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.
The 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup season has been nothing short of epic from start to finish. From brand new venues, debut wins and numerous record-breaking rides, the opening six rounds have rivalled last year for adrenaline-fuelled entertainment.Fortunately for fans and riders, there are still three UCI Downhill World Cup rounds to go, including a new venue in Whistler, British Columbia (Canada). Before athletes cross the Atlantic though, there’s the small matter of a UCI World Cup round at the iconic Les Gets, Haute Savoie (France), and the UCI World Championships in Val di Sole,Trentino's (Italy) legendary Black Snake track.Ahead of the resumption of racing, Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity), Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity), Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP), Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) and Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) sat down with WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series talent Josh Carlson to share their thoughts on the season so far and hopes for the remaining rounds.ASA VERMETTE: “IT’S A DREAM DEBUT”It didn’t take long for Asa Vermette to get his account up and running in the Men’s Elite class as the 19-year-old American won on his UCI Downhill World Cup debut in MONA YongPyong (South Korea).“It's been insane. I mean, basically a dream debut and I couldn't ask for anything better,” he said. But while he described his first win as ‘crazy’, he points to Lenzerheide (Switzerland) as his standout moment from the season so far.“When Anna [Newkirk] won her first race and I got on the podium, it was such a good day for the team. We both did what we needed to do – she got her first win, I was in the box. That was one of the best days for us for sure.”He pointed to the team atmosphere and the guidance of five-time UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner Aaron Gwin (Frameworks Racing / TRP) as a big influence – “he's done it so many times and won so many races, and he's so knowledgeable about it in ways that I didn't really even think of, so it's cool to learn from him” – adding that “you can’t perform without being happy off the bike”.With three rounds to go, he sits third in the overall, 126 points behind series leader Jordan Williams, but Vermette isn’t fazed.“To win my first one and get on the podium twice was honestly not a shock, but I was surprised how it came so fast. Now that I'm in the fight for the overall, it's crazy, so I'm just going to try to keep it as consistent as possible and try my best.“You have to be consistent every weekend and you can’t afford too many mistakes. I had two races where things went pretty badly, and that put me a long way back. It’s all part of the learning process, but it’s pretty cool to be in this position.”LISA BAUMANN: “I’VE WORKED HARD TO REACH THIS LEVEL” Lisa Baumann is another rider who has come to the fore in 2026 and finds herself second in the overall behind team-mate Valentina Höll. While the women’s field is a lot less close than the men’s and Baumann is unlikely to overhaul Höll’s advantage, the Swiss rider is still happy with her progress.“My goal was to be on the podium this season, so I’m really happy to show that I'm a bit more consistent than last year,” she said. “I've worked hard to reach this level, and I still need to work harder to get that first win. But Vali [Höll] shares a lot with me, whether it's line choice or race experience, and she's a real role model.”Looking ahead to Les Gets Baumann is targeting a fourth podium of the season and hopes to experience the “crazy” atmosphere: “Everyone wants to be on the podium there because the vibe is insane.”FINN ILES: “THERE’S A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD”Finn Iles finally ended a 1,407-day wait for victory in Saalfelden Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria), before backing it up just a week later with a second win of the season in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). While his campaign has featured both highs and setbacks since then, the Canadian heads into the final three rounds refreshed, motivated and excited by what lies ahead.“After a break, it's really easy to find that motivation again. Spending a week or two off the bike helps you rediscover that feeling. There's a lot to look forward to at the end of the season, with a World Cup in my hometown of Whistler and then two rounds in North America. That's going to be amazing. I'm just really excited for what's to come.”Iles credits much of his resurgence to the work Specialized Gravity put in over the winter, as well as the influence of 10-time UCI World Champion Nico Vouilloz, whose arrival has brought a fresh perspective to the team.“I've been part of the team for 12 years now, and one thing we've always done really well at Specialized Gravity is work hard together during the off-season. I spent a lot of time riding with Jordan [Williams] in Portugal and at some pre-season races in New Zealand, and I think that work created the foundation for the entire season.“We came into the year ready to go. The success we had during that four-race stretch was the result of everything coming together at the right time. We had some bad luck early in the season with punctures for me and Jordan [Williams], and Loïc [Bruni] getting injured, but we found our form when it mattered most. We've worked incredibly hard to get here, and that's created a really strong culture within Specialized Gravity.”Currently second in the overall standings, 63 points behind team-mate Jordan Williams, Iles remains firmly in the title hunt. Yet there is one event on the calendar that carries a significance beyond championship points: the UCI World Cup debut in Whistler, British Columbia (Canada).“I've wanted a World Cup in Whistler since I was a kid, so to finally have one there, and to be able not just to race it but to be competitive, is going to be incredible. I'll do everything I can to put on a good show for the fans and, hopefully, take the win”.VALENTINA HÖLL: “WINNING IS SUCH A GOOD FEELING”Valentina Höll is enjoying one of the most dominant campaigns of her career. The four-time UCI Downhill World Champion and four-time UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner has claimed victory in five of the six rounds contested so far, underlining her status as the benchmark in the Women’s Elite field.The 24-year-old attributes much of her success to her move to Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres ahead of the 2026 season, where a new environment and the support of teammate Lisa Baumann have helped her reach another level.“The Commencal is really suiting me well, and the team, plus having Lisa as my teammate, definitely helps me a lot. It's super fun in the team, and when the atmosphere is that good, it's easier to perform at your best. It's been a huge few months of racing with a lot of emotions, both mentally and physically, that come with performing and winning.”Yet despite producing arguably the strongest season of her career, Höll admits the demands of consistently competing for victory have taken their toll. After falling ill at the start of the summer break, she realised just how exhausting life at the top can be.“All the pressure and emotions are quite fatiguing,” she explained.For Höll, the challenge is no longer chasing victories, but managing the expectations that come with winning so often.“I didn't expect to be so tired after every race weekend. Last year, I was always on the podium but never winning, and that gave me extra motivation to improve. Now, I wake up feeling exhausted, and sometimes I'm more nervous going into the next round because I don't want to lose that winning feeling.“I guess it's part of the game. It's a different position to be in, but it's not one I'd want to change.”JORDAN WILLIAMS: “EVERYBODY’S SO CLOSE” While Valentina Höll has established a commanding lead in the Women’s Elite standings, the battle for the Men’s Elite overall title remains wide open. Jordan Williams heads the rankings, but with the top 10 riders still mathematically in contention, the championship fight is far from settled.“Everybody’s so close. I don’t think anyone has had a really consistent season,” said Williams. “Last year we saw Jackson [Goldstone] on the podium almost every race, and apart from Loïc [Bruni], there was a clear gap to the rest.“This year has been different. I had a puncture in Korea, and in Leogang I pretty much lost my weekend after crashing before qualifying. I was really sore, so on race day I could only cruise down and pick up whatever points I could. It’s funny how close we all are despite nobody having a smooth season, but that’s what makes it exciting. It’s shaping up to be a great finish to the year.”Williams believes a key factor in his progress this season has been the influence of 10-time UCI World Champion Nico Vouilloz, whose experience and guidance have helped him navigate the highs and lows of a tightly contested championship battle.“When you’re in the start gate, whether you’re feeling good or bad, Nico knows exactly what’s going through your head,” Williams explained. “He really believed in me and encouraged me to push in qualifying at Leogang, where I ended up sixth. Finals day was much more difficult and I just had to manage the situation.“After that weekend I was fifth overall and only picked up around 70 points, but after the summer break Nico told me: ‘Look at the gap you have in the standings. If you hadn’t raced in Leogang, you probably wouldn’t be leading the overall right now.’”That advice reinforced the importance of salvaging points on difficult weekends, a lesson that could prove decisive as Williams heads into the final three rounds holding a slender 63-point advantage over Specialized Gravity team-mate Finn Iles.
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is set to return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series this weekend after being confirmed on the entry list for the Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France) round.A multiple time UCI World Cup winner, Van der Poel is back on the trails for the first time since last season’s Les Gets round, following another successful road campaign. The Dutchman claimed two stage victories at this year's Tour de France, including the final stage in Paris after an attacking ride alongside overall winner Tadej Pogačar.With the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole (Trentino, Italy) approaching, Les Gets gives Van der Poel a valuable chance to test himself against the world’s best as he fine-tunes his form for one of the season’s biggest off-road targets - adding even more excitement to an already stacked field in Haute-Savoie.Find out where to watch all the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series action HERE.
