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Making its debut on the UCI World Cup circuit, Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah (USA), offers riders a unique challenge. Its dry, sandy terrain is unlike anything encountered so far this season and is expected to add an extra layer of unpredictability to the racing.Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Soldier Hollow, presented by SCOTT Sports, including the schedule for the Cross-country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-country Olympic (XCO) races, the key riders to watch, and how you can follow all the action live.WHEN?The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series round in Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA) starts with the Women’s U23 UCI XCC World Cup at 11:20 (UTC-6) on Saturday, September 19 and concludes with the Men’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup at 15:30 (UTC-6) on Sunday, September 20.Below are the key timings for race weekend. All times are UTC-6 (EST-2/BST-7/CEST-8):Saturday, September 1911:20 – UCI Cross-Country Short Track | Women U2312:10 – UCI Cross-Country Short Track | Men U2313:00 – UCI Cross-Country Short Track | Women Elite13:50 – UCI Cross-Country Short Track | Men EliteSunday, September 20 9:00 – UCI Cross-Country Olympic | Women U2311:00 – UCI Cross-Country Olympic | Men U2313:30 – UCI Cross-Country Olympic | Women Elite15:30 – UCI Cross-Country Olympic | Men EliteWHERE CAN I WATCH?The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series heads to North America for the first time in 2026, with the eighth round of the UCI Cross-country World Cup set to take place at Soldier Hollow. Fans around the world will be able to watch the Elite XCC and XCO races live via the following broadcasters and streaming services:Europe:Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Baltics, Belgium, 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 / EurosportCzechia – HBO Max, Eurosport and CT Sport +France – HBO Max, Eurosport and L'Equipe LiveIreland – TNT SportsSwitzerland, Liechtenstein – HBO Max, Eurosport and SRF/RSIUnited 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 TVRIDERS TO WATCHA lot has changed in the fight for the UCI XCO World Cup overall since the last European round of the season in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France) at the end of August.In the women’s field, Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) appears to have the momentum. The Swiss rider followed up the XCO-XCC double she secured in Les Gets by claiming the UCI XCO World Championship title in Val di Sole, further strengthening her credentials as she looks to hunt down Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing).While Rissveds still holds a commanding 282-point lead with two rounds remaining, Frei will be aiming to close the gap before the season finale at Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA) and take the overall contest down to the wire. That task now takes her to Soldier Hollow, the latest of three new UCI Cross-country World Cup venues introduced in 2026, following MONA YongPyong (South Korea) and La Thuile, Valle d’Aosta (Italy). Frei has already proven she can adapt quickly to unfamiliar terrain, claiming another XCO-XCC double at the Korean stop earlier this season. While Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) and Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) remain mathematically in contention for the overall title, they are more realistically chasing podium positions in the standings.Other riders to watch include Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), whose impressive return to competition continued with a fifth-place finish at the UCI XCO World Championships, and Haley Batten (Specialized Factory Racing), the local favourite and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist. The men’s competition also remains mathematically open with five riders still in contention, although it would take a major upset for Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) not to be crowned the 2026 overall winner. The Frenchman’s closest challenger, Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), has shifted his focus to road racing for the remainder of the season, leaving Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team), Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) and Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team - XC) with a significant deficit to make up. That does not mean there will be any shortage of storylines in Soldier Hollow. Martin is chasing a third UCI XCO World Cup victory of the season, while teammate Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) will look to carry his strong form into the North American leg after finishing runner-up to Tom Pidcock at the UCI XCO World Championships, having already secured the European title in July. Martín Vidaurre Kossman (Specialized Factory Racing), fourth in Val di Sole, and teammate Christopher Blevins should also feature prominently. The latter has happy memories of the venue, having won the American Continental XCO Championship there in 2024.Saturday’s UCI XCC World Cup race could prove equally decisive in the battle for the overall series. Just 80 points separate Frei and Rissveds in the Women Elite standings and, with 500 points still available, Savilia Blunk, Nicole Koller (Lapierre PXR Racing) and Laura Stigger remain in the mathematical hunt. Blunk will be especially motivated on home soil as she targets her second UCI XCC World Cup victory of the season, while Stigger will make her first appearance in the rainbow jersey since being crowned UCI XCC World Champion.In the Men Elite category, the absence of newly crowned UCI XCC World Champion Adrien Boichis reopens the fight for the overall title between Luca Martin and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division). Both riders are expected to surpass Boichis’ points tally, with just 46 points separating them heading into the final two rounds. Although Azzaro has been the less consistent of the two, he boasts two UCI XCC World Cup wins this season compared to Martin’s none. Martin, however, held the upper hand at the UCI XCC World Championships, finishing third while Azzaro crossed the line in seventh. Elsewhere, Riley will be targeting a second victory of the campaign in front of a home crowd, while Aldridge arrives with podium momentum after his runner-up finish in Val di Sole.Racing gets underway on Saturday, September 19 in Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA).Full schedule and event details are available HERE.You can find where to watch all of the racing action live HERE.

