Commencal, Day, Moseley and Minnaar to be inducted into Mountain Bike Hall of Fame

The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships delivered a weekend packed with surprises, drama and world-class racing as the sport’s biggest stars battled for the rainbow jerseys in Val di Sole – Trentino (Italy).The action got underway with the Cross-country Short Track (XCC) races, where both titles were decided in thrilling sprint finishes. The excitement continued on the legendary Black Snake course, as the world’s best downhill riders took on one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar in their quest for UCI World Championship glory.The weekend concluded with the Cross-country Olympic (XCO) events, a true showcase of endurance, technical skill and tactical racing, featuring punishing climbs and rocky descents that pushed riders to their limits.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandPIDCOCK PRODUCES A CHAMPION’S RIDE TO WIN UCI XCO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GOLDTom Pidcock (Great Britain) produced a masterclass to claim his second UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Championship title, charging from a fifth-row start to dominate the Men's Elite race in Val di Sole – Trentino.With several of the pre-race favourites caught in traffic early on, Adrien Boichis (France) took advantage by setting a fierce pace from the gun, helping establish a seven-man lead group. Yet the course’s long, demanding climbs played into Pidcock’s hands, allowing the Briton to steadily carve his way through the field despite conceding 16 seconds during the opening laps.Fellow Briton Charlie Aldridge also wasted no time moving through the pack. Combining strength on the climbs with impressive technical skills, he helped stretch the race at the front. By the halfway mark, Pidcock had bridged across to a select group featuring Boichis, Cole Punchard (Canada), Aldridge and Martín Vidaurre Kossmann (Chile).© Giacomo Podetti / Val di Sole Bike LandOnce among the leaders, Pidcock took control. A series of relentless attacks on the climbs gradually shattered the front group, with Boichis and Punchard unable to match his pace. The decisive move came on the penultimate lap, when Pidcock accelerated on the course’s signature climb and finally distanced Aldridge.Behind them, Vidaurre Kossmann’s hopes of a maiden UCI World Championship medal came to a heartbreaking end after a puncture forced him out of contention, handing third place to Punchard.Pidcock crossed the line 17 seconds clear of Aldridge to secure a memorable British one-two, while Punchard finished a further 14 seconds back to claim bronze.Meanwhile, Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) was unable to replicate the form that earned him runner-up honours in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France), the previous weekend. The Dutchman eventually finished 30th, 4:40 adrift of his long-time rival.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandFREI REIGNS SUPREME TO CLAIM MAIDEN XCO RAINBOW JERSEYSina Frei (Switzerland) delivered a commanding performance to claim her first UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Championship title, mastering the demanding climbs of Val di Sole – Trentino to solo her way to rainbow jersey glory.The race began with an early setback for fellow Swiss rider Alessandra Keller, whose hopes of contention were severely compromised by a first-lap mechanical issue that dropped her outside the top 20.Fresh from their thrilling duel at the UCI XCO World Cup in Les Gets, Frei and reigning UCI World Champion Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) once again found themselves at the front of the race. However, the Swiss rider soon turned the contest into a one-woman show, using her climbing prowess to repeatedly apply pressure on the field and gradually distance her rivals.Only Martina Berta (Italy) was initially able to respond, matching Frei’s pace during the second lap as the pair opened a gap on the rest of the field. Yet Frei’s relentless tempo eventually proved too much, and by the halfway point she had broken clear to establish a solo lead.© Alice Russolo / Val di Sole Bike LandBehind her, Nicole Koller (Switzerland) bridged across to Berta, setting up an intense battle for the remaining podium positions alongside Puck Pieterse (Netherlands). While Frei continued to extend her advantage at the front, the fight for silver and bronze remained finely balanced until the closing laps.Frei crossed the line more than a minute clear to secure the biggest victory of her career. Berta edged out Koller in a sprint finish to claim the silver medal, while Pieterse finished just 18 seconds short of a podium place.In the Under-23 categories, Valentina Corvi delighted the home crowd with a dominant victory in the Women's race. Just one week after securing the UCI XCO World Cup title, the Italian rider produced another emphatic display, pulling clear to beat Swiss riders Anina Hutter and Monique Halter, who finished second and third respectively.