With six rounds of the 2026 UCI Cross-country World Cup season complete, just three remain, and both the Men’s Elite Cross-country Olympic (XCO) and Cross-country Short Track (XCC) title races are still wide open.This season, however, has seen a new generation step into the spotlight. Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team), Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) have emerged as the format’s leading forces, delivering remarkable consistency and establishing themselves as contenders week after week.With the season entering its decisive phase, including the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Trentino (Italy), the battle for the biggest prizes in cross-country racing is only set to intensify. As a new generation challenges the established order, expect Boichis, Riley, Martin and Azzaro to be at the heart of the fight for 2026 glory.ADRIEN BOICHIS: “BEING IN A POSITION TO FIGHT FOR THE WIN IS A SPECIAL FEELING”Adrien Boichis has spent 2026 proving he can excel on two wheels, whether on dirt or tarmac. After claiming victory at the last UCI XCO World Cup round in Pal Arinsal (Andorra), the Frenchman switched disciplines during the summer break to compete in the Tour of Poland before turning his focus back to mountain biking.“I'm happy I did it, and now I'm looking forward to being back on my own bike,” he said during the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series mid-season press conference.The current leader of the Men’s Elite UCI XCC World Cup standings believes a new generation has emerged at the front of the sport this season. Yet despite the changing faces on the podium, he insists the level of competition has never been higher.“Between being tenth and first, the difference is not actually that big. It can come down to small details, confidence or simply having a bit of luck on your side. Some days everything goes perfectly and you're still a long way from the win. Just being in a position to fight for victory is already a special feeling. For me, being at the front of the race and battling for the win is one of the best feelings in sport.”At just 23 years old, Boichis has already reached several career milestones this year, securing his first UCI XCO World Cup win in Saalfelden Leogang - Salzburgerland (Austria) before following it up with a breakthrough UCI XCC World Cup victory in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). Despite his rapid rise and growing status as a title contender, the Specialized Factory Racing rider remains grounded heading into the final stretch of the season.“You can never take winning for granted. Sometimes you do everything right, train all year and it still doesn't happen. Other times the momentum is with you and things fall into place. You have to enjoy it when it comes.”With three WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series rounds remaining and the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole - Trentino still to come, Boichis finds himself at the centre of the battle for cross-country’s biggest prizes, representing the new wave of riders reshaping the sport.BJORN RILEY: “IN ANDORRA, I DIDN’T THINK. I JUST WENT”Another rider to claim a maiden UCI XCC World Cup victory this season is Bjorn Riley. The American broke through at the last round in Pal Arinsal (Andorra), and has spent the six-week summer break working to carry that momentum into the decisive final phase of the season.“I've ridden my bike every day and tried to recover because I feel like this next block is going to be a big one too. The last block was really hard because you don't want to do too much intensity between races. Going into this next period, it's a little easier because we have two weekends off after Worlds.”Riley has enjoyed a breakthrough year in the Men’s Elite ranks. Yet despite his growing confidence and newfound status as a regular contender, the Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team rider remains focused on the process rather than the results.Having already secured his first UCI World Cup victory and several podium finishes, the 23-year-old believes he now has the experience and belief needed to consistently challenge at the front of races.“My mindset has changed. Now a podium feels achievable every time I race. I know the process I need to go through to put myself in a position to finish in the top three. Winning is still another step though. Fighting for the podium is very different from fighting for the win.”Riley points to his victory in Andorra as a key moment in his development, not only physically but mentally: “Andorra was really important because I usually overthink every move I make. There, I didn’t think, I just went for it. That was a big step forward from a mental perspective and showed me what’s required to win.“Of course, a victory is always exciting, but right now my focus is on being consistently on the podium. If the wins come as a result, that’s even better.”With the battle for the overall titles entering its decisive phase, Riley has firmly established himself as one of the standout riders of the new generation and a serious contender for the sport’s biggest prizes.MATHIS AZZARO: “MY TIME WILL COME”While Boichis and Riley have enjoyed steadily rising trajectories this season, Mathis Azzaro burst out of the blocks before a series of crashes and a costly race penalty disrupted his momentum. Despite those setbacks, the Frenchman remains encouraged by the progress he has made in 2026 and is confident more opportunities will come.“I’m super happy with what I achieved in the first part of the season and I’m really looking forward to the next block of racing.“My time will come. We’re all working incredibly hard, but you can never be 100% certain that a win will come on Friday in the Short Track or on Sunday in the Cross-country Olympic. I’m a very emotional person, and that can be both a strength and a weakness. Managing those emotions is never easy.”At 26, Azzaro has shown on multiple occasions this season that he has the speed to challenge for victories. Now, as the campaign enters its decisive phase, his focus is on turning that potential into consistent results and ensuring that early promise translates into a strong finish to the year.LUCA MARTIN: “THIS SEASON IS ALREADY A MASSIVE SUCCESS”Luca Martin enters the final stretch of the season as the leader of the Men’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup standings, with a remarkable sweep of the XCO and XCC overall titles, as well as the coveted rainbow jersey at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, still within reach. The Frenchman spent his summer break with one target in mind.“It was difficult to find the right balance because whether you're doing altitude training or following a more traditional training plan, you need to define your priority. At this stage of the season, my preparation has been very much focused on the World Championships.”The Cannondale Factory Racing rider has already enjoyed a career-defining campaign in 2026, establishing himself as one of the sport’s leading figures. Even if he falls short of his ambitious targets in Italy, the 24-year-old remains immensely proud of what he has achieved so far.“I’m already very happy with this season. For me, this year has been a massive success. I just need to keep doing the same things, trust the process and continue building on what has worked so far.”With the overall UCI World Cup titles still on the line and the UCI World Championships looming, Martin finds himself at the centre of one of the most exciting seasons in recent years. Yet while others may focus on the potential rewards, his attention remains firmly fixed on the process that has brought him to this position in the first place.
French duo Adrien Dailly (Speed Project) and Morgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing) delivered masterclasses in technical riding across two demanding days to claim victory at the UCI Enduro World Cup finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France).For Dailly, the triumph carried even greater significance, as it propelled him past Lief Rodgers to snatch the Men’s Elite overall title in a dramatic conclusion to the UCI Enduro World Cup season.In the Women’s Elite competition, there was reason for double celebration. Charre delighted the home crowd with the race win, while Ella Conolly secured back-to-back overall series titles after another outstanding season.In the Junior categories, Hugo Marti Montessinos and Nežka Libnik capped remarkable seasons by securing both the race victories in Morillon and the overall UCI Enduro Junior World Cup titles.The four overall winners were presented with newly unveiled trophies, designed to reflect the prestige and significance of The Globe, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ ultimate symbol of achievement. Crafted from metal and recycled carbon fibre, the awards made their debut in Morillon.Speed Project also celebrated another milestone, becoming the inaugural winners of The Summit, the new UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Team Trophy. Having already wrapped up the team title at the previous round in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland), the squad underlined its dominance by finishing the season with yet another victory.DAILLY SEIZES THE CROWN AS MORILLON DELIVERS A DRAMATIC TITLE DECIDERNestled in the heart of France’s Haute-Savoie region, Morillon returned as the host of the UCI Enduro World Cup finale following its successful debut as the overall title decider in 2025. The pine-clad slopes of the Grand Massif’s renowned Enduro Bike Park provided the perfect stage for a thrilling weekend of racing. Eight stages spread across two days, covering 84.4km and 4,110m of descent, ensured the battle remained finely poised until the very end, with a decisive five-kilometre final stage ultimately determining the overall winners.Adrien Dailly delivered a composed and relentlessly consistent performance across the weekend to claim victory in the Men’s Elite race and, with it, the overall UCI Enduro World Cup title. Arriving in Morillon, Lief Rodgers held an 82-point advantage over Dailly in the overall standings. Behind them, Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project), Alex Rudeau, Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and reigning overall champion Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) all remained mathematically in contention for the crown.Rodgers endured a difficult opening day, with a series of costly mistakes leaving the Canadian down in seventh place after the first four stages. Meanwhile, defending champion Łukasik kept his slim title hopes alive by drawing on his experience to win two of the opening four tests. Yet Dailly remained firmly in the hunt, ending day one just 1.5 seconds off the lead and, crucially, in a strong position to collect valuable points.The race took a decisive turn on stage 5 when disaster struck Łukasik. A puncture near the top of the brand-new stage cost the Pole around 30 seconds and effectively ended his challenge. Dailly capitalised immediately, taking the stage win by three seconds from teammate Giambi, while Finland’s Tarmo Ryynänen set the third-fastest time.Giambi then showcased his technical skills on the demanding Reverse River stage, mastering the rutted terrain and dense forest sections to take victory by two seconds over Marius Tenet Berrat. Dailly’s measured ride to third further strengthened his position, extending his overall advantage to almost 30 seconds.The penultimate Morillon Village stage, though only 1.3 kilometres in length, provided an intense test featuring a short climb and 209 metres of descent. Ryan Gilchrist and teammate Jt Fisher powered to first and second respectively, while Dailly opted for a more conservative approach. His ninth-place finish was enough to carry a 27-second cushion into the decisive final stage, ahead of Ryynänen and Tenet Berrat.Attention then turned to the overall title battle. Rodgers needed to recover 16 seconds over the final five-kilometre test to secure a crucial podium result in the overall standings. Ryynänen produced a stunning run to win the stage, but Dailly was just four tenths of a second slower, comfortably sealing both the race victory and the overall title. Further behind, Belgian rider Gabriel Sainthuile climbed onto the Morillon podium after gaining enough time on the final stage to secure third overall.Dailly ultimately secured the series title by 43 points from Rodgers, with Gilchrist completing the overall podium in third. Reflecting on his achievement, the Frenchman said: “I’m super happy. It wasn’t my goal at the beginning of the season, it’s crazy. I’ve improved a lot this year and adapted better to my bike. At the start of the season I was struggling to feel comfortable and fast, but now I’m feeling much better and having more fun on the bike.