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series has never been afraid to break new ground, and with just three rounds remaining in the 2026 season, two new venues are set to make their UCI World Cup debuts, including Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah (USA).Soldier Hollow will welcome the Endurance athletes for the penultimate rounds of the UCI Cross-country World Cup, presented by SCOTT Sports. With both the Men Elite and Women Elite overall titles still hanging in the balance across the cross-country Olympic (XCO) and cross-country short track (XCC) formats, riders and fans can expect two days of all-out racing and an unforgettable UCI World Cup debut for Utah's iconic venue.While Soldier Hollow is new to the UCI World Cup circuit, it is no stranger to elite-level competition. The venue hosted biathlon and cross-country skiing events during the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games and will once again play its part on the world stage when it hosts competitions at the 2034 Olympic Winter Games.Beyond its Olympic pedigree, Soldier Hollow has established itself as a premier summer destination for mountain biking and outdoor recreation. It sits at the heart of a state deeply woven into the fabric of the sport, with Utah's legendary riding destinations, including Moab and Zion, helping to shape mountain bike's global identity.Located approximately 50 miles southeast of Salt Lake City within Wasatch Mountain State Park, the venue's sandy terrain and exposed landscape will provide a distinctive challenge in this year's series. The course is built on Utah's characteristic red soil, which becomes extremely hard-packed and fast in dry conditions but can quickly turn sticky and slippery when wet, adding an extra layer of unpredictability for riders.Both courses have been purpose-built to deliver fast, flowing racing while maximizing the spectator experience. Thanks to the openness of the venue, fans can follow almost 90% of the action from a single vantage point. Riders, however, will face a sterner test, with the renowned Hard Line rock garden demanding precision, commitment and exceptional bike-handling skills.The XCO course measures 4.2km and features 178m of elevation gain, while the XCC course measures 1.2km with 34m of elevation gain.RISSVEDS AND FREI LEAD THE CHARGE AS BATTEN EYES HOME GLORYJenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) had a near-perfect year as the 2025 UCI XCO World Champion. The Swede has finished outside the podium just once all season, placing fourth in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta (Italy), while claiming five UCI XCO World Cup victories, three of them in 2026. However, after finishing seventh at the 2026 UCI XCO World Championships, Rissveds knows there is still work to do if she is to finally secure the overall title.Standing in her way is a rider whose momentum continues to build race after race. Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) followed up her dominant UCI XCO-XCC World Cup double in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France), with victory at the UCI XCO World Championships, adding the rainbow jersey to an already stellar season. As Rissveds’ closest challenger in the standings, the Swiss rider will arrive in Utah determined to keep the title fight alive.Rissveds currently leads Frei by 282 points and needs to leave Soldier Hollow with a 330-point advantage to clinch both her first overall UCI XCO World Cup title and the first for Sweden. With every position carrying valuable points at this stage of the season, expect the pair to be locked in battle across both days of racing in Utah.While the overall title appears destined to be decided between Rissveds and Frei, there will be no shortage of contenders for victory in Soldier Hollow. Local hero and Olympic silver medallist Haley Batten (Specialized Factory Racing) will be eager to deliver a standout performance on home trails, while fellow American Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) will also be looking to shine in front of a home crowd.Meanwhile, Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) continues to be a consistent force at the sharp end of the field, and the resurgent Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) arrives