Enduro Season Starts and Downhill Returns in Loudenvielle - Peyragudes

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series returned to Nové Mĕsto Na Moravĕ (Czechia) last weekend with the Endurance athletes descending on a fast and furious course in perfect conditions.There was a second win in the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup for Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division), while Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) clinched the seventh Short-Track victory of her career in her first mountain bike race of the season.In the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup, it was another multi-discipline star who dominated the Men’s Elite race - Tom Pidcock continuing his 100% record in Nové Mĕsto Na Moravĕ with his fifth XCO win from five starts. In the women’s, Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) continued her team’s perfect record in 2026, following up Sina Frei’s podium-topping performance in MONA YongPyong (South Korea).It was the Specialized Factory Racing pair who sat down with presenter Ashleigh Wilmott for this week’s THE B LINE. From team tactics to season ambitions, here are some highlights from their chat.TEAM TACTICS COME TO THE FORESpecialized Factory Racing have had unrivalled success in recent seasons, particularly in Elite Men’s races where the team has several riders towards the front of proceedings. This numerical advantage has meant that the team have been able to deploy racing tactics, where riders work together to isolate the opposition and give the Specialized Factory Racing riders a better shot at winning.The opening UCI XCC World Cup saw the tactics play out for the first time in the women’s field too – Stigger surging to the front, forcing her rivals to chase down her effort before Frei launched the race-winning move.“The sport is developing, and I think having team tactics will for sure also be a profit,” says Stigger.“If you’re racing as a group in the same jersey, it makes you stronger. If one rider is up front, she can go for the win while the other plays a backup role, ready to make a move if the race comes back together,” adds Frei.OFF-SEASON IMPROVEMENTSAfter a winless 2025 for Stigger and Frei, the pair’s victorious start to 2026 is evidence of a productive off-season. But it wasn’t completely smooth sailing, particularly for Frei.“I had a quite difficult winter with two surgeries, but I also changed the coach,” she says. “My coach is now part of the Specialized team, and having that support on-site at every round has made a real difference for me. It works incredibly well and gives me confidence. Sometimes it’s the small things. For example, in Korea I had a tough lead-in and felt quite low, but a simple conversation there helped reset my mindset and turn things around. Sometimes it’s those little moments that make everything click.”While Stigger’s was more straightforward than her team-mates, it gave her the confidence to start the season as strongly as she has.“I really had a good preparation. It was the first time I came healthy through the winter, which was a really big goal of mine. This already gives a big boost in the mindset to have done everything I would say right, and that's also really nice to get into the season and confident, and that makes a big difference.”SEASON GOALSFrei currently finds herself top of the XCO and XCC standings, while Stigger is also second in both series. The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria) is next on 11-14 June, but the European race weekends come thick and fast, culminating in the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole (Italy) at the end of August. After such a strong start to the year, Frei is now targetting the sport’s ultimate prize.“On every start line I stand, I want to win; otherwise I don't have to stand on the start line. There are so many factors, and if I can just be healthy there and give all that I had on that day, I will be happy.”

Tom Pidcock made a spectacular return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, claiming victory in the Elite Men’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup at Nové Město na Moravě (Czechia) after a race-long duel with Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing).The win marked Pidcock’s fifth XCO triumph from five appearances on the Czech course, underlining a remarkable record at the venue.In the women’s race, Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) delivered a masterclass in descending to secure victory in the Elite category. The Austrian champion built an unassailable lead to claim her third UCI XCO World Cup win, while Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) edged out Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) in a sprint for second place.A staple of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series since 2011, Nové Město na Moravě once again lived up to its reputation. Its technical layout, featuring sharp climbs and demanding descents, set the stage for thrilling racing in both the Elite Men’s and Women’s races.PIDCOCK OVERCOMES MARTIN FOR SLENDER VICTORYTom Pidcock claimed victory in the Elite Men’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup at Nové Město na Moravě after a relentless, race-long duel with Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing), eventually winning by 18 seconds.The multi-discipline star had already signalled strong form with a second-place finish in the previous day’s UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup, narrowly beaten in a sprint by Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division).In a stacked field of 102 riders, the race exploded into life from the start, with Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) leading into the opening technical section.Azzaro pushed the pace early, testing rivals on the course’s demanding descents, while mechanical issues quickly reshuffled the field, most notably ending Simone Avondetto’s (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) chances.Racing without teammates, Pidcock faced repeated attacks. Martin