Nikoline Splittorff, Denmark was back at her best today, winning the Mass Start by 3.21, whilst Czech rider Vojtech Ludvik won by 2 seconds in a thrilling men’s finish where second place was decided by a split second.
The men’s race in sunny Warsaw, Poland was led early on by Ludvik, no stranger to world championship medals, but he dropped behind a little in the middle of the race. Home rider Bartosz Niebielski and Tomi Nykanen, Finland rode together in the lead for long periods towards the end, and a sprint finish was clearly on the way – but not quite as expected! Ludvik was 36 seconds down only 3½ minutes before the finish, but he took advantage of a small mistake by the leaders shortly before the arena and came into sight just ahead, winning by 2 seconds. Niebielski and Nykanen sprinted all-out for the silver medal, crossing the line almost together – Nykanen a split second in front.
In-forest routes and sandy tracks slowed progress – it was hard going in many places today
Finn Jussi Laurila, silver medalist yesterday, mis-punched today. His compatriot Samuel Pokala missed bronze by one place for the second day in succession.
Two medals for Denmark
Denmark will be really celebrating today after taking both gold and silver medals in the women’s race. Not only an emphatic win for Splittorff, but silver for Camilla Søgaard, who was 16 seconds down on the lead early on but then settled to ride strongly and hold second place. Bronze medalist was Sweden’s Gabrielle Gustafsson, who gained one position in the final 7 minutes. Sprint winner Ruska Saarela, Finland had the best start, but lost some time in the middle of the race before finishing strongly; she gained 3 places in the last 10 minutes of racing, but had to settle for fourth place today.
Danish determination … Nikoline Splittorff on her way to gold Photos: Jakub Wolski / WMTBOC 2025
There is one more individual race in the CX80 World MTBO Championships – the Long Distance on Saturday starting at 10.00 CEST, again shown for free on IOF TV. Tomorrow is a rest day.
In the Junior World MTBO Championships, French rider Augustin LeClère won his second gold medal today, and was silver medalist in Middle Distance; a great week for him. Today’s margin was tight – just 10 seconds. Following gold medals on the first two days, Czech Adele Ryglova had to settle for silver today, with an outstanding ride from Finn Aino Kankaanpaa giving her the win by 2.57.
Leading results, Mass Start
Women
- Nikoline Splittorff DEN 1:24:03
- Camilla Søgaard DEN 1:27:24
- Gabrielle Gustafsson SWE 1:27:36
- Ruska Saarela FIN 1:27:45
- Lucie Nedomlelova CZE 1:27:48
- Martina Tichovska CZE 1:28:05
Men
- Vojtech Ludvik CZE 1:21:03
- Tomi Nykanen FIN 1:21:05
- Bartosz Niebielski POL 1:21:06
- Samuel Pokala FIN 1:21:09
- Andreas Waldmann AUT 1:21:13
- Rasmus Nordgren SWE 1:21:19
Junior Women
- Aino Kankaanpaa FIN
- Adela Ryglova CZE + 2.57
- Malin Lara Roehrl SUI + 3.00
Junior Men
- Augustin LeClère FRA
- Akseli Pesu FIN + 0.10
- Jakub Racansky CZE + 0.13