© Alice Russolo / Val di Sole Bike LandThe Men’s Under-23 race provided a thrilling conclusion to the weekend, with France securing a one-two finish. Naël Rouffiac held off compatriot Alix André-Gallis by just nine seconds after a fiercely contested battle, while Nicholas Halter (Switzerland) completed the podium in third place.UNSTOPPABLE HÖLL CLAIMS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CHAMPION TITLEValentina Höll (Austria) further cemented her place among the sport’s greats by claiming a fifth consecutive Women’s Elite UCI Downhill World Championship title. The 24-year-old has made the rainbow jersey her own since 2022 and once again proved untouchable.After qualifying third fastest, Höll delivered a near-flawless race run, attacking the upper sections of the demanding Val di Sole – Trentino course with trademark precision and confidence. Already crowned the 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner thanks to five victories this season, the Austrian will continue to wear cycling’s most coveted bands for at least another year.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandHer closest challenger was Lisa Baumann (Switzerland), who arrived full of confidence after finishing runner-up to her Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres teammate at two UCI Downhill World Cup rounds this season. Baumann laid down the benchmark time and occupied the hot seat as the final rider dropped into the course, but Höll quickly found her rhythm through the technical sections and maintained her advantage all the way to the finish, securing victory by 1.7 seconds.The battle for bronze went to Harriet Harnden (Great Britain), who continued her breakthrough season by claiming her first UCI Downhill World Championship medal. Fresh from securing her maiden UCI Downhill World Cup victory in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, just a week earlier, Harnden produced another standout performance to finish only two seconds behind Baumann and complete the podium.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandRAINBOW REDEMPTION: GOLDSTONE RISES TO DEFEND UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CROWN Jackson Goldstone (Canada) silenced any doubts about his form with a stunning title defence, producing a flawless run to retain his Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Championship crown in Val di Sole – Trentino.The 22-year-old arrived at the UCI World Championships having endured a challenging UCI Downhill World Cup campaign, still searching for a first victory of the season. Yet under the pressure of being the final rider on course, Goldstone delivered when it mattered most. Riding with exceptional speed, commitment and precision across the Black Snake’s unforgiving roots and rough terrain, the Canadian laid down a benchmark none of his rivals could match.Lachlan Stevens-McNab (New Zealand) came closest to denying Goldstone after topping qualifying and producing another outstanding run in the final. However, he was edged into second place by just six-tenths of a second. Jordan Williams (Great Britain) completed the podium, capping a strong showing from the sport’s emerging generation on one of downhill’s most demanding tracks.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandThe Junior races, meanwhile, produced a series of surprises as pre-race favourites struggled to tame the fast and punishing Val di Sole course.In the Men’s Junior category, Jonty Williamson (New Zealand) arrived as the overwhelming favourite after winning six of the seven UCI Downhill World Cup rounds contested this season and setting the fastest qualifying time. But the Black Snake proved unforgiving, and a training crash ended his hopes of adding a rainbow jersey to his dominant campaign.Instead, the UCI World Championship title went to Raol Schneeberger (Switzerland), who delivered a composed and clinical ride to take victory by four-tenths of a second over Felix Griffiths (Great Britain). Home favourite Filippo Gilardino (Italy) delighted the local crowd by securing bronze, just over a second off the winning pace.A similarly unexpected storyline unfolded in the Women’s Junior race. All eyes were on overall UCI World Cup leader Aletha Ostgaard (USA), who arrived in Val di Sole on the back of three consecutive victories. However, the American struggled to find her rhythm on the technical Italian track and could only qualify 11th.© Giacomo Podetti / Val di Sole Bike LandThat opened the door for Tilly Broadley (Australia), who seized her opportunity in emphatic fashion. The Australian delivered a superb run to claim the coveted rainbow jersey by a commanding seven-second margin. Ostgaard secured the silver medal, while Indy Deavoll (New Zealand) completed the podium in third.BOICHIS CAPS BREAKTHROUGH SEASON WITH UCI XCC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORYAdrien Boichis (France) delivered a perfectly timed performance to claim the Men’s Elite UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Championship title at the first attempt.The Frenchman arrived in Val di Sole – Trentino in outstanding form. After winning the Men’s Under-23 UCI World title a year earlier, Boichis has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, including victories in three of his last four UCI XCC World Cup appearances.