The women were the first to battle for the elite cross-country world title on the demanding Crans-Montana course, with Rebecca Henderson lining up as the sole representative of the ARA Australian Cycling Team.
Henderson knew how important the start would be after missing her pedal in the short track earlier in the week.
Despite a clean start she was caught behind another rider and pushed back into the middle of the pack.
Forced to burn valuable energy in the chase, she fought to move her way back into contention.
Rebecca Henderson racing at 2025 World Championships
Across seven brutal laps, rhythm was hard to find.
The climbs were relentless and the descents were more about letting go of the brakes and holding on tight than finding any flow.
By the end of lap one, the race had already split apart.
Former Olympic champion Jenny Rissveds was out front alone with Henderson part of the second chasing group.
Through lap two Henderson was in ninth alongside Switzerland’s Sina Frei and Nicole Koller, sitting around 30 seconds behind the leaders which included New Zealand's Samara Maxwell and Alessandra Keller from Switzerland.
At the halfway point the Australian was distanced from the front pack and would find herself battling away solo for the remaining laps.
Rebecca Henderson fought her way to 11th place.
Rissveds proved untouchable. The Swede powered away to claim her first ever elite World Championship crown.
Henderson fought to the line, to finish 11th on a day that demanded everything from the riders.
The U23 men faced eight laps of the same course, and it was a rough start for the Australians.
Harry Doye missed his pedal off the line and had to fight from behind.
Harry Doye racing on the Crans-Montana course.
Despite working his way through the field he was pulled with one lap to go.
For teammate Joel Dodds, the race came to an early end after a crash on lap two.
Results
Women Elite
🥇 Jenny Rissveds (SWE) 1:21:35
🥈Samara Maxwell (NZL) +0:18
🥉Alessandra Keller (SUI) +0:56
11 Rebecca Henderson (AUS) +3:10
Men U23
🥇FinFinn Treudler (SUI) 1:20:25
🥈Cole Puchard (CAN) +0:54
🥉Gustav Pedersen (GER) + 2:14
60 Harry Doye (AUS) -2lap
Joel Dodds DNF
Full results can be found here.
Photo Credit: SWPix