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Six weeks on from the action in Pal Arinsal, Andorra, the world’s best cross-country riders returned to action at the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France). The iconic French venue would mark a fast and furious return to racing, and with only three rounds remaining until the end of the season, every point and place could make a difference to the destination of the overall titles.In the Women Elite race, Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) strengthened her grip on the overall standings by returning to the top step of the podium. The Swiss rider claimed her third XCC victory of the season and first since securing the European title in July. Overall rival Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) finished second, while Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) continued her impressive consistency with a third podium appearance of the year following her victory in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.The Men Elite race delivered a memorable result for the home crowd as Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) timed his effort to perfection. The Frenchman surged past compatriot Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) on the final climb before sprinting to his third UCI XCC World Cup win of the season. Martin completed a French one-two in front of the packed Les Gets spectators, while race animator David List (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) capped an aggressive performance with a maiden UCI XCC World Cup podium in third.Earlier in the day, the U23 categories took centre stage in wet and slippery conditions. Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) reinforced her position at the top of the Women U23 overall standings with another victory, while Herby Gustav Pedersen (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) emerged victorious in the Men U23 race.FREI RULES IN LES GETSAfter a rain-soaked morning, conditions began to improve just in time for the Women Elite race, although the Les Gets, Haute-Savoie course remained far from dry. Damp grass, slippery corners and constantly evolving grip levels meant line choice would prove decisive, particularly through the track’s technical off-camber sections.The race exploded into life almost immediately when a crash on the opening gravel climb disrupted much of the field. At the front, however, Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) wasted no time stamping her authority on proceedings. Enjoying the strongest season of her career, the Italian champion was chasing a maiden UCI XCC World Cup victory to add to the the breakthrough XCO win she secured on home soil in La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta.Berta’s early spell at the front was short-lived as Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) quickly took control of the race. The Swiss rider, racing in the European champion’s jersey, looked composed and calculated from the outset, repeatedly using the technical rock garden descent to test her rivals and identify where she could make the difference.While Frei dictated the pace, much of the attention shifted to Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing). Making her first race appearance since taking an extended break following her 2025 UCI XCO World Cup overall triumph, the New Zealander steadily carved her way through the field. Starting from the back rows of the grid, she remarkably joined the lead group by lap three, immediately showing she had lost none of her race sharpness.As the race settled, a familiar pattern emerged. Frei continued to apply pressure at the front, while those around her fought desperately to stay attached. Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) and Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) proved particularly resilient, matching each acceleration and ensuring the Swiss rider could not break clear.With two laps remaining, eight riders still contested the lead, although Maxwell’s impressive comeback was cut short by an untimely puncture. Moments later, another increase in pace split the race apart, reducing the contenders to four: Frei, Rissveds, Blunk and Berta.The decisive move came on the final lap. Berta was the first to lose contact on the long gravel climb, and shortly afterwards Frei delivered the acceleration that finally cracked her remaining challengers. What began as a gap of a few bike lengths quickly grew as neither Rissveds nor Blunk could respond. By the final passage through the rock garden, Frei had the clear advantage she had been working towards all race.Crossing the finish line with arms raised, the Specialized Factory Racing rider secured her third UCI XCC World Cup victory of the season and the fifth of her career. The result also strengthens her grip on the overall standings, extending her advantage over Rissveds to 80 points with just two rounds remaining. Blunk’s third-place finish, meanwhile, moves the American up to third overall in the series standings.Speaking after the race, Frei said: “I think the special bike and the jersey were shining today. I felt really good and it was so much fun to race here in Les Gets. The atmosphere was incredible and I really enjoyed every moment of it.”“The plan was to stay near the front without necessarily leading all the time. In the end it probably looked a little different, but I felt strong and when I saw an opportunity, I decided to go for it. Thankfully it worked out.”“I just tried to pedal as hard as I could. The bike felt amazing today. The Specialized S-Works Epic 9 was incredibly stiff through the grassy sections and that made a huge difference when it came to putting the power down and accelerating.”VAN DER POEL'S CHARGE FALLS SHORT AS BOICHIS TAKES THE WIN All eyes were on Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) ahead of the Men Elite race as the Dutch superstar lined up for his first UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup appearance since 2021. The most successful rider in XCC history, with 10 career victories, faced a formidable challenge from the outset after drawing 41st position on the grid.His presence shaped the race from the very first lap. Aware of the threat lurking behind them, the riders at the front immediately drove up the pace, determined to build a gap large enough to prevent Van der Poel from storming through the field and adding an 11th short track victory to his remarkable tally.The early initiative came from Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division), who kept the pressure high at the head of the race. Yet it quickly became clear that even their efforts might not be enough to contain Van der Poel. The Dutchman sliced through the pack with ease, gaining more than a dozen positions on the opening climb alone and moving up to 24th by the end of the first lap.At the front, the French riders continued to set the tone. Azzaro, Boichis and Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) briefly turned the race into a French one-two-three midway through the second lap, while newly crowned European champion Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) remained firmly in contention.The race took another twist on lap three when David List (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) launched an aggressive move to the front. Capitalising on a brief hesitation among the favourites, the German opened a gap and began dictating the pace, refusing to relinquish the lead despite mounting pressure from behind.By the halfway point, Van der Poel had completed his charge into the lead group, transforming the race exactly as many had anticipated. However, while the Dutchman looked powerful on the climbs, he appeared slightly less comfortable through the course’s technical descent, where List continued to force the issue at the front.A key moment came on lap six when Van der Poel narrowly avoided disaster in the final rock garden, producing a spectacular save to stay upright. From then on, the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider appeared more measured in his approach, seemingly prioritising a strong result and valuable track time ahead of Sunday’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup rather than gambling everything for victory.Up front, the battle for the win was reaching boiling point. Azzaro, Boichis and Martin traded attacks on the gravel climb, their accelerations finally proving too much for List’s prolonged solo effort. Although eventually reeled in after four laps at the front, the German refused to crack completely and remained attached to the leading group.The decisive selection came on the penultimate lap. Azzaro slipped out of contention after putting a foot down in one of the race’s technical grass corners, while the relentless pace also ended Aldridge’s challenge.That left Martin, Boichis and List to battle for victory on the final lap. Martin held the advantage over the first climb, but Boichis had perfectly timed his effort. Drawing on the power that has made him one of the season’s standout performers, the Frenchman launched a sustained acceleration on the final ascent and surged past his compatriot. Martin had no response.Boichis powered clear to claim his third UCI XCC World Cup victory of the season, delighting the home crowd and extending his overall series lead to 170 points. Behind him, Martin completed a memorable French one-two, while List’s resilient ride earned him a maiden UCI XCC World Cup podium in third. Van der Poel, meanwhile, completed an eye-catching comeback from the back of the grid to finish 10th.Speaking after the race, Boichis said: “It's nice to see so many French fans. It definitely gives you extra energy. It was really hard. We haven’t raced short track for a long time and it’s impossible to replicate that intensity in training. From the front you don't always know what's happening behind, but to move through the field the way Mathieu [van der Poel] did from the back shows just how strong he is. We all know what he can do. “I hope he’ll be at the front on Sunday and that I’ll get the chance to race against him again. Let’s see.”CORVI CONTINUES HER REIGN AS PEDERSEN ENDS SCHEHL'S STREAKValentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) and Herby Gustav Pedersen (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) mastered the challenging conditions in Les Gets, both producing decisive late-race attacks to secure U23 UCI XCC World Cup victories on a wet and slippery Friday morning.In the Women U23 race, overall series leader Valentina Corvi once again showcased the composure and race craft that have made her the benchmark of the category in 2026. The Italian found herself in a select leading trio alongside Monique Halter (Thömus maxon) and Anina Hutter from lap four, and the group quickly distanced the rest of the field, turning the race into a battle for podium positions.With victory hanging in the balance until the closing stages, Corvi delivered the decisive move on the final lap. The Italian powered clear on the climb and never looked back, claiming her third consecutive UCI XCC World Cup victory and further strengthening her grip on the overall standings. The win extends her series lead to 202 points over nearest rival Lisa Kristina Jorde, while Halter narrowly edged Hutter in a sprint for second place.Speaking after the race, Corvi said: “Today was really important for me. I was super happy to race again. I felt good throughout the race and attacked on the climb of the final lap. Then I just tried to hold the gap all the way to the finish.”“They were really strong and kept trying to attack in the switchbacks. I just focused on staying calm and staying with them.”If Corvi’s victory reinforced the established order in the Women U23 category, the Men U23 race delivered one of the surprises of the day. Entering Les Gets, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) looked almost unbeatable, having won the previous five UCI XCC World Cup rounds dating back to Nové Město na Moravě (Czechia). But Herby Gustav Pedersen had no intention of allowing the winning streak to continue.The Dane set the tone from the outset and remained firmly among the leaders throughout a fast and tactical race. By the penultimate lap, only Schehl, Benjamin Krüger and Alix Andre-Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) could match his pace as the fight for victory intensified.When the decisive attacks finally came, Pedersen had the strongest response. Launching his move at just the right moment, he opened a gap that none of his rivals could close and powered to a breakthrough UCI XCC World Cup victory. He crossed the line three seconds clear of Schehl, ending the German’s remarkable run of dominance, while Krüger held off Andre-Gallis to secure the final podium position.Speaking after the race, Pedersen said: “That was pretty sick. I went all in with five weeks at altitude and I guess it paid off, so I’m really happy. I was riding on Paul’s wheel and felt good, so I thought, ‘Why not try now?’ I managed to get past him and then gave everything I had through the final corners.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues tomorrow (22 August) with a full day of UCI Downhill World Cup racing in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie. After laying down the marker in qualifying, Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) heads into the Women Elite finals as the rider to beat, while home favourite Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) will look to build on a breakthrough first Elite qualifying victory in front of the French crowd. Read the full qualifying report here.Racing gets underway at 11:30 CEST with the Women Junior final. Find out when and where to watch here.