with growing momentum after a strong return to form, making her a genuine threat heading into the penultimate round of the season.ALL EYES ON MARTIN, BUT THE BATTLE IS FAR FROM OVERLuca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) arrives in Soldier Hollow with one hand firmly on the Men Elite overall title. The Frenchman can now only be caught mathematically by Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team), Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) and Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team - XC). However, with Boichis turning his focus to road racing for the remainder of the season and the other three trailing by more than 550 points, Martin is firmly in the driving seat heading into the penultimate round.That does not mean the racing will lack intrigue. A victory in Utah would be the fourth UCI XCO World Cup win of Martin’s career, drawing him level with mountain biking legend Bart Brentjens on the all-time winners list.The home crowd, meanwhile, will be hoping for a different outcome. American stars Bjorn Riley and Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) headline a strong contingent looking to deliver a statement performance on home soil, while a host of riders will see Soldier Hollow’s unique terrain as an opportunity to upset the established order and fight for victory.THE XCC BATTLES REACH BOILING POINTBoth UCI XCC World Cup overall titles remain very much up for grabs with two rounds still to race.In the Women Elite category, the battle once again comes down to Sina Frei and Jenny Rissveds. Frei currently holds an 80-point advantage and could secure the overall crown before the season finale, but only with a near-perfect result in Soldier Hollow and an unusually subdued performance from Rissveds. Given the form both riders have shown throughout the year, another intense head-to-head showdown looks likely.The Men Elite title race has become equally compelling following the absence of newly crowned UCI XCC World Champion Adrien Boichis, whose switch to road racing has left the fight for the overall wide open. As a result, a captivating duel has emerged between Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division), with just 46 points separating the two Frenchmen.Martin has an opportunity to wrap up the overall title in Utah, but the permutations remain complex and far from straightforward. More realistically, Soldier Hollow is shaping up to be a crucial chapter in a battle that appears destined to go down to the wire. With every point carrying added significance, expect Martin and Azzaro to be bar-to-bar throughout the Short Track race as they look to seize the initiative heading into the final round of the season.WILDCARD TEAMS READY TO MAKE THEIR MARK IN SOLDIER HOLLOWThe following wildcard teams have been confirmed to compete in the UCI Cross-country World Cup in Soldier Hollow: KTM Factory Team, Lexware Mountainbike Team, Massi, SUNN Factory Racing, Thömus Akros - Youngstars, UNNO Factory Racing, Bike Team Solothurn and Pivot Cycles OTE.Among the wildcard entries, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) is one of the names to watch. The German could leave Soldier Hollow as the overall winner of both the U23 UCI XCO and XCC World Cups if results fall his way this weekend.Schehl is far from the only wildcard rider making an impact this season. Katrin Embacher (KTM Factory Team) strengthened her grip on second place in the Women U23 XCO overall standings with a podium finish in Les Gets, while Tom Perrin (SUNN Factory Racing) is closing in on a maiden top 10 overall finish in the Men U23 category. Thömus Akros - Youngstars siblings Monique and Nicolas Halter will line up in their respective U23 XCC races wearing the coveted rainbow jersey as reigning UCI World Champions. Meanwhile, Fiona Schibler (Bike Team Solothurn) sits fourth in the Women U23 XCO standings with second place still within reach, and Ian Ackert (Pivot Cycles OTE) arrives in Utah after a season highlighted by a string of top five finishes in the Men U23 ranks.Racing at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Soldier Hollow, presented by SCOTT Sports, gets underway on Saturday 19 September with the UCI XCC World Cup. Full schedule and event information are available here.

