Gibson Claims First Elite XCO Podium in Soldier Hollow
Durango’s Gwendalyn Gibson secured her first elite World Cup podium, finishing 13 seconds behind winner Martina Berta in Utah.
Key points
- Gwendalyn Gibson finished second in the elite XCO race, securing her first elite World Cup podium in Soldier Hollow.
- Martina Berta won the race in 1:15:51, beating Gibson by 13 seconds after a decisive attack on the final climb.
- Riley Amos placed eighth in the men’s elite race, marking his fifth top-10 finish of the 2026 season.
The finish line at Soldier Hollow erupted as Gwendalyn Gibson crossed it, her head buried in her hands. The roar of the crowd at the Nordic Center in Midway, Utah, washed over her as the weight of the race settled in. It was her first elite cross-country Olympic podium, a milestone carved out of grit and smooth rollover on the new 32-inch Trek wheels.
She finished 13 seconds behind Martina Berta, who clinched her second win of the weekend. For Gibson, the result was more than a ranking; it was validation of a season-long grind. Standing in the chaos of the pits, she felt the proximity of her family and coach Rotem Ishay, turning a competitive victory into a deeply personal triumph.
Berta breaks away on final climb
The race was a dueling affair from the first lap. Gibson and Berta shared the lead, trading control with surgical precision. On the sixth and final lap, however, the dynamic shifted. Berta launched an attack on the single-track climb, a move Gibson could not counter. The Italian rider opened a gap that never closed, crossing the line in one hour, 15 minutes, and 51 seconds.
Gibson pushed hard, staying on the wheel for a stretch, but the pace was relentless. Sina Frei took third, crossing in 1:16:39. The Durango native’s ability to hold second in such a high-pressure environment signals a new level of consistency for her campaign.
Amos finds rhythm in front of fans
Riley Amos delivered his fifth top-10 finish of the 2026 season, placing eighth in the men’s elite race. The atmosphere in Midway was electric, with Amos signing autographs on water bottles and helmets for nearly 45 minutes post-race. He described the experience as bliss, noting that the energy allowed him to race purely in the moment.
His start was strong, leveraging his knowledge of the course to jump into the top six early. Although he drifted back toward the tail end of the lead group, his performance marked a high point in an otherwise inconsistent season. The support from the Western crowd provided a tangible boost to his confidence.
New wheels drive performance gains
Both riders credited their new Trek Unbroken bikes, featuring 32-inch wheels designed by Durango’s Travis Brown. The larger diameter offers smoother traction over the rocky terrain of the Soldier Hollow course. Gibson, who tested these prototypes locally last year, felt the difference in speed and stability immediately.
This technological edge, combined with local support, set the stage for the final World Cup round in Lake Placid, New York. As Gibson looks ahead, the podium feels within reach every weekend. The Durango Herald reports that this weekend in Utah was a pivotal moment for both athletes, bridging the gap between potential and elite reality.