The six-week summer break did little to slow the world’s fastest downhill riders, who were immediately thrown in at the deep end during a wet and chilly UCI Downhill World Cup qualifying session on the iconic Mont Chéry track in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France).After a week of ever-changing weather, the course bore little resemblance to the dry and dusty track riders had learned during practice. Rain-soaked sections, evolving grip levels and increasingly muddy conditions demanded rapid adaptation, rewarding those able to adjust their lines on the fly and thrive in the slippery conditions.HÖLL, ONE STEP CLOSERIt is becoming increasingly difficult to find new ways to describe Valentina Höll’s dominance in 2026. The Austrian once again underlined her status as the overwhelming favourite for tomorrow’s Women Elite final, storming to the fastest qualifying time on the Mont Chéry track and becoming the only rider to break the 4:48 barrier with a blistering 4:47 run.The four-time UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner was not at her best through the opening sectors, but a devastating final split saw her overturn the deficit and put more than two seconds into nearest challenger Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing). The performance secured Höll’s fourth qualifying victory of the season and the perfect platform from which to chase a sixth race win of the year.Just as importantly, the result edges her another 50 points closer to a fifth overall series title. With only two rounds remaining after Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, Höll can now secure the 2026 crown this weekend even without victory. Depending on her rivals’ results, a finish as low as fifth place could be enough, while championship contender and teammate Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) faces a tougher challenge after qualifying ninth.Behind Höll, Cabirou once again demonstrated why Les Gets remains one of her strongest venues. The French rider, who boasts a win and two runner-up finishes at the venue, was the only competitor to finish within two seconds of the Austrian. Harriet Harnden (AON Racing) completed the top three, recording her strongest qualifying performance since topping the timesheets at the season opener in MONA YongPyong (South Korea).Further down the order, two of the three riders who stood on the podium last time out in Pal Arinsal-Andorra found themselves in an early battle for survival. Gracey Hemstreet (Norco x adidas Race Division) and Sasha Earnest (Trek - Unbroken DH) both missed out on a direct route to the finals and were forced into Q2. Hemstreet successfully advanced at the second attempt, joined by Eliana Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz Syndicate), Lisa Bouladou (Santa Cruz Burgtec by Goodman), Phoebe Gale (Orbea FMD Racing) and Matilda Melton (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team).Earnest, however, was unable to progress, bringing an early end to her weekend and ending any hopes of extending her recent run of podium form to three consecutive rounds.MAX ALRAN CLINCHES FIRST QUALIFYING VICTORYReigning Junior UCI Downhill World Champion Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) has spent much of his rookie Elite campaign playing catch-up with twin brother and teammate Till Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction), but on home soil the script was finally flipped. In front of a passionate French crowd, the 19-year-old delivered the ride of his young Elite career to claim his first-ever UCI Downhill World Cup qualifying victory on a damp and demanding day in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie.Max Alran came out of the gates flying, posting the fastest times through the opening two splits before surrendering some of his advantage in the latter stages of the run. When it mattered most, however, he found another gear, producing a superb final sector to stop the clock in 3:51.891 and secure a memorable breakthrough performance.Only Martin Maes (Orbea FMD Racing) came close to matching the Frenchman’s pace. Despite a cautious start, the Belgian steadily built momentum throughout the run and finished just 0.71 seconds adrift to take second place.Third went to Till Alran, who looked on course to beat his brother after leading deep into the final section. A costly mistake in the closing stages, however, saw him lose almost three seconds and surrender the top spot to Max.Overall leader Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) qualified fourth to keep his hopes of a third consecutive victory alive heading into tomorrow’s final. With Finn Iles and Loïc Bruni both sidelined through injury, Williams carries the hopes of extending Specialized Gravity’s remarkable streak to five straight Men Elite victories.Standing in his way will be a sizeable French contingent eager to deliver a home victory. Seven French riders booked places in tomorrow’s 30-rider final, with former Les Gets winner Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) looking the most likely challenger outside of the Alran brothers.Further down the order, another highly touted rookie, Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP), endured a nervy afternoon. The current third-place rider in the overall standings missed out on Q1 and was forced into Q2 before successfully securing his place in the final field.Joining him through the second qualifying session were Oisin O’Callaghan (Trek - Unbroken DH); reigning Les Gets winner Ronan Dunne (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) in his first UCI Downhill World Cup appearance of the season, and Benoît Coulanges (Scott Downhill Factory), the 2023 Les Gets winner.SMITH AND OSTGAARD FASTEST IN JUNIORSPrivateer Elliot Smith delivered a breakthrough performance in only his second Men Junior UCI Downhill World Cup qualifying appearance, topping the timesheets and underlining that his failure to reach the finals in La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta (Italy) was far from a true reflection of his potential.The British national series champion was in a class of his own on the Mont Chéry track, posting a time 3.15 seconds faster than series leader Jonty Williamson, while Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton) rounded out the top three more than five seconds adrift.In the Women Junior category, overall series leader Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) looks well placed to extend her winning streak to three races after storming to the fastest qualifying time in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie. The American set the pace through all but one sector and produced a stunning finish to overturn an almost three-second deficit at split four, ultimately crossing the line more than four seconds clear of the competition.Cassandre Peizerat (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction), making a guest appearance for the team, impressed with a strong second-place run and was the only rider able to finish within five seconds of Ostgaard. Rosa Marie Jensen (Specialized Gravity) completed the top three, although the Dane ended the session more than 15 seconds off the benchmark pace.UCI Downhill World Cup racing resumes in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie tomorrow (Saturday, August 22), with the Women Junior final opening the day’s action at 11:30 CEST. Find out how to watch here.

Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) has been one of the standout performers of the year. The reigning UCI XCO World Champion has carried her late-2025 momentum into this season, leading the UCI XCO World Cup standings while sitting just 30 points behind Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) in the UCI XCC World Cup rankings.Yet the Swede can afford no room for error. A formidable chasing pack, led by riders enjoying the strongest campaigns of their careers, remains firmly in contention. Frei, teammate Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) and Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) have all emerged as title contenders and are ready to capitalise on any opportunity.With three UCI World Cup rounds remaining, as well as next week’s 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Trentino (Italy), the battle for supremacy is set to intensify. Expect Rissveds, Frei, Stigger and Berta to be at the heart of the action every time the start gun fires.LAURA STIGGER: “YOU CAN’T UNDERESTIMATE ANYONE”Laura Stigger is enjoying the most consistent season of her career in 2026. The Austrian has finished outside the top 10 just once in the UCI XCO World Cup this year, in Saalfelden Leogang-Salzburgerland, and secured a breakthrough victory at round two in Nové Město Na Moravě (Czechia).During the summer break, Stigger has taken the opportunity to recharge both physically and mentally, spending time with friends and family while reflecting on a season that has firmly established her among the leading contenders. Her last outing in Pal Arinsal-Andorra produced another strong showing, with second place in the XCC and fifth in the XCO.“It was good to remember after Nové Město and then having Leogang as a really tough race,” she said. “It made me appreciate that victory even more. Starting that four-race block with a difficult race and then gradually building momentum gave me a lot of confidence.”Although Jenny Rissveds remains the benchmark, Stigger believes the depth of competition at the top of women’s cross-country racing is stronger than ever: “There are so many riders you have to keep an eye on, and you can’t underestimate anyone,” she explained. “At the World Championships especially, everybody wants to be at their very best. We can only focus on ourselves and make sure we deliver our best performance.”The upcoming UCI Mountain Bike World Championships are one of the major targets of her season, but Stigger is equally excited about what lies beyond Val di Sole: “I’m super excited for the new venue in Utah, in Haley Batten’s backyard,” she said. “I can’t wait to see the course and experience a completely new destination on the World Cup calendar.”SINA FREI: “EVERY SIGNLE POINT COUNTS”Sina Frei is also enjoying a career-best campaign. During the summer break, the Swiss rider added the European XCO and XCC titles to an already outstanding season that sees her sitting second in the UCI XCO World Cup overall standings while leading the race for the UCI XCC World Cup crown.Frei credits much of her success to a change in mindset, learning to appreciate achievements along the way rather than immediately looking ahead to the next challenge: “What I learned is to really enjoy every little success as much as possible. In the past, I didn't do that as well,” she explained.The six-week block of racing also provided a valuable lesson. Rather than worrying about limited training opportunities between events, Frei embraced the fact that every rider faced the same challenge and focused on making the most of each race weekend.“When there are so many races close together, it's not easy to keep your focus and belief in yourself. Sometimes you start thinking your fitness is gone,” she said. “But I kept telling myself that the others couldn't train either, that we were all in the same situation. Realising that was a turning point for me. In the past, I would panic too much about not being able to train. Now I'm much more relaxed, and I think that's made the biggest difference.”Although her eighth-place finish in the XCC at Pal Arinsal reduced her advantage at the top of the standings to 30 points, Frei took pride in the way she fought for every position and every point.“That race didn't go as planned, but with two laps to go I told myself: ‘I have to give absolutely everything until the finish because every single point counts.’”That determination has been a defining feature of Frei’s season so far, and with the UCI World Championships looming and three UCI World Cup rounds still to come, she remains firmly in the driving seat in the battle for the UCI XCC World Cup title.MARTINA BERTA: “THERE’S NOT MUCH LEFT TO DO BUT RACE, ENJOY AND NOT THINK TOO MUCH”Another rider enjoying a breakthrough campaign is reigning Italian champion Martina Berta. The 28-year-old has grown in confidence and consistency throughout the season, culminating in a memorable maiden UCI XCO World Cup victory on home soil in La Thuile, Valle d’Aosta. She carried that momentum into Pal Arinsal-Andorra, where a second-place finish elevated her to fourth in the overall UCI XCO World Cup standings.The demanding July race block delivered some of the biggest highs of her career, but it also highlighted the mental challenge of staying focused after emotional peaks.“The July block of racing was amazing,” said Berta. “It required a lot of energy, and I was happy to have a proper break after the National Championships because I was quite tired, maybe more mentally than physically. When you have those highs in La Thuile and Pal Arinsal, there’s naturally a bit of a low afterwards, and it can be difficult to stay focused.”Berta’s success has mirrored the rise of Origine Racing Division, a team that continues to challenge the sport’s biggest names despite being only in its second season. The Italian is quick to credit the collective effort behind their progress.“There are a lot of people working behind the scenes who don’t appear on screen but do an incredible job,” she explained. “Mathis [Azzaro] has also been really important for me. Last year he had a very strong first half of the season while I was struggling a bit more, so it was inspiring to see him performing at that level and to have that example within the team.”Now, Berta turns her attention to a pivotal final chapter of the season, with the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and the closing UCI World Cup rounds presenting an opportunity to transform an already outstanding campaign into a truly memorable one.“I’m really happy with the season I’ve had so far, and it’s motivating to arrive at the World Championships feeling confident,” she said. “Italy is home, I know the venue, and I know so many people there. On a good day you enjoy it even more, but if things aren’t going your way, you still have the crowd behind you.”Looking beyond Val di Sole, Berta knows the final stretch will demand careful management as the series heads to North America.“From Les Gets to Lake Placid it’s going to be a long block. There are a few weeks between Worlds and the U.S. trip, but there won’t be much time for training. The focus will be on recovery and making the most of the work we’ve already done over the past month. By the time you arrive in Les Gets, there’s not much left to do other than race, enjoy it and not overthink things.”