“I wasn’t feeling in amazing shape coming into this weekend, so I had to manage my energy and save something for the final run. The heat made it really tough, probably the hardest conditions of the season for me. The liaisons were tight as well, so it was a demanding weekend, and I’m really happy to have pulled it off.”CHARRE CLAIMS THE WIN, CONOLLY CLAIMS THE CROWNMorgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing) held her nerve on a dramatic final stage to secure victory in the Women’s Elite race, while Ella Conolly did exactly what was required to retain her UCI Enduro World Cup crown.Conolly arrived in Morillon brimming with confidence after claiming her third victory of the season in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland). The defending champion held a commanding 170-point lead over Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) and knew that a top-six finish would be enough to secure back-to-back overall titles. Further down the standings, Elly Hoskin, Raphaela Richter and Winnifred Goldsbury were locked in a battle for third place overall.However, the opening day did not go entirely to plan for Conolly. Struggling in the intense heat, the Briton ended day one in seventh place, nearly 40 seconds adrift of the race lead. Pugin also found the opening stages difficult and sat just one position ahead of her rival overnight.The surprise story of the first day came from German privateer Helen Weber, whose consistency across the opening four stages earned her the overall lead. Charre, winner of the opening test, sat just 1.5 seconds behind, while Nadine Ellecosta (Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team) completed a tightly packed top three.Weber continued her impressive form on day two, expertly navigating the dusty and demanding terrain to extend her advantage. Yet Conolly responded like a true champion. On the technical Reverse River stage, the British rider delivered a crucial performance, claiming victory by just one tenth of a second over Weber. The result lifted her to fifth overall and, more importantly, gave her an 11-second buffer over Pugin in the title battle.Isabeau Courdurier prevailed on the penultimate stage, while Weber carried a 10-second lead into the decisive final test. But the gruelling five-kilometre finale turned the race on its head. A crash cost Weber around 30 seconds, dropping her to ninth on the stage and from first to third in the overall classification.Charre seized the opportunity in front of her home crowd. The French rider set the fastest time on the final stage, eight seconds quicker than her nearest rival, to secure victory in Morillon. Ellecosta completed a breakthrough weekend by finishing second overall.Reflecting on her win, Charre said: “This race is really special for me. I live here, so I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time. I missed it last year because of injury, and after crashing in Loudenvielle at the start of the season I also had to sit out a few races. It’s been a tough year, which makes this result even more meaningful.“To race here, feeling fit and ready, and to take the win in front of a home crowd is incredible. The stages were fantastic, really physical and with a great mix of terrain. I pushed hard all weekend and I’m so happy it paid off.”Conolly’s fifth-place finish proved more than enough to secure the overall title for a second consecutive season. She ended the year 220 points clear of Pugin, while Elly Hoskin rounded out the overall podium in third.Speaking after securing the title, Conolly said: “It’s such a relief. Honestly, it hasn’t been my best race weekend, but it feels amazing to have done enough to take the overall title. Enduro is about showing up at every round and making the most of what you have on that day. Nobody has a perfect race every weekend. You have to stay mentally focused, adapt to what the race throws at you and give absolutely everything you’ve got. That’s what I tried to do, and I’m really proud to come away with the overall.”LIBNIK AND MONTESSINOS CAP OFF TITLE-WINNING SEASONS IN MORILLONNežka Libnik capped a dominant season in style, claiming both the Women’s Junior victory in Morillon and the overall UCI Enduro World Cup title. The Slovenian was untouchable throughout the weekend, winning all eight stages and crossing the line an astonishing 3 minutes and 47 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.Libnik arrived in Haute-Savoie with just a 25-point cushion over Romy Williams (Speed Project) in the overall standings, but quickly erased any doubts about the destination of the title. By the end of the opening day, she had won all four stages and established a commanding 32-second lead over Bélinda Baudet.Williams faced an uphill battle heading into day two, sitting third overall and nearly two minutes off the lead at the halfway mark. Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished as Libnik continued her flawless run, completing a clean sweep of all eight stages to secure a memorable victory.British rider Katie Allsop emerged as her closest challenger on the second day, finishing runner-up on stages 5 and 6. In the battle for the remaining podium places, however, Williams fought back strongly to claim second, while French rider Julia Gay secured third after strong performances on the final two stages.Libnik ultimately secured the overall UCI Enduro World Cup title by 35 points ahead of Williams, with Alice Farinelli completing the season podium in third.Reflecting on her achievement, Libnik said: “It’s my first time here in Morillon. The two days were quite demanding and the heat definitely didn’t make things easier. But the organisation was great and I really enjoyed the tracks. They felt quite similar to what I’m used to riding in Slovenia, so I felt at home. It’s really special to win here and to secure the overall title.”Meanwhile, Hugo Marti Montessinos arrived in Morillon having already wrapped up the Men’s Junior overall title at the previous round in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland). However, he still had one final challenge ahead of him as he looked to end the season with another race victory.The Frenchman’s task was far from straightforward. Two crashes on the opening day allowed Jules Janniaud to edge ahead by just three-tenths of a second overnight, setting up an intriguing battle for the round victory.Montessinos responded emphatically on day two, overturning the deficit by beating Janniaud by 11 seconds on the opening stage. Although the Frenchman struck back with a stage win of his own later in the day, Montessinos maintained control to secure the overall victory by 14 seconds. Lorenzo Cesari rounded out the podium in third.The result underlined Montessinos’ dominance throughout the season. He finished the season 130 points clear at the top of the standings, ahead of Janniaud in second and Cesari in third.After taking the win, Montessinos said: “I had a lot of fun this weekend. The two training days were pretty intense with the heat and we were already quite tired before racing started. The first day wasn’t easy because I crashed on stages 1 and 3, which left me just behind Jules [Janniaud]. Today I rode well, stayed consistent throughout the day and managed to secure the win with a bit of a margin.”While the UCI Enduro World Cup season has now drawn to a close, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues next weekend (20-23 August) with the UCI Cross-country World Cup and UCI Downhill World Cup in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France).
A dramatic opening day at the UCI Enduro World Cup finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France) turned the Elite Men’s overall standings on their head, setting up a thrilling final-day showdown between Lief Rodgers and Adrien Dailly (Speed Project) in the battle for the title.In the Elite Women’s competition, overall leader Ella Conolly endured one of her toughest performances of the season. Despite the setback, the Briton remains firmly on course to secure the overall crown on Sunday. Helen Weber topped the timesheets on a scorching day in the French Alps, where soaring temperatures and demanding conditions produced a host of surprise results across all categories.Hugo Marti Montessinos arrived in Morillon with the Men’s Junior title already wrapped up after claiming victory in four of the five UCI Enduro World Cup rounds contested so far this season. However, he faces an unusual challenge this weekend, with compatriot Jules Janniaud holding a narrow advantage heading into the second race day.In the Women’s Junior category, overall leader Nežka Libnik remains in complete control of the title race. The Slovenian enjoys a commanding margin over closest rival Romy Williams (Speed Project) and is well positioned to seal the title on Sunday.ELITE MEN’S TITLE FIGHT SET FOR BLOCKBUSTER CONCLUSIONSix riders arrived in the French Alps with a mathematical chance of securing the overall title, while several others were still in contention for a coveted place on the season-ending podium. After an action-packed opening day, the battle took a dramatic turn.Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and Adrien Dailly are separated by just 1.6 seconds at the top of the Morillon standings. While the Pole leads the race heading into Sunday, Dailly will be the more satisfied of the two after moving ahead of Lief Rodgers in the live overall ranking.Rodgers, meanwhile, endured a difficult day on the trails. The Canadian failed to finish higher than sixth on any of the four stages and capped off the afternoon with an error-filled run down Paddock Express, dropping him to seventh overall. As a result, he will be hoping Łukasik can hold off Dailly in the final showdown.The title permutations are finely balanced. Should Dailly overhaul Łukasik and take the victory, Rodgers would need to finish inside the top three to secure the overall crown. If the Pole hangs on to win the round, a top-five result would be enough for the Canadian.Everything points to a gripping finale. Łukasik and Dailly were virtually inseparable throughout the day, finishing within a second of each other on all four stages.Behind them, Gabriel Sainthuile and Tarmo Ryynänen are on track for career-best performances this season, while Evan Wall and Marius Tenet-Barrat also impressed, with the Frenchman claiming victory on the opening stage.Rodgers heads into the final day 7.4 seconds adrift of Tenet-Barrat and the crucial fifth position, with a further four seconds separating him from Sainthuile in third. Regardless of what unfolds at the front of the race, the Canadian faces a significant challenge if he is to climb back into title-winning territory.Elsewhere, the battle for the overall podium was turned upside down before racing had even begun. Third-placed Raphaël Giambi received a five-minute penalty ahead of Stage 1 for riding the special stages after the official course release and outside the designated training periods.Alex Rudeau inherited the provisional podium position, but a disappointing opening day all but ended his hopes of a top-three finish. The Frenchman sits almost a minute behind Łukasik, leaving the fight for the final podium place as a straight duel between the Pole and his Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team teammate Ryan Gilchrist.Gilchrist lost 24 seconds on Montagnes du Giffre and managed just one top-10 stage result on Saturday. He will need something special on the final day if he is to overturn the deficit and deny his teammate a place on the overall podium.TITLE WITHIN SIGHT DESPITE RARE OFF DAY FOR CONOLLY Ella Conolly has defended her UCI Enduro World Cup title with remarkable consistency throughout the season and arrived in Morillon knowing that a top-six finish would be enough to secure a second consecutive overall crown. Given that the Brit has not finished outside the top three in more than two years, another dominant display looked almost inevitable. Yet Saturday served as a reminder that nothing comes easy in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.Conolly struggled to cope with the relentless heat, losing more than 30 seconds on the two longest stages of the day, Montagnes du Giffre and Dre dan l’Pentu. The damage left her down in seventh place by the close of racing.Despite the setback, the overall remains firmly in her hands. Conolly only needs a top-six finish if her sole remaining title rival wins the round, and Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) also endured a difficult opening day. The French rider sits just one position ahead of the reigning champion, 32 seconds behind surprise leader Helen Weber.Weber may have won only one of the four stages, but her consistency proved unmatched as she emerged at the top of the standings heading into Sunday's finale. However, she is far from secure, with Morgane Charre (Pivot Factory Racing) just 1.5 seconds adrift and Nadine Ellecosta (Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team) only 4.3 seconds further back in what promises to be a tightly contested battle for victory.The leading contenders will be hoping for a shift in conditions on Sunday, with cooler temperatures and cloud cover forecast after Saturday’s punishing heat.Ellecosta showed impressive pace by claiming victories on stages three and four, but her hopes were dented by a costly run on Montagnes du Giffre. That performance may ultimately prove decisive in her pursuit of an overall podium finish.Elly Hoskin also found the demanding conditions difficult to master and heads into the final day under pressure. Should she lose ground on Sunday, Ellecosta could leapfrog her into third place in the overall standings with a strong result and a victory in Morillon.LIBNIK CLOSES IN ON THE CROWN AS JANNIAUD EYES A MAIDEN VICTORYJules Janniaud produced one of the standout performances of the day to unsettle newly crowned Junior Men’s UCI Enduro World Cup overall winner Hugo Marti Montessinos, taking a razor-thin 0.3-second lead into the night in Morillon. With one day of racing remaining, the Frenchman finds himself in contention for a maiden victory at the very last opportunity of the season.The pair were in a class of their own on Saturday. Trading stage wins throughout the day, both Janniaud and Marti Montessinos posted times that would have comfortably placed them inside the top 25 of the Elite Men’s standings, setting the stage for a fascinating head-to-head battle on Sunday.If Janniaud and Marti Montessinos delivered one of the closest contests of the day, Nežka Libnik produced the most commanding display. The Slovenian put herself in a position of complete control in the Junior Women’s title race, delivering a performance that mirrored the winning consistency displayed throughout the season.Arriving in France with just a 25-point advantage to defend, Libnik left little to chance. She claimed victory on all four stages and opened up a commanding 32-second lead over Bélinda Baudet, while closest title challenger Romy Williams finished almost two minutes adrift.Barring an extraordinary turnaround, Libnik looks destined to secure the overall crown on Sunday as Morillon prepares to crown three UCI Enduro World Cup champions.The final day promises drama from start to finish. Riders will tackle a course of extremes, from the explosive Reverse River stage, which packs 490 metres of descent into just 2.02 kilometres, to a brutal 5.03-kilometre finale where everything could still be won or lost. With overall titles, race victories and podium places all hanging in the balance, the stage is set for a spectacular conclusion in the French Alps.
