Savilia Blunk of Rockrider Ford Racing got to spray some Champagne on Sunday at the mountain bike world cup in Les Gets, France.
Competing in the women’s elite cross-country Olympic race, Blunk finished fifth out of 69 cyclists to earn her first spot on an elite world cup podium.
“Been hunting for this for a long time,” Blunk said. “No words, just thanks to my whole team.”
Blunk earned a second-row start for the race after placing 11th in the short track cross-country race on Friday.
Blunk then rode strong Sunday and finished the six-lap XCO race in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 19 seconds, finishing 2:28 after the winner, Mona Mitterwallner of Austria.
Christopher Blevins of Specialized Factory Racing finished eighth in the elite men’s short-track race to get a first-row start for the XCO where he finished 17th.
“Still believing there’s another leap I can take this year, but happy to move in the right direction today,” Blevins said.
Blevins’ teammate on Specialized, Victor Koretzky of France, won the XCO race in 1:26:45, finishing 2:37 before Blevins.
In the U23 races, Riley Amos (Trek Factory Racing) made it on the podium in both the short tack and cross-country Olympic races, finishing second in both behind Adrien Boichis of France. It was the fourth time this season Amos reached the XCC podium.
“Really happy with my consistency in this event, too bad (Boichis) is consistently (gold),” Amos said.
Lauren Aggeler (Trinity Racing) also made some strides and finished 36th in the U23 women’s XCO, finishing ahead of about 20 riders, 11:04 after the winner from New Zealand, Samara Maxwell.
“Feels so good to feel good,” Aggeler said. “Had my best world cup last weekend and couldn’t be more stoked! Nice to end this unforgettable Europe block on a high note. Truly the best week of the year …”