With the final leg of the season fast approaching and the North American triple-header set to play a decisive role in the battle for the 2026 UCI World Cup titles, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports has unveiled further details of its inaugural annual awards ceremony, The Golden Arrows.Set to take place on Sunday 4 October at the Olympic Centre in Lake Placid, New York, following the final round of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, The Golden Arrows will bring together athletes, teams, organisers, media and industry leaders for a celebration of excellence across mountain bike.The annual awards programme will honour outstanding achievements both on and off the racecourse through four categories: Event of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Legacy Award and Best Professional Photograph. The ceremony will also see the presentation of The Summit, the new UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Team Trophy, alongside The Globe, the overall UCI World Cup trophy for the season’s leading riders.The prestigious Mountain Bike Hall of Fame will also form part of the evening, with four new inductees welcomed into one of the discipline’s highest honours in recognition of their lasting contributions to mountain biking.LEGACY AWARD: RECOGNISING IMPACT BEYOND THE RACE TAPEThe Legacy Award celebrates teams and Local Organising Committees (LOCs) that have created a lasting positive impact beyond competition through initiatives linked to sustainability, community engagement, inclusion, youth development, trail stewardship and wider social responsibility.The winner will be selected by a panel bringing together expertise from elite sport, cycling advocacy, event delivery and mountain bike heritage:Katerina Nash, UCI Vice-President and President of the UCI Mountain Bike Commission. A five-time Olympian across both cross-country skiing and mountain bike, Nash combines elite sporting experience with extensive leadership within international cycling governance.Otis Guy, Director of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. One of the discipline’s original pioneers, Guy remains one of mountain bike's most respected historians and advocates.Ravi Rajcoomar, Vice President of the Business Network at PeopleForBikes. An award-winning sports marketing and events specialist whose career has included leadership roles across Red Bull, ESPN, Specialized, Cannondale, Clif Bar and Olympic projects.Ties Van Dijk, Advocacy and Strategy Specialist at Shimano Europe, leading research and initiatives aimed at removing barriers to cycling and supporting sustainable trail development across Europe.Together, the panel reflects the broad impact the category seeks to recognise, rewarding initiatives that create meaningful benefits for riders, communities and the future of the discipline.BEST PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPH: CELEBRATING THE IMAGES THAT DEFINE A SEASONThe Best Professional Photograph award will honour the single image that best captures the drama, emotion and spirit of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.The award is open to accredited professional photographers who attended at least one 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series event. Images must be captured during the 2026 season, be original non-AI photography and be submitted by photographers attending the Lake Placid finale.Photographers can submit their selected image here. Entries will close on 28 September, after which the judging process will begin, followed by the announcement of a shortlist and a public vote to determine the winner.Entries will be judged on:Technical qualityStorytelling and impactCreativity and originalityRepresentation of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World SeriesOverall aesthetic excellenceThe judging panel includes:Chris Burkard, internationally acclaimed photographer, explorer and creative director whose work documenting adventure sports and wild landscapes has inspired millions around the world. Burkard's photography has featured in global campaigns, bestselling books and TED talks, earning him recognition as one of the most influential visual storytellers in outdoor sports.Michal Červený, one of the most respected photographers in mountain bike, with nearly two decades of experience documenting UCI Mountain Bike World Cups around the world. A familiar presence in the paddock and on the trails, Červený's images have helped shape the visual identity of the discipline while earning the trust and respect of athletes, teams, organisers, and fellow photographers alike.Bethan Fallon, Vice President, European Theatrical Marketing at Warner Bros. Discovery. With more than 20 years of experience leading theatrical marketing campaigns across Europe for some of the world's most successful film franchises, including Harry Potter, The Hobbit, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Barbie, Minecraft and Superman, Bethan brings a unique visual storytelling and entertainment perspective to the judging process.Paweł Kopczyński, Global Sports Editor at Reuters Pictures. With more than 30 years of experience covering the world's biggest sporting events, including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cups and UCI Cycling World Championships, Kopczyński has helped shape Reuters’ visual storytelling across multiple generations of global sport. A highly respected photo editor and former Reuters photographer, he brings exceptional expertise in sports imagery, storytelling and visual impact to the judging panel.ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: THE NEXT GENERATION MAKING ITS MARKThe Rookie of the Year award recognises the emerging athletes who have made the biggest impression during their first season at the highest level of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. From breakthrough victories and consistent results to resilience, professionalism and an ability to connect with fans, the nominees have demonstrated that they are not simply riders to watch in the future. They are already leaving their mark on the discipline.The nominees for the 2026 Rookie of the Year award are:UCI Cross-country World CupMaxime Lhomme has already broken into the top 50 of the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup standings. His best WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series result is 26th in Pal Arinsal (Andorra).Sina van Thiel, a privateer whose consistency, resilience and professionalism have stood out throughout the season. With two top 20 finishes and a 26th place in the UCI XCO World Cup standings at the time of nomination, Van Thiel has demonstrated an impressive ability to compete at the highest level without the support structure of a factory team.Sara Cortinovis (Unno Factory Racing), who has delivered consistent top 30 performances, including a season-best 22nd place in La Thuile. Cortinovis sits 29th in the UCI XCO World Cup standings.William Handley, one of the few rookies to have competed in every round at the time of nomination despite racing without a team. With top 50 XCO finishes, Handley has demonstrated determination and a clear commitment to his development, including relocating to Lillehammer to pursue his sporting education at the Norwegian College of Elite Sport.UCI Downhill World CupAsa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) has established himself as one of the standout performers of the season with victory in MONA YongPyong (South Korea), second place in La Thuile, Valle d’Aosta (Italy) and third in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). Currently sitting second in the overall standings, Vermette has combined elite-level race performances with a charismatic personality, a positive attitude and a natural ability to engage younger fans.Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF By Riding Addiction): winner in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France) and fifth in Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland (Austria). Currently seventh overall, he has already demonstrated his speed, style and ability to perform under immense pressure.Ellie Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz Syndicate) the highest-ranked female rookie, currently 15th in the overall standings. Her season has included ninth place in Lenzerheide and 11th in Les Gets. Alongside her continued progression on the track, her warmth, openness and genuine connection with younger fans have made her a distinctive and relatable presence within the discipline.Matilda Melton (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team), currently 19th in the overall standings and the second highest-ranked female rookie. She has qualified for three of the seven UCI Downhill World Cup finals contested at the time of nomination.One award will be presented in each format, with winners selected by elite riders competing on WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series teams.EVENT OF THE YEAR: RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE ON AND OFF THE RACECOURSEThe Event of the Year award celebrates the venue that delivered the most outstanding all-round experience during the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series season.While thrilling racing remains at the heart of every round, the success of an event depends on much more than the action on track. From world-class operations and course preparation to athlete services, team facilities, hospitality, fan engagement and atmosphere, this award recognises the organisers and destinations that have gone above and beyond to create a truly exceptional UCI World Cup experience.Every venue that hosted a round of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series is automatically eligible for the award. The winner will be selected by the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series teams, who are uniquely placed to assess the quality, professionalism and overall experience delivered by each host venue.The award aims to recognise not only operational excellence, but also the passion, innovation and commitment shown by local organisers in delivering unforgettable events for competitors, spectators and the global mountain bike community.MOUNTAIN BIKE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES TO BE HONOURED IN LAKE PLACIDThe Mountain Bike Hall of Fame induction ceremony will form a key part of The Golden Arrows evening, marking the first time since 2015 that the inductions have been staged outside California.The 2026 inductee class includes four individuals whose contributions have helped shape mountain biking across competition, advocacy, innovation and culture for more than four decades:Max Commencal, founder of Sunn and Commencal Bicycles, whose influence has helped shape the evolution of downhill racing and modern mountain bike design.Stan Day, SRAM co-founder and one of the industry's leading innovators, whose work has helped transform drivetrain and component technology.Tracy Moseley, one of the most accomplished female athletes in mountain bike history and a trailblazer for future generations of riders.Greg Minnaar, widely regarded as one of the greatest downhill racers of all time, whose longevity and success have defined an era of the discipline.Further information about the 2026 inductees is available via the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame announcement here.More details on the Golden Arrow award categories, eligibility requirements, as well as the entry and judging criteria are available here.

Strong broadcast performances, growing digital engagement and more than 300,000 fans attending in person have defined the first two blocks of racing - in Asia and Europe - of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series*. With two-thirds of the 2026 calendar now complete, the series heads into its final stretch with a block of North American events still to come, including two new venues in Soldier Hollow (Midway, Utah - USA) and Whistler Mountain Bike Park (British Columbia, Canada).RECORD-BREAKING VIEWERSHIP ON HBO MAXWBD continues to air the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series to a truly global audience thanks to its owned channels (HBO Max, Eurosport, TNT Sports and discovery+) complemented by agreements with over 20 broadcast partners, including a dedicated MTBWS TV platform.After 11 weekends of racing and 38 UCI World Cup races broadcast live, WBD’s flagship streaming platform, HBO Max, has delivered record viewership in 2026, surpassing previous benchmarks since its first mountain bike broadcast in May 2024. Average HBO Max views per round are up 45% compared with 2025, while total watch hours have also increased by 46%. Total HBO Max views this season are already close to last year’s full-season total, with three rounds of live and highlights coverage still to come. This growth has been supported by stronger digital and on-site promotion, alongside HBO Max’s global subscriber growth as the platform continues to expand into new markets.ALWAYS ON CONTENTWBD’s coverage extends beyond a race weekend’s on-site action and live broadcast with a 360-degree ecosystem that documents the twists and turns at every stage of the season.The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series social channels are posting more content to more fans than ever before, with total social reach surpassing 280 million in 2026. So far this year*, the channels have generated nearly 200 million video views, close to 10 million engagements and gained more than 130,000 new followers across TikTok, Instagram, Facebookand YouTube.YouTube has also delivered record audiences, with the channel nearing a quarter of a million subscribers. The Elite Men’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup highlights from Nové Mĕsto Na Moravĕ set a new video views record with more than 330,000 views, while highlight packages