Sina Frei and Luca Martin Prevail After Thrilling Title Fights

VAN RYSEL will enter the mountain bike world in 2027 with the RCR-XC, its first bike developed to compete at the highest level of cross-country racing.The new bike will make its WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series debut with Decathlon Ford Racing Team, with VAN RYSEL becoming the team’s official bike and apparel supplier from the 2027 season. It will be raced by a world-class roster that includes 2026 UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup overall winner Luca Martin, 2025 UCI XCO World Cup overall winner Samara Maxwell, UCI World Cup winner Savilia Blunk and 2026 UCI World Championships bronze medallist Cole Punchard.The launch marks the next chapter for the French brand, based in Lille, which has spent several months building a dedicated mountain bike operation. This includes recruiting established talent from across the discipline and forming a research and development team based in the French Alps.Behind the scenes, VAN RYSEL’s engineers and product managers have been developing an entirely new range of products, applying the expertise gained through the brand’s road programme to the demands of modern cross-country racing, with the objective of creating a bike capable of winning the sport’s biggest races.Beginning with an in-depth review of data collected since the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the development team examined the demands of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series circuit before focusing on three key areas: speed, power and time. These findings shaped the foundations of VAN RYSEL’s first mountain bike.Its partnership with Decathlon Ford Racing Team will provide the ultimate test, placing the RCR-XC on the start line at the highest level of the sport throughout the 2027 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series season. With some of the world’s leading cross-country riders putting the bike through its paces on the sport’s most demanding courses, every race will offer an opportunity to validate, refine and push the project forward.For VAN RYSEL, the move into mountain biking is more than the launch of a new bike. It represents the start of a new chapter for the brand and an ambitious commitment to cross-country racing, with the RCR-XC ready to make its mark on the world stage from its very first season.

The final endurance race of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series brought riders to the spectacular Lake Placid Olympic Sites, with the action centred around Mt Van Hoevenberg. A fast, punchy course packed with rock gardens and breathtaking descents, set against the golden light and autumn colours of the Adirondacks, delivered tight group racing and thrilling finishes across the categories.After a gruelling season, the final round provided one last physical test for tired bodies and a stern challenge for equipment, with punctures derailing the hopes of several riders.Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) held their nerve to claim sprint victories in the concluding round of this year’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup. Meanwhile, Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) and Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) were rewarded for their consistency across the season with the overall titles.The Under-23 races brought fresh faces to the top step of the podium, as Naël Rouffiac (Origine Racing Division) and Fiona Schibler (Bike Team Solothurn) celebrated maiden UCI World Cup victories. Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) and Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team), meanwhile, capped off impressive seasons by securing the overall titles.Cannondale Factory Racing rounded out a stellar weekend with third place in the Team standings, while Specialized Factory Racing secured the overall team title, lifting The Summit, the first-ever UCI Mountain Bike World Cup team trophy, after winning every round of the season bar the finale.ALDRIDGE AND MARTIN DELIVER A DREAM FAREWELL FOR CANNONDALECharlie Aldridge held his nerve in a thrilling sprint finish to edge out Filippo Colombo (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) and claim victory in the Men’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup season finale.With Cannondale Factory Racing set to disband at the end of the season, its riders rose to the occasion in their final outing. Aldridge claimed his second UCI XCO World Cup victory, 12 months after taking his maiden win at the 2025 season finale in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada). Team-mate Luca Martin completed a memorable farewell for the team by securing the overall titles in both XCC and XCO.Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) missed both North American rounds due to road racing commitments but retained second place in the overall standings. Third place, however, was still up for grabs heading into the finale, with the battle going all the way to the last lap.The rough terrain took its toll on riders and equipment throughout an incident-packed race. Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) saw his hopes of securing third overall come to an end after a difficult race that he was unable to finish. With Boichis absent, Martín Vidaurre Kossmann carried Specialized Factory Racing’s hopes in a leading group that gradually whittled down as the decisive final lap approached.Aldridge was determined to control proceedings from the front as the leaders charged up the Mt Van Hoevenberg hillside, but Colombo had other ideas. The Swiss rider squeezed through the smallest of gaps before powering through the rock garden to take the initiative.Aldridge, however, had one final move. Taking an alternative line, the Cannondale Factory Racing rider regained the lead heading into the final section before launching a long sprint for the line. Colombo drew alongside him on the asphalt finishing straight, but Aldridge dug deep to hold on for victory, with Colombo second and Kossmann completing the podium in third.Following his victory, Aldridge said: “I finally won a sprint! I’ve gone too early, I’ve gone too late, and this time it was perfect. What a way to finish the year. It’s the last race for Cannondale Factory Racing, so it feels great to end on a high.”Meanwhile, Martin wrapped up the overall title with a 380-point advantage over Boichis in second, with Kossmann taking third overall. Martin said: “It’s so good to be on the podium, and taking the overall is really special. It’s the last day for this team, and we finished on such a high. Having three riders in the top five shows what a great day it was for us. It was pretty tough for me, but I’m really happy with the way it ended.”FREI EDGES BERTA IN THRILLER AS RISSVEDS SECURES AN HISTORIC TITLESina Frei held on by the narrowest of margins to edge Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) in a thrilling sprint finish, while Jenny Rissveds did enough to secure the overall title.Berta arrived at the season finale as the rider in form, having completed the XCO-XCC double in Soldier Hollow, Utah (USA) two weeks earlier. Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), meanwhile, continued her return to form after missing the start of the season. Despite being held up and forced to dismount through the rock garden on the opening lap, Maxwell fought her way back into the leading group.The technical Lake Placid Olympic Sites course proved unforgiving for both riders and equipment. Rebecca Henderson (Orbea FOX Factory Team), competing in her final UCI XCO World Cup, suffered a mechanical, with Loana Lecomte (BMC Factory Racing) also seeing her race hampered by mechanical trouble. Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing), meanwhile, saw her hopes ended by a crash in the rock garden.Overall leader Rissveds was unable to reproduce the form that had taken her to three UCI XCO World Cup victories this season and gradually slipped back through the field but remained on course to secure the overall crown.At the front, Frei took control as the race entered its decisive final lap. When Berta became tangled with Maxwell, the Specialized Factory Racing rider appeared to have opened the gap she needed. But Berta refused to let the victory slip away, charging back on the descent and putting herself within striking distance for the sprint to the line.Berta launched one final charge, but Frei had just enough left to hold her off and claim her third UCI XCO World Cup victory of the season.Following her victory, Frei said: “Starting the season with a win and finishing it with a win is incredible. I was sprinting full gas and I could see Martina’s wheel coming. I just pushed the bike towards the line, and I’m so happy it worked. Winning in the World Champion’s jersey is incredible. My first World Cup win came in the team jersey, the second in the European Champion’s jersey, and now the third in the World Champion’s jersey. I just knew I had to push over the top of the climbs, then let the brakes go and try to close the gaps on the descents.”Meanwhile, an 11th place finish was enough for Rissveds to secure the overall title, becoming the first Swedish athlete to win the UCI XCO World Cup. After securing the overall title, Rissveds said: “It’s really nice. The level is incredibly high at the moment, and compared to last year it’s much faster. The racing is a lot tighter. The other teams have done their homework over the winter, and that’s what we have to do to keep up with them in the coming years.”SCHIBLER STORMS TO FIRST UCI WORLD CUP WIN AS CORVI TAKES THE CROWN Fiona Schibler (Bike Team Solothurn) delivered a composed performance beyond her years to claim her maiden Women’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup victory.Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) arrived at the season finale with an unassailable lead in the overall standings, having won seven of the eight UCI XCO World Cup rounds. However, a heavy crash in the previous day’s UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup ruled the Italian out of the final race of the season. Her absence opened the door for a new winner, with Katrin Embacher (KTM Factory MTB Team) the only other rider in the category to have claimed a UCI XCO World Cup victory this season.Schibler endured a difficult start, losing 15 seconds on the opening lap, but kept her composure and steadily worked her way back into contention. By the second lap, the Swiss rider had bridged across to compatriots Monique Halter (Thömus maxon) and Anina Hutter at the front of the race. Lisa Kristine Jorde and Canadian Rafaelle Carrier (Trinity Racing) were also part of the early leading group as an intriguing battle began to unfold.Schibler made her decisive move midway through the race, lifting the pace and quickly opening a gap that her rivals were unable to close. Behind, the battle for the remaining podium places went down to the final lap, with Jorde finishing strongly to secure second, just four seconds ahead of Hutter in third.Despite missing the race, Corvi’s commanding advantage was enough to secure the overall title by 433 points. Schibler’s victory elevated her to second in the final standings, with Jorde completing the overall podium in third.Speaking after her maiden UCI XCO World Cup victory, Schibler said: “It means a lot to me. To win the last race of the season is so special. I had a really bad start and was far behind, so I had to give it everything. Lap after lap, I found my rhythm and flow, and it was so cool to ride here. I knew