© Daniele Molineris / Val di Sole Bike LandAs expected, the race remained tightly contested throughout, with a large lead group entering the final lap together on the fast and punchy Val di Sole course. Charlie Aldridge (Great Britain) launched a decisive attack in an attempt to break the field, but only Boichis was able to respond.The pair quickly distanced the rest of the contenders and set up a thrilling duel for the rainbow jersey. Aldridge led into the closing stages, but Boichis showed exceptional composure and tactical awareness, producing a perfectly judged sprint on the finishing straight to surge past the Briton and secure the biggest victory of his Elite career.© Giacomo Podetti / Val di Sole Bike LandAldridge crossed the line to take the silver medal, while Luca Martin (France) completed a strong day for the French team by claiming bronze.STIGGER SNATCHES UCI XCC WORLD TITLE IN PHOTO FINISH THRILLERLaura Stigger (Austria) edged one of the closest finishes of the UCI World Championships to secure her maiden Women’s Elite UCI XCC World Championship title, defeating Evie Richards (Great Britain) by the narrowest of margins on the line.The race was packed with drama from the outset. Swiss teammates Ronja Blöchlinger and Alessandra Keller saw their medal hopes disappear after a collision in the lead group, taking both riders out of contention.At the front, Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) looked strong throughout as she chased a first UCI World Championship title in the XCC format. However, the race remained tightly contested, with five riders still in the hunt for the rainbow jersey heading into the final lap.© Daniele Molineris / Val di Sole Bike LandAs the pace intensified, Sina Frei (Switzerland) challenged Rissveds for control of the race, while Richards launched a bold long-range sprint that appeared set to carry her to victory. The Briton held the lead until the final metres, but Stigger produced a perfectly timed surge and bike throw on the finish line to snatch the title by mere millimetres. Richards was forced to settle for silver, while Frei secured the bronze medal.The Under-23 races also delivered memorable moments, with Swiss siblings Monique and Nicolas Halter producing impressive performances to claim a historic family double.© Daniele Molineris / Val di Sole Bike LandMonique Halter struck first in the Women's Under-23 race, attacking on the final lap to overcome Bethany-Ann Jackson (Great Britain) and secure the rainbow jersey. Makena Kellerman (United States) completed the podium in third.Not to be outdone, Nicolas Halter followed his sister’s lead in the Men’s Under-23 race. The Swiss rider launched a decisive move on the final lap to deny pre-race favourite Paul Schehl (Germany) the UCI World title, while Rens Teunissen van Manen (Netherlands) claimed bronze to round out the podium.

Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) delivered the ride of his young career, pulling away from Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) on the final descent to secure an emotional home victory at the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France). In the Women’s Elite race, Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) once again showcased her climbing prowess, breaking clear of Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) to win another thrilling chapter in the pair’s season-long rivalry.The final European round of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series brought the world’s best cross-country riders to the iconic venue of Les Gets. With only three rounds remaining, every point carried added significance in the battle for the overall standings. On a demanding course featuring two gruelling climbs per lap and rough, technical descents, margins remained razor-thin throughout the day’s racing.In the Women’s Elite race, it was not until the final steep ascent that Frei finally managed to shake off overall rival Rissveds, while Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) remained within striking distance in third place.Frei’s victory completed a remarkable weekend double, matched shortly afterwards by Boichis, with both riders having also claimed victory in Friday’s UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup races.The 23-year-old Frenchman took control on the final lap before opening a decisive gap over Van der Poel on the fast run to the finish, becoming just the fifth French rider to win a UCI World Cup round on home soil.Earlier in the day, Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) produced yet another dominant display to secure the Women’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup overall title, while Heby Gustav Pedersen (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) emerged victorious after a fiercely contested Men’s Under-23 race.Frei and Boichis also spearheaded a dominant day for Specialized Factory Racing, helping the team claim victory