'I'm lost for words': McConnell makes it to the top in Brazil

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Rebecca McConnell (Primaflor Mondraker Genuins) has broken her Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup drought, winning the opening round at Petropolis, Brazil.

It is the second time an Australian woman has won a XCO Elite World Cup, the first being Mary Grigson 21 years ago who finished with two World Cup victories.

"I'm pretty lost for words. So special and so crazy," McConnell said.

"Coming down into the finish line I'm like what is happening?

"Everybody has said, it's coming, it's coming ... I have been super consistent over the last couple of years - on the podium more often than not, never means a win's coming.

"To be back here and to get a win is just unbelievable.

Rebecca McConnell

"Training wise everything has gone super smooth and couldn't ask for anything better but I've had a lot of changes personally and it's been a rough 12 months.

"It's so good to be here and super grateful for everybody who has been supporting me and so happy to share this with everyone."

A fourth place finish in the XCC on Friday ensured the Canberran would start on the front row for the six lap race through the Brazilian rainforest.

French woman Loana Lecomte (Canyon CLLCTV) went out in her typically fast fashion to try and break up the field and had as much as a 30-second lead to the Australian by the half-way mark.

Rebecca McConnell

Lecomte also got into trouble on the rock garden which left Anne Terpstra (Ghost Factory Racing) and McConnell with an opportunity to attack, as the pair chased down the reigning World Cup champion by the end of lap four.

The Dutch rider then opened up a 10-second lead by the end of lap five before the reigning Australian champion made her move and pulled clear in front of a vocal crowd.

McConnell would cross the line 17-seconds ahead of Terpstra in second and Lecomte in third.

  • You can watch the replay HERE

McConnell will now wear the leader's jersey heading into the second World Cup in Albstadt, Germany from May 6-8, which was the last venue an Australian won a World Cup in 2013, which was Dan McConnell.

Rebecca McConnell

In the under-23 men, Sam Fox (Team BridgeLane) produced a top 20 result to start his 2022 season.

Pictures: Red Bull Content Pool

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