Four weeks after an explosive round in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald, Switzerland, the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup is set for a fitting finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France). While two of the five overall titles have already been decided, there is still plenty at stake as the UCI World Cup reaches its climax.Hugo Marti Montessinos secured the Men Junior crown and Speed Project wrapped up the Teams title in Switzerland, but three overall titles remain up for grabs heading into two days of demanding, all-mountain racing.At the top of the standings, Ella Conolly and Lief Rodgers lead the way in the Elite categories. Yet, if the last round proved anything, it is that nothing can be taken for granted until the final rider crosses the finish line of the final stage. With the titles still hanging in the balance, Morillon is set to provide a dramatic conclusion to the UCI Enduro World Cup season.THE FINAL SHOWDOWNNestled in the heart of France’s Haute-Savoie region, Morillon returns as the venue for the UCI Enduro World Cup finale following its standout debut as the overall title decider in 2025.Set among the pine-covered slopes of the Grand Massif’s renowned Enduro Bike Park, this year’s showdown combines the return of several fan-favourite stages with a few brand-new challenges designed to test the world’s best enduro riders.As an Enduro-only round, competitors will tackle eight stages across two days of racing, covering a total of 84.4km and 4,110m of descent.Day one opens with two stages making their UCI Enduro World Cup debut. Among them is Montagnes du Giffre, a demanding 3.08km test featuring 669m of descent, the biggest drop of the opening day. Riders will then take on Dre dan l’pentu, the longest stage of the day, before wrapping up with Paddock Express, last year’s dramatic final stage and a fitting end to the first day of competition.Day two blends familiar territory with fresh challenges. The returning Reverse River and Morillon Village stages are sandwiched between two new additions. Red Line gets the action underway with an adrenaline-filled 2.93km descent dropping 456m, while the finale, Haute-Savoie, could prove decisive in the fight for the title. Stretching over 5.03km and plunging more than 912m downhill, its relentless mix of technical and twisting terrain may ultimately determine who leaves Morillon as the overall winner of the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup.TITLES ON THE LINE Ella Conolly and Lief Rodgers arrive in Morillon at the top of their respective standings, but while one has a firm hand on the trophy, the other still has work to do before he can celebrate.In the Women Elite category, Conolly has delivered a commanding defence of her 2025 overall crown. The British privateer secured her third victory of the season in Switzerland and heads into the finale with a 170-point advantage over Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project). Barring an extraordinary turn of events, a second consecutive overall title looks all but assured. Conolly needs only a sixth-place finish in Morillon to seal it, and given that she has not finished outside the top three in more than two years, it would likely take a DNF to deny her the title.Pugin, meanwhile, has already guaranteed second place overall regardless of the outcome in France. The battle for the final podium position remains very much alive, with Elly Hoskin, Raphaela Richter and Winnifred Goldsbury all still in contention for third.The Men Elite title race is considerably tighter. Lief Rodgers holds an 82-point lead over Adrien Dailly (Speed Project), half the advantage enjoyed by Conolly in the women’s standings, and the Canadian privateer still needs a podium finish to guarantee his maiden overall title.Adding further intrigue, Rodgers is also chasing his first-ever UCI Enduro World Cup victory. A breakthrough win on the trails of Morillon would provide the perfect conclusion to what has already been an outstanding second season in the Elite ranks.Unlike the women’s competition, where Conolly has established clear control, the Men Elite overall title race remains remarkably open. Mathematically, each of the top six riders can still claim the overall title. Alongside Rodgers and Dailly, the contenders include Raphäel Giambi (Speed Project), Alex Rudeau, Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and defending overall winner Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team), ensuring that the fight for the title will go down to the wire.In the junior categories, Montessinos has already wrapped up the Men Junior overall title. The Women Junior category, however, is still finely balanced, with just 25 points separating leader Nežka Libnik and Romy Williams (Speed Project) heading into the final round of the season.HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTIONRace content will be available across the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ official platforms, including:A detailed course preview highlighting the route and its key sections and video highlights from both practice and race days on the official YouTube channel.Key moments shared on social media (@uci_mtbworldseries)Live timing on the official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series website and via the official app, which will also feature live blogging with key updates throughout the event.A highlights programme will be broadcast on Eurosport and TNT Sports next week and available on streaming platform HBO Max on demand.ENDURO OPEN RETURNSShimano Enduro Open riders will also take on the trails of the Grand Massif, experiencing first-hand what it takes to compete on a UCI Enduro World Cup course.The Enduro Open gives amateur riders the unique opportunity to race the very same stages, on the very same weekend, as the sport’s elite athletes, setting off just hours before the professionals. After crossing the finish line, participants can stay on to watch the world’s best in action and see how their own times compare against those at the very top of the sport.Racing gets underway in Morillon, Haute Savoie on Saturday – full schedule and event details are available here.
The final round of the UCI Enduro World Cup season will take place over two days on the pine-lined trails of Morillon, Haute-Savoie.Added to the UCI Enduro World Cup calendar last year, Morillon returns for 2026 with a course set against the mountains of the Grand Massif. Riders will take on challenging trails packed with natural features, fast-flowing sections and plenty of roots.Last season, Alex Rudeau came from behind to win the Elite Men's race while Elly Hoskin underlined her superiority with a crushing 23-second triumph. Ella Conolly and Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) were also crowned overall UCI Enduro World Cup champions.This year, across the two days, riders will cover at total of 84.4km featuring 4110m of descending across eight stages. Following training on Thursday and Friday, Elite and Shimano Enduro Open riders will tackle the opening four stages on Saturday, before completing the final four stages on Sunday.STAGESStage 1: Abadee RedLength: 2.07kmElevation: +31m / -355mStage 2: Montagnes du GiffreLength: 3.08kmElevation: +52m / -669mStage 3: Dre dan /’pentuLength: 3.53kmElevation: +9m / -605mStage 4: Paddock ExpressLength: 2.63kmElevation: +26m / -444mStage 5: Red LineLength: 2.93kmElevation: +17m / -456mStage 6: Reverse RiverLength: 2.02kmElevation: +48m / -490mStage 7: Morillon VillageLength: 1.34kmElevation: +17m / -209mStage 8: Haute SavoieLength: 5.03kmElevation: +15m / -912m
The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series has been one for the ages with the first nine rounds serving up brand new venues, the return of fan favourites and adrenaline-packed racing across cross-country, downhill and enduro.While the dust settles on the first half of the series, riders and fans alike get a chance to take a break and reset over the northern hemisphere’s summer before ramping things up again as they build towards the final rounds.With all four formats’ overall titles in the balance, it’s all still to play for in the race to become a 2026 UCI World Cup overall winner. From tight tussles to seemingly foregone conclusions, here’s the state of play as the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series pauses for its summer break.UCI XCO WORLD CUP: MARTIN AND RISSVEDS ON THE MARCHLuca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) have been two of the most consistent riders in the Cross-country Olympic (XCO) format of the last 12 months, and both carried their strong form from the tail end of the 2025 season into this series.Rainbow jersey-wearing Rissveds hasn’t finished outside the top three all year and her XCO-XCC double at the last round in Pal Arinsal (Andorra) demonstrated the Swede’s dominance. Her lead in the overall over second-placed Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) stands at 347 points, so could afford to skip a round and remain in top spot.If results go her way, Rissveds could wrap up a first UCI XCO World Cup title as soon at the next round in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France), but the reality is that she will have to wait until the penultimate round at new UCI World Cup venue Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA).Martin had been showing a similar level of consistency to Rissveds, but the Frenchman finished outside of the top two for the first time this year in Andorra, rolling home in 22nd. Although it didn’t affect his place at the top of the standings, the winner in Pal Arinsal, Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), managed to shave more than 200 points off of Martin’s lead. Only 130 points separate the duo, and with both often found duelling it out at the front of proceedings, expect the title to go to the wire in Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA).In the Under 23, Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) is the runaway leader in the women’s standings and is unlikely to be caught, while despite his dominance, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) only holds a 103-point lead over Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing) in the men’s U23.UCI XCC WORLD CUP: FREI AND BOICHIS HOLD SLENDER SHORT TRACK LEADSThings are a bit tighter in the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup standings, where Specialized’s Frei and Boichis hold slender leads.Although Frei started the series strongly with two wins in the first third rounds, the momentum appears to have shifted in the direction of second-place Rissveds who has won back-to-back rounds and sits only 30 points behind the Swiss rider in the standings. The summer break could have come at a good time for Frei though, with it providing a chance to reset and go again in defence of her lead.Teammate Boichis meanwhile is in the ascendancy. Despite skipping the opening round of the series, the Frenchman has amassed 960 points in five rounds, leapfrogging early season leader Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) who’s yet to finish higher than eighth after starting the year so strongly with back-to-back wins in MONA YongPyong (South Korea) and Nové Mĕsto Na Moravé (Czechia).Boichis’ 116-point lead in the series and form should stand him in good stead, but with Martin lurking only four points behind Azzaro in third and Pal Arinsal winner Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Race Team) only 222 points off of first, there’s still time for things to be shuffled before the season end.The story in the U23 is the same as in the XCO standings, with Corvi and Schehl both leading their respective categories. Corvi’s advantage over Bloeme Kalis (KMC Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) isn’t as commanding as in the Olympic distance, but back-to-back XCC wins show that the Italian is the clear favourite, while Schehl’s five consecutive wins should be enough to hold off François Baudry.In the UCI Cross-country World Cup team standings, Specialized Factory Racing lead the way thanks to strong performances from Boichis, Frei and Laura Stigger, and with Christopher Blevins close to his best and Victor Koretzky still to return from an injury that has ruled him out of the series so far, it’s unlikely that second-place Canyon XC Racing will be able to close the 547-point gap, even with Rissveds’ red-hot form.UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CUP: HÖLL IN CONTROL, WILLIAMS AND ILES FILLING