across all formats are attracting higher average audiences per race weekend than in 2025.This success has also been recognised by the industry, with the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series social media channels shortlisted for the SportsPro Awards 2026 alongside some of the biggest names in global sport.The official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series website has also continued to play an integral role, providing news, updates and event information to users from across the world, with 3.5 million total page views since the start of the 2026 series, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025.Alongside the official website, the brand-new WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Fan App was also launched in May 2026, allowing fans to stay connected with the latest news and event updates wherever they are. Since launch, it has generated 13,000 downloads across iOS and Android users, creating another way for fans to access always-on content.STRONG ON-SITE ATTENDANCEAt the heart of it all are the UCI World Cup rounds themselves and the unparalleled race-day experience. From the opening round in MONA YongPyong (South Korea) to the final European stop in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France), over 300,000 fans have lined the courses of iconic and new venues alike, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere that’s been felt both trackside and by viewers around the world.They are extremely engaged with what they experience on-site too, with on site survey respondents finding that 98% would attend another WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series event again, while ranking the ‘quality of racing’ at 9.1/10.THE TEAMS AND BRANDS DRIVING SUCCESSBeyond the growth in audiences and fan engagement, the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series season has showcased outstanding performances from the sport’s leading teams and bike brands.In cross-country, Specialized Factory Racing, Canyon XC Racing and Origine Racing Division have emerged as the most successful teams so far this season in terms of Elite UCI World Cup victories. Their success has been driven by some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Sina Frei, Laura Stigger and Adrien Boichis for Specialized Factory Racing, Jenny Rissveds for Canyon XC Racing, and Martina Berta and Mathis Azzaro for Origine Racing Division, all of whom have delivered standout performances throughout the campaign.In downhill, Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres, Specialized Gravity and Frameworks Racing / TRP have consistently produced winning performances across the opening two-thirds of the season. Five-time UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner Valentina Höll and her teammate Lisa Baumann have spearheaded the success of Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres. Meanwhile, victories from overall Elite Men leader Jordan Williams and teammate Finn Iles have helped establish Specialized Gravity among the most successful teams in the discipline this season. Rising stars Asa Vermette and Anna Newkirk have played a key role in Frameworks Racing / TRP’s strong results throughout the campaign.These results also underline the strength of the brands powering the sport’s top athletes, with Specialized, Canyon and Commencal standing out as the most successful bike manufacturers in Elite UCI World Cup competition so far in 2026.CREATING A LEGACYAs part of its commitment to growing mountain biking, WBD Sports is also focused on creating a lasting legacy through its corporate social responsibility work. Its CSR roadmap has been in development since 2023, with several initiatives launching this year to spotlight the activities of WBD and its partners.This year has seen historic change through the Women in Mountain Bike initiative – a central pillar of WBD Sports’ CSR roadmap – and the creation of a Women in MTB Working Group. Notable achievements include the first-ever rescheduling of the downhill running order at Saalfelden Leogang-Salzburgerland (Austria) with the Women Elite stars closing the show, while there have been numerous Women in MTB Events that provide networking and social meetings to bring women at the forefront of the sport together.The first edition of the Legacy Award will also see the CSR actions of riders, teams and local organising committees rewarded and celebrated as part of the new Golden Arrow Awards ceremony on Sunday 4th of October, following the final WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series round of the year in Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA).

As an Official Supplier of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Mavic has unveiled the new Crossmax Ultimate, its lightest-ever cross-country wheelset, developed in collaboration with UCI World Cup athletes and already competing on the sport’s biggest stage.Designed with one clear objective in mind, maximising speed without compromise, the new Crossmax Ultimate combines cutting-edge carbon construction, ultralight hubs and carbon spokes to deliver a wheelset weighing just 1080 grams per pair. According to Mavic, every element has been redesigned in pursuit of pure performance, resulting in significant weight savings across the rim, spokes and hub system.The French manufacturer says the wheelset was born from extensive collaboration with elite cross-country racers, drawing on athlete feedback, laboratory testing and real-world race validation. The result is a wheel designed to offer explosive acceleration, immediate engagement and exceptional handling precision on the demanding modern cross-country courses featured throughout the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.At the heart of the Crossmax Ultimate is Mavic’s Adaptive Layup carbon rim technology, which optimises carbon fibre placement to balance low weight, stiffness and vibration absorption. Complementing the rims are carbon spokes with titanium nipples and a new ultralight hub platform equipped with ceramic bearings and a 40-tooth ratchet system designed for rapid power transfer.The performance credentials of the Crossmax Ultimate have already been demonstrated during the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series season with a victory for Katrin Embacher in the U23 UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup in Nové Město Na Moravĕ, alongside several top-10 results from riders competing for the KTM XC Factory Racing and Mondraker XC Factory Racing teams.Nine months of field testing with professional athletes helped refine the final product before its launch, while every wheelset is hand-built and inspected at the company's Chavanod Test Laboratory in the French Alps.The new Mavic Crossmax Ultimate is available with a recommended retail price of €2,299. For more information about Mavic and its range of performance mountain bike products, visit the official Mavic website.

