stage 4<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9JdzkLSRgapaJSHNya5wk9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I want to develop myself more in the hills&#8217; \u2013\u00a0After another impressive punchy display at the Tour of Britain Women, is Lorena Wiebes evolving?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cLSHcRATZJ5wsZjNMcxxtC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;When Wout goes, you have to react&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar retains Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a lead after sizzling finale duel with Van Aert<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZzemFw5TdtdXkCVjuaheQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar comes full circle at Tour of Britain Women to take her first-ever GC victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cxdBUbUNkEmBxuAnRMLd4e-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The hardest week I&#8217;ve done by far all year&#8217; \u2013 Amber Pate returns to racing at Tour of Britain Women after six months away due to pancreatic tumour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zKa5jF8d2s4BYwxnu4djUX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t really have much left for such a hard finish&#8217; \u2013 Ethan Hayter misses out on red jersey again at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a despite gutsy breakaway ride in ripped shorts<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lauf Gravel Worlds: Geerike Schreurs beats Rosa Kl\u00f6ser in photo finish as Torbj\u00f8rn R\u00f8ed wins three-way sprint after storms cause course rejig<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DfLzZ8ytJjAYKyP5FEkEaB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not completely under my control but I&#8217;m going to try&#8217; &#8211; After ultra-narrow TT defeat to Poga\u010dar, Ethan Hayter throws hat in ring for red in Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>A fighting return for Sammie Maxwell at Mountain Bike World Series round in Les Gets<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;The hardest week I&#8217;ve done by far all year&#8217; \u2013 Amber Pate returns to racing at Tour of Britain Women after six months away due to pancreatic tumour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Lauf Gravel Worlds: Geerike Schreurs beats Rosa Kl\u00f6ser in photo finish as Torbj\u00f8rn R\u00f8ed wins three-way sprint after storms cause course rejig<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;When Wout goes, you have to react&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar retains Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a lead after sizzling finale duel with Van Aert<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Kim Le Court-Pienaar comes full circle at Tour of Britain Women to take her first-ever GC victory<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMountain Bike\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A fighting return for Sammie Maxwell at Mountain Bike World Series round in Les Gets<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nSimone Giuliani <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-24T07:07:36Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">A crash, flat and DNF in the short track left the rider from New Zealand well back on the XCO start grid and with a chase on her hands to snare sixth<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-e4285914-9f84-11f1-9452-6b58f810ccc0\">There was no doubt that the excitement levels were high for the return of last year&#8217;s series winner Sammie Maxwell to the WHOOP UCI MTB World Series at Les Gets and, while it was a challenging start in the short-track (XCC), her performance in Sunday&#8217;s cross-country Olympic (XCO) race made it clear that nine months away wasn&#8217;t going to stand in the way of the young rider from New Zealand.<\/p>\n<p>After her first highly successful season in the elite ranks, Maxwell decided to take some time away from the sport, returning with a win at the Swiss MTB World Cup in Lostorf last week before once again joining the top-tier series in France.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e4285914-9f84-11f1-9452-6b58f810ccc0-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An initially strong run in the XCC ultimately ended in a DNF after a crash and a flat, which didn&#8217;t help her start position in the subsequent XCO race, but even though last year&#8217;s series winner began mid-field, she didn&#8217;t stay there for long. Through the first couple of laps she had already worked her way into the top ten, before spending a considerable stretch riding with Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Decathlon Ford rider then pushed up a couple more positions before the race was done, coming sixth in the race won by Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing). World champion Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) was second while Maxwell&#8217;s Decathlon Ford teammate Savilia Blank was third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was clear as the sobs shook through her exhausted form at the end of the race just how much being back meant to Maxwell, but the fans also made their feelings clear as the returning rider was voted rider of the round.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y8qKrzdwDkmvaMgoi2B5Rh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I didn&#8217;t have a plan, just tried to survive&#8217; &#8211; Danish rider scores first-ever victory at Mountain Bike XCC World Series as veterans struggle in treacherous rain and mud<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aizS5Gy8F3BuEq2mG5fBMK-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;A bit of a rollercoaster of a season&#8217; \u2013 Ally Wollaston sets her sights on Track Worlds after going &#8216;back to the drawing board&#8217; at Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gbzbBhiKcXAG32RXsDVhSh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I\u2019ve come from a really low point&#8217; \u2013 Maike van der Duin returns to podium at Baloise Ladies Tour after a 790 day wait<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Maxwell, who has grappled with an eating disorder through her career, said on announcing her return that while she was &#8220;truly grateful to have had the chance to dedicate the past few months to myself,&#8221; she had missed racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think this has been the hardest eight months of my life, but it is like a hard training session\u2026 the harder it is the more rewarding afterwards,&#8221; said Maxwell in a pre-event WHOOP MTB Series interview, before explaining that a late-season comeback had its benefits.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-5PnMHpDpGvi4LNHS6yitbi slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a chance for me to come over here for a shortened period of time, not a whole season, and see what challenges racing has and how I can implement what I have learned in this environment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Just two rounds of the series remain, September 19-20 in Utah and then Lake Placid on October 2-4, but first is the Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy from August 26-30. Maxwell will be lining up there with the New Zealand team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Before the weekend, despite having confidence in her form, the rider wasn&#8217;t quite sure how she would fare on her return to top-level racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I actually am fitter than I was last year,&#8221; said Maxwell. &#8220;What that translates to in racing, I think it&#8217;s hard to say because again you have to get your head in the right space, you have to learn that race intensity which you can only get racing, but I&#8217;m doing my pre-race warm-ups, and I&#8217;m increasing all my power numbers by 10%.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Having some of that race intensity under the belt now, to complement that building form, means the rider who came second in the rainbow race last year will be closely watched this time as well despite her recent return. Still, regardless of the results through the rest of the season, Maxwell seems more than content with the progress she has made this year with the long game in mind.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I feel like I&#8217;ve unlocked a secret key of just fueling my body and focusing a lot on strength and power and sustainability,&#8221; said Maxwell before the return at Les Gets. &#8220;I feel like I can keep progressing, and if that takes a few years, that&#8217;s cool, but I feel like I am really [on] track to having the resources I need to be the best that I can be.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/a-fighting-return-for-sammie-maxwell-at-mountain-bike-world-series-round-in-les-gets\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22JBgTg7wtvab74qNtGFzS-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s 2026 mountain bike return confirmed with place on World Cup start list at Les Gets 2 &#8216;A huge step-up and a lot to learn&#8217; \u2013 Kate Courtney swiftly adapting to WorldTour racing with FDJ United-Suez at the Tour of Britain Women 3 &#8216;Out of my comfort zone&#8217; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2108386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2108386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2108386"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2108386\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2108386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2108386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2108386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}