BRUNI’S SHOESThe UCI Downhill World Cup are complete contrasts. In the women’s field, Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) is on course for another coronation, while Jordan Williams and Finn Iles are keeping Specialized Gravity on top despite team-mate Loïc Bruni’s long layoff.Höll can complete her fifth UCI Downhill World Cup title as early as Les Gets, with the Austrian holding a 553-point advantage over team-mate Lisa Baumann. Her five wins from six rounds this series mean she can even afford to not finish on the top spot and still win before setting foot in North America for the final two rounds, but knowing Höll, she will be challenging for maximum points from now until the end of the series.The Specialized Gravity team-mates Williams and Iles lead the way in the men’s field, but with just 63 points separating them, it’s a much tighter affair. Both have two wins to their names this series and are stepping out of the shadow of Loïc Bruni. With three rounds to go, there are still plenty of other riders within mathematical contention, but Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP), Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) and reigning overall winner Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) are the most likely to challenge.In the Junior class, it’s a reversed situation to the Elites. In the Men Junior, Jonty Williamson (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) has built a seemingly unassailable 111-point lead over Sacha Gabriel Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres), while only 25 points separate Alehta Ostagaard (Canyon DH Racing) and Lina Frener (Norco X Adidas Race Division) in the Women Junior standings.COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction lead the UCI Downhill World Cup team standings, although Canyon DH Racing reduced the Andorran team’s advantage to 48 points in Pal Arinsal. Vali Höll’s Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres sit a further three points back in third, while fourth-placed Specialized Gravity will still fancy their chances despite being 119 points in arrears – particularly if Bruni returns to action as soon as Les Gets, Haute Savoie.UCI ENDURO WORLD CUP: CONOLLY AND RODGERS WITHIN REACH WITH ONE ROUND TO GOBefore the Cross-country and Downhill double header in Les Gets, there’s the small matter of the UCI Enduro World Cup series finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie. And after the last round in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland), both titles remain on the line in the French Alps.Ella Conolly continued her dominance of the women’s field in Switzerland, adding a third win of the series to put her within reach of defending her overall title. Her 170-point lead over Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) means the privateer needs to just finish sixth in Morillon to make it back-to-back series. Pugin is nailed on for second place whatever happens, while Raphaela Richter and Winnifred Goldsbury can still challenge Elly Hoskin for third.Lief Rodgers meanwhile is having a memorable second season in the Elite men’s class, and the Canadian privateer finds himself in first with an 82-point advantage over Adrien Dailly (Speed Project). Rodgers’ fortunes were boosted after then-series leader Alex Rudeau was disqualified in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald but with 250 points still up for grabs, it’s mathematically possible for anyone in the top six (including fourth-placed Rudeau) to overhaul Rodgers, who needs to finish on the podium to guarantee the title.In the Junior class, Hugo Marti Montessinos clinched the Men Junior class last time out in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald, while 25 points separate Nežka Libnik and Romy Williams (Speed Project) in the Women Junior.While privateers might lead the individual standings, in the UCI Enduro World Cup team standings, Speed Project capped off its dominant season by mathematically securing the overall team title with one round to spare. Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team remain second overall, while Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team completes the top three.
The penultimate round of the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup delivered plenty of drama and unexpected twists as two gruelling days of racing in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland) came to a close.Ella Conolly looked poised to secure back-to-back UCI Enduro World Cup titles after another commanding performance, extending her advantage with a stage 5 victory. However, a puncture on stage 6 threatened to derail her celebrations. The Briton responded magnificently, limiting the damage and ultimately sealing the overall win by 33.4 seconds ahead of UCI World Champion Elly Hoskin.In the men's race, Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) produced a stunning day-two comeback to claim the first UCI Enduro World Cup victory of his career. The Australian won the final three stages to surge to the top of the standings and finish more than 20 seconds clear of his rivals.The Junior categories also provided plenty to celebrate. Switzerland’s Elena Frei delighted the home crowd by securing her maiden UCI World Cup victory in the Women Junior event, while Hugo Marti Montessinos continued his dominant season with a fourth Men Junior win, a result that also mathematically secured him the overall UCI Enduro World Cup title with one round to spare.In the Teams Classification, Speed Project capped off its dominant season by mathematically securing the overall team title with one round to spare. Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team, winners of the Aletsch Arena-Bellwald round, remain second overall, while Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team completes the top three.CONOLLY HOLDS HER NERVE AS THE TITLE BATTLE TAKES ANOTHER TWISTAfter a consistently strong opening day, Ella Conolly turned up the pressure in the battle for the UCI Enduro World Cup title. The Briton mastered the demanding 3.3km-long Cow Safari stage, featuring 806 metres of vertical descent, to double her advantage at the top of the standings and build what looked to be a comfortable 51-second lead.That cushion would soon prove invaluable. Reigning UCI World Champion Elly Hoskin bounced back from disappointment on stage 5 in emphatic fashion, claiming back-to-back stage victories. The Canadian delivered a flawless run on Lord of the Rims (Extended Cut) - a formidable 4.9km stage with 725 metres of descent - to claw back valuable time and move into second place overall. Despite suffering a puncture on stage 6, Conolly limited the damage impressively, finishing just 1.2 seconds ahead of Nadine Ellecosta (Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team).The drama continued on stage 7, Into The Wild, where the unpredictable terrain and Conolly’s ongoing tyre issues reshuffled the leaderboard once again. The series leader endured one of her toughest stages of the season, dropping outside the top three on the stage while Hoskin reduced the gap to 35.8 seconds.On the final test of the day, Back to the Roots, Ellecosta capped a strong performance by claiming her first stage win of the weekend. The Italian edged out Hoskin by just 1.2 seconds, denying the Canadian a hat-trick of consecutive stage victories and securing her place on the podium. Conolly, meanwhile, dug deep to bring her race home, finishing 3.6 seconds behind the stage winner and preserving a commanding overall advantage of 33.5 seconds over Hoskin.Reflecting on another victory, Conolly said: “It’s been a pretty eventful weekend. We’ve had a huge amount of racing, almost 50 minutes in total. I had a small mechanical issue to deal with after one of the stages, but the hardest thing was simply keeping the pace up for that long. The body is exhausted. I was really struggling in the final stages; there was so much pedalling and my legs were spent. My lower back was hurting through all the corners as well, so in the end I was just trying to hold it together and make it to the finish line.”GILCHRIST CLAIMS HAT-TRICK OF VICTORIES AS LIEF RODGERS LEADS OVERALLThe Elite Men’s race took yet another dramatic turn as Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) stormed to his first-ever UCI Enduro World Cup victory, while overnight leader Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) endured a difficult second day that saw his hopes unravel.Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project) set the tone on stage 5 with an emphatic ride, claiming victory by more than 10 seconds after a disappointing start to the weekend in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald. Behind him, Łukasik’s advantage began to slip away as a series of costly mistakes allowed Adrien Dailly (Speed Project) to claw back almost 10 seconds and snatch a narrow 2.2-second overall lead.Any hopes Dailly had of consolidating that advantage were short-lived. Stage 6, Lord of the Rims (Extended Cut), turned the race on its head as Gilchrist produced a stunning performance to claim the stage win and move to the top of the standings. The Australian maintained that momentum on the final two stages, completing a remarkable hat-trick of stage victories to secure the first UCI Enduro World Cup win of his career.Behind him, Lief Rodgers delivered another composed and consistent performance to finish second overall and move to the top of the UCI Enduro World Cup standings. In contrast, Łukasik -who had recorded four top-five stage finishes on day one- was unable to replicate that form and slipped out of podium contention by the end of the weekend.With Alex Rudeau absent following his disqualification on Saturday, Rodgers now leads the overall UCI Enduro World Cup rankings, setting up a thrilling title showdown heading into the final round of the season.Reflecting on his breakthrough victory, Gilchrist said: “I’ve been doing this for a while now, so to finally take a win, especially here in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald, on such a demanding course and against riders at the very top of their game, means a lot. I couldn’t be more proud.“The last couple of rounds were tough for me. I reached out to Mick Hannah, a former teammate, and told him I needed a bit of help. He gave me some really inspiring advice, and I took that into this weekend. He told me to ride like Ryan, and when Ryan rides like Ryan, good things happen.”HOME VICTORY FOR FREI AS MARTI MONTESSINOS CRUISES TO VICTORYThere were celebrations on home soil for Switzerland’s Elena Frei, who claimed the first UCI Enduro World Cup victory of her career in the Women Junior category. Capitalising on overall leader Nežka Libnik’s misfortune on stage 3, Frei put together an impressive run of consistent performances, with a string of top-three stage finishes helping the 18-year-old secure victory by an emphatic 4:51.9 margin.Despite her setback, Libnik bounced back in style on day two to retain her lead in the overall UCI Enduro World Cup standings.Reflecting on her victory, Frei said: “Today was a really tough day. I crashed twice on stage 5 and hurt my shoulder quite badly. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could continue racing, but after the climb between stages it started to feel a bit better. Then I told myself, ‘let’s go, I can do this’. Stage 6 was really good and stages 7 and 8 felt good as well.”In the Men Junior race, Hugo Marti Montessinos powered to another UCI Enduro World Cup victory. The French rider claimed two stage wins and, despite suffering a puncture on the final stage, held on to edge out closest challenger Nico Casey Schroder by just 4.9 seconds.Speaking after the race, the 18-year-old said: “It was amazing to race in Switzerland over four days. I had a crash in training on Saturday, so I was feeling a bit tired. I had a puncture on stage 2, but I still had a lot of fun. Today was incredibly long and physical, but that’s exactly the kind of racing I love. I had another puncture right at the top of the final stage, so it was a tough way to finish, but I’m really happy to take the win.”The result not only secured Marti Montessinos’ fourth UCI Enduro World Cup victory of the season, but also mathematically clinched the overall Junior Men’s title with one round still to race. The Frenchman holds an unassailable lead over Jules Janniaud heading into the season finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie (France) where the UCI Enduro World Cup will conclude from 14–16 August.
