Jenny Rissveds has become the first Swedish rider to win the overall mountain bike World Cup title, securing the victory in Lake Placid. The 32-year-old, who already holds Olympic and World Championship gold medals, claimed the historic title after finishing 11th in Saturday’s final race.
Entering the final competition with a significant lead over second-place rider Sina Frei of Switzerland, Rissveds only needed to complete the race to win the World Cup. While she was not a threat for the lead during the final event, she celebrated with highfives for the crowd and champagne on the podium. She also raised a fist in the air with a broad smile at the finish line.
Rissveds Finishes Eleventh as Frei Wins Race
During the decisive XCO (Cross-Country Olympic) race, Rissveds finished in 11th place. The XCO event consists of several laps on a course measuring 4 to 6 kilometers, with elite endurance races lasting between 1 hour 20 minutes and nearly 1 hour 40 minutes. The event was won by Sina Frei, the only competitor who had threatened Rissveds for the overall victory, following a sprint duel with Martina Berta.
Reflecting on the current state of the sport, Rissveds told HBO Max that the level is “incredibly high” and that races are “much tighter” and faster compared to the previous year. She added, It is great fun, I am happy about it
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Path to the Title
Rissveds’ success in Lake Placid followed a strong performance on Friday, where she finished second in the XCC (Cross-Country Short Track) race with a time of 20 minutes. This result earned her second place in the XCC cup. XCC features shorter tracks of under 2 kilometers per lap. Because of a conversion system, XCC results are also counted toward the XCO class.
This victory marks a career peak for Rissveds in the overall World Cup standings. Her previous best finishes were second place in 2025 and third place in 2021. This is the first time any Swede, including male riders, has won the total World Cup.
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