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series resumes after its summer break, with the world's best cross-country and downhill riders heading to Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France). Here's your complete guide to the race weekend, featuring UCI Cross-country and UCI Downhill World Cup.WHEN?The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series round in Lets Gets, Haute-Savoie starts with the Women’s U23 Cross-country Short Track at 10:35 (UTC+2) on Friday, August 21 and concludes with the Men’s UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup at 15:00 (UTC+2) on Sunday, August 23.Below are the key timings for race weekend. All times are UTC+2 (EST+6/BST+1/CEST):Friday, August 2112:30 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 1 Women Elite13:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 1 Men Elite14:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification Women Junior14:20 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification Men Junior15:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 2 Women Elite15:30 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 2 Men Elite10:35 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Women U2311:25 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Men U2317:15 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Women Elite18:05 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Men EliteSaturday, August 2211:30 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Women Junior12:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Men Junior13:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Women Elite14:10 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Men EliteSunday, August 2309:00 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Women U2311:00 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Men U2313:00 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Women Elite15:00 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Men EliteWHERE CAN I WATCH?For the 11th stop of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, featuring the UCI Downhill, UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) and UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cups, fans will have multiple ways to follow the action as Europe hosts its final rounds of the 2026 season.The UCI Downhill World Cup Junior finals, for both men and women, will be broadcast live on HBO Max (in all available territories) and MTBWS TV for subscribers. Meanwhile, fans can follow the UCI Downhill World Cup qualification day through live timing and dedicated coverage across the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series social media channels.All the Elite finals will be available live via the channels and streaming platforms listed below:Europe:Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Baltics, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Ukraine – HBO Max / EurosportBelgium – HBO Max, Eurosport, RTL (only selected races live) and VRT (only selected races live)Czechia – HBO Max, Eurosport and Czech TVFrance – HBO Max, Eurosport and L'Equipe Live (only selected races live on La Chaine l'Equipe)Ireland – TNT SportsSwitzerland, Liechtenstein – HBO Max, Eurosport and SRF/RSI/RTS (only selected races live)United Kingdom – HBO Max and TNT SportsAsia:Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand – Eurosport WorldOceania:Australia – Stan SportNew Zealand – MTBWS TVSamoa – Eurosport WorldNorth America:Canada – FloSportsUSA – HBO Max / MTBWS TVSouth & Central America: MTBWS TVAfrica: MTBWS TVAll other territories: MTBWS TVVAN DER POEL RETURNS WHILE WOMEN’S CONTEST ON A KNIFE EDGE IN XCCIn Friday’s XCC, the best-ever Short Track rider Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) returns to the format after a five-year absence. The multi-discipline master has focused his attention on the road in recent times, picking up iconic wins on the asphalt in some of road cycling’s biggest races, but will line-up in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie in preparation for his assault on the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Trentino (Italy) next week.If the Dutchman wins, he’ll extend his lead in the history books to 11 UCI XCC World Cup victories, but he will face a fired-up start list who have eyes on the overall series. Another multi-discipline star, Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), currently leads the title race and has spent his summer break racing on the road at the Tour of Poland, while Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing), Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) and Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Race Team) are the other in-form riders who can go tyre-to-tyre with Van der Poel.The women’s contest meanwhile is on a knife edge – Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) leading Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) by just 30 points. Both will be chasing their third wins of the series, and Rissveds’ back-to-back victories gives her the momentum, but the overall title will come down to who can be the most consistent over the three remaining races.A FRENCH FIGHT ON HOME SOIL, RISSVEDS HAS ONE HAND ON XCO TITLEOn Sunday, Mathieu Van der Poel is likely to ruffle feathers at the front of the race as the Dutchman puts in his final preparations ahead of a tilt at completing the rainbow jersey set in Val di Sole, Trentino – the 31-year-old already having won the UCI Road, Cyclocross and Gravel World Championships during his career.But while his first appearance in a 2026 UCI XCO World Cup race might draw additional interest, there’s a fierce French battle going on amongst the regulars in the overall title fight.Luca Martin currently leads the field, but a first finish of the season outside of the top two in Andorra has potentially opened the door for compatriot Adrien Boichis. The Specialized Factory Racing rider capitalised on Martin’s misfortune at the last round by winning in his adopted home – repeat the feat this weekend in front of a passionate home crowd and he could come close to leapfrogging Martin with just two rounds to go.The women’s field isn’t as tight with Jenny Rissveds running away with proceedings after her XCC-XCO double in Pal Arinsal - Andorra. The Swede could clinch the overall if other results go her way and her closest rival Sina Frei has a low scoring round, but the likelihood is that the overall will rumble on until the next round in Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA) at least.Away from the overall, this week’s round sees the return of Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Factory Team) to the UCI XCO World Cup start list. Pieterse arrives after a successful summer on the road, where she won the Queen of the Mountains polka dot jersey earlier this month at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, while reigning UCI XCO World Cup overall winner Maxwell starts her first UCI World Cup in 10 months after taking a sabbatical from racing.WILLIAMS AND HÖLL OUT TO UPSET HOME CROWDIn between the cross-country action sits one of the most iconic scenes in downhill racing.In the men’s competition, overall leader Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) will hope to be the man sat in the hotseat as the Brit chases a third win in a row. With teammate Finn Iles sidelined through injury, Williams’ closest challengers are set to come from a stacked field hungry to make their mark in Les Gets.Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) is the most successful rider at the venue with two wins (2019 and 2024) and the local fans will be urging the 30-year-old to clinch an historic third to rocket his way up to leaderboard, while fellow French riders Loris Vergier (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) and Till Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) will look to step things up on home soil.In the women’s contest, a sixth win of the series would seal Valentina Höll’s (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) fifth UCI Downhill World Cup overall title with two rounds to go. The Austrian has been in spellbinding form even by her own high standards but will have to do something she has never achieved as an Elite and win in Les Gets to confirm her coronation. There are a number of permutations where she can finish off the top step and still walk away with the title, and all the 24-year-old needs to do is hold a 500-point lead at the end of Saturday. Teammate Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) is the most likely to put a dent in Höll’s winning record, while Gracey Hemstreet (Norco x adidas Race Division) and Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing) have all tasted success on this hallowed patch of Haute-Savoie soil.

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) today announce that the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup will be the final season of Enduro under the current UCI World Cup structure.The decision reflects a shared belief that each mountain bike format has its own unique characteristics, community and development pathway, and that long-term success requires an approach tailored to its specific needs and ambitions. WBD Sports and the UCI believe that Enduro’s future will be best served through a structure designed specifically around the format’s unique identity, one that offers greater flexibility in its operating framework, more room for innovation and a stronger focus on participation and community engagement.For over a decade, the Enduro World Series (EWS) and WBD Sports, have played a key role in helping drive the growth, professionalisation and international reach of Enduro, both at elite and amateur levels. Together with athletes, teams, organisers, partners and fans, they have helped elevate the format to new heights, broadening its reach and strengthening its position within the mountain bike landscape. Since Enduro’s integration into the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the format has benefited from increased visibility and exposure as part of a broader mountain biking platform.Among the most significant milestones of this period was the launch of the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships in 2024, cementing Enduro’s place on the sport’s biggest stage. While the UCI Enduro World Cup concludes at the end of the 2026 season, the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships will continue and take on even greater significance as the pinnacle events of the format. The UCI World Championships will become the focal point of the global Enduro calendar, bringing together the sport’s best athletes and serving as the flagship celebration of the Enduro community.The 2026 UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships will take place in the Finale Outdoor Region (Liguria, Italy) from 16 to 18 October, bringing the world’s leading riders to what is widely regarded as the spiritual home of Enduro.The format’s future on the world stage is also secured for 2027, with Enduro and E-Enduro confirmed as part of the UCI Cycling World Championships in Haute-Savoie, France. Among the venues selected for this landmark event is Morillon and the Grand Massif region, fresh from hosting last week’s 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup finale, which attracted more than 500 professional and amateur riders. In 2027, the French destination will once again welcome the world’s best Enduro athletes as they compete for the sport’s most prestigious title and the iconic rainbow jersey.While the path forward is still being defined, conversations are underway among the venues, organisers and stakeholders who have helped shape the sport over the past decades. Drawing on their deep understanding of Enduro and its community, they are exploring new opportunities to ensure its continued growth and long-term sustainability, while staying true to the values that have made Enduro unique: participation, adventure, creativity and a shared passion for the ride, where the journey is every bit as important as the result. This includes initiatives such as the integration of Enduro Open side events at selected WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series weekends.By giving Enduro the freedom to continue evolving on its own terms, this transition represents the beginning of a new chapter for a discipline with a rich heritage, a passionate community, and many more stories still to tell.

After a six-week summer break, the cross-country and downhill contingents of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series return to action this weekend with a delicious double header in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France).The French Alps venue is one of the most iconic in mountain bike’s history and has been welcoming the Gravity format on and off since 1996. It’s been a staple of the UCI World Cup since 2019, including the 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, and is renowned for its passionate, partisan French crowd. Next year, it’s also due to host the rainbow jersey races once again as part of Haute-Savoie’s 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships.Located in the heart of the Portes de Soleil mountain resort, close to the Swiss border, both formats take place at the Les Gets bike park. The park has 128km of trails across 23 different tracks and three ski lifts to help riders experience everything the park has to offer.The UCI Downhill World Cup takes place on the venue’s Mont-Chéry UCI World Cup track – a 2.2km course that features 571m of descent and a maximum gradient of 43.8°.The UCI Cross-country World Cup races, meanwhile, take on a custom trail that has its start/finish straight at the resort’s main hub. The UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup course is 3.55km long (140m elevation gain), while the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) course is 1km long (43m elevation gain).Beyond the racing, Les Gets has a packed schedule of fan activities and entertainment throughout the week. The festivities get underway on Thursday, 20 August, with the Team Presentation at the Village Fan Zone in front of Les Gets Town Hall.Fans can also take part in a treasure hunt around the venue alongside WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series mascot Roki, attend autograph sessions with WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series stars or enjoy the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series trophy exhibition throughout the weekend.Open from Friday to Sunday, the Village Fan Zone will offer something for visitors of all ages, from souvenir medal-colouring workshops for children and an immersive virtual reality MTB experience to a personalised event photobooth. Live music, entertainment, film screenings, concerts and a host of other activities will ensure there is plenty to enjoy away from the racetracks.WILDCARD TEAMS SET TO JOIN THE ACTION IN LES GETSBefore diving deeper into the main storylines and key riders to watch this weekend, here are the wildcard teams that have been confirmed to compete in Les Gets, Haute-SavoieUCI Downhill World Cup: Crestline Speed Shop, Outlaw Intense Racing, Pivot Factory Racing, Team High Country, The Alliance, Stoic Racing.UCI Cross-country World Cup: KTM Factory Team, Lexware Mountainbike Team, Massi, Scott Creuse Oxygene Gueret, SUNN Factory Racing, Thömus Akros - Youngstars, UNNO Factory Racing, Bike Team Solothurn.Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) remains the standout wildcard contender, with the German carrying an impressive nine-race winning streak across the Men’s U23 UCI XCO and XCC World Cups. In Downhill, wildcard teams also made their mark in Pal Arinsal - Andorra, where Bode Burke (Crestline Speed Shop) secured a second place in Men’s Elite qualifying before suffering a DNF in the finals. On the women’s side, Jenna Hastings (Pivot Factory Racing) delivered the best wildcard result with a fifth-place finish in the Women’s Elite race.RISSVEDS CLOSES IN ON OVERALL CROWN, MAXWELL MAKES COMEBACKIt’s been a memorable season in the rainbow jersey for Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing), and as the Swede prepares to wear the 2025 UCI World Champion’s colours for the final time at Les Gets, another victory could leave her with one hand firmly on the overall title with two rounds remaining.Rissveds arrives in France full of confidence after claiming maximum points in Andorra with a dominant XCC-XCO double. As one of the most successful riders ever to race in Les Gets, where she also completed the double in 2025, she knows exactly what it takes to triumph on the iconic French Alps course.Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) remains Rissveds’ closest challenger in the overall standings, while Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) will look to carry her outstanding form through the summer break. The Italian backed up her maiden UCI XCO World Cup victory in La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta (Italy) with a runner-up finish in Andorra and will be eager to continue her momentum.Another major name returning to the spotlight is Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech). Jointly tied with Rissveds as the most successful rider in Les Gets, Pieterse lines up for her fifth UCI World Cup appearance of 2026 after a summer that saw her claim the Queen of the Mountains polka dot jersey at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.Meanwhile, Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) makes a highly anticipated return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. The reigning overall UCI XCO World Cup champion is back on the start line after a ten-month sabbatical and will be keen to make an immediate impact in one of the season’s most prestigious rounds.VAN DER POEL RETURNS AS MARTIN AND BOICHIS RENEW TITLE FIGHTLuca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) endured a rare setback in Pal Arinsal, with the overall UCI XCO World Cup leader finishing 22nd and missing out on a top-two result for the first time this season. Despite the disappointment, the Frenchman remains firmly in control of the standings on 1,419 points.However, his lead over compatriot Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) was cut to 130 points after Boichis delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend, finishing second in the UCI XCC World Cup before claiming victory in the UCI XCO World Cup.Les Gets could provide the perfect opportunity for Martin to bounce back. The French venue was the site of his breakthrough UCI XCO World Cup victory in 2025, and he will be eager to rediscover that winning form on home soil. Yet with Boichis continuing to impress across multiple disciplines, the battle for the overall crown is far from settled.Adding even more intrigue to the weekend is the return of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech). The Dutch superstar swaps the road for the mountain bike as he begins his build-up to next week’s UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Trentino (Italy), where he will aim to complete a unique set of rainbow jerseys across cross-country, road cycling and cyclocross.Fresh from winning the final stage of this year’s Tour de France, van der Poel will make his first mountain bike race appearance of 2026 in Les Gets. The 31-year-old is also beginning to turn his attention towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games, making his return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series one of the biggest storylines of the weekend.RISSVEDS, FREI AND VAN DER POEL HEADLINE XCC ACTIONAdrien Boichis’ consistency in the short track has allowed the Frenchman to establish a commanding lead in the UCI XCC World Cup standings, despite competing in only five of the six rounds so far this season. Yet all eyes will be on one rider in Les Gets: Mathieu van der Poel.The most successful men's short track rider in history returns to the format for his first UCI XCC World Cup appearance since 2021. Chasing an 11th career victory, the Dutch superstar also has the chance to become the first male rider to win more than one UCI XCC World Cup race in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie.Boichis is unlikely to make life easy for van der Poel, however. The current overall leader has been one of the standout performers of the season, while Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) and Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) have both demonstrated they have the speed and explosiveness required to win in the fast-paced format.The Women's Elite race promises to be equally compelling. Just 30 points separate Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and Jenny Rissveds at the top of the standings, with both riders having claimed two victories apiece in 2026. Momentum, however, appears to be on Rissveds’ side. The Swede won in Les Gets last season and will be aiming for a third successive UCI XCC World Cup victory almost exactly a decade after her unforgettable Olympic gold medal triumph in Rio on 20 August 2016.Among those looking to disrupt the battle at the front are Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) and Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech), both capable of challenging for victory on their day. Meanwhile, reigning UCI XCC World Champion Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) boasts the strongest record of any rider on the Les Gets short track course, having amassed one win, two runner-up finishes and a third place at the French venue.HÖLL ON THE VERGE OF OVERALL GLORY IN LES GETSValentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) is enjoying the most dominant season of her career and arrives in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie in formidable form ahead of the final three UCI Downhill World Cup rounds and next week’s UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.The Austrian has won five of the first six rounds this season, surpassing her own record for the most victories in a single campaign. Another win in Les Gets would see her move onto 17 Elite UCI World Cup victories, drawing level with Sabrina Jonnier as the third most successful female downhill rider in history.Victory on Saturday would also secure Höll’s fifth overall UCI Downhill World Cup title with two rounds still remaining. Even if she falls short of the top step, she could still wrap up the crown this weekend provided she maintains a lead of at least 500 points over her nearest rival in the standings.The rest of the field may take some encouragement from one statistic: despite her dominance elsewhere, Höll has never won an Elite UCI World Cup race in Les Gets, with a third-place finish in 2025 standing as her best result at the Haute-Savoie venue. Ready to capitalise on any opportunity are the only other winners on the circuit this season, Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP), Höll’s teammate Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres), and local favourite Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing). With one victory and two runner-up finishes in Les Gets, Cabirou boasts the strongest record of any Elite Women rider at the venue.The Women’s Junior category is also set to make history this weekend, with 41 riders entered for qualifying, the largest field since the category was introduced in 2017. The impressive number reflects the remarkable growth of women’s downhill racing in less than a decade.Among those to watch is Cassandre Peizerat, who will race as a guest rider for COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction. The 17-year-old Frenchwoman may come from an alpine skiing background, but she has already proven her ability to excel on two wheels, finishing third in Les Gets in 2025 and claiming another podium in La Thuile earlier this season. As part of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series regulations, teams are allocated two guest rider entries per season, with any points scored by those riders contributing to the Team Standings.10-WAY TUSTLE FOR MEN’S DOWNHILL TITLEIf 2025 was a two-horse race between Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) and Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity), then this series is turning into a 10-horse one with three rounds to go and only 393 points separating series leader Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) and 10th placed Till Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction).With Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) ruled out through injury, Williams will look to keep Specialized’s momentum going after the team’s four wins from the opening six rounds. But with no one rider dominating with consistent results, it’s set to go to the wire with plenty of twists and turns still to come.There are a number of riders out to spoil the Specialized party. Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) is the most successful current rider at the venue, and will have the backing of the iconic partisan home crowd as he targets his third win in Les Gets, while last year’s winner Ronan Dunne (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) is set to make his first start of 2026 after recovering from an injury that has ruled him out so far this season.Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) is another to watch – the American already tasting success in his first Elite season and a winner at the venue in the Junior class in 2024 – while Jackson Goldstone could still make a late surge to defend his title if he pulls together another winning record like that seen in 2025.Racing gets underway in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie on Friday with the UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup. Full schedule and events details are available here.

The 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup season has been nothing short of epic from start to finish. From brand new venues, debut wins and numerous record-breaking rides, the opening six rounds have rivalled last year for adrenaline-fuelled entertainment.Fortunately for fans and riders, there are still three UCI Downhill World Cup rounds to go, including a new venue in Whistler, British Columbia (Canada). Before athletes cross the Atlantic though, there’s the small matter of a UCI World Cup round at the iconic Les Gets, Haute Savoie (France), and the UCI World Championships in Val di Sole,Trentino's (Italy) legendary Black Snake track.Ahead of the resumption of racing, Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity), Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity), Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP), Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) and Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) sat down with WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series talent Josh Carlson to share their thoughts on the season so far and hopes for the remaining rounds.ASA VERMETTE: “IT’S A DREAM DEBUT”It didn’t take long for Asa Vermette to get his account up and running in the Men’s Elite class as the 19-year-old American won on his UCI Downhill World Cup debut in MONA YongPyong (South Korea).“It's been insane. I mean, basically a dream debut and I couldn't ask for anything better,” he said. But while he described his first win as ‘crazy’, he points to Lenzerheide (Switzerland) as his standout moment from the season so far.“When Anna [Newkirk] won her first race and I got on the podium, it was such a good day for the team. We both did what we needed to do – she got her first win, I was in the box. That was one of the best days for us for sure.”He pointed to the team atmosphere and the guidance of five-time UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner Aaron Gwin (Frameworks Racing / TRP) as a big influence – “he's done it so many times and won so many races, and he's so knowledgeable about it in ways that I didn't really even think of, so it's cool to learn from him” – adding that “you can’t perform without being happy off the bike”.With three rounds to go, he sits third in the overall, 126 points behind series leader Jordan Williams, but Vermette isn’t fazed.“To win my first one and get on the podium twice was honestly not a shock, but I was surprised how it came so fast. Now that I'm in the fight for the overall, it's crazy, so I'm just going to try to keep it as consistent as possible and try my best.“You have to be consistent every weekend and you can’t afford too many mistakes. I had two races where things went pretty badly, and that put me a long way back. It’s all part of the learning process, but it’s pretty cool to be in this position.”LISA BAUMANN: “I’VE WORKED HARD TO REACH THIS LEVEL” Lisa Baumann is another rider who has come to the fore in 2026 and finds herself second in the overall behind team-mate Valentina Höll. While the women’s field is a lot less close than the men’s and Baumann is unlikely to overhaul Höll’s advantage, the Swiss rider is still happy with her progress.“My goal was to be on the podium this season, so I’m really happy to show that I'm a bit more consistent than last year,” she said. “I've worked hard to reach this level, and I still need to work harder to get that first win. But Vali [Höll] shares a lot with me, whether it's line choice or race experience, and she's a real role model.”Looking ahead to Les Gets Baumann is targeting a fourth podium of the season and hopes to experience the “crazy” atmosphere: “Everyone wants to be on the podium there because the vibe is insane.”FINN ILES: “THERE’S A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD”Finn Iles finally ended a 1,407-day wait for victory in Saalfelden Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria), before backing it up just a week later with a second win of the season in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). While his campaign has featured both highs and setbacks since then, the Canadian heads into the final three rounds refreshed, motivated and excited by what lies ahead.“After a break, it's really easy to find that motivation again. Spending a week or two off the bike helps you rediscover that feeling. There's a lot to look forward to at the end of the season, with a World Cup in my hometown of Whistler and then two rounds in North America. That's going to be amazing. I'm just really excited for what's to come.”Iles credits much of his resurgence to the work Specialized Gravity put in over the winter, as well as the influence of 10-time UCI World Champion Nico Vouilloz, whose arrival has brought a fresh perspective to the team.“I've been part of the team for 12 years now, and one thing we've always done really well at Specialized Gravity is work hard together during the off-season. I spent a lot of time riding with Jordan [Williams] in Portugal and at some pre-season races in New Zealand, and I think that work created the foundation for the entire season.“We came into the year ready to go. The success we had during that four-race stretch was the result of everything coming together at the right time. We had some bad luck early in the season with punctures for me and Jordan [Williams], and Loïc [Bruni] getting injured, but we found our form when it mattered most. We've worked incredibly hard to get here, and that's created a really strong culture within Specialized Gravity.”Currently second in the overall standings, 63 points behind team-mate Jordan Williams, Iles remains firmly in the title hunt. Yet there is one event on the calendar that carries a significance beyond championship points: the UCI World Cup debut in Whistler, British Columbia (Canada).“I've wanted a World Cup in Whistler since I was a kid, so to finally have one there, and to be able not just to race it but to be competitive, is going to be incredible. I'll do everything I can to put on a good show for the fans and, hopefully, take the win”.VALENTINA HÖLL: “WINNING IS SUCH A GOOD FEELING”Valentina Höll is enjoying one of the most dominant campaigns of her career. The four-time UCI Downhill World Champion and four-time UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner has claimed victory in five of the six rounds contested so far, underlining her status as the benchmark in the Women’s Elite field.The 24-year-old attributes much of her success to her move to Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres ahead of the 2026 season, where a new environment and the support of teammate Lisa Baumann have helped her reach another level.“The Commencal is really suiting me well, and the team, plus having Lisa as my teammate, definitely helps me a lot. It's super fun in the team, and when the atmosphere is that good, it's easier to perform at your best. It's been a huge few months of racing with a lot of emotions, both mentally and physically, that come with performing and winning.”Yet despite producing arguably the strongest season of her career, Höll admits the demands of consistently competing for victory have taken their toll. After falling ill at the start of the summer break, she realised just how exhausting life at the top can be.“All the pressure and emotions are quite fatiguing,” she explained.For Höll, the challenge is no longer chasing victories, but managing the expectations that come with winning so often.“I didn't expect to be so tired after every race weekend. Last year, I was always on the podium but never winning, and that gave me extra motivation to improve. Now, I wake up feeling exhausted, and sometimes I'm more nervous going into the next round because I don't want to lose that winning feeling.“I guess it's part of the game. It's a different position to be in, but it's not one I'd want to change.”JORDAN WILLIAMS: “EVERYBODY’S SO CLOSE” While Valentina Höll has established a commanding lead in the Women’s Elite standings, the battle for the Men’s Elite overall title remains wide open. Jordan Williams heads the rankings, but with the top 10 riders still mathematically in contention, the championship fight is far from settled.“Everybody’s so close. I don’t think anyone has had a really consistent season,” said Williams. “Last year we saw Jackson [Goldstone] on the podium almost every race, and apart from Loïc [Bruni], there was a clear gap to the rest.“This year has been different. I had a puncture in Korea, and in Leogang I pretty much lost my weekend after crashing before qualifying. I was really sore, so on race day I could only cruise down and pick up whatever points I could. It’s funny how close we all are despite nobody having a smooth season, but that’s what makes it exciting. It’s shaping up to be a great finish to the year.”Williams believes a key factor in his progress this season has been the influence of 10-time UCI World Champion Nico Vouilloz, whose experience and guidance have helped him navigate the highs and lows of a tightly contested championship battle.“When you’re in the start gate, whether you’re feeling good or bad, Nico knows exactly what’s going through your head,” Williams explained. “He really believed in me and encouraged me to push in qualifying at Leogang, where I ended up sixth. Finals day was much more difficult and I just had to manage the situation.“After that weekend I was fifth overall and only picked up around 70 points, but after the summer break Nico told me: ‘Look at the gap you have in the standings. If you hadn’t raced in Leogang, you probably wouldn’t be leading the overall right now.’”That advice reinforced the importance of salvaging points on difficult weekends, a lesson that could prove decisive as Williams heads into the final three rounds holding a slender 63-point advantage over Specialized Gravity team-mate Finn Iles.