Overall men’s series leader Alex Rudeau is out of the UCI Enduro World Cup round at Aletsch Arena-Bellwald on a bruising day one, alongside third and fourth-placed women Raphaela Richter and Winnifred Goldsbury.Rudeau broke his rear wheel navigating a rock garden at the end of stage 1 and was disqualified for unauthorised access of the Technical Assistance Zone, and unauthorised replacement of a marked component.That leaves Leif Rogers primed to take over the series lead with the Canadian sitting fourth overnight at 10.9 seconds behind Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team), while Ella Conolly edges closer and closer to clinching back-to-back titles as she boasts a 26-second lead at the halfway stage.Richter and Goldsbury both dropped out of the event for medical reasons, with Elina Frei and Hugo Marti Montessinos setting the pace in the junior races.RUDEAU OPENS DOOR TO ROGERS AND DAILLYAt first glance, Rudeau finishing stage 1 in 11th at 14.5 seconds back appeared far from disastrous given he arrived in Switzerland boasting an 85-point lead at the top of the elite men’s standings. However, news of his disqualification sent shockwaves around the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series and gave a huge carrot to all his rivals at the top of the standings.Fresh from his maiden elite UCI World Cup win in La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta, Raphaël Giambi was the early pacesetter but an issue on stage 2 cost him over half a minute and handed the initiative to Łukasik. The defending champion has endured a difficult season but he finished in the top five of every stage to eke out a 2.3-second lead over fellow Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team rider Ryan Gilchrist.Łukasik only topped the timesheets on one stage but with Giambi and Rogers both struggling with consistency, he will be the man to beat on day two.Adrien Dailly is the other man within 10 seconds of the Pole and he has an outside shot of leaving Switzerland with the overall lead if Rogers comes unstuck tomorrow, which features the tougher, steeper trails after longer energy-sapping rides on day one.CONOLLY ON THE BRINK AFTER DOMINANT DAY ONEWhile a big-name casualty shook up the elite men’s standings, DNFs for Richter and Goldbury helped Conolly tighten her grip in the elite women’s overall. However, the Brit deserves even more credit for a dominant performance in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald as she blew away her remaining rivals.With second-placed Simona Kuchyňková (Cube Action Team) also absent, Conolly immediately jumped out to a 15-second lead on Alpine Rodeo, the first of three long winding stages.UCI Enduro World Champion Elly Hoskin hit back on Blueberry Trail and Glaciara Trail but Conolly stayed in touch, then fired herself back to the front on the shortest stage of the day as Hoskin came unstuck, losing 13 seconds in just 1.5km.The Canadian remains Conolly’s closest challenger while Nadine Ellecosta is in line for a podium place in Switzerland, though the elongated gaps at the top of the women’s standings means neither rider is set to move up any positions.Kuchyňkova’s absence means Conolly is set to clinch the UCI Enduro World Cup with a round to go as long as she can stay on her bike tomorrow, though anything can happen on the technical trails of Aletsch Arena-Bellwald.The hardest stage of the weekend comes early on day two with Lord of the Rims (Extended Cut) featuring 725m of descent in just a 4.9km course, while the untested Into the Wild trail on the penultimate stage will be a fresh test for the exhausted riders.CONTRASTING FORTUNES FOR JUNIOR LEADERSThe gap at the top of the junior women’s standings is tightening after Nežka Libnik had a disastrous stage 3, losing 15 minutes to a puncture and opening the door to Romy Williams (Speed Project).Elina Frei leads by 2:38.950 on home trails as Williams was outclassed by the Swiss rider on every stage but looks set to finish ahead of Libnik as long as she finishes day two. However, Emily Skeie-Lebreux’s failure to finish stage two means Libnik is still on course to pick up 40 points and hold onto her overall lead.It was contrasting fortunes for the junior leaders as Hugo Marti Montessinos took a giant step towards clinching the overall title. Entering Aletsch Arena - Bellwald with an 80-point advantage at the top of the standings, a podium finish for the Frenchman would secure the junior men’s title ahead of the final round in August and Marti Montessinos is 12.9 seconds ahead after day one. His closest challenger Tommy Bougon is out too, so it looks like it would take a miracle to deny Marti Montessinos.The action reaches its climax tomorrow in Aletsch Arena–Bellwald with four more stages to close out the penultimate UCI Enduro World Cup round of the season. The final stage will be broadcast live on-site, with fans also able to follow the action on a delayed-live basis via subscription on MTBWS TV, in all markets where the streaming service is available.
As we approach the sharp end of the season, the UCI Enduro World Cup 2026 season is shaping up to be a classic with both the men’s and women’s overall titles finally poised.Ella Conolly and Alex Rudeau lead their respective categories, but both hold slim advantages over their closest competitors – Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) in the women’s field, and privateer Lief Rodgers in the men’s.The quartet joined UCI Enduro World Cup presenter Elliott Heap, along with La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta winner Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project) and German Enduro star Raphaela Richter ahead of the penultimate round of the series in Aletsch Arena - Bellwald (Switzerland) to share their thoughts on their seasons so far, and what we can expect in the final two rounds.CONOLLY LEADS THE CHARGE AS RIVALS CLOSE IN Ella Conolly is having another series to remember, as the reigning women’s overall series holder has picked up two wins and two second-places from the first four rounds to find herself in pole position.“I’ve had a solid, consistent season so far. I’ve been enjoying the racing,” she said. She starts in Switzerland after a week off and is targeting the top spot at a venue where she finished second in last year’s UCI Enduro World Championships. “I’m feeling refreshed and ready to go. We had some big stages today [in practice]. It’s so loose and dusty and rough. It’s pretty physical. But I’m feeling good this evening, which is good because we’ve got another three huge days coming up, so I’d be a bit worried if I was tired already.”Her closest competitor in the overall, Pugin, is also feeling confident heading into the two days of racing but is conscious that recovery is crucial when you factor in the two days of practice before the racing even starts.“It's a long weekend and I need to recover energy and also mechanic a little bit. So I need to manage more than just one day of racing, and I think maybe I rode a little bit slowly during practice to save some energy for the race.”The Speed Project rider believes that recovery between rounds could be key to challenging Conolly for the overall, as well as being in a good space mentally.Richter meanwhile finds herself third in the overall, but the German starts in Aletsch Arena - Bellwald still suffering the fatigue from her winning run at last weekend’s Megavalanche.“I’m actually not quite as rested as the others seem to be. I tried to take it easy today and have a good feeling on the bike and tick off some small goals. I just tried to take it really easy during practice. Will probably also try to take it easy tomorrow to conserve some energy for the races.”RUDEAU DEFENDS, RODGERS BELIEVES In the men’s field, Alex Rudeau started the season with the ambition of clinching the overall, and so far the 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion is on course to achieve his lofty goals. But he’s noticed the impact of competing at every round rather than cherry picking his races like 2025. “Last year, I did only three races and I was on the podium at each race. This year it's not the same, it's more managing and try to keep the lead.”Just 85 points behind him in the overall series is fellow privateer Lief Rodgers, and the Canadian says he’s “exceeding my expectations” in only his second full year in the elite class.“I guess one of my goals was a top 10 in the overall, and then just more podiums. I got my first ever podium last year at the last race of the season. I've only been on the podium once so far this year, but second in the overall as well, which is pretty insane.”He’s narrowly missed out on the podiums at the last two rounds, finishing fourth in both. “The last two rounds, I've been fourth and less than two seconds off the podium both times. I'm definitely happy to be consistent with my results, but yeah, it always stings a bit getting fourth place, especially when you're that close.”Like Pugin, Rodgers believes that the difference between finishing first and second in the overall will come down to his mental strength rather than on-bike ability. “Throughout this whole season, I've been learning that I need to trust my riding, trust my pace, and just try my hardest. For these last two rounds, it'll be more of that.”The pair won’t have it all their own way though, with La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta (Italy) winner Raphaël Giambi a fan of the Aletsch Arena - Bellwald terrain. “I feel good. I’m a bit tired because I did a lot of track work. But the stages are good, a bit physical, but technical too. I like it when it’s technical, it's good.”Racing gets underway in Aletsch Arena - Bellwald on Saturday – full schedule and event details are available here.
