Watch Out For These Cross Country Ladies in 2015


There’s strength in depth in 2015’s women’s XCO field, but will one name dominate like last year?

The 2014 Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup saw the emergence of one young woman who could be set to dominate the sport for years to come. Switzerland’s Jolanda Neff won three rounds of the seven-race series to take the overall title and become the youngest winner of the World Cup, aged just 21.

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Jolanda Neff

Neff is the overwhelming favourite going into 2015, but there’s plenty of talent bubbling underneath to challenge the Swiss rider. France’s Pauline Ferrand-Prévot won consecutive rounds last year in Nové Město na Moravě and Albstadt, but a decision not to travel to the North American races ultimately cost her the chance to challenge for the overall.

Ferrand-Prévot’s Rabobank-Liv teammate Marianne Vos is another name to look out for in 2015. Vos is the standout female cyclist of the last decade, riding and winning across multi-disciplines. She’ll be racing in the World Cup this season in preparation for an assault on winning Cross-Country gold in Rio in 2016. Vos’s presence strengthens an already-strong women’s field, where the likes of Tanja Žakelj, the 2013 World Cup Champion, and current World Champion Catharine Pendrel will be hoping their experience will lead to more World Cup wins.

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Bec Henderson
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Bec Henderson
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Jolanda Neff
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Julie Bresset
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Emily Batty

Check the video above for a quick recap of the 2014 season as a teaser for this year’s World Cup.

Tune in on May 24 to watch live coverage of the women’s XCO race from Nové Město na Moravě. Watch the UCI World Cup LIVE on Red Bull TV – available online and on mobile via Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

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