The XC World Cup was back in action for 2023. With new broadcasters, different rules, and new goals for athletes, this year’s competition was already shaping up to be memorable. Nove Mesto is a great place to start the season and weather conditions varied greatly, making tire choice crucial for success.

Nino Schurter (SCOTT-SRAM) rode Maxxis’ new MaxxSpeed compound at the first World Cup race of the year. Schurter took third place in XCO and fifth in XCC, making for a double podium weekend. Schurter, one of the winningest mountain bikers in the history of the sport, had reason to be confident in MaxxSpeed’s capabilities: He worked with Maxxis to develop the recently introduced upgrade of this race-winning compound. Along with superior wet traction, the new MaxxSpeed delivers better speed with 25% less rolling resistance, a difference that can reduce a rider’s time by up to a minute in a 90-minute race.

Maxxis-sponsored riders delivered excellent results in U23 races, with Oliver Verderso (Scott Bikes) winning the men’s XCO. “The best performance I have ever done, no mistakes, no silly power used. This one was spectacular! Sheer joy winning on this scene,” Vererdso said on Instagram. Ronja Blöchlinger (Liv Factory) made history as the first-ever U23 XCC World Cup winner. She turned in a steady performance in a tight race, gaining first place in the women’s race right at the finish line.

Blöchlinger, Verderso and Schurter will gun for the top of the podium again at the next World Cup race, scheduled for June 9-11 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.

Photos: Robin Nevrala, Michal Cerveny, Rémi Fabrègue