This weekend, Enduro riders will be tasked with tackling the trails of Aletsch Arena - Bellwald (Valais, Switzerland) – host of the 2025 UCI Enduro World Championships.While it might only be mid-July, we’re now entering the crucial phase of this year’s WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. With only two UCI Enduro World Cups remaining, every stage, position or point could make all the difference and titles could be won or lost in the blink of an eye. Ella Conolly and Alex Rudeau lead their respective standings, but if this season has proved anything, it’s that there is a long line of riders ready to pounce when the opportunity arises.This is also the penultimate round of the Enduro Open, giving amateur riders the opportunity to take on the same course as the UCI Enduro World Cup stars across two intense days of racing.EPIC, DESCENT-HEAVY DAYS OUTAletsch Arena – Bellwald is back in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series calendar after a year off in 2025 to host the rainbow jersey events.The UCI Enduro World Cup takes place on its extensive trail network. Situated in the alpine-forested foothills of the mesmerising Alestch Glacier – the largest in the Alps – riders and fans can expect amazing scenes around every berm and bend.Athletes will take on eight stages over two days of action that total 80.5km of riding and 5,974m of descent.Day one is the marginally longer of the two and features more pedal climbing during liaisons. Riders kick off with returning favourites Alpine Rodeo, Blueberry Trail and the longest stage of the day, Glaciara Trail – which features 637m descent over 3.9km. The final stage is a new inclusion for the UCI Enduro World Cup – the 1.5km Time Travel – which is followed by a chunky 12km ride back to the event village in Fiesch.Day two might be shorter on paper, but with the exploits of day one already in their arms and legs, riders will have literal and figurative mountains to climb on some of the region’s most iconic trails and new additions. After embarking on Cow Safari, riders face the prospect of Lord of the Rims (Extended Cut) – at 4.9km with 725m descent, the longest and toughest trail of the weekend. New inclusion Into the Wild adds an element of unknown to the penultimate stage, while the finale Back to the Roots sees athletes race to the race village finish line in what could be a tight conclusion to proceedings.CONOLLY AND RUDEAU IN CONTROL BUT NOT OUT OF TOUCHElla Conolly and Alex Rudeau are leading the overall standings and their consistency so far in 2026 means that the pair look to have a firm grip on their respective titles. They aren’t out of sight though, and the redistribution of points for the 2026 series means that both riders’ advantage is slimmer than what it might have been in previous years.Reigning champion Conolly’s 920 points from two wins and two second places solidifies her as the favourite to retain her title. But the Brit only holds a 70-point advantage over second-place Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project), who herself won UCI Enduro World Cup in Val di Fassa - Trentino (Italy) – the only other two-day round that athletes have faced so far this year.While Conolly’s form suggests she will be on the podium as a minimum – the privateer hasn’t finished outside of the top three at a UCI Enduro World Cup since Saalfelden Leogang - Salzburgerland (Austria) in June 2024 – if Pugin can finish above her in Switzerland, it would leave the title finely balanced ahead of the season finale in Morillon, Haute Savoie (France) in August.Other than Conolly and Pugin, Winnifred Goldsbury is another rider to watch – the New Zealander and winner in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland looking to bounce back after crashing in practice in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta (Italy) and missing the round. Reigning UCI Enduro World Champion Elly Hoskin also has previous history at the venue, having won her rainbow stripes here last year.The men’s field is just as tight, with 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion Alex Rudeau only holding an 85-point lead over fellow privateer Lief Rodgers, while La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta winner Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project) is only 104 points off the top spot in third.Rudeau’s consistency is what has kept him at the top of the standings since the first round, which he won in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France). He finished fourth in Alestch Arena - Bellwald during last year’s UCI Enduro World Championships and will be hoping to equal or improve on that to go into the short summer break with a lead in the overall title.Canadian Rodgers is yet to win a UCI Enduro World Cup but is on the cusp of his debut victory, while Giambi could leapfrog Rodgers in the standings if he finishes above him again.One rider yet to match his previous form is reigning UCI Enduro World Cup overall winner Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Racing), but if he can propel himself to the top of the podium for a second time this season and other results go his way, he would still be in with a shot of retaining his title.HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION Race content will be available across the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ official platforms, including:A detailed course preview highlighting the route and its key sections and video highlights from both practice and race days on the official YouTube channel.Key moments shared on social media (@uci_mtbworldseries)Live timing on the official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series website and via the official app, which will also feature live blogging with key updates throughout the event.A highlights programme will be broadcast on Eurosport and TNT Sports next week and available on streaming platform HBO Max on demand.The final stage of the UCI Enduro World Cup in Aletsch will be broadcast live on-site, with fans also able to follow the action on a delayed-live basis via subscription on MTBWS TV, in all markets where the streaming service is available.ENDURO OPEN RETURNSWith demanding, steep, technical and wild trails, Aletsch Arena & Bellwald will push riders of all abilities to their limits. Through the Enduro Open, participants have the opportunity to test themselves on the very same trails and on the same days as the sport’s elite, dropping in just hours ahead of the professionals. Once they cross the finish line, they can stay on to watch the pros race and directly compare their times with the world’s best.To further enhance the competitive experience, new age categories and a pairs category have been introduced, allowing for tighter groupings and more meaningful racing. Registration is also open for the final round in Morillon (Haute‑Savoie, France) with full details available here.Racing gets underway in Alestch Arena - Bellwald on Saturday – full schedule and event details are available here.
Just one week after the La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta (Italy) quadruple-header, the downhill and cross-country stars traded the Alps for the Pyrenees as they returned to action in Pal Arinsal-Andorra. The venue hosted the final UCI World Cup round before a six-week summer break across the three formats: cross-country short track (XCC), cross-country Olympic (XCO) and downhill.Racing got underway on Friday with a fast and furious UCI XCC World Cup, where riders left nothing in reserve on the high-altitude course. The intensity continued throughout the weekend, culminating in a thrilling UCI XCO on Sunday that kept fans on the edge of their seats right through to the final rider crossing the finish line.Pal Arinsal - Andorra witnessed a number of firsts in the cross-country: Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Race Team) winning his debut XCC, Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) becoming the first-ever woman to win three XCC-XCO doubles, and Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) victorious in the XCO for the first time in what is the Frenchman’s adopted home track.In downhill, the winners’ circle looked familiar, as Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) and Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) repeated their victories from the previous round. Yet Andorra’s dry, technical course still produced several milestones.Höll’s triumph marked her fifth UCI Downhill World Cup win of the season, setting a new personal record for victories in a single campaign. In the men’s race, Williams was joined on the podium by Reece Wilson (AON Racing), making it the first time since Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria) in 2022 that two British riders have occupied the top two spots on a UCI Downhill World Cup podium, when Matt Walker and Danny Hart achieved the feat.But the winners in Pal Arinsal are just one part of the story.. From Reece Wilson’s emotional journey to an injury update from Victor Koretzky (Specialized Factory Racing), here are some of the behind-the-scenes highlights from this week’s THE B LINE.TRIUMPHS, FRUSTRATIONS AND MOMENTUM AHEAD OF THE SUMMER BREAKEmma Stewart caught up with a number of the top performers from last weekend’s race, gaining insight on the thoughts and feelings of the format’s biggest stars.Reece Wilson (AON Racing) won the sport’s biggest one-off race when he became UCI Downhill World Champion in 2020, but the Scotsman’s first podium since 2024 will live long in the memory because of its David vs Goliath-like undertones.“If someone had told me 15 years ago when I started this downhill journey that I would be standing here as the owner of my own team, on a bike that I basically designed myself and to be stood in second place at a World Cup with the effort that goes in with some of these other teams is honestly outstanding. It’s a bit of history for me and a day I’ll look back on for the rest of my life and probably shed a tear.”Wilson was just 2.3 seconds off of first place, which went to Jordan Williams for the second consecutive week despite less than ideal prep for the new series leader: “I was struggling this week a bit. Not on the track and riding but I really felt quite drained. Last week was obviously really insane and I felt pretty tired and not so myself. I was waking up tired, I couldn’t recover so amazingly. I had an insane sleep last night and woke up ready for it.”While Williams was celebrating another victory, it was a different story for the 2022 Elite winner in Pal Arinsal - Andorra, Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate), who put her 11th place finish down to a lack of confidence on the testing terrain: “I had no speed. My race run felt like practice. I couldn’t find it this weekend. I couldn’t find a flow. I was scared of going fast. I couldn’t find a bike set up. I’ve never felt puzzled that much. After feeling good last week, I thought I’d found my momentum, but it’s absolutely gone this week.”Although the summer break can’t come quickly enough for the German, for Ryan Pinkerton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH), the six weeks between racing arrives just as the American has found his groove and secured his first Men’s Elite podium. But he has a plan to try and maintain the momentum: “I go home, I have National Champs, so hopefully I keep the sleeve, and then rest, train some more and come back swinging for the second half of the season.”Sasha Earnest (Trek - Unbroken DH) was another podium finisher in Pal Arinsal - Andorra, and the New Zealander is keen to take the next steps on the podium: “I’m always stoked to be on the podium. Last race was my first time on the podium for the season and now I’ve just done it again, so I can’t be disappointed. But always, there’s an underlying feeling of I was close today and I could have it today, but the racing of the top two was out of the park.”The one rider keeping her firmly off of the top spot is Valentina Höll, who made it back-to-back wins to build a seemingly unassailable lead with three rounds still to go. But despite her success, the series leader is looking forward to a well-earned break: “I can’t wait. This was my only motivation today. One more round and then holidays. I’m going to spend two weeks in Switzerland until we go back testing for Worlds. It’s really much needed. Today really felt like one second longer I would have been terrible.”BOICHIS SHINES, SCHWARZBAUER REAPS THE REWARDS AND KORETZKY EYES HIS RETURNEither side of the Downhill, it was the turn of the Cross-country riders in the highest altitude round of the series.Adrien Boichis clinched his second-ever UCI XCO World Cup win, and the Andorran resident was over the moon with his result on a previously difficult course for him: “It’s super special to win here today. It’s a track I’ve always struggled in the past. To have such a good day today here with the altitude and all the different factors, it doesn’t get much better.”Joining Boichis on the XCO podium was Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing) – the German’s first top three Olympic-distance finish since Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria) in June 2023. He revealed that he has suffered with doubts in the intervening years, but that working with a mental coach during the off-season has helped to refocus his efforts: “This winter, I worked with a mental coach and there was one point where it was maybe a click moment when he said ‘if you want to leave an impression and footprint in this sport, and change things to a better and more positive thing, then you need to be in the front because that’s what people are interested in’. Understanding this was more fuel on the fire and I think that’s something that’s part of the success.”One place behind Schwarzbauer was reigning UCI XCO World Cup overall winner Chris Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing), and the American was relieved to be back near the front of the action after a difficult return from injury: “There’s definitely a bit of relief. It has felt like eternity. I had two races back before this weekend and both of them were pretty rough. I knew I’d be part of it just chasing yourself and trying to get back to it but I’ve never been good on this course. I felt so good out there. We had an altitude camp with the team, which I think helped a lot. I think that was the difference.”While the summer break is coming just as Blevins is refinding his racing form, for Ronja Blöchlinger (Liv Factory Racing), the six-week break offers an opportunity to reset and recuperate after a long period on the road: “I’m super excited. I go home. I will not touch my bike for a week. I will go swimming, climbing, running. I have a bit of an easy week but I want to see my friends and do different things, and I’m excited to go home because I was now five weeks on the road and that’s a long time for me.”Finally, one rider who wasn’t racing this weekend but was in Pal Arinsal - Andorra was Victor Koretzky, and the Frenchman provided an update on the broken arm that has kept him out for the whole season: “The recovery is going pretty well. I do between three and five appointments per week with the physio. I work a lot on strength at the gym. I’m just waiting to have enough strength on my arm to hold the bar and not feel any pain. Now, when I go downhill and it’s too bumpy, it’s super painful and I can’t control the bike perfectly. I still need a few weeks and I hope to be back in Les Gets but we will see. My legs are ready but my arm is not.”