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is set to return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series this weekend after being confirmed on the entry list for the Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France) round.A multiple time UCI World Cup winner, Van der Poel is back on the trails for the first time since last season’s Les Gets round, following another successful road campaign. The Dutchman claimed two stage victories at this year's Tour de France, including the final stage in Paris after an attacking ride alongside overall winner Tadej Pogačar.With the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole (Trentino, Italy) approaching, Les Gets gives Van der Poel a valuable chance to test himself against the world’s best as he fine-tunes his form for one of the season’s biggest off-road targets - adding even more excitement to an already stacked field in Haute-Savoie.Find out where to watch all the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series action HERE.

With six rounds of the 2026 UCI Cross-country World Cup season complete, just three remain, and both the Men’s Elite Cross-country Olympic (XCO) and Cross-country Short Track (XCC) title races are still wide open.This season, however, has seen a new generation step into the spotlight. Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team), Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) have emerged as the format’s leading forces, delivering remarkable consistency and establishing themselves as contenders week after week.With the season entering its decisive phase, including the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Trentino (Italy), the battle for the biggest prizes in cross-country racing is only set to intensify. As a new generation challenges the established order, expect Boichis, Riley, Martin and Azzaro to be at the heart of the fight for 2026 glory.ADRIEN BOICHIS: “BEING IN A POSITION TO FIGHT FOR THE WIN IS A SPECIAL FEELING”Adrien Boichis has spent 2026 proving he can excel on two wheels, whether on dirt or tarmac. After claiming victory at the last UCI XCO World Cup round in Pal Arinsal (Andorra), the Frenchman switched disciplines during the summer break to compete in the Tour of Poland before turning his focus back to mountain biking.“I'm happy I did it, and now I'm looking forward to being back on my own bike,” he said during the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series mid-season press conference.The current leader of the Men’s Elite UCI XCC World Cup standings believes a new generation has emerged at the front of the sport this season. Yet despite the changing faces on the podium, he insists the level of competition has never been higher.“Between being tenth and first, the difference is not actually that big. It can come down to small details, confidence or simply having a bit of luck on your side. Some days everything goes perfectly and you're still a long way from the win. Just being in a position to fight for victory is already a special feeling. For me, being at the front of the race and battling for the win is one of the best feelings in sport.”At just 23 years old, Boichis has already reached several career milestones this year, securing his first UCI XCO World Cup win in Saalfelden Leogang - Salzburgerland (Austria) before following it up with a breakthrough UCI XCC World Cup victory in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). Despite his rapid rise and growing status as a title contender, the Specialized Factory Racing rider remains grounded heading into the final stretch of the season.“You can never take winning for granted. Sometimes you do everything right, train all year and it still doesn't happen. Other times the momentum is with you and things fall into place. You have to enjoy it when it comes.”With three WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series rounds remaining and the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole - Trentino still to come, Boichis finds himself at the centre of the battle for cross-country’s biggest prizes, representing the new wave of riders reshaping the sport.BJORN RILEY: “IN ANDORRA, I DIDN’T THINK. I JUST WENT”Another rider to claim a maiden UCI XCC World Cup victory this season is Bjorn Riley. The American broke through at the last round in Pal Arinsal (Andorra), and has spent the six-week summer break working to carry that momentum into the decisive final phase of the season.“I've ridden my bike every day and tried to recover because I feel like this next block is going to be a big one too. The last block was really hard because you don't want to do too much intensity between races. Going into this next period, it's a little easier because we have two weekends off after Worlds.”Riley has enjoyed a breakthrough year in the Men’s Elite ranks. Yet despite his growing confidence and newfound status as a regular contender, the Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team rider remains focused on the process rather than the results.Having already secured his first UCI World Cup victory and several podium finishes, the 23-year-old believes he now has the experience and belief needed to consistently challenge at the front of races.“My mindset has changed. Now a podium feels achievable every time I race. I know the process I need to go through to put myself in a position to finish in the top three. Winning is still another step though. Fighting for the podium is very different from fighting for the win.”Riley points to his victory in Andorra as a key moment in his development, not only physically but mentally: “Andorra was really important because I usually overthink every move I make. There, I didn’t think, I just went for it. That was a big step forward from a mental perspective and showed me what’s required to win.“Of course, a victory is always exciting, but right now my focus is on being consistently on the podium. If the wins come as a result, that’s even better.”With the battle for the overall titles entering its decisive phase, Riley has firmly established himself as one of the standout riders of the new generation and a serious contender for the sport’s biggest prizes.MATHIS AZZARO: “MY TIME WILL COME”While Boichis and Riley have enjoyed steadily rising trajectories this season, Mathis Azzaro burst out of the blocks before a series of crashes and a costly race penalty disrupted his momentum. Despite those setbacks, the Frenchman remains encouraged by the progress he has made in 2026 and is confident more opportunities will come.“I’m super happy with what I achieved in the first part of the season and I’m really looking forward to the next block of racing.“My time will come. We’re all working incredibly hard, but you can never be 100% certain that a win will come on Friday in the Short Track or on Sunday in the Cross-country Olympic. I’m a very emotional person, and that can be both a strength and a weakness. Managing those emotions is never easy.”At 26, Azzaro has shown on multiple occasions this season that he has the speed to challenge for victories. Now, as the campaign enters its decisive phase, his focus is on turning that potential into consistent results and ensuring that early promise translates into a strong finish to the year.LUCA MARTIN: “THIS SEASON IS ALREADY A MASSIVE SUCCESS”Luca Martin enters the final stretch of the season as the leader of the Men’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup standings, with a remarkable sweep of the XCO and XCC overall titles, as well as the coveted rainbow jersey at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, still within reach. The Frenchman spent his summer break with one target in mind.“It was difficult to find the right balance because whether you're doing altitude training or following a more traditional training plan, you need to define your priority. At this stage of the season, my preparation has been very much focused on the World Championships.”The Cannondale Factory Racing rider has already enjoyed a career-defining campaign in 2026, establishing himself as one of the sport’s leading figures. Even if he falls short of his ambitious targets in Italy, the 24-year-old remains immensely proud of what he has achieved so far.“I’m already very happy with this season. For me, this year has been a massive success. I just need to keep doing the same things, trust the process and continue building on what has worked so far.”With the overall UCI World Cup titles still on the line and the UCI World Championships looming, Martin finds himself at the centre of one of the most exciting seasons in recent years. Yet while others may focus on the potential rewards, his attention remains firmly fixed on the process that has brought him to this position in the first place.

