Following the spectacular images and incredible excitement of the 2025 edition, La Thuile is ready to raise the bar again with an even bigger and more unmissable WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series weekend. From July 3 to 5, 2026, the Aosta Valley destination will host the four formats of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series: Downhill, Enduro, Cross-country Olympic and Cross-country Short Track.Three days of racing, crowds, official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series teams, paddock, expo area, food & beverage and side activities will come together in a unique format within the international mountain bike scene.La Thuile is in fact one of the very few venues on the circuit where the entire event village is concentrated in a single logistical hub: visitors can arrive, park and enjoy the whole event with everything close at hand, moving easily between team areas, lifts, paddock and finish arena.FROM THE TRACKSIDE TO THE STADIUM AREA: HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE RACESOnline ticket sales are officially open, giving spectators the opportunity to choose between access to the Stadium Area and dedicated lift passes.The Stadium Area will be at the heart of the action, offering the perfect place to experience the finals. Here, spectators will be able to follow some of the most exciting moments of the races, right by the giant screen, the hot seat, the final big jump of the downhill course, and the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup feed-tech zone, all just a few steps away from the services of the Event Village. Not to mention the highly anticipated enduro night race “The Nightfall by CVA”.The lifts complete the experience: while the Stadium Area is the ideal place to enjoy the finals and the key moments of the weekend, the chairlift allows spectators to reach higher elevations and follow Downhill practice, qualifying runs and Enduro race sections up close, with panoramic viewpoints and trackside action along the trails.The entire Downhill course is served by a dedicated spectator path, allowing fans to move alongside the track and reach some of the most spectacular sections, including the two major Road Gaps. Several race sections will also be visible directly from the chairlift itself, while food points and dedicated spectator areas will be set up along the upper sections of the course, allowing fans to fully enjoy the action.Unlike in 2025, and for safety and crowd-management reasons, access to the Downhill course will only be permitted from top to bottom.The close connection between the Stadium Area and the Event Village is one of the greatest strengths of the La Thuile round. When speaking about services and entertainment in town, this refers to the Event Village offer: team paddock, expo area, food & beverage and entertainment activities will all be completely free and accessible to everyone.This is precisely why lift passes and Stadium Area tickets perfectly complement each other: practice sessions and qualifying runs can be experienced along the course, while the big finals come alive in the heart of the arena, making it possible to enjoy the entire event on foot between high-altitude alpine scenery and the spectacle of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in one of the most complete events on the international calendar.From July 3 to 5, 2026, La Thuile will once again become the heart of the global mountain bike world. TICKETS AND ONLINE SALESOnline ticket sales are already available on the official event website: www.lathuileworldcupmtb.comOnline lift tickets will be available at a discounted price compared to on-site purchases. Children under 8 years old enjoy free access at all times.SCHEDULE AND TICKETS Friday, July 3: UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup + UCI Downhill Downhill - QualifyingThe ideal day for those who want to experience Downhill action directly along the course: practice sessions, qualifying runs and the first competitive runs can all be followed trackside thanks to the lifts dedicated to spectators.In the afternoon and evening, attention will turn to the Cross-country arena for the UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup.Stadium Area: freeChairlift tickets:Online presale: €15On-site purchase: €20Saturday, July 4: UCI Downhill World Cup Finals + UCI Enduro World Cup + Night Fall by CVAThe most intense and spectacular day of the weekend. The UCI Downhill World Cup Finals will animate the Stadium Area with the giant screen, hot seat and final jump, while the UCI Enduro World Cup action unfolds across the mountain. In the evening, the grand finale arrives with Night Fall by CVA, the only night-time Enduro special stage of the UCI World Cup season.Stadium Area: €10Chairlift tickets:Online presale: €15On-site purchase: €20Sunday, July 5: UCI Cross-country Olympic World CupSunday will be dedicated to the UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup. The Stadium Area will offer a privileged view over the feed-tech zone, giant screen and the most spectacular sections of the course, right in the heart of the Event Village.Stadium Area: €10Photo credits: @nicoladamonte (Downhill) / @robinnevrala (Enduro) / @lathuilebikeworld
Luca Shaw (Canyon DH Racing) clinched a long-awaited first Men’s Elite win in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by FACOM. Meanwhile, Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) made history as the first Elite rider to win the UCI Downhill World Cup at the venue twice.Shaw powered his way to victory, denying home favourite Benoît Coulanges (Scott Downhill Factory), while quickest qualifier Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) rounded out the podium in third. The win ends a 14-year wait for Shaw, who hit speeds of up to 81 km/h on a fearless run down the fast, dry track in the French Pyrenees.Höll dominated from start to finish, beating Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) into second, with Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) taking third. The dusty conditions and sandy corners resulted in test of bike handling, which caught riders out throughout the weekend.In the Junior categories, familiar names returned to the top step: Rosa Zierl (Cube Factory Racing) edged a narrow win in the Women’s race, while Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) secured his second victory of the Men’s series.SHAW POWERS TO MAIDEN ELITE UCI WORLD CUP VICTORYLuca Shaw showed his power out of the gate before holding speed and form down the difficult Loudenvielle-Peyragudes course to take a slender victory in the Men’s Elite category.The fast and rough bottom sections of the course caused problems all weekend. Previous round winner Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) was absent after crashing out during practice, while defending overall champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate), also missed the finals, failing to make it through qualifying after mistakes in both runs.Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) claimed his first Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory at MONA YongPyong (South Korea) earlier this month. However, in Loudenvielle, the first-year Elite Men’s rider had to come through Q2 to reach the finals, resulting in an earlier start position. The youngster showed fearless riding on the technical lower slopes, but a crash cost him valuable time.The slippery conditions made life difficult for all riders. Loris Vergier (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) looked set to take the lead before crashing out, while teammate Till Alran suffered a similar fate, sliding out on the loose terrain.Tyler Waite (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team), however, avoided trouble and showcased his power on the exposed sections to build an advantage. The New Zealander held his advantage on the lower slopes, setting a benchmark time of 3:28.505 for the later starters - eventually finishing fifth.Australian Troy Brosnan (Canyon DH Racing) was matching the quickest time with a consistent run, before going high on the final bend and falling seven hundreds of a second behind. Benoît Coulanges (Scott Downhill Factory) sent the home fans wild by hitting the corners perfectly to take the lead with an impressive time of 3:27.764.Looking to avenge a puncture at the previous round, Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) rode with confidence, delivering a smooth run before fading in the final sector to finish fourth, just five tenths off the lead.The opening section saw Shaw exploded into action, clocking 81 km/h through the speed trap and holding his pace on the lower section to snatch victory by one tenth of a second.For penultimate starter Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction), it was another nightmare in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes as a further crash on the French track proved costly.Fastest qualifier Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) lost over a second on the opening power section and continued to bleed time, trailing by more than two seconds heading into the most technical part of the course. The British threw everything at the final sector but ultimately fell six tenths short, finishing third.Luca Shaw also leads the Elite Men’s overall standings after two rounds. Following his win, Shaw said: “It means so much to me. It’s been 14 years trying to do this. I’ve been so close, so many times. I’ve done everything but get the win, so this is the last thing that I needed to do.“It’s a sweet one for sure. So many people were telling me that it was only a matter of time, and I wanted to believe that so badly…but you never know, racing is so hard and the level has never been higher. I’m so happy that I could. I was just pedalling, pumping and tucking. Giving it everything I had.”DOMINANT HÖLL EXTENDS WINNING RUNValentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) completed a perfect weekend with a commanding display in the Women’s Elite race. Last year’s overall winner and UCI Downhill World Champion made light work of the dusty slopes in the French Pyrenees to back up her fastest qualifying time.Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) was a notable absentee from Loudenvielle-Peyragudes as she continues to recover from an elbow injury.European Champion Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) put a consistent ride together as the Swiss rider looked faultless to clock a benchmark time of 3:56.222 – good enough for third.There was time to be gained in the top section, but Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) lost ground through the technical middle sector, while Sacha Earnest (Trek – Unbroken DH) crashed out.Valentina Roa Sánchez (MS-Racing) backed up her qualifying performance and tested Baumann’s lead throughout, before stopping the clock nine-tenths of a second slower for fifth. Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) started impressively and was over a second fastest, before hitting a hole and losing momentum. The Canadian remained focused and some aggressive riding helped her go one second faster than Baumann to finish runner-up.Penultimate starter Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) was bidding to earn a home victory for France. The experienced rider led at the midway point, before losing time on the lower slopes and slipping down the order to fourth.Höll was bidding for her second win at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes and was a commanding presence in the starting gate. The Austrian led in the top section before flying down the steep banks to pull out three seconds on her opponents. Finishing in a time of 3:51.920, which was 3.2 seconds faster than Hemstreet.After winning the opening two rounds Höll also has a clear advantage in the overall competition.“I’m happy it’s over,” said Höll. “I learnt pretty well from last year when I was pushing too much at the top and had no energy at the bottom. This time I tried to pace myself a little more. The bike helped a lot on the steep stuff, I’m happy with the set-up, with the team.“With Lisa [Baumann] also on the podium, it’s so sick. I’ve got a big home race coming up, but I’m going to enjoy this one, recover mentally and physically for Saalfelden-Leogang.”ZIERL AND WILLIAMSON MAINTAIN OVERALL CHARGE WITH WINSRosa Zierl (Cube Factory Racing) took victory by the closest of margins following a dramatic end to the Women’s Junior category. The UCI Downhill World Champion in the age group had to settle for the runner-up position in the previous round and qualified second fastest. She faced tough competition on the slope by fellow Austrian rider Lina Frener (Norco X Adidas Race Division). Frener set an impressive benchmark time which tested the last two riders out of the starting gate. Zierl was behind in the top and middle sections of the course, before finishing quickly and beating Frener’s time by 0.017 of a second.Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) was the quickest qualifier by over five seconds and winner at the previous round in MONA YongPyong. However, the American had a nightmare first section, crashing and losing over five seconds on her rivals. The Canyon DH Racing competitor came fighting back in the lower sections and finished third just a second behind.“My run wasn’t perfect but it was still pretty good,” said Zierl. “It was pretty tight with Lina [Frener] who also did well here last year. I knew she was going to be fast. With Aletha [Ostgaard] crashing, I’m sorry, but she was so fast at the bottom, so I still wasn’t sure if it was going to be enough for the win. I’m happy that I won.”Meanwhile, Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) recorded his second victory from as many rounds after another dominant weekend in the Men’s Junior category. The New Zealander was without a win last season but already has two victories to his name this campaign.Williamson qualified quickest the previous day and despite lines changing in the dusty terrain he produced a flawless display to run out winner in a time of 3:32.781.Raoul Schneeberger (Santa Cruz Burgtec By Goodman) completed a career-best weekend by matching his second place in qualifying. Meanwhile, Sacha Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) continued his solid start to the season with a third placed finish.“The track was changing heaps, and it was super loose,” said Williamson. “I was struggling a bit this morning to sort out my lines. I managed to put a good run down and I rode how I wanted to, smooth, it was good. I’m going to try and do the same thing and bring the momentum into Saalfelden-Leogang.”Wins for Williamson and Zierl puts them at the top of the overall standings in their categories after two rounds. Meanwhile, Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres lead the team standings by a single point, ahead of COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction.The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues in Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland (Austria) between 11-14 June with a full programme of events for all the Endurance and Gravity competitors.The Salzburgerland venue is one of only two rounds on the 2026 calendar that hosts four UCI World Cup formats across one weekend – Cross-Country Olympic, Short Track, Downhill and Enduro.
The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by FACOM, brought riders to the popular terrain of the French Pyrenees - which has hosted the Enduro World Series since 2021.Despite riders competing over 49.8 kilometres just seven tenths of a second separated the Men’s Elite competitors, as Alex Rudeau edged out fellow Frenchman Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project) into second and Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) finished third.Meanwhile, Ella Conolly was a more dominant winner in the Women’s Elite category as she finished over five seconds ahead of Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) in second and Raphaela Richter came third.American rider Romy Williams (Speed Project) was pushed all the way for her Women’s Junior win and Hugo Marti Montessinos was fastest Men’s Junior.RUDEAU EDGES OUT COUNTRYMAN IN CLOSE FINISHAlex Rudeau got his campaign off the perfect start after edging out fellow Frenchman Raphaël Giambi by seven tenths of a second, following a nail-biting conclusion to the Men’s Elite category. Former UCI Pump Track World Champion Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) battled back from a slower start for a deserved third-place finish.Rudeau is planning to battle for the overall series this season and the 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion got off to the perfect start.Coming into the event all eyes were on defending overall champion Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team). However, the Polish rider left the course on the opening section and lost over a minute to his opponents as he continued.Giambi came into the event looking for a first Men’s Elite podium after thriving in the Junior and Under-21 categories. The Speed Project rider showed his speed on the opening 3.68-kilometre Nabias section and pulled out a five-second lead on Jt Fisher (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and the remainder of his rivals. Meanwhile, Gilchrist found himself in 11th position after the opening stage and lost 11 seconds on the early leader.The Australian, who finished fifth at two UCI Enduro World Cup events last season, responded in style on the following 2.4-kilometre section and overturned his deficit and went into the lead by three seconds.Gilchrist maintained his advantage until the penultimate 1.37-kilometre section, including 13 metres of elevation gain and 324 metres of descent. It was then that Rudeau made his winning move and led Gilchrist by seven tenths, and Giambi by 2.8 seconds going into the final stage.Giambi gave it everything in the final 2.54 kilometres to win the last stage but fell seven tenths of a second short of overall victory.“It feels so good,” said Rudeau. “It has been since 2022 that I haven’t won here. I wanted it. I’m really happy about this one. It’s a good start to the season and good points for the overall.”CONOLLY SENDS MESSAGE TO RIVALS WITH DISPLAYPrivateer Ella Conolly sent a message to her rivals for this years’ Women’s Elite UCI Enduro World Cup with a dominant showing at the opening round. The 27-year-old won three UCI Enduro World Cups last year and secured three further podium finishes.Conolly showed her form on the opening 3.68-kilometre Nabias section and used her speed to gain an advantage of 6.6 seconds over Winnifred Goldsbury in second.After finishing third on the opening sector, home rider Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) fought back on the following Privilege stage, which contained 83 metres of elevation gain. Conolly lost 3.5 seconds on the sector and had work to do, as Goldsbury lost vital time in the overall battle.The duel continued on the shortest stage of the day as Pugin knocked another four tenths of a second off Conolly’s lead. The British rider responded on the technical Coumaou stage, which included tight wooded turns at high pace. Conolly won the 1.37-kilometre section and extended her lead by three seconds over Pugin, who placed third.After seeing her winter training impacted by shoulder surgery Raphaela Richter expected a slower start to her campaign. However, she secured third place on the podium by winning the final stage - finishing less than a second ahead of Pugin and Conolly.Conolly had done enough earlier in the day to clinch the overall victory, finishing five seconds ahead of her French opponent. “It went really well,” said Conolly. “I’ve had a bit of a rough lead-up to this race, so it wasn’t expected but I was always going to come and give it everything that I had, so I’m happy that it ended like this.“The track was just so dry, with big piles of dust and not much support at the end of the corners. It was rough underneath all of the dust. There was a good load of sprints in there too on the fire-road and off-road, it had a bit of everything.”WILLIAMS AND MARTI MONTESSINOS BATTLE FOR JUNIOR HONOURSAmerican rider Romy Williams won the Women’s Junior UCI Enduro World Cup by the closest of margins, denying home rider Bélinda Baudet victory by just two tenths of a second.Baudet was riding just her second UCI Enduro World Cup, after finishing seventh at Aletsch Arena – Bellwald (Valais) last year. The French youngster got her early morning off to a perfect start winning the opening two sectors to lead by nine seconds. However, it was Williams who coped best with the gruelling stages and pulled six tenths ahead heading into the last stage. Despite Baudet edging the final 2.54-kilometre section it was Williams who hung on to clinch the honours.Baudet had to settle for a career-best runner-up spot and Canadian rider Keely Bathurst finished third.Meanwhile, Hugo Marti Montessinos clinched his first Men’s Junior UCI Enduro World Cup in commanding style. The Frenchman came into the series last year with a consistent run of results, including four top seven place finishes and a runner-up spot at Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France).The youngster pulled out an 11-second advantage on the first stage and then won every sector of the day to triumph by 44 seconds. Australian rider Harper Nelmes was rewarded for a consistent day of riding to finish second, while Jules Janniaud placed third.The UCI Enduro World Cup action now draws to a close in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, with attention already turning to the next round in Saalfelden Leogang in Salzburgerland.The weekend of racing in the French Pyrenees concludes tomorrow with the UCI Downhill World Cup Finals, following a qualifying day where Jordan Williams (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) set the fastest times, while junior riders Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) and Jonty Williamson (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) led their respective categories.The action gets underway with the Women’s Junior finals at 11:30 CET. Click here to find out how and where to watch all the action.
Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) and Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) held their nerve to qualify fastest in the UCI Downhill World Cup at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by FACOM.After thriving in the previous day’s practice Williams showed his composure on the fast and dry course in the French Pyrenees to set the quickest time in qualifying of 3:28.467.Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) missed his 100th career UCI Downhill World Cup start after crashing out and defending champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) also failed to progress from qualifying.Meanwhile, Höll will bid to make it two wins in as many 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup rounds after dominating the Women’s Elite qualifying with a quickest time of 3:55.651. She is set to face a strong challenge from home favourite Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) and Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division).Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) was also superior in the Women’s Junior qualifying, while Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) was fastest Men’s Junior.Located within the French Pyrenees’ top riding spot, the Louron Valley, has been a popular UCI Downhill World Cup round of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series since 2023. Melding man-made features with the hillside’s natural contours, the result is one of the most exciting courses on the whole downhill circuit, measuring 2.5 kilometres in length.WILLIAMS MASTERS TRACK TO POST QUICKEST TIMEBritish rider mastered the fast and dusty course at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes to qualify fastest for tomorrow’s Elite Men’s finals. The 21-year-old burst onto the UCI Downhill World Cup scene in 2023 with a victory at Lenzerheide (Switzerland).Last year the Specialized Gravity rider finished a season’s best third at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes and the British Champion will bid to repeat his quickest qualifying run for victory tomorrow. Williams lost over a second to his rivals on the fast and exposed top section of the course, before regaining ground in the wooded technical section and snatching the quickest time.After finishing third in the opening round at MONA YongPyong four weeks ago, Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) was edged into second place and just eight tenths of a second behind Williams. Pierron will carry the hopes of the French fans and has form at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes after finishing runner-up last year.The later starters tomorrow will have a North American feel as Luca Shaw (Canyon DH Racing) finished third quickest, just four hundreds faster than fellow American rider Ryan Pinkerton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH).Meanwhile, Canadian Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) and Dylan Maples (Pivot Factory Racing) were also inside the top six positions.Jackson Goldstone reignited his season at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes last year with the first of a four-win streak which catapulted him towards overall honours. However, the young Canadian had a nightmare first qualifying session after riding out of the course markings, resulting in a disqualification. The UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner suffered the same mistake in Q2, ending his challenge.Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) finished first in qualifying and finals to score maximum points in his first Elite UCI Downhill World Cup at MONA YongPyong. However, the American teenager was forced to battle through Q2, along with countryman Richard Rude Jr (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team).Antoine Pierron (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) and Martin Maes (Orbea FMD Racing) also booked their finals spot through Q2.IMPRESSIVE HÖLL STUNS WITH QUALIFICATION SHOWCASEValentina Höll showed her power and precision as she clocked a qualifying time which was four seconds faster than her nearest challenger. The reigning overall Elite Women’s UCI Downhill World Cup title holder has never finished lower than second in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes either (winning in 2023), so things look increasingly ominous for her rivals this weekend.The UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Champion will be looking bidding for the 13th UCI World Cup win of her career in tomorrow’s finals.Fellow experienced rider Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) showed her knowledge of the Pyrenees course to finish second quickest. Nicole will carry the French hopes after finishing third at the opening round in MONA YongPyong and won at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes two years ago.After a disappointing ride in South Korea, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) re-focused for a third place in qualifying.Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) was a non-starter as she continues to recover from an elbow injury, suffered during an incident in qualifying at MONA YongPyong.Meanwhile, the British pair of Harriet Harnden (AON Racing) and Phoebe Gale (Orbea FMD Racing) saved their weekend by going through the second qualifying session, along with Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing/TRP).OSTGAARD AND WILLIMSON REMAIN JUNIOR NAMES TO BEATAfter winning at the opening UCI Downhill World Cup round Aletha Ostgaard and Jonty Williamson posted the fastest qualifying times in the Women’s and Men’s Junior categories respectively.Ostgaard failed to finish at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes last year and qualified in determined fashion with a time of 3:59.683. The Canyon DH Racing finished 5.5 seconds faster than Rosa Zierl (Cube Factory Racing), who also finished runner-up behind the American in MONA YongPyong.Danish rider Rosa Marie Jensen (Specialized Gravity) will look to improve on her fifth place from the opening round, after qualifying in third.After also winning his first Men’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup earlier this month, Williamson will look to repeat the result tomorrow in the French Pyrenees. He finished in 3:37.921 which was over a second clear of his nearest opponent.The podium could be a close battle as just four thousand of a second separated Raoul Schneeberger (Santa Cruz By Goodman) and Sacha Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) in second and third respectively.The opening round’s runner-up Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton) missed out on qualification for the finals after finishing 27th in qualifying.The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by FACOM, continues on Sunday with the UCI Downhill World Cup finals for the Elite and Junior competitors. Find out where to watch here.
Already available to download on Apple and Android devices from the App Store and Google Play, the app is the easiest way to stay fully connected with all the action from the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series and has all the information fans need, all in one place.As well as the latest breaking news and videos from the worlds of Cross-country, Downhill and Enduro, the app is also where to find race highlights after every UCI World Cup round, along with additional Series content, all designed for fans to enjoy in a simple, on-the-go format.The app goes beyond a simple newsfeed though, it's also a vital tool for keeping up with results and standings, with each series leaderboard updated in real-time. Its team and athlete profiles hub is also an invaluable resource, allowing fans to dive deeper into every WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Team and get all the information on their favourite riders.EVENT DAY ESSENTIALSFor each round of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the official app serves as a handy on-the-ground guide, featuring the full race schedule, activation and side event timings, live-location venue maps and ticketing details. For events that include Enduro, official course maps for both the UCI Enduro World Cup and the Enduro Open will also be available within the app.Even if for those not attending in person, it’s still the ultimate race weekend assistant. Smart scheduling enables fans to view competition and event timings both in local and their own time zones, and handy reminders mean they never miss a moment. There’s also a ‘Where to Watch’ tool that uses location services to find out which broadcasters are available in your country.At every UCI Cross-country World Cup round, fans can also vote for the “Best XC Riders of the Event” powered by GOBIK. Martín Vidaurre Kossmann (Specialized Factory Racing) and Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) were the fan favourites last week in Nové Mĕsto Na Moravĕ (Czechia).Finally, users can tailor their experience through customisable notification settings, including reminders, on-event alerts and a no-spoiler mode, ensuring they receive only the updates that matter most to them.MORE TO COMESoon, an integrated live timing interface will enable fans to follow race results and stats even more easily, while live blog coverage will allow fans to follow every twist and turn for non-live broadcast races like the UCI Enduro World Cup rounds, with dynamic updates as the action unfolds.After the two first events in MONA YongPyong (South Korea) and Nové Město na Moravě, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France) for the first round of the UCI Enduro World Cup as well as more downhill action.
