logo
Britain's Evie Richards makes mountain biking history as most decorated female short-track rider

Britain's Evie Richards makes mountain biking history as most decorated female short-track rider

Independent12-04-2025

British rider Evie Richards has become the most decorated female short-track cross-country rider in history with victory in Araxa this weekend.
The reigning world champion made it back-to-back wins in Brazil after winning the opening round of the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup, held on the same course last weekend, and secured the double on Friday.
It was her seventh win in the short-track discipline and saw her overtake French great and Olympic champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot in the elite women's all-time rankings.
"I think when you're world champion and you're leading the series, there's a lot of pressure, so I was really nervous before," she said.
"We had a bit of a rough plan, but nothing changes too much. You've just got to [think] on your feet and depending on how the race goes, you can't really have a plan."
The 28-year-old had an easier time of it in the first round, a race which she hadn't particularly targeted to win, marking her competitors' moves and launching a decisive attack on the final steep climb of the race to solo away to victory ahead of Australian Samara Maxwell.
This time Richards was closely marked by Swiss racer Nicole Koller and Sweden's Jenny Rissveds, only distancing them in the closing metres with a long-range sprint for the line as the pair failed to hold her wheel.
In the men's race, American Christopher Blevins also secured the Araxa double after victory on the first weekend of the season.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Luciano Spalletti to leave Italy head coach role after Moldova match
Luciano Spalletti to leave Italy head coach role after Moldova match

South Wales Guardian

time3 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Luciano Spalletti to leave Italy head coach role after Moldova match

The 66-year-old announced the news during his press conference ahead of Monday's World Cup qualifier against Moldova. Spalletti came under pressure after his country's campaign began with Friday evening's 3-0 defeat away to Norway. Italy vs. Moldova will be Luciano Spalletti's last game as Azzurri head coach.#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro — Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 8, 2025 His imminent departure – after he takes charge of the Group I meeting with Moldova in Reggio Emilia – was later confirmed by the Italian Football Federation. 'I spoke with (federation president Gabriele) Gravina last night and he informed me that I will be relieved of my duties as national team coach,' Spalletti told a press conference, according to The Athletic. 'I am disappointed: given the relationship we have, I had no intention of stepping down. Especially when things are not going well, I would have preferred to stay and do my job. 'However, it is a dismissal and I have to accept it. Defeat in Oslo. #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro — Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 6, 2025 'I have always seen this role as a service to my country and I want to facilitate the future of the national team. I think it is right to seek the best solution.' Former Roma and Inter Milan coach Spalletti succeeded Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini as Azzurri boss in 2023 after guiding Napoli to the Serie A title. He has won only 11 of his 23 matches in charge of the national team and oversaw a last-16 exit to Switzerland at Euro 2024.

It feels like we're a group of mates – Skipper Harry Brook hails England unity
It feels like we're a group of mates – Skipper Harry Brook hails England unity

South Wales Guardian

time3 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

It feels like we're a group of mates – Skipper Harry Brook hails England unity

Brook has won five on the bounce against the West Indies since taking over from Jos Buttler, sweeping the tourists 3-0 in the ODI leg and going 2-0 up with one to play in the T20s. England did not have it easy in Sunday's four-wicket win at Bristol, with the asking rate climbing past 11 an over at one stage as they chased down a stiff target of 197. IT20 series win secured! 🔒 Victory in Bristol 🙌 Banton and Carse see us home 👏 Match Centre: — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 8, 2025 But they stuck together to get over the line, with five of their top six making handy contributions before Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton took the bull by the horns. The middle-order duo hammered 56 off just 21 deliveries between them to puncture the West Indian resistance and keep the good times rolling for Brook. It was the kind of game England were losing in the difficult final days under Buttler, whose reign ended with eight straight defeats across both formats. But there is a new lighter feeling around the group – including the newly liberated former skipper, who has top-scored with 96 and 47 in the last two games. 'It feels like we're a group of mates. We're just going out and having fun,' said Brook. 'It's been nice for me. The results are awesome and we're really enjoying it. We're having a good time out there. 'At the end of games we go around the circle and Baz (head coach Brendon McCullum) asks if anybody has anything to say. In every game so far someone has stood up and said something. I think that's a great way of showing how the team is at the minute and we feel a proper togetherness.' The West Indies made England sweat at times, taking 82 off their last five overs including an unexpected tirade against Adil Rashid in the 19th. For so long the team's most bankable bowler, the leg-spinner shipped five sixes and 31 runs in what goes down as the second most expensive over by an English bowler in T20s. Stuart Broad holds the unwanted record of 36, taken for six off every ball by Yuvraj Singh at the 2007 World Cup. Brook, though, insists he and his team were never rattled. 'I'm always very chilled. We knew that there was going to be one, two, maybe three big overs,' he said. From a different angle 📐 All 25 of our boundaries! 💥#ENGvWI | #EnglandCricket — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 8, 2025 'On a pitch that size, with 60-metre boundaries nearly all the way around, we accepted that before the game and we knew we could get big overs as well. 'The way Bants went about his business, getting 30 off 11 balls having never really batted in the middle order before was just awesome.' The West Indies have one more chance to avoid a winless tour in Southampton on Tuesday but head coach Daren Sammy paid tribute to Akeal Hosein, who took the field just six hours after arriving from the Caribbean following visa delays. 'He said to me, 'there's no way I'm not playing',' Sammy explained. 'Kudos to him, he turned up for us. An eight-hour flight straight into a game is not ideal but it shows his commitment.'

Emma Raducanu feeling ‘pretty good' as she steps up Wimbledon preparations
Emma Raducanu feeling ‘pretty good' as she steps up Wimbledon preparations

South Wales Guardian

time3 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Emma Raducanu feeling ‘pretty good' as she steps up Wimbledon preparations

The 2021 US Open champion, who suffered a second-round exit to Iga Swiatek at the French Open, has been hindered by persistent spasming for much of 2025. She is set to play at Queens this week, with grand slam action at the All England Club scheduled to start on Monday, June 30. 'I got back (from Paris) last week and then I got straight back on the court,' Raducanu told a press conference. 'I had a small interruption with a bit of a back spasm again, which was a bit annoying and that hindered my grass prep. But the last few days I have managed to get on the grass. 'I can't really predict the future. I know I have been managing my back for the last few weeks now and it's something that comes and goes. 'It can be frustrating. I try not to let it get to me because I have a pretty good feel when it happens of how to manage it. All I can do is deal with what's in front of me 'Today was the first day I opened it up and played points on the grass. It is pretty early days and I can't say I have had a lot of prep on it. But I felt pretty good today.' British number two Raducanu, who is ranked 41st in the world, was dismantled 6-1 6-2 by reigning champion Swiatek at Roland Garros. Subject to overcoming a qualifier, she could face current Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round at Queens, while she is set to pair up with British number one Katie Boulter in the doubles. 'Playing a doubles match with Katie will hopefully give me a good feel for that surface and it will be positive,' the 22-year-old said. 'I really like playing with Katie. We've practised a few times together in the past at Billie Jean King Cup ties.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store