The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series headed deep into the heart of the Pyrenees for a spectacular stop at the Pal Arinsal Bike Park, home to the highest-altitude race venue on this year’s calendar and one of its toughest endurance tests. The four-kilometre course featured 119 metres of climbing per lap, with three punchy ascents steadily wearing down the world’s best cross-country riders.The weekend also marked the conclusion of an intense racing block that saw four UCI Cross-country World Cup rounds contested in just five weeks. With a six-week summer break looming, riders left nothing on the course in the battle for crucial overall points.Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) further extended her lead in the overall standings and became the first Women Elite rider to complete the Pal Arinsal double, following up her UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup victory with success in the XCO race. Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) continued her impressive run of form to finish second, while Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) secured third place on the podium.In the Men Elite race, Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) turned Friday’s narrow XCC defeat into a dominant XCO victory, crossing the line ahead of Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) and Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing). Despite battling illness throughout the weekend, Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) retained the overall series lead after finishing 22nd.The Under-23 categories saw Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) and Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) both complete perfect weekends, claiming XCC-XCO doubles and carrying commanding leads in the overall standings into the summer break.It was also a highly successful weekend for Specialized Factory Racing, which topped the team standings and further strengthened its lead in the overall team classification.BOICHIS CONQUERS THE PYRENEES WITH MASTERCLASS PERFORMANCE IN PAL ARINSALAdrien Boichis put in a commanding performance to claim the second Men Elite UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup victory of his career. The Frenchman dictated the pace from the front, steadily increasing the pressure with each lap before launching a decisive attack to ride clear of the field.After crashing in Friday’s XCC race, Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) was forced to start from 26th on the grid. Undeterred, the Frenchman produced a stunning opening lap, using the course’s demanding climbs to surge through the field and quickly rejoin the fight for the podium.By the second lap, a lead group of four had formed, with Boichis and Luca Martin joined by German National Champion Luca Schwarzbauer and Azzaro. Sensing an opportunity, Boichis maintained a relentless tempo that proved too much for Martin, who was eventually dropped from the front group.Fresh from a podium finish in Friday’s XCC race, Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) continued his impressive comeback from a broken collarbone suffered earlier in the season. The American led the chase behind his teammate, while Boichis kept the pressure high at the front, gradually distancing Schwarzbauer. Only Azzaro was able to match the Frenchman’s pace as they approached the halfway mark.Elsewhere, reigning UCI XCO World Champion Alan Hatherly (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) saw his challenge hampered by a wheel change after suffering a puncture, one of several riders affected by the demanding conditions throughout the day.As Andorra resident Boichis continued to drive the pace on home trails, he and Azzaro built a comfortable advantage over Schwarzbauer in third. Azzaro briefly tested his rival with an attack when Boichis reached for an energy gel, but the Specialized Factory Racing rider responded immediately and regained control of the race.Having weathered the challenge, Boichis took a moment to recover before launching a decisive attack on the penultimate lap. He quickly opened a gap over Azzaro and never looked back, extending his advantage to cross the finish line 19 seconds clear of his compatriot. Schwarzbauer secured third place, marking his first UCI XCO World Cup podium since 2022 and the third of his career.Meanwhile, Luca Martin, still battling illness, faded through the field to finish 22nd. Despite the difficult day, the Cannondale Factory Racing rider retained the overall series lead, carrying a 130-point advantage into the summer break.Following his victory, Boichis said: “It feels super special. It’s a magical day. Mike Sinyard, the founder of Specialized, is here, so to have such a good race in front of him is incredibly special. I felt amazing on the S-Works Epic 9 today, it was like the bike was flying both up and down the course.Cycling doesn’t get much more enjoyable than days like this. My plan was to ride at a steady pace and not go over my limit. I felt comfortable, and when I saw riders starting to drop, I just kept pushing. When Mathis [Azzaro] attacked, I knew I could respond straight away. I focused on riding the final two laps as fast as possible while staying in control. I live in Andorra now, so winning here at altitude, on such a demanding track, makes this result even more special.”RISSVEDS RIDES SOLO TO COMPLETE PAL ARINSAL DOUBLEJenny Rissveds once again showcased her exceptional form with a commanding solo victory in the Women Elite race. The reigning UCI XCO World Champion seized control on the second lap and quickly established a lead that she never relinquished, riding alone to a convincing win in front of her adopted home crowd in Andorra.The race began with early drama as a coming together on the opening gravel climb forced both Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) and Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) down the order, costing them valuable positions and time. Meanwhile, Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing), renowned for her explosive starts, once again hit the front from the gun. However, Rissveds was quick to capitalize, taking over the pace-setting duties before dropping the Swiss rider and moving clear at the head of the race.The demanding Pal Arinsal course continued to take its toll on the field. The venue’s sharp rocks and technical root-filled descents caused mechanical issues for several riders, with Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing) suffering a puncture and Rebecca Henderson (Orbea Fox Factory Team) seeing her race come to an end after a blown tyre.Fresh from her victory in La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta (Italy) the previous weekend, Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) led the chase alongside Specialized Factory Racing teammates Laura Stigger and Sina Frei. As the effects of the altitude and relentless climbing began to show, Blöchlinger was first reeled in and then dropped by the pursuing trio. Although Rissveds remained firmly in control, her advantage fluctuated between 25 and 30 seconds for much of the race, preventing her from completely disappearing into the distance.After her difficult start, Blunk produced an impressive comeback ride, using her climbing strength to bridge across to the chase group on the penultimate lap. As the riders took the bell for the final lap, Rissveds held a comfortable 44-second lead. Behind her, Berta launched a decisive move on the course’s longest climb in an attempt to secure second place. Only Frei could respond, while Blunk and Stigger were left behind.Frei repeatedly attacked throughout the final lap in a bid to shake off her Italian rival, but Berta matched every acceleration. In the closing kilometres, the Origine Racing Division rider found another gear, moving ahead and holding firm to secure second place, with Frei completing the podium in third.Although her winning margin was reduced during the final lap, Rissveds remained in complete control to claim another dominant victory. The result strengthened the Andorra-based rider’s grip on the overall standings, extending her lead to 347 points over Frei heading into the summer break.Following her victory, Rissveds said: “It feels really good. It’s amazing to be racing at home. I love the course here and the spectators are great. It’s just a nice place and I’m enjoying it. I’m in a really good place at the moment. I made some big changes in my life last year and moved to Andorra. I’m just enjoying life, and I think that happiness helps me go fast as well.”SCHEHL AND CORVI COMPLETE PERFECT WEEKENDS WITH DOMINANT UNDER-23 VICTORIESPaul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) continued his remarkable run of form by securing a fourth consecutive Men Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup victory. The German rider wasted no time asserting his authority, establishing a small advantage on the opening lap before gradually extending it into an unassailable lead.Behind him, Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing) led the chase throughout much of the race but ultimately crossed the line 1:17 adrift of the dominant Schehl. The battle for the final podium position went down to the wire, with Nicolas Halter (Thömus Akros-Youngstars) producing a blistering penultimate lap to break clear of a four-rider group and secure third place.Having also claimed victory in Friday’s UCI XCC World Cup, Schehl completed a perfect weekend in Pal Arinsal and heads into the summer break with a commanding 103-point lead in the overall standings. Following his victory, he said: “It was a hard race, but I found a really good flow and enjoyed every moment out there. I was able to maintain a high pace while still feeling comfortable. The biggest challenge was carrying speed through the sharp rocks and avoiding a puncture. This result is really special because I’ve struggled here in the past, so to come away with a perfect weekend is absolutely phenomenal. I enjoyed every second of it.”In the Women Under-23 race, Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) further cemented her status as the category’s dominant force, claiming her fifth victory in six UCI XCO World Cup rounds this season. Following a runaway success in Friday’s XCC race, the Italian once again rode away from the field to claim another emphatic solo win.Corvi immediately took control of the race, opening a 21-second lead by the end of the first lap before steadily increasing her advantage to 1:19 by the finish. Elina Benoit (Lexware Mountainbike Team) initially led the chase behind Corvi but paid for her early efforts and eventually slipped to fourth. Instead, it was Ella Macphee (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Racing) who delivered a perfectly judged race, conserving energy before launching a powerful late charge that secured second place. Fiona Schibler completed the podium just seven seconds further back in third.Corvi now holds a remarkable 403-point advantage in the overall standings as the series heads into its six-week summer break. Reflecting on her latest victory, Corvi said: “It was super hard today. After this racing block I was feeling a little tired, so I focused on riding my own race. I struggled a bit in the middle of the race because the course is so demanding, with tough climbs and technical descents. I just tried to stay focused on my body and my sensations. The last three laps felt much better and I’m really happy to finish this race block with another win”.The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues next weekend with the UCI Enduro World Cup in Aletsch Arena–Bellwald, Switzerland, from 17–19 July. Meanwhile, the cross-country athletes now head into a six-week summer break before returning to action in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, from 20–23 August.