We look at everything you need to know about the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by FACOM, including when the Enduro and Downhill events are scheduled to take place, who is racing, and how to watch.WHEN? The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle - Peyragudes, France starts with the UCI Enduro World Cup at 10:00 (UTC+2) on Saturday, May 30 and concludes with the Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup at 14:10 (UTC+2) on Sunday, May 31.Below are the key timings for race weekend. All times are UTC+2 (EDT+6/BST+1/CEST):Saturday, May 3010:00-17:00 – UCI Enduro World Cup12:30 – 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 EliteSunday, May 3111:30 – 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 EliteWHERE CAN I WATCH?There will be several ways to watch the Gravity-packed action unfold at France’s first WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series event of the 2026 season.For the UCI Enduro World Cup, there will be a course preview featuring the route and its key sections, practice day and race day highlights on the official YouTube channel, key race moments on social media and live timings on the official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series website.For the second UCI Downhill World Cup of the season, you can watch the finals live anywhere in the world.The men’s and women’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup races will be available on HBO Max (in all available territories) and MTBWS TV via subscription. Elite finals will be shown on one of the below channels or streaming services. Pre-show starts at 12.45 CET (UTC+2), so set a reminder to join Ashleigh Wilmott, Josh Carlson and Ric McLaughlin live from the Pyrenees:Europe:Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Baltics, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine – HBO Max / EurosportBelgium - HBO Max, Eurosport, VRT, RTLCzechia – HBO Max, Eurosport, CT SportFrance - HBO Max, Eurosport, La Chaîne L’ÉquipeIreland – TNT SportsUnited Kingdom – HBO Max, 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 TVMTBWS TV has now launched in the US, so fans will be able to watch the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series live on the streaming service. Racing will also still be available to watch on HBO Max.South & Central America: MTBWS TVAfrica: MTBWS TVAll other territories: MTBWS TVFollow the UCI Downhill World Cup qualification day on live timing and across social media.RIDERS TO WATCHThe Lourdon Bike and Trail Park has become an integral part of the competition calendar for the series’ Gravity riders, and has delivered exciting, unpredictable racing since it made its UCI World Cup debut in 2023.In the Men’s UCI Enduro World Cup, Sławomir Lukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) will be hoping to get the defence of his overall title off to the strongest possible start. Albin Cambos is another to watch – the Frenchman beating 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion Alex Rudeau last weekend to claim the French national title.The women’s Enduro field will see Ella Conolly commence her defence of her first UCI Enduro World Cup overall title. The Brit has fond memories of the Pyrenean venue from 2025, when Loudenvielle-Peyragudes hosted her maiden UCI Enduro World Cup win – an achievement that sparked her dominant hat-trick of victories.Simona Kuchynkova (Cuba Action Team) and Nadina Ellecosta (Abetone Ancillotti Vittoria Factory Team) remain Conolly’s closest rivals, while Isabeau Courdurier’s return between the race tape will be interesting to watch – the Enduro G.O.A.T coming back to the sport after taking a year out to start a family.In Downhill, all eyes will be on Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) to see if the 19-year-old can repeat his dominant performance from the season opener in MONA YongPyong (South Korea). The American became the first rider to win qualifying and finals on their Elite Men’s Downhill debut, and if he is victorious in Loudenveille-Peyragudes he will become only the 7th man to win the opening two rounds of the season – joining a select club including Steve Peat (2001), Gee Atherton (2013) and Amaury Pierron (2022).Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) will be on a mission to stop him and looking to mark his 100th career start in style in front of a partisan home crowd. Reigning overall champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) will also be hoping to make amends after a poor start in South Korea – the Canadian finishing down in 26th – and knows what it takes to win in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, having stood on the podium’s top spot in 2025. Other riders to watch include Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) and another recent graduate to the Elite ranks, Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction).Things appear to be a bit clearer cut in the women’s field, where Vali Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) got her season off to a strong start in South Korea and already seems up to speed on her new bike.Höll’s fellow podium finishers in MONA YongPyong – Gloria Scarsi (MS-Racing) and Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) – will go into the second round of the series buoyed by their promising results. It will be a momentous weekend for Nicole too, who will start her 94th UCI World Cup – overtaking Sabrina Jonnier as having the most UCI Downhill World Cup starts of any woman in history. She could also break her winless streak, which stretches back to the 2024 UCI World Cup in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes.Elsewhere, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) will be targeting the top end of the leaderboard, while there’s more to come from Harriet Harnden (AON Racing).Racing gets underway on Saturday, May 30 in Loudenvielle - Peyragudes. Full schedule and event details are available HERE.
With the course confirmed, start list finalised and off seasons completed, all that’s left for the athletes to do is get between the race tape and duke it out to be crowned the first UCI Enduro World Cup winner of the year.But before they dropped into their practice runs, Elliott Heap caught up with a number of the stars from this year’s field in the first virtual press conference of 2026. From reflections on 2025 success to an insight in which rounds they’re looking forward to most in the UCI Enduro World Cup , here’s what some of the sport’s best riders had to say…CONNOLLY AND LUKASIK REFLECT ON 2025 SUCCESSElla Connolly and Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) dominated proceedings in 2025, picking up three UCI Enduro World Cup wins each and three podium finishes to secure their respective titles.It was also a season where the pair stepped out of the shadows of their rivals, propelling themselves to the top of a UCI Enduro World Cup top spot for their first times in their careers before repeating this feat.“I felt pretty relaxed going into last season, and just curious to see where I was,” said Connolly. “I carried that mindset throughout the season, focusing on getting the most out of myself at each race rather than getting too caught up in the results. I think that made a real difference.”Lukasik too looked to take the pressure off himself, and the results speak for themselves: “Last year was pretty smooth for me. I was really relaxed and enjoyed the racing. I didn't think about the results at any time; I just kept going, and it was really fun to do all the races for the whole year with the team.”HOSKINS SHARES OFF-SEASON PROGRESSWhile Connolly is the favourite to defend her title, the Brit won’t have it all her own way if Elly Hoskin can help it. The Canadian had a breakout debut Elite season of her own in 2025, winning two UCI Enduro World Cups and the rainbow jersey at the UCI Enduro World Championships. And ominously for her rivals, she has had an injury-free off-season.“This off season it's been really awesome,” she said. “It’s the first one since I've started racing the UCI World Cup that I haven't had any injury going into it, so I was finally able to ski, which was really awesome. I did a lot of that at home and lots of biking; I also had a little bit of racing leading into this trip [to Europe], and I’m feeling really good.”COURDURIER CONFIRMS MIXED-FORMAT AMBITIONSOne rider who could rival anyone on her day is Isabeau Courdurier. The legendary Enduro rider announced her retirement from the sport to start a family at the end of 2024, but the race tape has been calling and she has announced a mixed-format schedule for 2026.“This season, the first big challenge is that I'm mixing up; I'm going to race Downhill as well as Enduro,” she said. For the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by Facom, the Frenchwoman will be lining up alongside the likes of Vali Höll (Commencal by Schwalbe Les Orres) and another mixed-format fan Harriet Harnden (AON Racing).“I prepared as much as I could with the circumstances, having a baby in October, and getting back to training as early as I could, so we are prepared enough to survive going down this track.”The first time that Enduro fans will see her return to the format will be in Val di Fassa, Trentino (Italy), which will be used in preparation for the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships in Finale Ligure (Italy) in October. “I will be back racing Enduro in Canazei, with hopefully more time on the bike, and then my big goals will be at the end of the season.”RUDEAU TARGETS OVERALL TITLEIt’s not just the women’s field that is shaping up to be super competitive in 2026, with Alex Rudeau confirming that he will be going bar-to-bar with Lukasik at every round of the 2026 series. The 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion isn’t going to make up the numbers, either.“I'm back doing full series this year,” he said. “My main goal is to try to win the overall; I'm really happy to be back and try to push for these goals.”RODGERS HIGHLIGHTS HIS DETERMINATION TO COMPETE AT THE SPORT'S PINNACLELief Rodgers might not be a household name yet, but the Canadian had a memorable 2025, completing a full UCI Enduro World Cup season for the first time and finishing on the podium at the season finale in Morillon, Haute Savoie (France). He did all of this without the backing of a big team, and his off-season highlights how the life of a privateer is worlds away from those at the sport's pinnacle."Off season this year was really good. I did as much riding and training as I could, and also I was working 30 hours a week as a plumber. It was pretty similar to what I did last off season, and the year went well" he said.This year, he continues his David vs Goliath story, and has his sights set on even more success. "My results last year changed some of my expectations for this season. I have some big goals this year. I'd like to get on the podium a lot more this year, while also working on the process and getting the mental game dialed too."
