Monster Energy announced as Main Partner of WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series arrived in the Italian alpine town of La Thuile, where dry conditions left the course increasingly dusty and unpredictable throughout the day. The demanding downhill track provided a true test of nerve and skill, plunging 641 metres over 2.3 kilometres with an average gradient of -27%.Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) claimed the second Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory of his career with a fearless run that secured victory by less than a second. The triumph ended a lengthy wait for the British rider, whose previous UCI World Cup win came in Lenzerheide in 2023. In the Women’s Elite race, Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) delivered another commanding performance, securing the 15th UCI Downhill World Cup win of her illustrious career.In the junior categories, Kasper Hickman (Cube Factory Racing) celebrated a breakthrough victory with his first Men’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup win, while Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) produced a dominant display to take top honours in the Women’s Junior race.Höll also led Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres to the mixed team event honours. Meanwhile, COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction lead the overall standings by 56 points.WILLIAMS’ LONG-AWAITED RETURN TO UCI WORLD CUP GLORYJordan Williams brought an end to a 1,107-day wait for a UCI Downhill World Cup victory with a fearless ride down LTHell – La Thuile Hell. The 21-year-old had already topped qualifying and found another level in the finals, attacking the demanding course to post a winning time of 3:25.767.Williams arrived in La Thuile playing second fiddle to Specialized Gravity team-mate Finn Iles, who led the overall standings after back-to-back victories. However, while Iles could only manage 20th place on the challenging Italian track, Williams stepped up to continue the team's winning streak. It was also a difficult weekend for overall contender Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction), who battled illness throughout the event and finished seventh.The dry conditions and rapidly changing berms on the La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta course caught out numerous riders as they pushed the limits in search of speed. Yet Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) looked determined to deliver a memorable result for the United States on the Fourth of July. After losing time in the fastest section near the top of the track, he excelled through the technical lower slopes to set the benchmark with a time of 3:26.728.Defending La Thuile winner Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) produced his strongest performance of the season. The Canadian carved creative lines through the wooded sections and finished just four-tenths of a second behind Vermette in third. The result marked a welcome return to the podium for Goldstone and his 12th Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup podium from just 23 career starts.Privateer Ángel Suárez Alonso, who had qualified second fastest the previous day, was among the riders caught out by the unforgiving slopes of LTHell – La Thuile Hell, suffering a crash during his finals run.At the front, Williams appeared to be riding on the edge throughout his descent. A dramatic moment in the final corner almost brought his challenge undone, but he somehow kept the bike upright to snatch victory by nine-tenths of a second.The race has further tightened the battle for the overall title, with just 65 points separating the top four riders after five rounds. Despite his seventh-place finish, Pierron retains the series lead.Reflecting on his victory, Williams said: “That was so insane. I risked my life the whole way down, I just went for it. The track is awesome and the bike is working super well; the grip I had up there was next level. It feels so good to win. Sometimes you feel like it’s never going to happen again. I had a pretty rough winter and broke my collarbone. I knew I was on a pretty good run, and I needed to keep pushing all the way. The back wheel slid and I thought I was going down. Somehow, I managed to hold on and cross the line. I was stoked.”HÖLL DENIES BAUMANN MAIDEN UCI WORLD CUP WIN IN LA THUILE THRILLERValentina Höll spearheaded a dominant one-two finish for Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres, edging team-mate Lisa Baumann by just two tenths of a second in a thrilling Women’s Elite final. The reigning UCI Downhill World Champion bounced back in style after a 10th place finish in Lenzerheide, returning to the top step of the podium with another display of composure and speed.The pair had already stamped their authority on the weekend by securing the top two spots in qualifying, although both left room for improvement on the dusty and ever-evolving La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta track. When it mattered most, they delivered.The Women’s Elite field was missing several big names. Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) was absent after announcing she would take time away from competition to recover from the injuries that have hampered her season. Meanwhile, recent Lenzerheide winner Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP) failed to qualify for the finals, as did Phoebe Gale (Orbea FMD Racing) and Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing).With confidence growing and conditions remaining fast despite the loose surface, the finals saw times tumble dramatically. In a sign of the level on display, the top seven riders all bettered the fastest qualifying time from the previous day. Sacha Earnest (Trek – Unbroken DH) set the benchmark with an outstanding run of 3:58.942, becoming the first Women’s Elite rider of the weekend to break the four-minute barrier. Fellow New Zealander Jess Blewitt (Scott Downhill Factory) slotted in just over a second behind as attention turned to the final contenders.Baumann, still chasing a maiden Women’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory after claiming two podium finishes this season, looked set to secure a breakthrough win. The Swiss rider delivered a near-perfect run, moving into the lead by the slimmest of margins, just one tenth of a second ahead of Earnest. But last out of the gate was Höll, and the Austrian once again rose to the occasion. Carrying more speed through the wooded sections and maintaining her rhythm across the demanding lower half of the course, she stopped the clock two tenths of a second quicker than her team-mate to clinch victory and complete a Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres one-two.The result extends Höll’s lead over Baumann in the overall standings to 363 points at the halfway stage of the season, further strengthening her grip on the race for the overall title.After securing her 15th UCI Downhill World Cup victory, Höll said: “It was so hard to push; the track is so demanding and physical. I really didn’t have enough confidence today after practice. I wish Lisa [Baumann] would have won, it was so close. It’s so cool to share a podium with my team-mate. It was super tight this time and maybe next time she’ll get me. It was all about commitment. You have to enter sections quicker than you think you should. You have to trust the berms, push, and hope for the best.”HICKMAN AND OSTGAARD SHINE IN JUNIOR FINALSKasper Hickman (CUBE Factory Racing) delivered a landmark performance in the Men’s Junior competition, claiming his maiden UCI Downhill World Cup victory and becoming the first Finnish rider ever to win a Men’s Junior UCI World Cup round in the gravity format. Having secured a career-best third place in Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland (Austria) last month, the young rider took another significant step forward by mastering the demanding slopes of LTHell – La Thuile Hell.Hickman dominated from start to finish, setting the fastest time in every sector on his way to a winning run of 3:32.179. His commanding performance left him nearly three seconds clear of the rest of the field. Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton) emerged best of the chasing pack to take second place, while Sacha Gabriel Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) completed the podium in third.The race proved costly for overall leader Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team). After crashing in practice, the New Zealander could only qualify 17th and endured further misfortune in the finals when a puncture compromised his run, leaving him in the same position. Despite the setback, Williamson retains the overall lead after five rounds, holding an 83-point advantage over Brizin.Reflecting on his breakthrough victory, Hickman said: “It’s incredible, I’m super stoked with that. I made one little mistake, but that’s the best I could have done today. I can’t complain. I’m happy to make it down in a good time.”In the Women’s Junior category, Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) continued her impressive season by claiming her second UCI Downhill World Cup victory of the year. The American, who also triumphed at MONA Yongpyong (South Korea) produced a superb run of 3:59.6 to finish four seconds clear of her nearest rival.Lina Frener (Norco Race Division) arrived in La Thuile on the back of consecutive UCI World Cup victories but was unable to extend her winning streak, settling for second place. Cassandre Peizerat completed the podium in third.The result further intensifies the battle for the overall title. Ostgaard now leads the standings by just 15 points over Frener, while Rosa Marie Jensen (Specialized Gravity) remains firmly in contention as the season heads into its second half.After her victory, Ostgaard said: “I’m really happy because my riding has been so good lately. I’ve been pushing so hard and the competition is incredibly strong, so to see it finally pay off feels amazing. It’s the Fourth of July, so it’s a special day for me. I’m just stoked to have put together a good run. I love this place. I got my first win here, so it will always have a special place in my heart.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues in La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta on Sunday 5 July, where endurance riders will take on a brand-new course for the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup. Meanwhile, the UCI Downhill World Cup moves on to Pal Arinsal (Andorra), for the next round of the season.