French duo Adrien Dailly (Speed Project) and Morgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing) delivered masterclasses in technical riding across two demanding days to claim victory at the UCI Enduro World Cup finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France).For Dailly, the triumph carried even greater significance, as it propelled him past Lief Rodgers to snatch the Men’s Elite overall title in a dramatic conclusion to the UCI Enduro World Cup season.In the Women’s Elite competition, there was reason for double celebration. Charre delighted the home crowd with the race win, while Ella Conolly secured back-to-back overall series titles after another outstanding season.In the Junior categories, Hugo Marti Montessinos and Nežka Libnik capped remarkable seasons by securing both the race victories in Morillon and the overall UCI Enduro Junior World Cup titles.The four overall winners were presented with newly unveiled trophies, designed to reflect the prestige and significance of The Globe, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ ultimate symbol of achievement. Crafted from metal and recycled carbon fibre, the awards made their debut in Morillon.Speed Project also celebrated another milestone, becoming the inaugural winners of The Summit, the new UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Team Trophy. Having already wrapped up the team title at the previous round in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland), the squad underlined its dominance by finishing the season with yet another victory.DAILLY SEIZES THE CROWN AS MORILLON DELIVERS A DRAMATIC TITLE DECIDERNestled in the heart of France’s Haute-Savoie region, Morillon returned as the host of the UCI Enduro World Cup finale following its successful debut as the overall title decider in 2025. The pine-clad slopes of the Grand Massif’s renowned Enduro Bike Park provided the perfect stage for a thrilling weekend of racing. Eight stages spread across two days, covering 84.4km and 4,110m of descent, ensured the battle remained finely poised until the very end, with a decisive five-kilometre final stage ultimately determining the overall winners.Adrien Dailly delivered a composed and relentlessly consistent performance across the weekend to claim victory in the Men’s Elite race and, with it, the overall UCI Enduro World Cup title. Arriving in Morillon, Lief Rodgers held an 82-point advantage over Dailly in the overall standings. Behind them, Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project), Alex Rudeau, Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and reigning overall champion Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) all remained mathematically in contention for the crown.Rodgers endured a difficult opening day, with a series of costly mistakes leaving the Canadian down in seventh place after the first four stages. Meanwhile, defending champion Łukasik kept his slim title hopes alive by drawing on his experience to win two of the opening four tests. Yet Dailly remained firmly in the hunt, ending day one just 1.5 seconds off the lead and, crucially, in a strong position to collect valuable points.The race took a decisive turn on stage 5 when disaster struck Łukasik. A puncture near the top of the brand-new stage cost the Pole around 30 seconds and effectively ended his challenge. Dailly capitalised immediately, taking the stage win by three seconds from teammate Giambi, while Finland’s Tarmo Ryynänen set the third-fastest time.Giambi then showcased his technical skills on the demanding Reverse River stage, mastering the rutted terrain and dense forest sections to take victory by two seconds over Marius Tenet Berrat. Dailly’s measured ride to third further strengthened his position, extending his overall advantage to almost 30 seconds.The penultimate Morillon Village stage, though only 1.3 kilometres in length, provided an intense test featuring a short climb and 209 metres of descent. Ryan Gilchrist and teammate Jt Fisher powered to first and second respectively, while Dailly opted for a more conservative approach. His ninth-place finish was enough to carry a 27-second cushion into the decisive final stage, ahead of Ryynänen and Tenet Berrat.Attention then turned to the overall title battle. Rodgers needed to recover 16 seconds over the final five-kilometre test to secure a crucial podium result in the overall standings. Ryynänen produced a stunning run to win the stage, but Dailly was just four tenths of a second slower, comfortably sealing both the race victory and the overall title. Further behind, Belgian rider Gabriel Sainthuile climbed onto the Morillon podium after gaining enough time on the final stage to secure third overall.Dailly ultimately secured the series title by 43 points from Rodgers, with Gilchrist completing the overall podium in third. Reflecting on his achievement, the Frenchman said: “I’m super happy. It wasn’t my goal at the beginning of the season, it’s crazy. I’ve improved a lot this year and adapted better to my bike. At the start of the season I was struggling to feel comfortable and fast, but now I’m feeling much better and having more fun on the bike.“I wasn’t feeling in amazing shape coming into this weekend, so I had to manage my energy and save something for the final run. The heat made it really tough, probably the hardest conditions of the season for me. The liaisons were tight as well, so it was a demanding weekend, and I’m really happy to have pulled it off.”CHARRE CLAIMS THE WIN, CONOLLY CLAIMS THE CROWNMorgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing) held her nerve on a dramatic final stage to secure victory in the Women’s Elite race, while Ella Conolly did exactly what was required to retain her UCI Enduro World Cup crown.Conolly arrived in Morillon brimming with confidence after claiming her third victory of the season in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland). The defending champion held a commanding 170-point lead over Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) and knew that a top-six finish would be enough to secure back-to-back overall titles. Further down the standings, Elly Hoskin, Raphaela Richter and Winnifred Goldsbury were locked in a battle for third place overall.However, the opening day did not go entirely to plan for Conolly. Struggling in the intense heat, the Briton ended day one in seventh place, nearly 40 seconds adrift of the race lead. Pugin also found the opening stages difficult and sat just one position ahead of her rival overnight.The surprise story of the first day came from German privateer Helen Weber, whose consistency across the opening four stages earned her the overall lead. Charre, winner of the opening test, sat just 1.5 seconds behind, while Nadine Ellecosta (Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team) completed a tightly packed top three.Weber continued her impressive form on day two, expertly navigating the dusty and demanding terrain to extend her advantage. Yet Conolly responded like a true champion. On the technical Reverse River stage, the British rider delivered a crucial performance, claiming victory by just one tenth of a second over Weber. The result lifted her to fifth overall and, more importantly, gave her an 11-second buffer over Pugin in the title battle.Isabeau Courdurier prevailed on the penultimate stage, while Weber carried a 10-second lead into the decisive final test. But the gruelling five-kilometre finale turned the race on its head. A crash cost Weber around 30 seconds, dropping her to ninth on the stage and from first to third in the overall classification.Charre seized the opportunity in front of her home crowd. The French rider set the fastest time on the final stage, eight seconds quicker than her nearest rival, to secure victory in Morillon. Ellecosta completed a breakthrough weekend by finishing second overall.Reflecting on her win, Charre said: “This race is really special for me. I live here, so I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time. I missed it last year because of injury, and after crashing in Loudenvielle at the start of the season I also had to sit out a few races. It’s been a tough year, which makes this result even more meaningful.“To race here, feeling fit and ready, and to take the win in front of a home crowd is incredible. The stages were fantastic, really physical and with a great mix of terrain. I pushed hard all weekend and I’m so happy it paid off.”Conolly’s fifth-place finish proved more than enough to secure the overall title for a second consecutive season. She ended the year 220 points clear of Pugin, while Elly Hoskin rounded out the overall podium in third.Speaking after securing the title, Conolly said: “It’s such a relief. Honestly, it hasn’t been my best race weekend, but it feels amazing to have done enough to take the overall title. Enduro is about showing up at every round and making the most of what you have on that day. Nobody has a perfect race every weekend. You have to stay mentally focused, adapt to what the race throws at you and give absolutely everything you’ve got. That’s what I tried to do, and I’m really proud to come away with the overall.”LIBNIK AND MONTESSINOS CAP OFF TITLE-WINNING SEASONS IN MORILLONNežka Libnik capped a dominant season in style, claiming both the Women’s Junior victory in Morillon and the overall UCI Enduro World Cup title. The Slovenian was untouchable throughout the weekend, winning all eight stages and crossing the line an astonishing 3 minutes and 47 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.Libnik arrived in Haute-Savoie with just a 25-point cushion over Romy Williams (Speed Project) in the overall standings, but quickly erased any doubts about the destination of the title. By the end of the opening day, she had won all four stages and established a commanding 32-second lead over Bélinda Baudet.Williams faced an uphill battle heading into day two, sitting third overall and nearly two minutes off the lead at the halfway mark. Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished as Libnik continued her flawless run, completing a clean sweep of all eight stages to secure a memorable victory.British rider Katie Allsop emerged as her closest challenger on the second day, finishing runner-up on stages 5 and 6. In the battle for the remaining podium places, however, Williams fought back strongly to claim second, while French rider Julia Gay secured third after strong performances on the final two stages.Libnik ultimately secured the overall UCI Enduro World Cup title by 35 points ahead of Williams, with Alice Farinelli completing the season podium in third.Reflecting on her achievement, Libnik said: “It’s my first time here in Morillon. The two days were quite demanding and the heat definitely didn’t make things easier. But the organisation was great and I really enjoyed the tracks. They felt quite similar to what I’m used to riding in Slovenia, so I felt at home. It’s really special to win here and to secure the overall title.”Meanwhile, Hugo Marti Montessinos arrived in Morillon having already wrapped up the Men’s Junior overall title at the previous round in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland). However, he still had one final challenge ahead of him as he looked to end the season with another race victory.The Frenchman’s task was far from straightforward. Two crashes on the opening day allowed Jules Janniaud to edge ahead by just three-tenths of a second overnight, setting up an intriguing battle for the round victory.Montessinos responded emphatically on day two, overturning the deficit by beating Janniaud by 11 seconds on the opening stage. Although the Frenchman struck back with a stage win of his own later in the day, Montessinos maintained control to secure the overall victory by 14 seconds. Lorenzo Cesari rounded out the podium in third.The result underlined Montessinos’ dominance throughout the season. He finished the season 130 points clear at the top of the standings, ahead of Janniaud in second and Cesari in third.After taking the win, Montessinos said: “I had a lot of fun this weekend. The two training days were pretty intense with the heat and we were already quite tired before racing started. The first day wasn’t easy because I crashed on stages 1 and 3, which left me just behind Jules [Janniaud]. Today I rode well, stayed consistent throughout the day and managed to secure the win with a bit of a margin.”While the UCI Enduro World Cup season has now drawn to a close, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues next weekend (20-23 August) with the UCI Cross-country World Cup and UCI Downhill World Cup in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France).

A dramatic opening day at the UCI Enduro World Cup finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France) turned the Elite Men’s overall standings on their head, setting up a thrilling final-day showdown between Lief Rodgers and Adrien Dailly (Speed Project) in the battle for the title.In the Elite Women’s competition, overall leader Ella Conolly endured one of her toughest performances of the season. Despite the setback, the Briton remains firmly on course to secure the overall crown on Sunday. Helen Weber topped the timesheets on a scorching day in the French Alps, where soaring temperatures and demanding conditions produced a host of surprise results across all categories.Hugo Marti Montessinos arrived in Morillon with the Men’s Junior title already wrapped up after claiming victory in four of the five UCI Enduro World Cup rounds contested so far this season. However, he faces an unusual challenge this weekend, with compatriot Jules Janniaud holding a narrow advantage heading into the second race day.In the Women’s Junior category, overall leader Nežka Libnik remains in complete control of the title race. The Slovenian enjoys a commanding margin over closest rival Romy Williams (Speed Project) and is well positioned to seal the title on Sunday.ELITE MEN’S TITLE FIGHT SET FOR BLOCKBUSTER CONCLUSIONSix riders arrived in the French Alps with a mathematical chance of securing the overall title, while several others were still in contention for a coveted place on the season-ending podium. After an action-packed opening day, the battle took a dramatic turn.Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and Adrien Dailly are separated by just 1.6 seconds at the top of the Morillon standings. While the Pole leads the race heading into Sunday, Dailly will be the more satisfied of the two after moving ahead of Lief Rodgers in the live overall ranking.Rodgers, meanwhile, endured a difficult day on the trails. The Canadian failed to finish higher than sixth on any of the four stages and capped off the afternoon with an error-filled run down Paddock Express, dropping him to seventh overall. As a result, he will be hoping Łukasik can hold off Dailly in the final showdown.The title permutations are finely balanced. Should Dailly overhaul Łukasik and take the victory, Rodgers would need to finish inside the top three to secure the overall crown. If the Pole hangs on to win the round, a top-five result would be enough for the Canadian.Everything points to a gripping finale. Łukasik and Dailly were virtually inseparable throughout the day, finishing within a second of each other on all four stages.Behind them, Gabriel Sainthuile and Tarmo Ryynänen are on track for career-best performances this season, while Evan Wall and Marius Tenet-Barrat also impressed, with the Frenchman claiming victory on the opening stage.Rodgers heads into the final day 7.4 seconds adrift of Tenet-Barrat and the crucial fifth position, with a further four seconds separating him from Sainthuile in third. Regardless of what unfolds at the front of the race, the Canadian faces a significant challenge if he is to climb back into title-winning territory.Elsewhere, the battle for the overall podium was turned upside down before racing had even begun. Third-placed Raphaël Giambi received a five-minute penalty ahead of Stage 1 for riding the special stages after the official course release and outside the designated training periods.Alex Rudeau inherited the provisional podium position, but a disappointing opening day all but ended his hopes of a top-three finish. The Frenchman sits almost a minute behind Łukasik, leaving the fight for the final podium place as a straight duel between the Pole and his Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team teammate Ryan Gilchrist.Gilchrist lost 24 seconds on Montagnes du Giffre and managed just one top-10 stage result on Saturday. He will need something special on the final day if he is to overturn the deficit and deny his teammate a place on the overall podium.TITLE WITHIN SIGHT DESPITE RARE OFF DAY FOR CONOLLY Ella Conolly has defended her UCI Enduro World Cup title with remarkable consistency throughout the season and arrived in Morillon knowing that a top-six finish would be enough to secure a second consecutive overall crown. Given that the Brit has not finished outside the top three in more than two years, another dominant display looked almost inevitable. Yet Saturday served as a reminder that nothing comes easy in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.Conolly struggled to cope with the relentless heat, losing more than 30 seconds on the two longest stages of the day, Montagnes du Giffre and Dre dan l’Pentu. The damage left her down in seventh place by the close of racing.Despite the setback, the overall remains firmly in her hands. Conolly only needs a top-six finish if her sole remaining title rival wins the round, and Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) also endured a difficult opening day. The French rider sits just one position ahead of the reigning champion, 32 seconds behind surprise leader Helen Weber.Weber may have won only one of the four stages, but her consistency proved unmatched as she emerged at the top of the standings heading into Sunday's finale. However, she is far from secure, with Morgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing) just 1.5 seconds adrift and Nadine Ellecosta (Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team) only 4.3 seconds further back in what promises to be a tightly contested battle for victory.The leading contenders will be hoping for a shift in conditions on Sunday, with cooler temperatures and cloud cover forecast after Saturday’s punishing heat.Ellecosta showed impressive pace by claiming victories on stages three and four, but her hopes were dented by a costly run on Montagnes du Giffre. That performance may ultimately prove decisive in her pursuit of an overall podium finish.Elly Hoskin also found the demanding conditions difficult to master and heads into the final day under pressure. Should she lose ground on Sunday, Ellecosta could leapfrog her into third place in the overall standings with a strong result and a victory in Morillon.LIBNIK CLOSES IN ON THE CROWN AS JANNIAUD EYES A MAIDEN VICTORYJules Janniaud produced one of the standout performances of the day to unsettle newly crowned Junior Men’s UCI Enduro World Cup overall winner Hugo Marti Montessinos, taking a razor-thin 0.3-second lead into the night in Morillon. With one day of racing remaining, the Frenchman finds himself in contention for a maiden victory at the very last opportunity of the season.The pair were in a class of their own on Saturday. Trading stage wins throughout the day, both Janniaud and Marti Montessinos posted times that would have comfortably placed them inside the top 25 of the Elite Men’s standings, setting the stage for a fascinating head-to-head battle on Sunday.If Janniaud and Marti Montessinos delivered one of the closest contests of the day, Nežka Libnik produced the most commanding display. The Slovenian put herself in a position of complete control in the Junior Women’s title race, delivering a performance that mirrored the winning consistency displayed throughout the season.Arriving in France with just a 25-point advantage to defend, Libnik left little to chance. She claimed victory on all four stages and opened up a commanding 32-second lead over Bélinda Baudet, while closest title challenger Romy Williams finished almost two minutes adrift.Barring an extraordinary turnaround, Libnik looks destined to secure the overall crown on Sunday as Morillon prepares to crown three UCI Enduro World Cup champions.The final day promises drama from start to finish. Riders will tackle a course of extremes, from the explosive Reverse River stage, which packs 490 metres of descent into just 2.02 kilometres, to a brutal 5.03-kilometre finale where everything could still be won or lost. With overall titles, race victories and podium places all hanging in the balance, the stage is set for a spectacular conclusion in the French Alps.