Across four days, almost 30,000 spectators attended the event, with a steady build-up of excitement throughout the week.A key highlight of the week was the School Festival, which brought together almost 2,000 students from across the Vysočina Region, reinforcing the event’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of riders and fans.The popular Test Fest also drew strong participation, offering visitors the chance to experience the latest bike technology firsthand. Over the course of the event, 1,600 bike loans were recorded, highlighting the growing appetite for hands-on engagement with the sport.Community-building remained at the heart of the programme, with a series of rides and workshops led by influencers and experts. These included riding technique workshops, social rides, educational e-bike sessions, sports-themed workshops and social runs. Altogether, 15 events were delivered, designed to deepen connections between fans and the sport while making mountain biking more accessible to all.Fans were also treated to a vibrant schedule of exhibitions and live shows. The programme featured talk shows hosted by highly acclaimed Czech journalist and television presenter Daniel Stach, as well as spectacular U-ramp and airbag exhibitions. Opportunities to meet the stars were plentiful, with autograph sessions involving top MTB athletes, VIP guests and influencers. In total, 28 fan-focused events contributed to a dynamic and engaging atmosphere throughout the venue.With record engagement across all activations and a strong turnout across the weekend, Nové Město na Moravě once again demonstrated its ability to combine elite competition with an exceptional fan experience, setting the standard for events across the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.
The dust hasn’t even settled from the Endurance excitement in Nové Město Na Moravě (Czechia) and the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series is back with the return of the UCI Downhill and Enduro World Cups at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by FACOM.The former will commence the Downhill European season after its opener in South Korea a month ago, while the latter sees the Enduro format’s curtain raiser – the first time that the Pyrenean venue has hosted the first round of the year.The Louron Valley spot made its UCI World Cup debut in 2023 and has hosted the Enduro World Series since 2021. It’s easy to see why it’s become a staple of the season too. Located within the French Pyrenees’ top riding spot, Loudenvielle - Peyragudes is a year-round riding heaven, offering more than 500km of trails and a fast and furious pro-line downhill track that descends 540m in 2.4km.PEARL OF THE FRENCH PYRENEESLoudenvielle - Peyragudes is the premier location for mountain biking in the whole of the French Pyrenees. Located near the border with Spain and a stone’s throw from Andorra, its tight and tree-lined trails have become a favourite of the world’s Gravity-leaning riders.The ‘DH World Cup’ trail was created especially for the 2023 UCI Downhill World Cup by the local Lourdon Bike and Trail Park team and French downhill icon Romain Paulhan. Melding man-made features with the hillside’s natural contours, the result is one of the most exciting courses on the whole UCI Downhill World Cup circuit.The venue’s Enduro stages meanwhile take in the best trails of the Louron Valley. The UCI Enduro World Cup will see athletes take on five stages as part of a 49.3km course featuring 2,150m of descent (and 103m gain) during the race stages and 1,262m of ascent (and 1,300m of lifts) during liaisons. Three stages remain from last year’s edition, with Tourteres returning from the 2024 edition, and a UCI Enduro World Cup debut for Coumaou.WILDCARD ENTRIESThe following wildcard teams have been confirmed to compete at the Loudenvielle-Peyragudes UCI Downhill World Cup: Crestline Speed Shop, Outlaw Intense Racing, Pivot Factory Racing, Team High Country, The Alliance, and Stoic Racing.All teams featured in the 2026 series opener in MONA YongPyong where wildcard highlights included Dylan Maples’ (Pivot Factory Racing) 14th in the Elite Men’s Finals and Alex Mallen’s (Outlaw Intense Racing) fifth in the Junior Men’s finals.VERMETTE AND HÖLL HOLD THE ACESWe’re only one race into the 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup series, but there already appears to be contrasting battles for the overall title.Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) made a statement in South Korea, finishing first in qualifying and finals to score maximum points in his first Elite UCI Downhill World Cup. The 19-year-old is part of an exciting crop of graduates from the Junior ranks and it’s clear that the likes of Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) and Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) might face even more competition in the battle for the overall title.Mr consistent Bruni is set to make a milestone 100th start in Loudenvielle. The Frenchman was second best four weeks ago and can be expected to podium as a minimum in the Pyrenees – having won at the venue in its UCI debut in 2023. Goldstone meanwhile will be hoping to make amends for a disappointing showing in South Korea, but the Canadian will take confidence from the fact that he had a similar start to the series in 2025 (finishing 20th in Biełsko-Biała, Poland) and still won the overall.Elsewhere, Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) is looking in good form – finishing third despite a crash in his final’s run – and there’s more to come from Max and Till Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) who progressed to the Elites alongside Vermette in the off-season.The women’s competition isn’t a foregone conclusion, but Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) has already opened her account for the year and once the Austrian starts winning, it can be hard to catch her. The reigning overall title holder has never finished lower than second in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes either (winning in 2023), so things look ominous for her rivals this weekend.Her biggest challengers for top spot are Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction), Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) and Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing). Nicole had a solid start to her season by taking third place and will have extra confidence knowing that she has won in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes before (2024) with the full backing of the French crowd, whilst Hemstreet will look to get back to competitive ways after a slightly disappointing start in South Korea. Seagrave could still be in contention, but after an incident in qualifying at MONA YongPyong, she will assess how she feels before deciding whether to start in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes.ŁUKASIK AND CONOLLY THE RIDERS TO BEAT IN UCI ENDURO WORLD CUP OPENERAfter a long off-season, the UCI Enduro World Cup is finally returning this weekend and will be kicking off the six-round series in style in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes.The Pyrenean venue has never hosted the curtain raiser but has always delivered unpredictable racing. It therefore should deliver an exciting start to a competitive series where every place and point will count come August’s finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France).In the men’s field, Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) will want to make a statement as he starts his defence of his overall title. The Polish rider finally picked up his first UCI Enduro World Cup in 2025 after a number of nailbiting second places, and once he had won one, the victories started flowing – securing three en route to his debut overall win.He won’t have to contend with teammate and rival Richie Rude (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) in the Pyrenees, with the American focused on the UCI Downhill World Cup this weekend. He will, however, face stiff competition from some fast Frenchmen in Alex Rudeau and recently crowned national champion Albin Cambos.Privateer Ella Conolly meanwhile is the favourite in the women’s field – the British rider dominant in last year’s edition on her way to a debut overall title. She might not have such a comfortable advantage this time out though. Isabeau Courdurier’s return to the sport after a season out is enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine, while Simona Kuchynkova (Cube Action Team), Morgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing) and Nadine Ellecosta (Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team) have all proven to be worthy adversaries for Conolly on their day.Racing gets underway in Loudenvielle - Peyragudes on Saturday with the UCI Enduro World Cup and the UCI Downhill World Cup qualifiers. Full schedule and events details are available here.
