Carter Woods doubles up with another World Cup podium in Les Gets

Canada’s under-23 racers had a big day in Les Gets on Sunday. While they were few in numbers, just four Canucks started across u23 men’s and women’s XCO racing, they brought home big results as the World Cup wraps up in Europe to return to North America.

Carter Woods, Emilly Johnston and Noah Ramsay bring home a podium, a top-10 and a top-30 finish in the stacked u23 XCO field.

Under-23 Men’s XCO

In the under-23 men’s race, Adrien Boichis (Trinity) led Riley Amos (Trek Factory Racing) off the front of the race, almost immediately separating themselves from the field.

Carter Woods (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) settled into a chase group for much of the race. As the commentators predicted during the under-23 women’s race, though, Woods only “hung around the back of the group until, on the last lap, he launches like a Saturn V rocket.” While the Saturn V last flew in 1973, decades before Woods was born, the Canadian is still following that flight path. After sitting in fourth for much of the race, Woods picked up the pace on the final lap to move into third and almost caught second place before running out of real estate. That effort was enough to give the Vancouver Islander his second podium this weekend in Les Gets, adding to his XCC bronze on Thursday.

Adrien Boichis takes the win in Les Gets, though. With that, the French racer moves further into the overall lead for the under-23 men. Riley Amos (Trek Factory Racing) of the U.S.A. takes second place with Woods third.

Noah Ramsay was the next Canadian across the line in an impressive 28th place for the Ontario rider. Alexander Woodford rounded out Canuck effort in 108th.

Under-23 Women’s XCO

In the women’s race, French favorite Noelle Buri appeared to slip a pedal off the start then a crash near the front further shook up the race immediately. New world champion Samara Maxwell, Ronja Blochlinger (Liv Factory), the U.S.A.’s Madigan Munro (Trek Factory Racing) and Sophie Heby Pederson (Wilier Pirelli) quickly formed a front group of four. Maxwell and Blocklinger would stay away, eventually joined by Ginia Calouri (Thomas-Akros Youngstars).

Maxwell would eventually separate herself, riding home solo to take the win in Les Gets. The Swiss duo of Blocklinger and Calouri would join her on the podium in second and third, respectively.

Emilly Johnston (Trek Future Racing) was the lone Canadian in the under-23 women’s race. The Comox Valley racer continued her excellent 2023 season with another top-10 finish. Johnston leaves Les Gets with a ninth place.

The World Cup series now heads back to North America for the final two rounds. Snowshoe, W.Va is up first followed by a maple-flavoured (and hopefully not snow-dusted) season finale at the iconic Mont-Sainte-Anne venue.

Replay: Les Gets Women’s U23 XCO World Cup

Replay: Les Gets Men’s U23 XCO World Cup