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Alps, La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta welcomed the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series to the Italy–France border for a gruelling test of endurance. Making its debut on the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup calendar, the venue challenged riders with a compact yet explosive 714-metre course, featuring two steep ascents at 1,500 metres above sea level. Dry, dusty conditions and technical descents further amplified the challenge, setting the stage for a thrilling day of racing across all categories.Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) took his second Men’s Elite UCI XCC World Cup win of the season after overcoming fellow Frenchman Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) in a last lap tussle.In similar fashion, Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) charged clear of challenger Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) to win her first Women’s Elite UCI XCC World Cup race of the season.Meanwhile, there were familiar names at the top of the under-23 podiums as Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) and Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) increased their overall leads. BOICHIS OVERCOMES CANNONDALE CHALLENGE TO TAKE VICTORY Adrien Boichis rose to the occasion in a thrilling battle with Cannondale Factory Racing duo Luca Martin and Charlie Aldridge. The race turned on the penultimate lap when Aldridge clipped wheels with his teammate and crashed, leaving Martin as Boichis’ sole remaining rival. Sensing his opportunity, the Frenchman unleashed a decisive attack on the final lap, breaking clear to secure the win.There was notable absentees on the starting line with Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) out with a fractured fibula suffered during a training ride and Martín Vidaurre (Specialized Factory Racing) also failing to take the start after crashing in practice.The race exploded from the gun as the riders sprinted up the opening gravel climb determined to reach the first technical section in prime position. Aldridge won the dash to the front, forming part of a select group of seven riders that quickly opened a gap. Further back, overall series leader Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) saw his hopes dented when he crashed in the rock garden, conceding crucial seconds to the front group.Cannondale Factory Racing held the upper hand in the early stages, with Martin and Aldridge firmly established at the head of the race. The lead group swelled around the halfway mark as the chasing riders reeled them in, while Boichis and Aldridge exchanged blows in a thrilling contest for control. But La Thuile’s loose and unforgiving terrain continued to take its toll, with home hero Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) slipping out of contention after a costly mistake.The race’s defining moment came on the penultimate lap when Cannondale Factory Racing teammates tangled while attempting to contain Boichis’ relentless pressure, leaving Aldridge on the ground. With Martin now the sole Cannondale rider at the front, Boichis seized his opportunity, unleashing his final-lap attack. Aldridge fought back admirably to claim third, narrowly beating Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) to the final podium spot. Despite earlier crashes, both Azzaro and Avondetto recovered strongly to secure top-10 finishes and valuable points in the overall standings.Azzaro’s recovery to finish eighth ensured that he remains leader of the UCI XCC World Cup, just 55 points ahead of Boichis.Reflecting on his victory, the Frenchman said: “I don’t know why, but I just wanted to make it hard. It’s a beautiful place and a really nice track for Short Track. Luca [Martin] is in incredible form, and it was great to race against him. We’ve known each other for a long time, so to be up there battling together was something special.”RISSVEDS THRIVES ON NATURAL TRAILS WITH LATE CHARGEJenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) produced a perfectly timed late attack to deny Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and claim her first UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup victory of the season.The steep climbs and technical descents of La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta created a demanding test that quickly separated the strongest riders from the rest of the field. It was Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing) who suffered the first setback of the race, unclipping on the opening lap and losing valuable positions. Meanwhile, the combination of a technical rock garden descent and a tight switchback climb immediately fractured the field, with six riders breaking clear on the opening lap.Fresh from her UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup victory in Lenzerheide, Rissveds set the pace at the front during the early stages. Behind her, Blöchlinger mounted an impressive recovery, using her climbing strength to fight her way back into contention.As the race intensified, Rissveds' relentless tempo and descending prowess began to take their toll. By the halfway point, the Swedish rider had reduced the lead group to just three riders, pulling clear alongside Frei and Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon).Not to be denied a place in the fight for the podium, Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) gradually worked her way back to the leaders and rejoined the front group. On the penultimate lap, Rissveds launched a fierce acceleration on the climb, with only Frei able to match her pace.The leading pair started the final lap with a seven-second advantage over the chasers. Frei struck first, attacking on the steep climb above the start area as the two rivals raced wheel-to-wheel. But Rissveds had the final word, producing a decisive move on the course’s steep switchback ascent. The reigning UCI XCC European Champion opened