Max Commencal, Tracy Moseley, Greg Minnaar and Stan Day are the latest to be recognised for their contribution to mountain biking, joining other legends of the sport including Rachel Atherton (2021), Steve Peat (2018) and Gary Fisher (1988) as members of the prestigious group.The quartet will officially be inducted at a ceremony that is being held in conjunction with the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series season finale at The Golden Arrows – a new annual awards event taking place on October 4 at the Lake Placid Olympic Center.But ahead of their enrollment, here’s why each is a worthy inductee of one of mountain biking’s biggest honours.MAX COMMENCALCommencal is well-known for his eponymous bike brand, Commencal Bicycles, which he founded in Andorra in 2000, and his role in the success of some of Downhill’s biggest names including Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction), Vali Höll (Commencal/Schwalbe by Les Orres) and Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction).His story in the sport precedes the turn of the millennium though, and he was also the founder and head designer of Sunn bicycles – the brand responsible for Nicolas Vouilloz’s record 10 UCI World Championship titles.Outside of designing race-winning machines, he has also been a driving force behind the professionalisation of downhill racing from the format’s formative days through to the modern era.TRACY MOSELEYBritish rider Moseley is one of the greats of Gravity, having dominated both Downhill and Enduro during her storied career. The pinnacle of the former came during the late 2000s and early 2010s when she won two UCI Downhill World Cup overall titles (2006 and 2011) and the 2010 UCI Downhill World Championships. After transitioning to Enduro, she clinched three consecutive Enduro World Series titles between 2013 and 2015.Although she stepped away from Enduro in 2016 to start a family, she returned to the format’s e-MTB iteration in 2020 and still competes despite starting her career more than three decades ago.Outside of racing, Moseley is a trailblazer and inspiration for generations of women in the sport, and has mentored some of the biggest names of the sport including Evie Richards (Trek-Unbroken XC), Ella Conolly and Harriet Harnden (AON Racing).GREG MINNAARThe G.O.A.T of Downhill, Greg Minnaar’s professional career is unlikely to be replicated in its success or longevity. The South African made his UCI World Cup debut in 1997 in Stellenbosch and didn’t hang up his helmet until the final round of the 2024 season. During that 27-year career, he won everything there was to in the sport, including three overall titles (2001, 2005 and 2008), four UCI Downhill World Championships (2003, 2012, 2013 and 2021), and 22 UCI World Cups and 86 podiums from 167 starts.The 44-year-old is still an ever-present at race weekends too in his new role as Team Director for Norco x adidas Race Division, where he has been influential in Gracey Hemstreet’s (Norco x adidas Race Division) progression from top-10 regular to three-time UCI Downhill World Cup winner and consistent podium finisher.STAN DAYThe fourth and final inductee is SRAM co-founder Stan Day. After introducing the Grip Shift to the world in the late 1980s, the Chicago-based component manufacturer has grown to become an integral groupset manufacturer across mountain bike, road cycling and triathlon, and its umbrella of brands include RockShox (suspension), Quarq (power meters) and Hammerhead (cycling technology company).Day was the company’s CEO from 1987 until 2019, and oversaw some of the biggest developments in componentry the sport has ever seen, including the universal derailleur hanger, a shift to 1x drivetrains and wireless shifting.In addition to helping drive groundbreaking innovations, Day is also a director on the board of World Bicycle Relief – an international non-profit that specialises in bicycle distribution programs to aid poverty relief in developing countries.

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.

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 Heby 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 Heby 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 Heby 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.