Andorra welcomed the world’s top E-MTB riders on August 28 at Vallnord – Pal Arinsal, as part of the 2024 UCI World Championships, displaying spectacular photos, intense competition, and significant victories.
Sofia Wiedenroth, flying the German flag, excelled from start to finish to secure her first Rainbow Jersey after a five-year quest, having prepared through the UCI E-MTB XC World Cup organized by WES.
The German set the early tempo alongside Austria’s Anna Spielmann (DNF due to injury) and defending UCI World Champion Nathalie Schneitter from Switzerland. Meanwhile, one of the other top contenders, Justine Tonso from France, was positioned toward the back after the first lap, as she suffered mechanical issues.
Wiedenroth claimed the rainbow jersey with a confident and commanding performance, clocking in at 1:00:09, over a minute ahead of Schneitter and just over two minutes ahead of Espiñeira. The highly experienced Kathrin Stirnemann from Switzerland finished fifth.
Meanwhile, Jérôme Gilloux came out strong to reclaim the Jersey he lost last year to Joris Ryf battling against the Swiss and Hugo Pigeon, closely followed by cross-country Olympic (XCO) specialist Martín Vidaurre Kossmann (Chile) and Mirko Tabacchi (Italy).
Gilloux, who had suffered a late mechanical issue in last year’s final and finished third, managed to carve out a slight lead. Behind him, the riders were frequently changing positions, with Vidaurre, the expert XCO rider at his debut in e-Bike racing overtaking Pigeon and Ryf, who then slipped further back. By the halfway point, the top four were within 20 seconds of each other.
After winning the first two rounds of the 2024 UCI E-MTB World Cup, Gilloux extended his flawless record to reclaim the UCI World Champion title. He completed the race in 1:01:32, 29 seconds ahead of Vidaurre, the Under-23 XCO UCI World Champion in 2021, who took the silver medal. Pigeon secured the bronze, 45 seconds behind, while Ryf and Tabacchi completed the top five.
Women’s Race Result HERE
Men’s Race Results HERE
About the Champs
Sofia Wiedenroth, born on January 30, 1995, came from Germany representing Specialized Team. She knows what is like to win a World Cup race and be on the podium. She was second in last year World Cup, won the WES E-XC when WES was not yet the World Cup, but the first international E-MTB series under the UCI, and now, after five years fighting at the top, she won her first UCI World Championships.
Jérôme Gilloux, born on May 22, 1994, hails from France. As a rider representing Team LaPierre Overvolt has left a mark on the E-MTB XC racing scene. After three years as the runner-up in the World Championships and a second place last year, Gilloux was crowned 2021, 2022 and 2024 UCI E-MTB XC World Champion, as well as 2021, 2022 and 2023 UCI E-MTB XC World Cup Winner.
What riders say
Sofia Wiedenroth: “It just feels amazing when all the hard work over the last years, months, weeks and days pays off like this. This victory is not just mine -it’s a testament to the unwavering support from my team, the sacrifices of my loved ones, and the relentless pursuit of a dream that once seemed so far away. I’m incredibly grateful for this moment.”
Jérôme Gilloux: “The track was pretty short, 2.6 Km for a total distance of 24 Km and a climbing of +100m per lap, not so much for that mountain area, but it featured interesting descends, quite technique, which I like. I had a good start, I was right behind Joris (Ryf) and I managed to overtake him at the end of lap one. I was feeling good, the bike was perfect, it all worked well. So, I made my race, maintaining the lead until the end and I’m very happy to clinch my third World Championship title.”
Anna Spielmann: “I had a pretty rough crash during yesterday’s training. Thankfully, the checkups showed no broken bones in my hand, but we had to strap it up professionally. I led the first lap, but after that, I just couldn’t hold onto the handlebars. I’m going in for more checkups to make sure nothing’s broken since I’m usually not that sensitive to pain. Big thank you to the crew here.”
Mirko Tabacchi: “I got to Andorra to get a spot on the podium, I was feeling good and comfortable, but I’m very upset I couldn’t make it. The other riders were very fast. I knew that Vidaurre is a strong rider, although he probably was at his first experience in e-biking, but Gilloux and a few others had an incredible speed. The circuit was fast, very wide and steep uphill right after the start, maybe 20% climbing, taking the engine power to the edge. I had a good start, but the guys were overtaking me on that climb and I was losing 10″ per lap, so guess on the total distance! Despite my bike was set to the wheel size 5% margin, max speed being 26.025 Km/h I was at least 1 Km/h slower than the others on the uphill and the flat sections. So, so upset. I’ll fight for the best possible position in the World Cup at WES, where Jérôme (Gilloux) is again the one to beat.”
Justine Tonso: “Too much power, the thread of my pedal did not hold after a mechanical issue it is always difficult to return to the previous posts, especially with a small shape. Happy with the victory of my favourite champion of the world (Wiedenroth).”
Jeroen van Eck: “I gave it my everything today and I’m proud of what I achieved. P7 to finish my World Champs eMTB.”
Lukas Dennda: “P10 at my first E-XC World Championships. I Gave it all I had today and was the best version of me I could be today. Thanks to my family for all the support to make this possible.”
WES footprint
WES functions as both a preparation platform and a ranking system for qualifying for the UCI World Championships, making it the perfect venue to be in peak condition for the fight for the Rainbow Jersey.
With the Andorra event now concluded, the World Cup shifts its focus back to the circuits, gearing up for a high-calibre back-to-back in Bielstein and Spa-Francorchamps, respectively.