The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series returned to Nové Mĕsto Na Moravĕ (Czechia) last weekend with the Endurance athletes descending on a fast and furious course in perfect conditions.There was a second win in the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup for Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division), while Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) clinched the seventh Short-Track victory of her career in her first mountain bike race of the season.In the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup, it was another multi-discipline star who dominated the Men’s Elite race - Tom Pidcock continuing his 100% record in Nové Mĕsto Na Moravĕ with his fifth XCO win from five starts. In the women’s, Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) continued her team’s perfect record in 2026, following up Sina Frei’s podium-topping performance in MONA YongPyong (South Korea).It was the Specialized Factory Racing pair who sat down with presenter Ashleigh Wilmott for this week’s THE B LINE. From team tactics to season ambitions, here are some highlights from their chat.TEAM TACTICS COME TO THE FORESpecialized Factory Racing have had unrivalled success in recent seasons, particularly in Elite Men’s races where the team has several riders towards the front of proceedings. This numerical advantage has meant that the team have been able to deploy racing tactics, where riders work together to isolate the opposition and give the Specialized Factory Racing riders a better shot at winning.The opening UCI XCC World Cup saw the tactics play out for the first time in the women’s field too – Stigger surging to the front, forcing her rivals to chase down her effort before Frei launched the race-winning move.“The sport is developing, and I think having team tactics will for sure also be a profit,” says Stigger.“If you’re racing as a group in the same jersey, it makes you stronger. If one rider is up front, she can go for the win while the other plays a backup role, ready to make a move if the race comes back together,” adds Frei.OFF-SEASON IMPROVEMENTSAfter a winless 2025 for Stigger and Frei, the pair’s victorious start to 2026 is evidence of a productive off-season. But it wasn’t completely smooth sailing, particularly for Frei.“I had a quite difficult winter with two surgeries, but I also changed the coach,” she says. “My coach is now part of the Specialized team, and having that support on-site at every round has made a real difference for me. It works incredibly well and gives me confidence. Sometimes it’s the small things. For example, in Korea I had a tough lead-in and felt quite low, but a simple conversation there helped reset my mindset and turn things around. Sometimes it’s those little moments that make everything click.”While Stigger’s was more straightforward than her team-mates, it gave her the confidence to start the season as strongly as she has.“I really had a good preparation. It was the first time I came healthy through the winter, which was a really big goal of mine. This already gives a big boost in the mindset to have done everything I would say right, and that's also really nice to get into the season and confident, and that makes a big difference.”SEASON GOALSFrei currently finds herself top of the XCO and XCC standings, while Stigger is also second in both series. The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria) is next on 11-14 June, but the European race weekends come thick and fast, culminating in the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole (Italy) at the end of August. After such a strong start to the year, Frei is now targetting the sport’s ultimate prize.“On every start line I stand, I want to win; otherwise I don't have to stand on the start line. There are so many factors, and if I can just be healthy there and give all that I had on that day, I will be happy.”
Tom Pidcock made a spectacular return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, claiming victory in the Elite Men’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup at Nové Město na Moravě (Czechia) after a race-long duel with Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing).The win marked Pidcock’s fifth XCO triumph from five appearances on the Czech course, underlining a remarkable record at the venue.In the women’s race, Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) delivered a masterclass in descending to secure victory in the Elite category. The Austrian champion built an unassailable lead to claim her third UCI XCO World Cup win, while Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) edged out Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) in a sprint for second place.A staple of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series since 2011, Nové Město na Moravě once again lived up to its reputation. Its technical layout, featuring sharp climbs and demanding descents, set the stage for thrilling racing in both the Elite Men’s and Women’s races.PIDCOCK OVERCOMES MARTIN FOR SLENDER VICTORYTom Pidcock claimed victory in the Elite Men’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup at Nové Město na Moravě after a relentless, race-long duel with Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing), eventually winning by 18 seconds.The multi-discipline star had already signalled strong form with a second-place finish in the previous day’s UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup, narrowly beaten in a sprint by Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division).In a stacked field of 102 riders, the race exploded into life from the start, with Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) leading into the opening technical section.Azzaro pushed the pace early, testing rivals on the course’s demanding descents, while mechanical issues quickly reshuffled the field, most notably ending Simone Avondetto’s (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) chances.Racing without teammates, Pidcock faced repeated attacks. Martin made an early move on lap two, while Azzaro also surged, but Pidcock responded decisively, bridging across before launching a powerful attack of his own. Within minutes, he had opened a small but crucial gap, holding a nine-second advantage by the end of lap two.Behind, the race splintered. Mechanical problems struck again, including for Charlie Aldridge, while Azzaro faded from contention after his early efforts. Martin remained Pidcock’s closest challenger, later joined in the podium battle by Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), but the Briton continued to control the race from the front.At the halfway point, Pidcock extended his lead as the chasers regrouped behind, with riders like Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) and Martin Vidaurre (Specialized Factory Racing) fighting for the podium.Further back, more misfortune hit Joshua Dubau (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), whose race was compromised by mechanical issues.Martin refused to relent, gradually reducing the gap to just five seconds in the closing laps. But each time the Frenchman closed in, Pidcock responded, using his climbing strength to re-establish control. Meanwhile, Colombo broke clear of the chase group to secure third place.Heading into the final lap, Pidcock maintained an 18-second advantage and kept Martin at bay on the decisive climbs and technical switchbacks. The European Champion could finally celebrate on the final descent, sealing his fifth XCO victory in as many appearances at Nové Město.“I think that was the hardest one I’ve done,” Pidcock said after the finish. “I didn’t make it easy for myself. Luca [Martin] was pushing me all the way. I had to dig deep and respond several times. I was a bit cautious on the descents, but I used my strength on the climbs to make the difference.”Behind him, Martin finished second at 18 seconds, with Colombo completing the podium. Despite finishing seventh, Dario Lillo moved into the overall UCI XCO World Cup lead after two rounds, ahead of Martin and Colombo.STIGGER RIDES AWAY TO TAKE COMMANDING SOLO VICTORYLaura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) delivered a masterclass in technical riding to claim victory in the Elite Women’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup at Nové Město na Moravě, pulling clear before soloing to a decisive win.After taking victory in the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup the day before, Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck) arrived with ambitions of completing a weekend double. But it quickly became clear the race would be far from straightforward, as UCI World Champion Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) set an aggressive early pace, stretching the field from the opening lap.Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing), winner of the previous round in MONA YongPyong (South Korea), was equally determined to keep the pressure on, while Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing) used her technical prowess to open early gaps on the demanding descents.The technical nature of the course repeatedly reshaped the lead group. Blöchlinger and Nicole Koller (Lapierre PXR Racing) animated the race with bold riding, but each move was reeled back in on the climbs, forming a tightly packed lead group that included Pieterse, Frei, Rissveds, and Stigger.Mistakes began to prove costly. Pieterse lost ground after a slip on a rutted climb, while Rissveds sensed the moment to increase the pressure. It was then that Stigger made her decisive move attacking on a technical descent at the end of lap three to open a small but crucial gap.From there, the Austrian steadily extended her advantage as the chase group grew disorganized. Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) and Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC) briefly rejoined the fight, but mounting fatigue and technical errors, most notably a crash for Richards while in second, shattered the group’s cohesion.Behind Stigger, the battle for the podium intensified. Frei launched an attack on the final climb, with Koller and Rissveds responding. In the end, Rissveds edged out Frei in the sprint for second place.Out front, Stigger had time to celebrate, crossing the line 47 seconds clear to secure her third Elite Women’s UCI XCO World Cup victory and her first on European soil.“I have no words,” said an emotional Stigger. “I just followed my feeling and rode my own pace. The crowd was incredible. It’s amazing to have that support through the technical sections. This win means so much to me.”After two rounds, Frei leads the overall standings, while Specialized Factory Racing strengthened its position at the top of the team rankings following a dominant performance across both Elite races.FRANÇOIS BAUDRY AND EMBACHER TRIUMPH IN U23 UCI XCO WORLD CUPThe previous day’s Men’s U23 UCI XCO World Cup saw Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing) take victory after a tactical, race-long duel with Alix Andre-Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team). The Spanish rider eventually pulled clear to secure a decisive 24-second winning margin, while Naël Rouffiac (Origine Racing Division) completed the podium in third.In the Women’s U23 race, Katrin Embacher (KTM Factory MTB Team) claimed a breakthrough victory, dominating the event to secure her first UCI World Cup win. The Austrian crossed the line 1:24 ahead of Anina Hutter in second, with overall leader Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) rounding out the podium in third.NEXT STOP: LOUDENVIELLE-PEYRAGUDESThe WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues next weekend (28–31 May) in Loudenville–Peyragudes, in the French Pyrenees.It will be the turn of the gravity disciplines, with the opening round of the UCI Enduro World Cup and the second round of the UCI Downhill World Cup taking center stage.Endurance racing returns the following weekend, as both endurance and gravity riders come together for a packed programme in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria) from 11–14 June.
Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) sprinted to UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup victory on her return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Nové Město Na Moravě, while fellow multi-discipline superstar Tom Pidcock was denied by a late kick from Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division).Both XCC races came down the final straight of the final lap and Pieterse and Azzaro each kept their cool to round the leader and take victory on the tactical course in Czechia.Pidcock had gone from last to first in the men’s race but was overhauled late on by Azzaro, who managed to hold onto his brutal attack on the final lap. The Frenchman retains the Elite Men UCI XCC World Cup overall lead while fifth-placed Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) stays atop the women’s leaderboard.RELENTLESS PIETERSE CAPS GLORIOUS RETURNPuck Pieterse emerged victorious from an intensely brutal women’s race packed with drama, fighting through from close to the back of the pack to win the sprint. The Dutch superstar hit the front at the start of lap three and attacked up the climb every lap in the second half of the race, putting her competition in the red each time even if she couldn’t shake them off.Instead, the key selection in the race came on the start/finish straight rather than the steep uphill section when Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) and Frei’s handlebars tangled, sending the UCI XCC World Champion into the barriers alongside Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing).Neff cut a slightly ominous figure, opting for skinny gravel tyres in conditions a world apart from the apocalyptic weather last time out in MONA YongPyong. However, she ended the day with little more than a sore hand to show for it, later saying: “I wouldn’t do anything differently”.There threatened to be even more carnage when Trek - Unbroken XC’s Evie Richards - who was brought to a standing stop by that crash - engaged Pieterse in an all-out battle to the first corner of the final lap before the Dutchwoman once again attacked on the climb.Yet it was Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) who led over the summit, with Pieterse allowing herself to be led out. Nicole Koller (Lapierre PXR Racing) was the first to jump but was passed by Pieterse and Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing), with Richards finishing an impressive fourth after getting caught up in the crash.“I’ve missed it,” Pieterse said. “Here it always gets quite bunchy on the road and slows down a bit, however this year Jenny [Rissveds] was setting such a high pace that it took me a bit to get to the front. When I was there, I just decided to stay there, and tried to keep in control for the final sprint.“I saw Nicole [Koller] coming from the left and she was starting to step on the pedals. I thought ‘now I have to kick’, so I did. It’s super cool, flashbacks to last year’s Short Track here. The goal for tomorrow is just to keep the material [equipment] good and see from there how a one and a half-hour effort compares to the four-hour road sessions.”AZZARO OUTDUELS PATIENT PIDCOCK It was a much cagier men’s race without a presence like Pieterse or Rissveds to push the pace, and Pidcock spent the first four laps dead last to avoid the potential pitfalls of a much bigger bunch at the front.However, first Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing) then the returning Jordan Sarrou (BMC Factory Racing) belated kicked the race into gear and Pidcock himself finally stirred on the fifth lap, reaching the front by the sixth.Another stalemate ensued, only broken by the bell that sparked a drag race into the bottom of the final ascent, won by Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) before Pidcock lit the touchpaper on the climb, shooting into the lead.Yet Azzaro spotted the move early enough to cling to the Brit’s wheel and Pidcock couldn’t shake the pack on the following jump line so was forced to jump early on the final straight, setting up Azzaro to outsprint him for victory while Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) finished third.“Unreal, I felt the whole day I had the legs, but I was super nervous. You have to stay on the bike. That was the position I wanted in the finish,” Azzaro said.“I knew that Tom [Pidcock] was coming from the back, I just waited, he came the last lap like a Formula 1 car, and I just jumped into the wheel. It’s a name that everyone knows and I’m super proud to beat him, it’s great to race with a champion like this.”Meanwhile Pidcock admitted he waited too long to move up from last place in the field but added: “I knew when he was straight on my wheel. It’s hard coming back to mountain bike from some time away. I feel like I’ve no idea what I’m doing when I come back, so it’s just nice to get that first race out the way, know that I’ve still got the legs. It’s always a doubt when I come back.“I’m here to try and win, I’ve done it every other time. I’m here so need to keep that streak going [tomorrow].”SCHEHL AND KELLERMAN CELEBRATE U23 WINSPaul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) and Makena Kellerman claimed victory in the men’s and women’s U23 UCI XCC World Cup on Friday but did so in contrasting styles.Kellerman did it the traditional “patient” way, dropping the hammer on the final lap and winning the sprint while Schehl was the only XCC rider to drop the field, opening a seven-second lead on the penultimate lap and holding his advantage until the finish.“Normally it’s a very tactical race where it comes down to the last lap and a crazy sprint, but I don’t have the best sprint, so I said ‘I need to make it super hard, I need to go super early and long” Schehl said.The riders are done for the XCC, but the action is far from over. The Nové Město na Moravě weekend wraps up in style on Sunday with the elite men’s and women’s Cross-country Olympic races. Find out how to watch here.