in the team classification. With two rounds remaining, the squad leads the overall standings by 701 points.BOICHIS DENIES VAN DER POEL IN THRILLING LES GETS BATTLE Adrien Boichis claimed his third Men’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup victory of the season with another emphatic display of strength and composure. Backed by a passionate home crowd in Les Gets, the Frenchman launched a decisive attack on the final lap to break apart a five-rider lead group and secure a memorable victory on home soil.Les Gets also welcomed the return of Mathieu van der Poel to UCI XCO World Cup competition. Starting from the second row, the Dutch superstar quickly worked his way to the front on the opening climb and immediately established himself as a contender. It was a different story for French National Champion Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division), who was forced to withdraw after struggling with illness earlier in the week.At the front, Boichis set a relentless tempo from the outset and, by the halfway point, five riders had separated themselves from the rest of the field. Alongside the Specialized Factory Racing rider were Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing), Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Racing), Van der Poel and Martín Vidaurre Kossmann (Specialized Factory Racing).Chasing his first UCI XCO World Cup victory in seven years, Van der Poel took control on the penultimate lap as the leading quintet prepared for a thrilling finale. The riders crossed the line to begin the final lap under the ringing of the bell by French cycling prodigy Paul Seixas, setting the stage for one of the most captivating battles of the season.Boichis made the first decisive move, launching a blistering attack on the opening steep climb of the final lap. Van der Poel and Vidaurre Kossmann managed to respond, while overall series leader Martin and Avondetto were unable to match the pace and slipped out of contention.The Frenchman's relentless pressure eventually proved too much for Vidaurre Kossmann, reducing the fight for victory to a head-to-head duel with Van der Poel. Boichis continued to force the pace on every climb, repeatedly testing the Dutchman’s resolve before making the decisive difference on the descents. Navigating the technical sections with remarkable precision, he burst clear through the final rock garden before powering to an emotional and hard-fought victory.Behind the leading pair, Vidaurre Kossmann secured third place, finishing 32 seconds adrift of his team-mate. Luca Martin crossed the line in fourth, although his lead in the overall standings was cut to just 15 points over Boichis with two rounds remaining.Following his victory, Boichis said: “It’s by far the most beautiful win of my career. With how hard the race was and how hard the battle was, it’s something that I will remember forever. I grew up being a massive fan of Mathieu [van der Poel] and I still am. To think that I was able to fight with him, and all the others, today is something that I’ll remember forever. I don’t go into races with a plan, I just see how my legs are feeling. I’m just so happy. From tomorrow I’ll start from zero again and focus on preparing for the [UCI] World Championships as best as possible, but today I just want to enjoy this moment.”FREI KEEPS OVERALL TITLE FIGHT ALIVE Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) proved strongest when it mattered most, producing a decisive late-race attack to ride clear of her rivals and claim victory in Les Gets. The newly crowned European XCO Champion once again came out on top in her season-long duel with overall series leader Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing).The race began in familiar fashion, with Frei and Rissveds locked shoulder-to-shoulder on the opening climb as another chapter of their rivalry unfolded. Just as she had done on her way to victory at the same venue last season, Rissveds opened a 12-second advantage before the first descent. However, Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) quickly sensed the danger and bridged across to the reigning UCI XCO World Champion during the opening lap.Frei and Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) measured their efforts perfectly and soon joined the leaders, forming a select front group of four riders. As the pace intensified, Berta began to lose contact under the constant pressure applied by Frei at the front, opening the door for Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) to move into podium contention.Keller repeatedly found herself under pressure on the punishing climbs but used her renowned technical skills to claw her way back on every descent. As a result, four riders started the final lap together with victory still very much up for grabs.Frei seized control in the closing stages, setting a ferocious tempo on the opening climb of the final lap that finally distanced both Keller and Blunk. The Swiss rider then delivered the decisive blow on the final steep ascent through the woods, opening a small but crucial gap over Rissveds.The Swedish star