Madigan Munro delivered a standout performance at the opening round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Mona YongPyong, South Korea, securing 3rd place in the Elite Women’s XCO race. Battling extreme weather and a relentlessly demanding course, Munro’s result marks her first Elite World Cup podium—and a major milestone in her first season with Liv Factory Racing.
Heavy rain transformed the course into a technical, mud-soaked challenge, testing riders’ strength, handling, and resilience from the opening lap. Munro quickly positioned herself at the front of the race, matching moves with Sina Frei and Jenny Rissveds in a tightly contested battle that unfolded over the full race.
“I think I was just trying to stay super calm and collected and remind myself that I love racing in the mud—so just consistency is everything,” Munro said.
As conditions worsened and crashes impacted the field, Munro maintained her composure—navigating slick descents, steep climbs, and frequent run-ups to hold her place among the leaders. In a race where consistency proved decisive, she crossed the line in third, earning her first Elite World Cup podium.
“To be honest, I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet. I’m still just buzzing from the excitement—and really proud of the team and all the effort we put in,” Munro said.
Racing aboard the Liv Pique Advanced SL, Munro’s performance highlighted the demands of modern cross-country competition and the importance of a bike built for efficiency, control, and adaptability in unpredictable conditions.
The weekend also marked a strong start for Marin Lowe in the U23 field. Lowe opened her season with a 7th place finish in the XCC—earning a front row start for Sunday’s XCO—before sprinting to 4th in the XCO.
The result marks a strong start to the 2026 season for Liv Factory Racing, with momentum building as the team heads into the next rounds of the World Cup calendar.
