As the Paris Olympics approach, mountain biking makes its eighth consecutive appearance with the cross-country race for elite women scheduled at Élancourt Hill on Saturday, July 28—just a day before the men’s event.
Rain forecasts could alter the course conditions for the women, potentially mirroring the disruption seen at the Tokyo Games three years ago, where Swiss rider Jolanda Neff’s dominance led to a podium sweep, leaving many favorites trailing.
This year’s women’s race promises an open competition, especially with Neff withdrawing due to ongoing illness. Swiss competitor Alessandra Keller now stands as the sole representative from Switzerland and one of the leading contenders, holding the top spot in the UCI World Cup XCO rankings after the first six races.
Keller’s primary rivals include French riders Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the reigning world champion, and Loana Lecomte, the world silver medalist. They are joined by Dutch competitor Puck Pieterse and the U.S. duo Haley Batten and Savilia Blunk.
A total of 36 riders will compete, the same number as in the men’s race the following day. In the inaugural 1996 Atlanta Games, 27 women raced compared to 38 men. Italy’s Paola Pezzo claimed the first women’s gold medal and remains the only two-time Olympic XCO champion with victories in 1996 and 2000.
The Élancourt Hill course spans 4.4 kilometers, featuring winding gravel paths, a technical rock garden, and a demanding climb. The race begins with a 2.2-kilometer lap that avoids the major climb, followed by multiple circuits of the main track, each including 110 meters of elevation gain. The highest point offers a distant view of the Eiffel Tower, located approximately 25 kilometers away.
France’s Ferrand-Prévot and Lecomte, both prominent figures, could dominate the podium. Ferrand-Prévot, a seasoned competitor with titles across cyclocross, gravel, road, and marathon mountain biking, is set to retire from mountain biking after this season, focusing on road racing. She finished 10th in Tokyo but aims to secure a home victory in her fourth Olympic Games. This year, she triumphed in two World Cup events.
Lecomte, having clinched a World Cup victory at Crans-Montana and skipped the Les Gets round for training, is a strong contender after a dominant performance at the mountain bike Test Event at Élancourt Hill last year. With a silver medal from the World Championships, she’s well-positioned for gold.
Dutch rider Puck Pieterse, a rising star in multiple cycling disciplines and reigning European cross-country champion, ranks second in the World Cup standings. Despite moving to the elite level only last year, her performance includes a bronze medal from the World Championships and a recent victory in Les Gets, demonstrating her capability on the Olympic stage.
Team USA’s Haley Batten and Savilia Blunk bring significant strength to the competition, ranking third and fourth in the World Cup standings, respectively. Batten, making her second Olympic appearance after finishing ninth in Tokyo, has three podiums this season, including a win in Brazil. Blunk, a debutant, has also achieved three podium finishes and won the short track race in Les Gets. The U.S. has not won an Olympic mountain biking medal in 12 years, and both riders are poised to make history.
Switzerland’s Alessandra Keller, leading the UCI World Cup rankings, enters Paris with a solid track record, including a U23 world championship and consistent top-five finishes in elite races. Despite not securing a long-course victory yet, Keller’s performance this season has been strong, and with Neff absent, she will look to capitalize on her solo effort.
Race Details
The women’s mountain bike cross-country race at the Paris Olympics starts on July 28 at 14:10 CET (8:10 EDT). For viewers looking to catch the action, details on how to watch the cycling events will be available closer to the date.
Start List
- Rebecca Henderson (Australia)
- Mona Mitterwallner (Austria)
- Laura Stigger (Austria)
- Emeline Detilleux (Belgium)
- Raiza Goulao Henrique (Brazil)
- Isabella Holmgren (Canada)
- Adela Holubova (Czechia)
- Caroline Bohe (Denmark)
- Sofie Heby Pedersen (Denmark)
- Janika Loiv (Estonia)
- Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (France)
- Loana Lecomte (France)
- Nina Benz (Germany)
- Ella Maclean-Howell (Great Britain)
- Evie Richards (Great Britain)
- Blanka Vas (Hungary)
- Martina Berta (Italy)
- Chiara Teocchi (Italy)
- Urara Kawaguchi (Japan)
- Aurélie Halbwachs (Mauritius)
- Erika Monserrath Rodriguez Suarez (Mexico)
- Puck Pieterse (Netherlands)
- Anne Terpstra (Netherlands)
- Samara Maxwell (New Zealand)
- Zhifan Wu (China)
- Paula Gorycka (Poland)
- Raquel Queiros (Portugal)
- Jazilla Mwamikazi (Rwanda)
- Tanja Zakelj (Slovenia)
- Candice Lill (South Africa)
- Jenny Rissveds (Sweden)
- Alessandra Keller (Switzerland)
- Sina Frei (Switzerland)
- Yana Belomoina (Ukraine)
- Haley Batten (United States)
- Savilia Blunk (United States)