Evie Richards takes second behind Sina Frei after a thrilling sprint finish
Welcome to the elite World Championships podium, Evie Richards!
The former U23 cyclocross world champion and junior XC Olympic-distance world champion can add yet another impressive piece of hardware to her collection. In a thrilling race where first and fourth place were separated by just two seconds, Richards was just barely behind Sina Frei after a sprint to the finish line.
A neck-and-neck battle for the line.
The aftermath.
Richards powered a winnowing lead pack throughout most of the race. She entered the final lap just behind Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, while Frei sat third position. That last lap solidified the winning group. Richards’ Trek Factory Racing teammate Jolanda Neff finished solo 11 seconds back from Frei for fifth place, and six seconds ahead of sixth-place Rebecca McConnell.
After winning short track at the World Cup race in Nové Mesto last year, Richards has struggled to find her rhythm in the discipline this year. Her best result was back in Nové Mesto this past May, when she finished seventh.
Evie Richards leading the way in Val di Sole.
The first ever women's short track World Championship podium.
On Thursday, Richards’ trademark power and fight were on full display. She appears to be in top form after her trip to the Olympics, along with her Tokyo gold-winning teammate, Neff. The Olympic distance event World Championships event will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. local time, 7 a.m. ET, and you won’t want to miss it.