made an early move on lap two, while Azzaro also surged, but Pidcock responded decisively, bridging across before launching a powerful attack of his own. Within minutes, he had opened a small but crucial gap, holding a nine-second advantage by the end of lap two.Behind, the race splintered. Mechanical problems struck again, including for Charlie Aldridge, while Azzaro faded from contention after his early efforts. Martin remained Pidcock’s closest challenger, later joined in the podium battle by Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), but the Briton continued to control the race from the front.At the halfway point, Pidcock extended his lead as the chasers regrouped behind, with riders like Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) and Martin Vidaurre (Specialized Factory Racing) fighting for the podium.Further back, more misfortune hit Joshua Dubau (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), whose race was compromised by mechanical issues.Martin refused to relent, gradually reducing the gap to just five seconds in the closing laps. But each time the Frenchman closed in, Pidcock responded, using his climbing strength to re-establish control. Meanwhile, Colombo broke clear of the chase group to secure third place.Heading into the final lap, Pidcock maintained an 18-second advantage and kept Martin at bay on the decisive climbs and technical switchbacks. The European Champion could finally celebrate on the final descent, sealing his fifth XCO victory in as many appearances at Nové Město.“I think that was the hardest one I’ve done,” Pidcock said after the finish. “I didn’t make it easy for myself. Luca [Martin] was pushing me all the way. I had to dig deep and respond several times. I was a bit cautious on the descents, but I used my strength on the climbs to make the difference.”Behind him, Martin finished second at 18 seconds, with Colombo completing the podium. Despite finishing seventh, Dario Lillo moved into the overall UCI XCO World Cup lead after two rounds, ahead of Martin and Colombo.STIGGER RIDES AWAY TO TAKE COMMANDING SOLO VICTORYLaura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) delivered a masterclass in technical riding to claim victory in the Elite Women’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup at Nové Město na Moravě, pulling clear before soloing to a decisive win.After taking victory in the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup the day before, Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck) arrived with ambitions of completing a weekend double. But it quickly became clear the race would be far from straightforward, as UCI World Champion Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) set an aggressive early pace, stretching the field from the opening lap.Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing), winner of the previous round in MONA YongPyong (South Korea), was equally determined to keep the pressure on, while Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing) used her technical prowess to open early gaps on the demanding descents.The technical nature of the course repeatedly reshaped the lead group. Blöchlinger and Nicole Koller (Lapierre PXR Racing) animated the race with bold riding, but each move was reeled back in on the climbs, forming a tightly packed lead group that included Pieterse, Frei, Rissveds, and Stigger.Mistakes began to prove costly. Pieterse lost ground after a slip on a rutted climb, while Rissveds sensed the moment to increase the pressure. It was then that Stigger made her decisive move attacking on a technical descent at the end of lap three to open a small but crucial gap.From there, the Austrian steadily extended her advantage as the chase group grew disorganized. Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) and Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC) briefly rejoined the fight, but mounting fatigue and technical errors, most notably a crash for Richards while in second, shattered the group’s cohesion.Behind Stigger, the battle for the podium intensified. Frei launched an attack on the final climb, with Koller and Rissveds responding. In the end, Rissveds edged out Frei in the sprint for second place.Out front, Stigger had time to celebrate, crossing the line 47 seconds clear to secure her third Elite Women’s UCI XCO World Cup victory and her first on European soil.“I have no words,” said an emotional Stigger. “I just followed my feeling and rode my own pace. The crowd was incredible. It’s amazing to have that support through the technical sections. This win means so much to me.”After two rounds, Frei leads the overall standings, while Specialized Factory Racing strengthened its position at the top of the team rankings following a dominant performance across both Elite races.FRANÇOIS BAUDRY AND EMBACHER TRIUMPH IN U23 UCI XCO WORLD CUPThe previous day’s Men’s U23 UCI XCO World Cup saw Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing) take victory after a tactical, race-long duel with Alix Andre-Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team). The Spanish rider eventually pulled clear to secure a decisive 24-second winning margin, while Naël Rouffiac (Origine Racing Division) completed the podium in third.In the Women’s U23 race, Katrin Embacher (KTM Factory MTB Team) claimed a breakthrough victory, dominating the event to secure her first UCI World Cup win. The Austrian crossed the line 1:24 ahead of Anina Hutter in second, with overall leader Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) rounding out the podium in third.NEXT STOP: LOUDENVIELLE-PEYRAGUDESThe WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues next weekend (28–31 May) in Loudenville–Peyragudes, in the French Pyrenees.It will be the turn of the gravity disciplines, with the opening round of the UCI Enduro World Cup and the second round of the UCI Downhill World Cup taking center stage.Endurance racing returns the following weekend, as both endurance and gravity riders come together for a packed programme in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria) from 11–14 June.

Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) sprinted to UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup victory on her return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Nové Město Na Moravě, while fellow multi-discipline superstar Tom Pidcock was denied by a late kick from Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division).Both XCC races came down the final straight of the final lap and Pieterse and Azzaro each kept their cool to round the leader and take victory on the tactical course in Czechia.Pidcock had gone from last to first in the men’s race but was overhauled late on by Azzaro, who managed to hold onto his brutal attack on the final lap. The Frenchman retains the Elite Men UCI XCC World Cup overall lead while fifth-placed Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) stays atop the women’s leaderboard.RELENTLESS PIETERSE CAPS GLORIOUS RETURNPuck Pieterse emerged victorious from an intensely brutal women’s race packed with drama, fighting through from close to the back of the pack to win the sprint. The Dutch superstar hit the front at the start of lap three and attacked up the climb every lap in the second half of the race, putting her competition in the red each time even if she couldn’t shake them off.Instead, the key selection in the race came on the start/finish straight rather than the steep uphill section when Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) and Frei’s handlebars tangled, sending the UCI XCC World Champion into the barriers alongside Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing).Neff cut a slightly ominous figure, opting for skinny gravel tyres in conditions a world apart from the apocalyptic weather last time out in MONA YongPyong. However, she ended the day with little more than a sore hand to show for it, later saying: “I wouldn’t do anything differently”.There threatened to be even more carnage when Trek - Unbroken XC’s Evie Richards - who was brought to a standing stop by that crash - engaged Pieterse in an all-out battle to the first corner of the final lap before the Dutchwoman once again attacked on the climb.Yet it was Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) who led over the summit, with Pieterse allowing herself to be led out. Nicole Koller (Lapierre PXR Racing) was the first to jump but was passed by Pieterse and Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing), with Richards finishing an impressive fourth after getting caught up in the crash.“I’ve missed it,” Pieterse said. “Here it always gets quite bunchy on the road and slows down a bit, however this year Jenny [Rissveds] was setting such a high pace that it took me a bit to get to the front. When I was there, I just decided to stay there, and tried to keep in control for the final sprint.“I saw Nicole [Koller] coming from the left and she was starting to step on the pedals. I thought ‘now I have to kick’, so I did. It’s super cool, flashbacks to last year’s Short Track here. The goal for tomorrow is just to keep the material [equipment] good and see from there how a one and a half-hour effort compares to the four-hour road sessions.”AZZARO OUTDUELS PATIENT PIDCOCK It was a much cagier men’s race without a presence like Pieterse or Rissveds to push the pace, and Pidcock spent the first four laps dead last to avoid the potential pitfalls of a much bigger bunch at the front.However, first Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing) then the returning Jordan Sarrou (BMC Factory Racing) belated kicked the race into gear and Pidcock himself finally stirred on the fifth lap, reaching the front by the sixth.Another stalemate ensued, only broken by the bell that sparked a drag race into the bottom of the final ascent, won by Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) before Pidcock lit the touchpaper on the climb, shooting into the lead.Yet Azzaro spotted the move early enough to cling to the Brit’s wheel and Pidcock couldn’t shake the pack on the following jump line so was forced to jump early on the final straight, setting up Azzaro to outsprint him for victory while Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) finished third.“Unreal, I felt the whole day I had the legs, but I was super nervous. You have to stay on the bike. That was the position I wanted in the finish,” Azzaro said.“I knew that Tom [Pidcock] was coming from the back, I just waited, he came the last lap like a Formula 1 car, and I just jumped into the wheel. It’s a name that everyone knows and I’m super proud to beat him, it’s great to race with a champion like this.”Meanwhile Pidcock admitted he waited too long to move up from last place in the field but added: “I knew when he was straight on my wheel. It’s hard coming back to mountain bike from some time away. I feel like I’ve no idea what I’m doing when I come back, so it’s just nice to get that first race out the way, know that I’ve still got the legs. It’s always a doubt when I come back.“I’m here to try and win, I’ve done it every other time. I’m here so need to keep that streak going [tomorrow].”SCHEHL AND KELLERMAN CELEBRATE U23 WINSPaul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) and Makena Kellerman claimed victory in the men’s and women’s U23 UCI XCC World Cup on Friday but did so in contrasting styles.Kellerman did it the traditional “patient” way, dropping the hammer on the final lap and winning the sprint while Schehl was the only XCC rider to drop the field, opening a seven-second lead on the penultimate lap and holding his advantage until the finish.“Normally it’s a very tactical race where it comes down to the last lap and a crazy sprint, but I don’t have the best sprint, so I said ‘I need to make it super hard, I need to go super early and long” Schehl said.The riders are done for the XCC, but the action is far from over. The Nové Město na Moravě weekend wraps up in style on Sunday with the elite men’s and women’s Cross-country Olympic races. Find out how to watch here.