today was really important for the overall because it was so tight behind Valentina [Corvi]. I knew I just had to go for it.”Overall winner Corvi added: “It was strange to be out today. It was the best choice considering how I felt this morning. I’m happy to win the overall. It wasn’t the way I wanted to close out the season, but sometimes it’s like this.”ROUFFIAC CLAIMS MAIDEN WIN AS SCHEHL CELEBRATES OVERALL TITLENaël Rouffiac (Origine Racing Division) clinched his maiden Men’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup victory, after overcoming Benjamin Krüger in a sprint finish. The UCI XCO World Champion in the age category finished runner-up two weeks ago in Soldier Hollow.He was joined in a four-rider leading group with overall series winner Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team), Krüger and Alix André Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team). Disaster struck for Schehl at the midway point when a crash resulted in a broken wheel and a change dropping him down the order.The penultimate lap saw Rouffiac and Krüger pull clear of Gallis as they battled out for victory. It was the Origine Racing Division rider who prevailed, while Krüger was edged into second and Gallis third.Speaking following his win Rouffiac said: “I’m so happy. To finish the season like this with the jersey is incredible. I felt good today and managed to stay at the front with the strong riders. Benjamin [Krüger] was really strong and we pushed hard on the last lap. I’m not a big sprinter, but I was on his wheel and managed to take the win in the sprint”.Meanwhile, Schehl battled back to finish 33rd and won the overall title, ahead of Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon CX Racing) in second and Nicholas Halter (Thömus Akros-Youngstars) third.Schehl said: “I crashed and broke some spokes, so I had to change wheels. I didn’t want to give up, so I kept going at my own pace. I felt really strong today, but I made a mistake and it wasn’t the way I wanted to end the season. Still, looking back, I’m really happy with what I achieved this year.”The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series concludes at Whiteface Mountain on Sunday with downhill riders bringing a close to the season. Ryan Pinkerton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) and Lisa Bouladou (Santa Cruz Burgtec By Goodman) will be the last riders out of the gate, as Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) and Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) prepare for a decisive Men’s Elite overall title showdown. Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) and Noé Forlin lead the Junior charge. Read the qualifhing teport here.

Martina Berta (Origine Factory Racing) and Martín Vidaurre Kossmann (Specialized Factory Racing) conquered the damp and muddy conditions at Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA) to bring a memorable UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup season to a close in style.Berta made it back-to-back XCC victories, underlining her status as one of the breakthrough riders of 2026 and securing third place in the overall standings. Vidaurre, meanwhile, carried his late-season form into Lake Placid following his his XCO victory at Soldier Hollow, Utah (USA). His win also marked a third consecutive Men Elite XCC victory at Lake Placid Olympic Sites for Specialized Factory Racing, following Victor Koretzky in 2024 and Christopher Blevins in 2025.The racing also brought a nail-biting Women Elite UCI XCC World Cup overall battle to a close, with Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) edging Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) after a season-long fight for the title.Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing), meanwhile, was confirmed as the Men Elite UCI XCC World Cup overall winner shortly before racing got underway. His closest rival, and the only rider still mathematically able to overtake him, Mathis Azzaro (Origine Factory Racing), withdrew from the event due to a lack of form.Earlier in the day, the U23 XCC races delivered maiden UCI World Cup victories for Bethany-Ann Jackson and Alix André Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team).BERTA BRAVES THE MUD AS FREI SEALS UCI XCC WORLD CUP OVERALL CROWNIn the build-up to the Women Elite XCC race, all eyes were on Sina Frei and Jenny Rissveds, with the pair battling not only for victory on the day but also for the overall title. Frei’s advantage in the standings meant the Swiss rider only needed a top three finish to seal the crown, while Rissveds had to win and hope Frei finished off the podium.The pair set the pace from the gun, with Berta and Evie Richards (Trek-Unbroken XC) also part of the leading group. The conditions added an element of chaos with the rain leaving the corners greasy, the rock garden slippery and riders struggling for traction.By lap three, a lead group of eight had broken clear, with Rissveds setting a fierce tempo at the front. The pace proved too much for Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing), who lost contact with the group.Two laps later, the group had swelled from eight to 11 as three riders, including Sammie Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing), rejoined the fight following a lull in the attacks. At the front, however, Rissveds, Frei and an energised Berta continued to set the tone.The race soon settled into a familiar pattern, with Frei upping the pace at the end of the start/finish straight to lead into the technical section, before Rissveds clawed back the advantage on the course’s bobsleigh-inspired descent.That pattern continued until the penultimate lap, when Berta finally showed her hand. The Italian moved up to second before attacking as the leaders took the bell for the final