Four weeks after an explosive round in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald, Switzerland, the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup is set for a fitting finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France). While two of the five overall titles have already been decided, there is still plenty at stake as the UCI World Cup reaches its climax.Hugo Marti Montessinos secured the Men Junior crown and Speed Project wrapped up the Teams title in Switzerland, but three overall titles remain up for grabs heading into two days of demanding, all-mountain racing.At the top of the standings, Ella Conolly and Lief Rodgers lead the way in the Elite categories. Yet, if the last round proved anything, it is that nothing can be taken for granted until the final rider crosses the finish line of the final stage. With the titles still hanging in the balance, Morillon is set to provide a dramatic conclusion to the UCI Enduro World Cup season.THE FINAL SHOWDOWNNestled in the heart of France’s Haute-Savoie region, Morillon returns as the venue for the UCI Enduro World Cup finale following its standout debut as the overall title decider in 2025.Set among the pine-covered slopes of the Grand Massif’s renowned Enduro Bike Park, this year’s showdown combines the return of several fan-favourite stages with a few brand-new challenges designed to test the world’s best enduro riders.As an Enduro-only round, competitors will tackle eight stages across two days of racing, covering a total of 84.4km and 4,110m of descent.Day one opens with two stages making their UCI Enduro World Cup debut. Among them is Montagnes du Giffre, a demanding 3.08km test featuring 669m of descent, the biggest drop of the opening day. Riders will then take on Dre dan l’pentu, the longest stage of the day, before wrapping up with Paddock Express, last year’s dramatic final stage and a fitting end to the first day of competition.Day two blends familiar territory with fresh challenges. The returning Reverse River and Morillon Village stages are sandwiched between two new additions. Red Line gets the action underway with an adrenaline-filled 2.93km descent dropping 456m, while the finale, Haute-Savoie, could prove decisive in the fight for the title. Stretching over 5.03km and plunging more than 912m downhill, its relentless mix of technical and twisting terrain may ultimately determine who leaves Morillon as the overall winner of the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup.TITLES ON THE LINE Ella Conolly and Lief Rodgers arrive in Morillon at the top of their respective standings, but while one has a firm hand on the trophy, the other still has work to do before he can celebrate.In the Women Elite category, Conolly has delivered a commanding defence of her 2025 overall crown. The British privateer secured her third victory of the season in Switzerland and heads into the finale with a 170-point advantage over Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project). Barring an extraordinary turn of events, a second consecutive overall title looks all but assured. Conolly needs only a sixth-place finish in Morillon to seal it, and given that she has not finished outside the top three in more than two years, it would likely take a DNF to deny her the title.Pugin, meanwhile, has already guaranteed second place overall regardless of the outcome in France. The battle for the final podium position remains very much alive, with Elly Hoskin, Raphaela Richter and Winnifred Goldsbury all still in contention for third.The Men Elite title race is considerably tighter. Lief Rodgers holds an 82-point lead over Adrien Dailly (Speed Project), half the advantage enjoyed by Conolly in the women’s standings, and the Canadian privateer still needs a podium finish to guarantee his maiden overall title.Adding further intrigue, Rodgers is also chasing his first-ever UCI Enduro World Cup victory. A breakthrough win on the trails of Morillon would provide the perfect conclusion to what has already been an outstanding second season in the Elite ranks.Unlike the women’s competition, where Conolly has established clear control, the Men Elite overall title race remains remarkably open. Mathematically, each of the top six riders can still claim the overall title. Alongside Rodgers and Dailly, the contenders include Raphäel Giambi (Speed Project), Alex Rudeau, Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and defending overall winner Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team), ensuring that the fight for the title will go down to the wire.In the junior categories, Montessinos has already wrapped up the Men Junior overall title. The Women Junior category, however, is still finely balanced, with just 25 points separating leader Nežka Libnik and Romy Williams (Speed Project) heading into the final round of the season.HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTIONRace content will be available across the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ official platforms, including:A detailed course preview highlighting the route and its key sections and video highlights from both practice and race days on the official YouTube channel.Key moments shared on social media (@uci_mtbworldseries)Live timing on the official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series website and via the official app, which will also feature live blogging with key updates throughout the event.A highlights programme will be broadcast on Eurosport and TNT Sports next week and available on streaming platform HBO Max on demand.ENDURO OPEN RETURNSShimano Enduro Open riders will also take on the trails of the Grand Massif, experiencing first-hand what it takes to compete on a UCI Enduro World Cup course.The Enduro Open gives amateur riders the unique opportunity to race the very same stages, on the very same weekend, as the sport’s elite athletes, setting off just hours before the professionals. After crossing the finish line, participants can stay on to watch the world’s best in action and see how their own times compare against those at the very top of the sport.Racing gets underway in Morillon, Haute Savoie on Saturday – full schedule and event details are available here.

The final round of the UCI Enduro World Cup season will take place over two days on the pine-lined trails of Morillon, Haute-Savoie.Added to the UCI Enduro World Cup calendar last year, Morillon returns for 2026 with a course set against the mountains of the Grand Massif. Riders will take on challenging trails packed with natural features, fast-flowing sections and plenty of roots.Last season, Alex Rudeau came from behind to win the Elite Men's race while Elly Hoskin underlined her superiority with a crushing 23-second triumph. Ella Conolly and Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) were also crowned overall UCI Enduro World Cup champions.This year, across the two days, riders will cover at total of 84.4km featuring 4110m of descending across eight stages. Following training on Thursday and Friday, Elite and Shimano Enduro Open riders will tackle the opening four stages on Saturday, before completing the final four stages on Sunday.STAGESStage 1: Abadee RedLength: 2.07kmElevation: +31m / -355mStage 2: Montagnes du GiffreLength: 3.08kmElevation: +52m / -669mStage 3: Dre dan /’pentuLength: 3.53kmElevation: +9m / -605mStage 4: Paddock ExpressLength:  2.63kmElevation: +26m / -444mStage 5: Red LineLength:  2.93kmElevation: +17m / -456mStage 6: Reverse RiverLength: 2.02kmElevation: +48m / -490mStage 7: Morillon VillageLength: 1.34kmElevation: +17m / -209mStage 8: Haute SavoieLength: 5.03kmElevation: +15m / -912m

The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series has been one for the ages with the first nine rounds serving up brand new venues, the return of fan favourites and adrenaline-packed racing across cross-country, downhill and enduro.While the dust settles on the first half of the series, riders and fans alike get a chance to take a break and reset over the northern hemisphere’s summer before ramping things up again as they build towards the final rounds.With all four formats’ overall titles in the balance, it’s all still to play for in the race to become a 2026 UCI World Cup overall winner. From tight tussles to seemingly foregone conclusions, here’s the state of play as the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series pauses for its summer break.UCI XCO WORLD CUP: MARTIN AND RISSVEDS ON THE MARCHLuca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) have been two of the most consistent riders in the Cross-country Olympic (XCO) format of the last 12 months, and both carried their strong form from the tail end of the 2025 season into this series.Rainbow jersey-wearing Rissveds hasn’t finished outside the top three all year and her XCO-XCC double at the last round in Pal Arinsal (Andorra) demonstrated the Swede’s dominance. Her lead in the overall over second-placed Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) stands at 347 points, so could afford to skip a round and remain in top spot.If results go her way, Rissveds could wrap up a first UCI XCO World Cup title as soon at the next round in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France), but the reality is that she will have to wait until the penultimate round at new UCI World Cup venue Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA).Martin had been showing a similar level of consistency to Rissveds, but the Frenchman finished outside of the top two for the first time this year in Andorra, rolling home in 22nd. Although it didn’t affect his place at the top of the standings, the winner in Pal Arinsal, Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), managed to shave more than 200 points off of Martin’s lead. Only 130 points separate the duo, and with both often found duelling it out at the front of proceedings, expect the title to go to the wire in Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA).In the Under 23, Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) is the runaway leader in the women’s standings and is unlikely to be caught, while despite his dominance, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) only holds a 103-point lead over Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing) in the men’s U23.UCI XCC WORLD CUP: FREI AND BOICHIS HOLD SLENDER SHORT TRACK LEADSThings are a bit tighter in the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup standings, where Specialized’s Frei and Boichis hold slender leads.Although Frei started the series strongly with two wins in the first third rounds, the momentum appears to have shifted in the direction of second-place Rissveds who has won back-to-back rounds and sits only 30 points behind the Swiss rider in the standings. The summer break could have come at a good time for Frei though, with it providing a chance to reset and go again in defence of her lead.Teammate Boichis meanwhile is in the ascendancy. Despite skipping the opening round of the series, the Frenchman has amassed 960 points in five rounds, leapfrogging early season leader Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) who’s yet to finish higher than eighth after starting the year so strongly with back-to-back wins in MONA YongPyong (South Korea) and Nové Mĕsto Na Moravé (Czechia).Boichis’ 116-point lead in the series and form should stand him in good stead, but with Martin lurking only four points behind Azzaro in third and Pal Arinsal winner Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Race Team) only 222 points off of first, there’s still time for things to be shuffled before the season end.The story in the U23 is the same as in the XCO standings, with Corvi and Schehl both leading their respective categories. Corvi’s advantage over Bloeme Kalis (KMC Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) isn’t as commanding as in the Olympic distance, but back-to-back XCC wins show that the Italian is the clear favourite, while Schehl’s five consecutive wins should be enough to hold off François Baudry.In the UCI Cross-country World Cup team standings, Specialized Factory Racing lead the way thanks to strong performances from Boichis, Frei and Laura Stigger, and with Christopher Blevins close to his best and Victor Koretzky still to return from an injury that has ruled him out of the series so far, it’s unlikely that second-place Canyon XC Racing will be able to close the 547-point gap, even with Rissveds’ red-hot form.UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CUP: HÖLL IN CONTROL, WILLIAMS AND ILES FILLING