2025 UCI MTB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 2 WRAP
Nelson rider George Swift set the New Zealand team abuzz, becoming the elite women’s E-Enduro World Champion in the first event of the 2025 UCI MTB World Championships in Switzerland today.
With impending inclement weather, organisers rejigged the competition with a major stage completed yesterday, and the competition completed today in the mountains of Valise near the Italian border.
The 27-year-old Yeti-Fox Factory Team rider was 1.91s down on leader Tracy Moseley (GBR) after yesterday’s stage.
George moved into the lead on stage three after Colombian Florencia Espineira Herreros dropped and Mosely dropped time, and the kiwi was the fastest rider in three of the remaining six stages, and never relinquished the lead.
It was far from plain sailing for George with a major flat tyre scare. She damaged the rear rim in the single stage yesterday, and despite a fix, she arrived at the top of the gondola for the start of the day and the tyre was flat.
“I pumped it up with a CO2 Canister but on the first corner it blew out. I did the while run with a flat rear and still managed to win by four and a half seconds,” said George.
“I got to the pits and the boys swapped it all out and put a tube in. The rim was still damaged but I carried on with a tube in the rear for the rest of the race and survived.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet and its pretty emotional. Last year I tried racing a few e-bike races and did the world champs where I was fifth. I knew I could do better.
“I got a smaller bike and did a lot of training with it and this has shown that the hard work has paid off. This means a lot to me.”
Swift manged her way smoothly through out the remaining eight stages today, with some rain adding to the challenge, but without the major weather bomb that had been predicted.
The enduro competition is like a motor rally with riders negotiated timed downhill stages in the high mountains along with over 20kms of liaison riding between stages.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed four top-10 finishes in UCI MTB World Series but the victory today was by far her most significant achievement in the sport.
Swift won by 8.43s from Herreros and 9.75s to Mosely in third.
It proved the highlight for the kiwi enduro contingent, with the high hopes for Christchurch rider Charles Murray who sealed third place in the overall World Series for elite men last week.
The Specialized Gravity rider was unable to find his usual rhythm and had to be content with seventh place, 38s behind winner, American Rich Rude Jnr. He edged World Series winner Slawomir Lukasik (POL) for the title.
“We had mixed weather, and conditions and while I like those conditions, I didn’t ride as well as could have. I had some good moments and good stages but I had some where I made mistakes that let down my overall time,” said Murray.
“I am a bit frustrated and hungry for next but really proud to wear the New Zealand jersey today and finish in the top 10.”
They were the best of the kiwi enduro contingent, with talented junior rider Cooper Millwood, runner-up in the world series, suffering a significant injury in yesterday’s single stage.
Best of the other kiwis racing was Iley Nunns (Wellington) who was 12th in the junior women
The world championships comprise several MTB disciplines including downhill, enduro, cross-country, marathon and pump.
Action moves to the start of the downhill competition in nearby Champéry with final this weekend, as well as E-MTB racing and Pump track during the week.
Enduro results:
Women Elite E-MTB Enduro: George Swift (Nelson, Yeti-Fox factory) 38.06.55, 1; Florencia Espineira Herreros (COL) 8:43, 2; Tracy Moseley (GBR) at 9.75, 3.
Men Elite: Richard Rude Jnr (USA) 29.37.67, 1; Slawomir Lukasik (POL) at 2.50s, 2; Elliot Jamieson (CAN) at 20.48, 3. Also NZers: Charles Murray (Specialized Gravity) at 38.42, 7; Joe Millington (Yeti Developments NZ) 1:30.91, 21; Ed Masters (Pivot Factory) at 2:11.34, 38; Lachie Ross at 3:29.00, 78; Matthew Walker (Pivot Factory) at 5:27.48, 95.
Women Elite: Elly Hoskin (CAN) 35:13.67, 1; Ella Conolly (GBR) at 4.63, 2; Melanie Pugin (FRA) at 6.84, 3. Also: Xanthe Robb (NZL) at 3:44.52, 21.