MTB Enduro Worlds: Richter and Gilchrist crowned in Finale Ligure

Raphaela Richter and Ryan Gilchrist are the new mountain bike enduro world champions. They were crowned on Sunday 18 October at Finale Ligure, Italy, at the season finale, where the non-electric categories raced after the e-bike title was decided the day before.

Raphaela Richter, a first major international title

In the women's race, Raphaela Richter, who is based in Thuringia and rides for Crossworx, took the lead early and was never worse than second. She held up under pressure on the final stage, "DH Men", with a ride described as courageous. After nearly 42 minutes of racing she was 1.6s ahead of 2024 world champion Isabeau Courdurier. Italy's Nadine Ellecosta completes the podium, just behind. MTB-News describes it as the first really big international title of her career, after a season of highs and lows.

Ryan Gilchrist leads from start to finish

The men's gap is just as slim. Ryan Gilchrist never gave up the lead during the race. He long duelled with his team-mate Richie Rude, the outgoing world champion, who ultimately slipped to third. Canada's Elliot Jamieson takes second, only 4.8s from the rainbow jersey after more than 36 minutes of racing.

The podium at a glance

• Women: 1. Raphaela Richter; 2. Isabeau Courdurier (+1.6s); 3. Nadine Ellecosta (Italy);
• Men: 1. Ryan Gilchrist; 2. Elliot Jamieson (Canada, +4.8s); 3. Richie Rude.

In both races, then, the title was decided by only a few seconds, after more than half an hour of effort for each winner.

A late-season appointment

The enduro World Cup season ended in August at Morillon. The Worlds therefore gave enduro riders one last major date at one of the discipline's iconic venues, with a 76 km course and six stages on new trails. In the e-bike category, raced on Saturday, Adrien Dailly and Helen Weber took the rainbow jerseys.