Rissveds dominates Leogang World Cup opener

Jenny Rissveds delivered a crushing solo victory to win the opening round of the UCI Cross-Country World Cup in Leogang, Austria.

Behind her, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) launched her 2026 season with a strong second-place finish, proving best of the rest on a punishing day.

The Dutch rider crossed the line 56 seconds behind Rissveds, having distanced the other podium contenders in the final laps to secure the runner-up position.

The Leogang course, defined by its long, steep climbs and technical descents, immediately made its mark on the opening round of the World Cup. The pace was high from the start, stretching the field out on the first of six laps.

Jenny Rissveds attacked early, and by the second lap had already established a solo lead. Behind her, a small chase group formed with Puck Pieterse prominent in the effort to limit the advantage, but Rissveds's gap grew steadily through the middle of the race.

With the win decided, the battle for the remaining podium spots ignited in the final two laps. Pieterse launched a decisive attack on the main climb to break free and secure second place. Further back, Mona Mitterwallner (Human Powered Health) finished tenth, and Ginia Caluori (Nexetis) was 13th.

• Jenny Rissveds's dominant performance sets a formidable benchmark for the rest of the World Cup season, showing a clear gap in form to the rest of the field.
• Puck Pieterse's ride to second was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Unable to follow the winning move, she proved best of the rest by decisively dispatching the chase group late in the race.
• A tenth-place finish for Mona Mitterwallner is a solid start, but she will likely have hoped to be closer to the podium battle on a course that rewards her climbing strengths.
• The significant time gaps throughout the field highlight the attritional nature of the Leogang course, which created major selections and rewarded the most complete all-round riders.