Embacher broke away from the pack early on lap two and was never seen again, even having time to soak up the crowd’s adoration. Behind, reigning champion Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) was edged out in the sprint for second by Anina Hutter, though the Italian continues to lead the UCI U23 Women’s XCO World Cup standings.François Baudry went clear with three laps to go but never built up the monster buffer that Embacher managed, so endured a nervier finish as the gap yo-yoed to Alix Andre-Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), with the Spaniard eventually prevailing and taking the overall lead.EMBACHER ANNOUNCES ARRIVAL IN STYLEEmbacher’s fourth-place finish in the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup at Nové Město Na Moravě already looked like a breakthrough result as the Austrian’s first top-five finish in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, but she proved she was far from ready to settle for that in Czechia.Corvi was the only rider within a minute of Embacher at the start of lap three, but even the UCI World Cup leader and reigning champion had slipped to nearly 90 seconds back by the next time they crossed the start-finish line.Embacher led chasers Corvi, Hutter, Maruša Tereza Šerkezi (Cube Factory Racing) and Ella MacPhee (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) by two whole minutes as she took the bell, but the Austrian would begin to fade, and that pack fractured chasing a podium place.Šerkezi and MacPhee were shaken by Hutter and Corvi, and the Swiss clinched second in the sprint to the line, having cut 34 seconds from Embacher’s lead in an effort that was just too little, much too late.“I don’t know what to say, the whole race was crazy for me,” Embacher said. “I just stuck to my pace, got a little gap and tried to ride my rhythm. I’m just really thankful and proud.“Every lap [the gap] got more and more, I was hearing it from the side because there were so many spectators, I was just trying to ride and it ended really well for me.“It’s just a lot of self confidence and I look forward to the rest of the season to see what comes.”FRANÇOIS BAUDRY LANDS DREAM NOVÉ MĚSTO TRIUMPHFrançois Baudry never enjoyed the same cushion to second place in Czechia, but his attack on the fifth lap was enough to keep Andre-Gallis behind him despite the Frenchman’s late charge.Marius Aune was the only rider to build any sliver of a gap in the first half of the race, but François Baudry quickly wiped out his four-second advantage when he kicked clear with only Andre-Gallis and Naël Rouffiac (Origine Racing Division) able to stay in touch at 18 seconds back.However, François Baudry backed it up with another fastest lap to nearly double his lead, continuing to pull away from Rouffiac, while Andre-Gallis dropped his compatriot but could only claw back six seconds on the leader.After winning his first WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series race last time out in South Korea, François Baudry now has a maiden UCI XCO World Cup triumph under his belt, and was on cloud nine in his victory interview.“I’m living a dream right now, winning here in Nové Město is crazy, it’s the most mythical one, so happy,” François Baudry said.“I was feeling good before coming here. Yesterday I was a bit too confident, was not a real good short track, but today I was feeling super good from the start and finally I won.“I have no words, I was in another zone, another world. I was enjoying it a lot, that’s why you’re working every day, training and sometimes you cry on the bike because you’re going through the pain, that’s why I do it. I have my parents here almost crying, all the team is super happy, it’s so nice.”Embacher, François Baudry and their U23 brethren are next in action at Saalfelden Leogang - Salzburgerland in June, but the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series thrills and spills in Czechia are still far from over.Sunday brings the elite men’s and women’s UCI XCO World Cup races, as Puck Pieterse (Alpecin - Premier Tech) and Tom Pidcock headline the grand finale in Nové Město Na Moravě. Find out how to watch here.
The opening round of the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup is almost upon us, with fans and riders alike set to make the pilgrimage to the Pyrenees for the series curtain raiser in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France).A staple of the UCI Enduro World Cup since 2021 (and previously part of the Enduro World Series), the French venue has typically featured towards the latter part of the season. This year, however, a shift in the calendar sees it kick things off.An earlier race weekend will mean different conditions on the trail (with recent years memorable for the mud baths endured by riders on course), and there will be plenty of top-tier riding for the Elite and Open categories to sink their teeth into.Riders will cover a total of 49.8km, including some demanding liaisons with 1,262m of climbing (and 1,300m of lifts) to navigate between the five stages.The course combines classic Pyrenean trails with a fresh addition.It begins with a repeat of the 2025 opener: Nabias (3.69km with -730m descent) sets a high-intensity tone from the outset, with the potential to create early time gaps. Privilege (2.4km with 83m gain and 443m descent) returns as the second stage, although riders should have had a chance to get their thoughts together on the lift up to the start line.Six pack (0.9km with 160m) makes it three from three in the re-running of the 2025 edition and is the shortest stage of the day. Stage four is where riders and fans will get to experience something new – Coumaou (1.37km with 13m gain and 324m descent) coming off the back of a lengthy liaison.Finally, Tourteres (2.54km with 7m gain and 493m descent) returns as a fitting finale, mirroring the final stage of the 2024 UCI Enduro World Cup. Martin Maes (Orbea/FMD Racing) and Morgane Charre came out on top that day, but with Maes lining up in the Downhill format in 2026, who will be celebrating crossing the finish line in the men’s competition?
On a course that rewards tactical acumen over technical ability, Schehl took a solo victory while Kellerman edged out Norway’s Lisa Kristine Jorde in a sprint to the line, one rider taking his first XCC victory and the other continuing her 100% record in the discipline this season.The nailbiting races kicked off a highly anticipated weekend at the iconic Czech venue as elite multi-discipline superstars Tom Pidcock and Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) make their long-awaited returns to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. But it was the U23 starlets who took centre stage on Friday.Kellerman extends her lead in the XCC overall standings while Schehl takes over from Thibaut Francois Baudry (Canyon XC Racing) at the top of the men’s leaderboard as the Spaniard could only finish seventh.SCHEHL FINALLY REIGNS SUPREME IN FULL-CIRCLE MOMENTSecond and third at the 2026 curtain-raiser in MONA YongPyong (South Korea), Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) unequivocally stamped his authority on the Men’s U23 UCI Cross-country World Cup in Czechia.In his weaker discipline, on a course that wouldn’t usually suit him, given the lack of opportunities to distance the pack, Schehl went hard from the off, driving an average laptime of 2:30 for the first seven laps and crossing the line as leader in all but one of them.And when it was time to drop the hammer at the venue where he took his maiden UCI XCO World Cup win 12 months ago, no one could even attempt to go with the German who blasted Ian Ackert off his wheel and opened up a seven-second lead.The pack did close on the final lap as five riders went quicker than Schehl, led by Naël Rouffiac (Origine Racing Division) who won the sprint for second while Alix Andre-Gallis took third for Decathlon Ford Racing Team, but it was too little, too late.“I feel amazing, pretty tired right now but super stoked,” Schehl said. “It was super hard. Normally it’s a very tactical race where it comes down to the last lap and a crazy sprint, but I don’t have the best sprint, so I said 'I need to make it super hard, I need to go super early and long'.“Luckily it worked out and I came home with the win. There are lots of guys, Finn Treudler was so strong last year and he’s missing now so we have five guys who could potentially win the World Cup, it just depends on the day.”KELLERMAN INEVITABLE DESPITE JORDE CHALLENGEA pack of 24 riders rode within 30 seconds of Kellerman who bided her time in the bunch during the first half of the race, as her compatriot Bailey Cioppa set the early pace alongside Fiona Schibler.Indeed Kellerman only led the pack once across the line - on the only time that matters - but was an ever-present around the front of the race for the last four laps, alongside Canyon XC Racing’s Valentina Corvi.Corvi pushed Kellerman closest at the opening round of the season in MONA YongPyong and it looked like the pair would battle it out for victory again until Jorde came to the fore on the final lap.The Norwegian was the only rider able to stick with Kellerman on the final lap as she opened up a two-second gap to the rest of the pack, but Jorde couldn’t quite round the leader as Kellerman unleashed a brutal sprint to the line for victory while Corvi was forced to settle for third.“I’m honestly feeling so pumped. We’ve never really waited, usually we girls go first and waiting all day was a first for me, I just practiced being patient with my teammate Bailey [Cioppa],” Kelleman said.“We were just joking, we’re going to be patient this morning and patient in the race...and that honestly worked out in my favour! I didn’t know if I was going to get it in the end, but I’m so proud that I never gave up, this is unbelievable.“I just realised ‘you won one, you can win another’. I’m so stoked to wear this jersey, it has my name on the back, number one, I’m so happy I get to wear it another weekend.”Kellerman also said she’s “pretty confident” as she attempts to win her first UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup round tomorrow (Saturday, May 23).The U23 XCO races come after the elite riders take centre stage as Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) look to continue their winning start to the XCC season, with Pieterse and Pidcock among those trying to stop them.The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series action gets underway at 11:20 local time with the second round of the Elite Women’s UCI XCC World Cup, find out how to watch here.
