Rissveds reigns in Pal Arinsal with solo victory

Jenny Rissveds took a commanding solo victory at the Pal Arinsal XCO World Cup 2026, attacking in the closing stages to win in the world champion's rainbow stripes. Behind her, Martina Berta won a thrilling sprint for second place, finishing 17 seconds down and narrowly edging out Sina Frei in a photo finish for third.

The race, held under sunny Andorran skies, was marked by aggressive racing from the start. A dramatic battle for the podium places went down to the final metres of the high-altitude course.

The race began with an explosive start, as Mona Mitterwallner (Human Powered Health) grabbed the holeshot into the first steep climb to immediately string out the field.

Through the middle laps, Jenny Rissveds established her dominance, pulling away from a chase group that included Martina Berta, Sina Frei, and Savilia Blunk. The dusty, technical course proved decisive, with small gaps opening up on the steep climbs and rock-strewn descents.

As Rissveds started the final lap alone, the battle for the podium intensified behind her. Berta launched a powerful attack on the main climb of the last lap, distancing Frei and Blunk, before holding off a charging Frei in a sprint to the line for second place.

• Jenny Rissveds's victory was a masterclass in pacing. She weathered the early attacks before asserting her dominance on the technical course, demonstrating why she wears the world champion's jersey.
• Martina Berta's final-lap attack was perfectly timed. Waiting for the last major climb to make her move showed tactical maturity and secured a hard-fought second place.
• The high-altitude course in Pal Arinsal consistently rewards all-around riders and punishes the slightest mistake. The combination of long climbs and technical descents leaves no room for weakness.
• Mona Mitterwallner's holeshot strategy successfully fractured the race early on. While she faded to 14th, her initial aggression forced a selection and shaped the dynamic of the entire event.
• Savilia Blunk's fourth place, just 10 seconds off the podium, confirms her status as a consistent contender at the highest level.