threw everything she had at the chase, but Frei held firm to cross the line just two seconds ahead of her rival, with Blunk completing the podium in third. The victory marked Frei’s second UCI XCO World Cup triumph of the season after also completing a weekend double in MONA Yongpyong, South Korea.Elsewhere, Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) made a welcome return to XCO competition after time away from racing following her 2025 UCI XCO World Cup overall title. The New Zealander produced an impressive comeback ride, charging through the field from 15th position on the opening lap to finish sixth.After seven rounds of racing, Rissveds retains a 282-point advantage over Frei in the overall standings heading into the final stages of the season.Following her victory, Frei said: “It honestly feels a little bit unreal. I’m a little bit lost for words. It was a very tactical and fast race, so it wasn’t easy. I managed to stay calm and had the final kick in the end. I’m very happy. I was trying to only focus on myself, but I was also a bit nervous as it was so close to the finish and I really had to stay calm. In the end you can only do what you can and you can’t influence the others. The strongest and smartest rider will always win, and that’s the case in every race.”CORVI CLINCHES OVERALL U23 CROWN AS PEDERSEN COMPLETES PERFECT DOUBLE Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) sealed the Women’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup overall title in style, securing her sixth victory of the season with another commanding performance. The 21-year-old Italian, who had already triumphed in Friday’s XCC race, led from gun to tape on the demanding Les Gets course, although Swiss privateer Anina Hutter ensured she had to earn every second of her winning margin.Hutter, who also finished runner-up in Nové Město na Moravě (Czechia) earlier this season, remained firmly in contention throughout the race and had reduced Corvi’s advantage to just eight seconds after three laps. But the Italian still had plenty left in reserve and steadily increased her lead over the closing stages, eventually crossing the line 35 seconds clear of her closest challenger. Hutter once again secured second place, while Katrina Embacher (KTM Factory MTB Team) produced a strong finish to complete the podium in third.With two rounds still to race, Corvi now holds an unassailable 474-point lead in the overall standings and becomes the 2026 Women’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup winner. Following her victory, she said: “It’s really good. It was important to test my shape before the big goal next week. The condition and the feeling were really good. I still have a few days to recover and then I’ll be fully focused on the World Championships at home in Italy, which makes it even more special. There will be a little pressure, which is normal, but racing at home, surrounded by friends, gives me extra motivation to give a little bit more. The World Championships is always a different kind of race, but the Swiss riders and everyone who was at the front today will be very competitive.”In the Men’s Under-23 race, Heby Gustav Pedersen (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) completed a perfect weekend by adding the XCO victory to his XCC triumph from Friday. Despite the course’s physical climbs and technical descents, four riders remained locked together at the front for much of the race, with Pedersen joined by Benjamin Krüger, overall leader Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) and Alix André-Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team).Pedersen came under pressure during the final lap but used his technical skills to repeatedly claw his way back into contention before launching a decisive late attack. He crossed the line just two seconds ahead of Krüger, while Schehl finished 17 seconds further back in third.Schehl’s podium result was particularly impressive given that he injured his arm in a training crash the previous day. The German still managed to collect valuable points and heads into the final two rounds with a commanding 161-point lead in the overall standings.The day, however, belonged to Pedersen. Reflecting on his victory, he said: “It was super hard. There were four of us at the front all race and there was almost nothing between us. It was full gas from the start, really tactical racing, and I often felt like I was on the back foot. I tried to save as much energy as possible because I knew the final lap would be the moment to go all-in.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series now heads to North America for the final three rounds of the season. UCI Cross-country World Cup racing returns at Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA) on 19-20 September, before the UCI Downhill World Cup makes its debut at Whistler Mountain Bike Park, British Columbia (Canada), on 25-27 September. The season will then culminate at Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York where endurance and gravity specialists will reunite for a final showdown from 2-4 October.

