Watch: Evie Richards completely empty after winning U23 women’s world title

20-year-old Brit had to be carried off the course after winning her second career world title

Philippe Tremblay February 3, 2018

Evie Richards totally emptied herself to win her second career world title in Valkenburg-Limburg. The 20-year-old Brit had a mechanical and rode much of the last lap in her easiest gear only losing seven seconds to her nearest chaser Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado of the Netherlands. Upon crossing the line, Richards barely managed to dismount her bike before collapsing into the arms of an awaiting team support member.

Two members of Richards’ team had to pick her up and carry her into the tent where riders were being escorted after finishing the gruelling race. Richards covered the three laps of the course in a time of just under 38 minutes demonstrating how slow the course was as riders battled through the rutted and peanut butter mud course.

By the end of every race on Saturday, the extremely challenging muddy conditions had truly taken their toll on the riders. Those challenging conditions set the scene for an amazing close battle in the elite women’s race and as the course continues to dry the conditions on Sunday for the U23 and elite men will also likely play an exciting factor.

Richards recovered from the effort and shortly after collapsing was able to do an interview and during the podium ceremony was seemingly back to herself. The world title caps an amazing year of Richards in which she won the elite World Cup in Namur.