a small gap and held it all the way to the finish, taking victory ahead of Frei, while Blunk secured third place. Although disappointed to miss out on the win, Frei strengthened her grip on the overall standings and now holds a commanding 170-point lead after five rounds of the UCI XCC World Cup.Reflecting on her victory, Rissveds said: “It feels great. I really love it here. The surroundings are incredible and the course is so good. I really appreciate the natural trails, it’s proper mountain biking and that’s really cool. It’s also been great to see Sina [Frei] step up this season. She’s racing at an incredibly high level and it’s exciting to battle against riders who are that strong.” The Women’s Elite race also marked the welcome return of reigning UCI XCC World Champion Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC), who was back in action after recovering from concussion and enjoyed an encouraging comeback with a top-10 finish. CORVI AND SCHEHL TAKE UNDER-23 WINS Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) gave the home fans plenty to celebrate by becoming the first rider to win a UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup race at La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta.Having already claimed three UCI World Cup victories this season, all in the Olympic discipline, the Italian arrived in La Thuile in outstanding form. Fresh from a runner-up finish in the XCC at Lenzerheide, Corvi carried that confidence onto home soil and quickly asserted herself at the front of the race.Taking the lead after eight minutes of racing, the Canyon XC Racing rider used the course’s demanding climbs to steadily build an advantage over her rivals. Even a mid-race mechanical failed to derail her charge. Staying composed, Corvi quickly re-established her lead before cruising to the finish line with a commanding 18-second margin of victory.Bloeme Kalis (KMC Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) chased hard but had to settle for second place, while Monique Halter (Thömus Akros – Youngstars) completed the podium in third. After five rounds, Corvi now leads the overall UCI XCC World Cup standings by 54 points.Reflecting on her victory, she said: “It was really hard. The track is super steep on the climbs, very physical, and the pace was really high today. I tried to stick to my own rhythm and realised I was gaining time on both the climbs and the descents. When I had a mechanical issue in the middle of the race, I stayed calm, got going again and focused on my own race. I’m super happy with how I felt today.”Meanwhile, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) continued his dominance in the Men’s U23 category, securing a fourth consecutive UCI XCC World Cup victory with another commanding display.As has become a familiar storyline this season, Schehl was once again joined at the front by rival Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing). The pair set the pace throughout the race before the German made his decisive move on the final lap. Showing his trademark power, Schehl opened a winning gap to take victory ahead of Baudry, while Nicolas Halter (Thömus Akros – Youngstars) rounded out the podium in third.The result further strengthened Schehl’s grip on the overall standings, extending his advantage to 115 points after five rounds.Following his victory, he said: “My plan was to stay at the front because of the dust, and I managed to do that from the start. I kept the pace high, but in a way that suited me. I felt strong throughout the race and started to increase the pace with three laps to go, hoping to catch everyone by surprise. I could see Thibaut [François Baudry] still on my wheel, so on the final lap I gave absolutely everything. It worked perfectly. I really enjoy racing against Thibaut and having that rivalry with him.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues at La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta on Saturday, when gravity riders take centre stage with the UCI Enduro World Cup and UCI Downhill World Cup. The endurance athletes return to action on Sunday for the venue’s first-ever UCI XCO World Cup. Discover the full schedule and where to watch here.

Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) and Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) will start last in tomorrow’s UCI Downhill World Cup finals after mastering the difficult downhill course in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta. Šimun Juras topped Men’s Junior qualification for the first time, while Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) is a familiar name at the top of the Women’s Junior leaderboard.The LTHell - La Thuile Hell downhill course was created especially for the UCI Downhill World Cup last year by track manager Enrico Martello and Swiss specialists Trailworks (whose work includes Bike Kingdom, Lenzerheide, Switzerland) and was tweaked slightly for the second edition.The longest course of the 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup season is a steep, technical challenge that puts riders’ skills to the test from start to finish. Stretching 2.3 kilometres and plunging 641 metres in elevation with an average gradient of -27%, the track descends into the high-altitude alpine resort town of La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta, framed by some of the most breathtaking scenery on the circuit.WILLIAMS GOES QUICKEST IN SEARCH OF LONG-AWAITED WINJordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) secured the fastest time for the second time this season on the formidable LTHell – La Thuile Hell track. Having already led qualifying in Loudenvielle–Peyragudes (France) earlier this year before claiming third place in the final, the Briton stopped the clock at 3:30.765, a mark that remained untouched throughout the remainder of the session. Remarkably, Williams believed he had left time on the mountain, underlining both his confidence and pace on one of the toughest tracks of the year. He will be searching for the second UCI Downhill World Cup victory of his career in tomorrow’s finals – his last coming on his elite debut at Lenzerheide in 2023.Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) stood on the top step 12 months ago in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta and hoped to be back on form this weekend. The UCI Downhill World Champion felt more himself and comfortable on the bike as he sailed through Q1 in third position.Surprise of the session came from privateer Angel Suárez Alonso who was a second quicker than Williams through the second sector. The 30-year-old lost time in the bottom sector to finish second in Q1, just two hundredths of a second behind Williams.Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) is bidding for a third consecutive UCI Downhill World Cup victory at La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta. However, the Canadian will have a long wait in finals after edging through Q1 in 17th position.Overall series contenders Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) and Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) also have time to find in finals after progressing through Q1 in fifth and 13th position respectively.Michael Delesalle (Frameworks Racing/TRP) won Q2 in 3:31.614, ahead of Tyler Waite (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) and Bode Burke (Crestline Speed Shop).Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) also had to take the long route to the finals, booking his place through Q2 after failing to progress at the first attempt. The Frenchman was one of the high-profile riders caught up in a fiercely contested qualifying session, but others were less fortunate. Dylan Maples (Pivot Factory Racing), Oliver Davis (Trek – Unbroken DH) and Aaron Gwin (Frameworks Racing / TRP) were among the notable names to miss out on a place in tomorrow’s finals.HÖLL CONQUERS QUALIFYING AS RIVALS FAULTERValentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orress) won qualifying for the second time this season and will start last for tomorrow’s finals. The Austrian suffered a small crash two weeks ago in Lenzerheide resulting in a 10th place finish, putting to an end her perfect start to the season.Despite leaving some time on the top section of the course, Höll flew down the steep wooded section and pulled over a second out on her rivals. The UCI Downhill World Champion had time to be cautious in the bottom section as she posted the fastest time in Q1 of 4:03.270.It was a great Women’s Elite Q1 session for Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres as Swiss rider Lisa Baumann pushed her team-mate close for top spot. She finished a career-best runner-up two weeks ago in Lenzerheide and will be dreaming of her first UCI Downhill World Cup win tomorrow after finishing just six tenths of a second behind her teammate.Last year’s La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta winner Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) finished third fastest in Q1 but could have more to give in tomorrow’s finals.After failing to make finals two weeks ago, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) made no mistake on the difficult course and placed fourth in qualification. Gloria Scarsi (MS Racing) continued her consistent season by placing sixth, while Harriet Harnden (AON Racing) was also amongst the Q1 qualifiers.Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP), who claimed her maiden UCI World Cup victory in Lenzerheide two weeks ago, will not feature in tomorrow’s finals after a disappointing qualifying day. The American failed to finish her Q1 run and was unable to recover in Q2, where she finished outside the top five required to progress. Newkirk was not the only high-profile casualty, with Phoebe Gale (Orbea FMD Racing) and Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing) also missing out on a place in the finals after falling short in Q2.Meanwhile, Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) was missing from the course in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta after announcing that she is taking time to recover from the injuries which have impacted her season so far.JURAS AND OSTGAARD MASTER COURSE IN JUNIOR QUALIFICATIONŠimun Juras showed his technical ability on the steep lower slopes of La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta to qualify fastest during an intense Men’s Junior qualifying session. The Croatian rider has yet to finish inside the top 10 during his debut season in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. However, he flew down the rutted slopes of LTHell - La Thuile Hell in a time of 3:39.436 to qualify quickest.Sacha Gabriel Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) was quickest of the overall contenders and qualified second fastest just two tenths of a second behind. Meanwhile, Thomas Bruno (MS-Racing) will have Italian hopes on his shoulders after placing third – just one second behind.After winning the opening four UCI Downhill World Cup rounds this season Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) struggled on the testing course but squeezed through qualification in 17th. His overall rival Felix Griffiths (Santa Cruz Syndicate) was not so fortunate and his 27th position was not good enough to make finals.Meanwhile, overall Women’s Junior leader Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) was fastest in qualification with an impressive time of 4:08.888. Rival Lina Frener (Norco x adidas Race Division) was three seconds back in second and Cassandre Peizerat finished third.Rosa Marie Jensen (Specialized Gravity) will also be amongst the Women Junior favourites in tomorrow’s finals after qualifying fourth.The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues at La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta tomorrow (Saturday) when gravity riders are in action with the UCI Downhill World Cup finals and the UCI Enduro World Cup culminating in a unique final night time stage.