Harriet Harnden (AON Racing) and Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) mastered the ever-changing conditions in Les Gets to claim their maiden UCI Downhill World Cup victories. The French round also saw Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) secure a fifth Women Elite overall title as the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series drew thousands of fans to the slopes of Haute-Savoie.After a six-week summer break, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series returned for its final European stop of the season. While wet weather had dominated Saturday’s qualifying sessions, conditions improved for race day, creating a constantly evolving and unpredictable track.Last rider down the hill, Alran brought the home crowd to its feet as a sea of tricolour flags erupted in celebration of the teenager’s breakthrough UCI World Cup victory. In doing so, he denied Santa Cruz Syndicate a long-awaited win, with Andreas Kolb and Jackson Goldstone finishing second and third respectively.In the Women Elite race, Harnden’s precise and composed riding proved decisive. The Briton stormed to her first-ever UCI Downhill World Cup victory in an emotional triumph. Behind her, Höll’s third-place finish was enough to mathematically secure the overall series title with two rounds still to come. Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing) finished runner-up on home soil, delighting the French fans.The junior categories delivered equally commanding performances. Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) and Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) kept their composure to take victory, with Williamson also clinching the Men Junior overall title with two rounds remaining.In the team standings, Canyon DH Racing emerged as the top-scoring squad of the weekend and climbed to second overall. With two rounds left in the season, COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction maintains the lead, but by a slender margin of just 36 points.A STAR IS BORN: ALRAN THRILLS FRENCH FANS IN LES GETS Max Alran crowned his first season in the Men Elite ranks with a flawless performance that sent the home crowd into raptures. The 19-year-old thrived under the pressure of racing in front of his local fans, topping qualifying before delivering a blistering race run to secure a breakthrough maiden elite victory.Fellow rising star Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) rolled off early after progressing through Q2 on Saturday but kept his overall title ambitions alive with a hard-fought fifth-place finish.Having twice finished runner-up in Les Gets, Andreas Kolb (Santa Cruz Syndicate) looked determined to go one better. The Austrian attacked the technical wooded sections with aggression and precision to set the benchmark time, one that would ultimately be surpassed by only one rider. Richard Rude Jr (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and Antoine Pierron (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) both threatened Kolb’s lead but eventually settled for fourth and sixth respectively.UCI World Champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate), who will defend his rainbow stripes next weekend, once again showcased the fearless riding that carried him to the overall title last season. The Canadian clawed back time on teammate Kolb through the wooded sectors and unleashed some huge jumps in the lower sections to secure third place.Elsewhere, overall title contender Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) appeared on course to challenge for victory before a crash in the lower part of the track ended his hopes. Overall leader Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) also lost valuable points, a conservative run leaving him seventh on the day.Penultimate starter Martin Maes (Orbea FMD Racing) had impressed throughout qualifying but saw his podium hopes unravel when he unclipped a foot mid-run, eventually crossing the line in ninth. All eyes then turned to final starter Alran. With the French crowd packed trackside in anticipation, the teenager delivered under immense pressure, producing the fastest times in the final two sectors to stop the clock at 3:27.9, an astonishing 1.6 seconds clear of Kolb and enough to seal a dream home victory.Following his triumph, he said: “I don’t know how to feel, I’m just so stoked. It’s insane. I was feeling great up top and wasn’t stressing at all. Starting last puts the pressure on everyone else and it paid off. It feels unreal. I couldn’t be more proud. My parents, my friends and my brother were all here shouting for me.”With two rounds remaining, Williams continues to lead the overall standings, holding a 143-point advantage over Vermette and Finn Iles (Specialized Racing), who missed the Les Gets round through injury.HARNDEN BREAKS THROUGH AS HÖLL CLINCHES FIFTH OVERALL CROWNHarriet Harnden completed her transition from Enduro to Downhill by claiming the first Women Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory of her career. A former UCI Enduro World Cup overall winner, the 25-year-old Brit made the switch to downhill racing last season and has steadily established herself among the format’s elite. After narrowly missing the podium with fourth place at the season opener in MONA YongPyong (South Korea), Harnden has been a consistent top-10 finisher throughout 2026. In Les Gets, she took the final step to the top of the podium.The rider she succeeded on the top step, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco x adidas Race Division), endured a frustrating weekend. The Canadian was forced to advance through Q2 on Saturday and saw her hopes of defending her Les Gets victory disappear after crashing in the upper section of the course.Home favourite Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) showed immense determination as she continued her comeback from surgery on a broken and dislocated finger. Racing through the pain, the Frenchwoman secured a top-10 finish in front of her home crowd.Former Les Gets winner Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing), also still finding her way back after a lengthy injury layoff, finished 12th after struggling with the track’s physical demands.Entering the weekend second in the overall standings, Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) was the only rider capable of delaying teammate Valentina Höll’s title celebrations. Despite qualifying ninth, the Swiss rider produced a much stronger race run, finding significant pace throughout the course to finish sixth.Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP) looked poised to challenge for victory until a mistake in a rut near the finish cost her crucial seconds, dropping her to fifth place. Newly crowned European Champion Gloria Scarsi (MS-Racing) continued her impressive recent form, delivering one of her strongest performances of the season to take fourth.Having qualified third the previous day, Harnden excelled where it mattered most. The Brit looked composed and committed through the technical wooded sections before producing a near-flawless lower half of the run to move into the lead, guaranteeing herself a podium place with only two riders left on the mountain.Penultimate starter Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing) came out of the gate aggressively and posted some of the fastest times in the upper sectors. However, the French National Champion could not match Harnden’s pace in the closing stages and crossed the line 1.2 seconds adrift of the Brit to take second place.All eyes then turned to Valentina Höll. The Austrian knew that a top five finish would be enough to secure a fifth overall Women Elite title. She flew out of the start gate, carrying impressive speed through the upper sections and into the woods, where she built an advantage of almost three seconds. But Harnden’s technical mastery proved decisive. The Brit clawed back time sector after sector and Höll eventually finished third, 1.4 seconds behind the winning ride.Following her breakthrough victory, Harnden said: “It’s unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to do this and to actually pull it off doesn’t feel real yet. Having so many friends and family here supporting me means everything. I felt good on track this morning and had a feeling it could be my day, but you never know and you still have to put everything together. Everyone else was absolutely flying at the top. I gave everything I had in the lower sections and found something that really worked for me. I’m having so much fun on the bike and living the dream. It was such a surreal moment. I can’t believe it.”Höll’s third-place finish was enough to secure her fifth Women Elite overall title, drawing level with French legends Sabrina Jonnier and Anne-Caroline Chausson on five series crowns. Harnden’s victory also elevated her to second in the overall standings, where she now holds a slim 33-point advantage over Baumann.Reflecting on her title-winning performance, Höll said: “I’m pretty stoked. I’ve qualified first in Les Gets a lot of times before and lost it in the final section. Maybe next year I won’t just focus on maximum watts all the way down. I was a little too cautious and comfortable at the bottom. It’s a good lesson to learn ahead of next week’s World Championships. I’m happy, healthy and ready for the challenge.”JUNIOR TITLE GLORY FOR WILLIAMSON, ANOTHER WIN FOR OSTGAARDJonty Williamson continued his dominant 2026 campaign by claiming a sixth Men Junior UCI Downhill World Cup victory of the season and, in the process, securing the overall series title with two rounds still to race.British privateer Elliot Smith had announced himself as a rider to watch by topping topping qualifying on Saturday in only his second Men Junior UCI Downhill World Cup appearance. But with the track drying out and conditions changing significantly for finals, it was New Zealanders Williamson and Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton) who emerged as the class of the field.Boatwright threw down the gauntlet, shaving three seconds off the previous fastest time to take over the hot seat. However, series leader Williamson once again rose to the occasion, edging out his compatriot by just two tenths of a second to extend his remarkable winning streak. Final starter Smith could not match the pace of the New Zealand duo and completed the podium in third.Williamson’s victory not only secured a sixth win of the season but also made him the first New Zealander to win the Men Junior UCI Downhill World Cup overall title. With an unassailable lead of 124 points and two rounds remaining, the crown is already his.Following his victory, Williamson said: “I’m so happy to put down a good run and get on the top step of the podium. I struggled all week with the conditions and tyre choice, and the track was super physical. Winning the overall is so cool. I’ll head to the World Championships next week and try to bring the same consistency to my racing.”In the Women Junior category, overall series leader Aletha Ostgaard continued her imperious run of form with another commanding victory in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie.Rosa Marie Jensen (Specialized Gravity), one of the most consistent riders in the category this season, once again delivered a strong performance and set the benchmark time for the final two riders to beat. Cassandre Peizerat, racing as a guest rider for COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction, showcased her immense potential by going six seconds quicker than Jensen to move into the lead. But Ostgaard was once again untouchable. The American produced yet another masterclass on the drying track, carrying speed and precision throughout the run to stop the clock at 4:19.3, more than six seconds faster than Peizerat and comfortably enough for a third consecutive UCI Downhill World Cup victory.Ostgaard now holds an 85-point lead in the overall standings as she continues her charge towards the series title.Following her victory, she said: “This one was definitely rewarding for me. It was such a long and physical course, and the mud was changing every lap. To put together a clean run in those conditions felt really good. I’m stoked. Everyone was struggling because one minute it felt dry and the next it was incredibly slippery. I love riding in the mud.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, on Sunday with the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup. The UCI Downhill World Cup then heads to Whistler Mountain Bike Park in British Columbia, Canada, from 25-27 September, marking the long-awaited UCI World Cup debut of a venue widely regarded as the spiritual home of downhill mountain biking.