Sammie Maxwell on the podium. Photo: Craig Cox
Mountain biker Sammie Maxwell has become the first New Zealander to win a Cross Country World Series title.
The 23-year-old clinched the title in the final round in Canada.
World champion Jenny Rissveds of Sweden was in a class of her own to claim the final round at Mont-Sainte-Anne near Quebec, while Maxwell finished second.
That was more than enough for the Taupō rider to secure the overall title in the 10th and final round of the world series that began in April in Brazil.
During the season Maxwell had five wins and stood on the podium nine times.
She finished 91 points clear of Rissveds with a whopping 451 points back to Alessandra Keller (Switzerland) in third overall.
"It's been an incredible season and now it is time to learn from this season, rest, recover and trust the process and be excited," said Maxwell.
The young New Zealand rider began the final round with a 143 point lead in the series, that had shrunk with the stunning late season form from Rissveds.
New Zealand mountain bike rider Samara (Sammie) Maxwell, riding for Decathlon Ford Racing Team, 2025. Photo: MARTIN SILVA COSENTINO / AFP
Maxwell's Decathlon Ford team manager Stephane Tempier was full of praise.
"Sammie was very strong through out the season. We started the season looking for podiums and then she was in the lead.
"It was a long season and hard to keep strong after the world championships and the fight was until the final stages. Today she was very strong and smart and focussed. She had to finish in the top eight but she was too strong."
Maxwell was thrilled with her achievement, although it had not fully sunk in.
"I was just in one of those zones today - after the first lap I thought this is me, I am going solo and see if I can hold it and just sitting on that limit the whole time."
Maxwell said she was also proud of stepping back from the sport last year to recalibrate her health and well-being and prepare for a massive 2025 season, not just for herself, but the performances from young riders across all disciplines.
"It has been such an incredible season for mountain biking in New Zealand and I am just excited to see what we can do with the next generation. The future is exciting."
Maxwell finished eighth at the 2024 Paris Olympics after initially not being nominated.
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