BRUNI’S SHOESThe UCI Downhill World Cup are complete contrasts. In the women’s field, Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) is on course for another coronation, while Jordan Williams and Finn Iles are keeping Specialized Gravity on top despite team-mate Loïc Bruni’s long layoff.Höll can complete her fifth UCI Downhill World Cup title as early as Les Gets, with the Austrian holding a 553-point advantage over team-mate Lisa Baumann. Her five wins from six rounds this series mean she can even afford to not finish on the top spot and still win before setting foot in North America for the final two rounds, but knowing Höll, she will be challenging for maximum points from now until the end of the series.The Specialized Gravity team-mates Williams and Iles lead the way in the men’s field, but with just 63 points separating them, it’s a much tighter affair. Both have two wins to their names this series and are stepping out of the shadow of Loïc Bruni. With three rounds to go, there are still plenty of other riders within mathematical contention, but Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP), Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) and reigning overall winner Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) are the most likely to challenge.In the Junior class, it’s a reversed situation to the Elites. In the Men Junior, Jonty Williamson (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) has built a seemingly unassailable 111-point lead over Sacha Gabriel Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres), while only 25 points separate Alehta Ostagaard (Canyon DH Racing) and Lina Frener (Norco X Adidas Race Division) in the Women Junior standings.COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction lead the UCI Downhill World Cup team standings, although Canyon DH Racing reduced the Andorran team’s advantage to 48 points in Pal Arinsal. Vali Höll’s Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres sit a further three points back in third, while fourth-placed Specialized Gravity will still fancy their chances despite being 119 points in arrears – particularly if Bruni returns to action as soon as Les Gets, Haute Savoie.UCI ENDURO WORLD CUP: CONOLLY AND RODGERS WITHIN REACH WITH ONE ROUND TO GOBefore the Cross-country and Downhill double header in Les Gets, there’s the small matter of the UCI Enduro World Cup series finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie. And after the last round in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland), both titles remain on the line in the French Alps.Ella Conolly continued her dominance of the women’s field in Switzerland, adding a third win of the series to put her within reach of defending her overall title. Her 170-point lead over Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) means the privateer needs to just finish sixth in Morillon to make it back-to-back series. Pugin is nailed on for second place whatever happens, while Raphaela Richter and Winnifred Goldsbury can still challenge Elly Hoskin for third.Lief Rodgers meanwhile is having a memorable second season in the Elite men’s class, and the Canadian privateer finds himself in first with an 82-point advantage over Adrien Dailly (Speed Project). Rodgers’ fortunes were boosted after then-series leader Alex Rudeau was disqualified in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald but with 250 points still up for grabs, it’s mathematically possible for anyone in the top six (including fourth-placed Rudeau) to overhaul Rodgers, who needs to finish on the podium to guarantee the title.In the Junior class, Hugo Marti Montessinos clinched the Men Junior class last time out in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald, while 25 points separate Nežka Libnik and Romy Williams (Speed Project) in the Women Junior.While privateers might lead the individual standings, in the UCI Enduro World Cup team standings, Speed Project capped off its dominant season by mathematically securing the overall team title with one round to spare. Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team remain second overall, while Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team completes the top three.

The penultimate round of the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup delivered plenty of drama and unexpected twists as two gruelling days of racing in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland) came to a close.Ella Conolly looked poised to secure back-to-back UCI Enduro World Cup titles after another commanding performance, extending her advantage with a stage 5 victory. However, a puncture on stage 6 threatened to derail her celebrations. The Briton responded magnificently, limiting the damage and ultimately sealing the overall win by 33.4 seconds ahead of UCI World Champion Elly Hoskin.In the men's race, Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) produced a stunning day-two comeback to claim the first UCI Enduro World Cup victory of his career. The Australian won the final three stages to surge to the top of the standings and finish more than 20 seconds clear of his rivals.The Junior categories also provided plenty to celebrate. Switzerland’s Elena Frei delighted the home crowd by securing her maiden UCI World Cup victory in the Women Junior event, while Hugo Marti Montessinos continued his dominant season with a fourth Men Junior win, a result that also mathematically secured him the overall UCI Enduro World Cup title with one round to spare.In the Teams Classification, Speed Project capped off its dominant season by mathematically securing the overall team title with one round to spare. Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team, winners of the Aletsch Arena-Bellwald round, remain second overall, while Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team completes the top three.CONOLLY HOLDS HER NERVE AS THE TITLE BATTLE TAKES ANOTHER TWISTAfter a consistently strong opening day, Ella Conolly turned up the pressure in the battle for the UCI Enduro World Cup title. The Briton mastered the demanding 3.3km-long Cow Safari stage, featuring 806 metres of vertical descent, to double her advantage at the top of the standings and build what looked to be a comfortable 51-second lead.That cushion would soon prove invaluable. Reigning UCI World Champion Elly Hoskin bounced back from disappointment on stage 5 in emphatic fashion, claiming back-to-back stage victories. The Canadian delivered a flawless run on Lord of the Rims (Extended Cut) - a formidable 4.9km stage with 725 metres of descent - to claw back valuable time and move into second place overall. Despite suffering a puncture on stage 6, Conolly limited the damage impressively, finishing just 1.2 seconds ahead of Nadine Ellecosta (Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team).The drama continued on stage 7, Into The Wild, where the unpredictable terrain and Conolly’s ongoing tyre issues reshuffled the leaderboard once again. The series leader endured one of her toughest stages of the season, dropping outside the top three on the stage while Hoskin reduced the gap to 35.8 seconds.On the final test of the day, Back to the Roots, Ellecosta capped a strong performance by claiming her first stage win of the weekend. The Italian edged out Hoskin by just 1.2 seconds, denying the Canadian a hat-trick of consecutive stage victories and securing her place on the podium. Conolly, meanwhile, dug deep to bring her race home, finishing 3.6 seconds behind the stage winner and preserving a commanding overall advantage of 33.5 seconds over Hoskin.Reflecting on another victory, Conolly said: “It’s been a pretty eventful weekend. We’ve had a huge amount of racing, almost 50 minutes in total. I had a small mechanical issue to deal with after one of the stages, but the hardest thing was simply keeping the pace up for that long. The body is exhausted. I was really struggling in the final stages; there was so much pedalling and my legs were spent. My lower back was hurting through all the corners as well, so in the end I was just trying to hold it together and make it to the finish line.”GILCHRIST CLAIMS HAT-TRICK OF VICTORIES AS LIEF RODGERS LEADS OVERALLThe Elite Men’s race took yet another dramatic turn as Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) stormed to his first-ever UCI Enduro World Cup victory, while overnight leader Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) endured a difficult second day that saw his hopes unravel.Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project) set the tone on stage 5 with an emphatic ride, claiming victory by more than 10 seconds after a disappointing start to the weekend in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald. Behind him, Łukasik’s advantage began to slip away as a series of costly mistakes allowed Adrien Dailly (Speed Project) to claw back almost 10 seconds and snatch a narrow 2.2-second overall lead.Any hopes Dailly had of consolidating that advantage were short-lived. Stage 6, Lord of the Rims (Extended Cut), turned the race on its head as Gilchrist produced a stunning performance to claim the stage win and move to the top of the standings. The Australian maintained that momentum on the final two stages, completing a remarkable hat-trick of stage victories to secure the first UCI Enduro World Cup win of his career.Behind him, Lief Rodgers delivered another composed and consistent performance to finish second overall and move to the top of the UCI Enduro World Cup standings. In contrast, Łukasik -who had recorded four top-five stage finishes on day one- was unable to replicate that form and slipped out of podium contention by the end of the weekend.With Alex Rudeau absent following his disqualification on Saturday, Rodgers now leads the overall UCI Enduro World Cup rankings, setting up a thrilling title showdown heading into the final round of the season.Reflecting on his breakthrough victory, Gilchrist said: “I’ve been doing this for a while now, so to finally take a win, especially here in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald, on such a demanding course and against riders at the very top of their game, means a lot. I couldn’t be more proud.“The last couple of rounds were tough for me. I reached out to Mick Hannah, a former teammate, and told him I needed a bit of help. He gave me some really inspiring advice, and I took that into this weekend. He told me to ride like Ryan, and when Ryan rides like Ryan, good things happen.”HOME VICTORY FOR FREI AS MARTI MONTESSINOS CRUISES TO VICTORYThere were celebrations on home soil for Switzerland’s Elena Frei, who claimed the first UCI Enduro World Cup victory of her career in the Women Junior category. Capitalising on overall leader Nežka Libnik’s misfortune on stage 3, Frei put together an impressive run of consistent performances, with a string of top-three stage finishes helping the 18-year-old secure victory by an emphatic 4:51.9 margin.Despite her setback, Libnik bounced back in style on day two to retain her lead in the overall UCI Enduro World Cup standings.Reflecting on her victory, Frei said: “Today was a really tough day. I crashed twice on stage 5 and hurt my shoulder quite badly. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could continue racing, but after the climb between stages it started to feel a bit better. Then I told myself, ‘let’s go, I can do this’. Stage 6 was really good and stages 7 and 8 felt good as well.”In the Men Junior race, Hugo Marti Montessinos powered to another UCI Enduro World Cup victory. The French rider claimed two stage wins and, despite suffering a puncture on the final stage, held on to edge out closest challenger Nico Casey Schroder by just 4.9 seconds.Speaking after the race, the 18-year-old said: “It was amazing to race in Switzerland over four days. I had a crash in training on Saturday, so I was feeling a bit tired. I had a puncture on stage 2, but I still had a lot of fun. Today was incredibly long and physical, but that’s exactly the kind of racing I love. I had another puncture right at the top of the final stage, so it was a tough way to finish, but I’m really happy to take the win.”The result not only secured Marti Montessinos’ fourth UCI Enduro World Cup victory of the season, but also mathematically clinched the overall Junior Men’s title with one round still to race. The Frenchman holds an unassailable lead over Jules Janniaud heading into the season finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France) where the UCI Enduro World Cup will conclude from 14–16 August.