lap, setting a pace that only Rissveds could follow.The Origine Racing Division rider maintained her advantage through the rock garden and remained composed despite having Rissveds, the most successful Women Elite XCC rider of all time, right on her wheel. Berta entered the final corner with a bike-length advantage and refused to relent in the drag race to the line, holding off Rissveds to claim her second UCI XCC World Cup victory in North America.Rissveds was forced to settle for second, while Frei crossed the line in third, enough for the Swiss rider to come out on top in their season-long battle and secure the overall title by just 60 points.Speaking after the race, Martina Berta said: “It’s insane. I think I still have to process what happened two weeks ago. To do it again today is just amazing. I’m so happy. Not only because of the results themselves, but being here and winning three World Cups means I’ve taken a really big step forward. Most of all, I’m so happy and grateful to everyone who has worked with me, not only on days like today, but also through the hard days. They’re the reason why I’m here.”Speaking after the race, Sina Frei said: “It’s really amazing. I don’t know what to say, but it’s insane that I managed to keep it together from the first straight to the last. I can be really proud, and it was fun to race here. I tried not to think about [the title], but it was always somewhere in my mind. In conditions like today, the equipment is even more important. One little slip can cost you the overall. I had to push as hard as I could, stay at the front, avoid mistakes, stay out of trouble and give it everything I had.”VIDAURRE POWERS TO FIRST XCC WIN AS MARTIN WRAPS UP OVERALL Like the Women Elite competition, the Men Elite overall title was still up for grabs heading into the final round, with Martin and Azzaro locked in a two-way battle for the crown. The suspense ended before the racing even began, however, after Azzaro withdrew from the weekend, explaining that his body “is not fit to race at World Cup level.”But Vidaurre and Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing) had plenty of drama of their own in store, producing a thrilling battle in the wet and slippery conditions.It was Schwarzbauer who lit the touchpaper, with the German XCC champion setting the pace from the start. Martin, meanwhile, sat back in 12th position, while Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) was also among the contenders.Two laps later, Vidaurre and Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) had joined Schwarzbauer at the head of the race, glued to the German’s back wheel. By the halfway point, European champion Aldridge took the initiative, leading through the rock garden and stretching the seven-rider front group. But the Brit’s WHOOP live data suggested he was already deep in the red and, with four laps still remaining, the question was whether he had made his move too soon.The decisive attack came a lap later. Schwarzbauer accelerated into the final corner, with Vidaurre the only rider able to follow. The Chilean then launched a move of his own as they crossed the start/finish line, and the pair quickly opened a gap over a chasing trio led by David List (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing).Six seconds soon became double figures, making it increasingly clear that victory would come down to Schwarzbauer or Vidaurre. And when Specialized Factory Racing’s rider surged again at the start of the final lap, the elastic finally snapped. Vidaurre powered through the final Short Track lap of the season, opening a comfortable advantage that allowed him to negotiate the churned-up course cleanly. He crossed the line to claim his maiden UCI XCC World Cup victory, celebrating in style.Schwarzbauer followed shortly behind and immediately congratulated his rival on his breakthrough Short Track win, while Filippo Colombo (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) timed his race well to secure the final place on the podium.Martin crossed the line in fourth, sealing the UCI XCC World Cup overall title without winning a single round during the season.Speaking after the race, Vidaurre said: “Before this, I used to hate Short Track, but when you’re in good shape and you’re at the front with a good guy like Luca [Schwarzbauer], it makes the race so special. More than winning, for me, being out front with him with three laps to go made it such a special way to win. I was thinking, if I don’t win, I don’t care. It was so good. I’m so happy to get my first win like that. It was so special.”Overall winner Luca Martin said: “It’s cool. There was a lot of pressure before this race because it would have been a nice battle with Mathis [Azzaro]. In the end, he wasn’t here, but we stayed focused and tried to push hard in the race. It wasn’t the race I expected today. There were a lot of crashes at the front, but I’m still happy with the overall.”JACKSON TAKES FIRST XCC WIN AS CORVI CLOSES OUT TITLE-WINNING SEASON The opening race of the day saw the Women U23 field take on the New York course for a fast and frantic Short Track showdown. Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) had already secured the overall title, but the Italian was looking to cap a podium-packed season with a fourth victory.It wasn’t to be for Corvi, however. She crashed out of the lead group on lap five and was forced to retire, leaving her title-winning tally at 776 points. Her exit only intensified the five-way battle for second in the overall standings, which had been led by Lisa Kristine Jorde.Heading into the final lap, Jorde sat second wheel behind Anina Hutter in a nine-rider lead group, but the decisive move came from further back. Bethany-Ann Jackson launched a powerful attack, with only Rafaelle Carrier (Trinity Racing), Makena Kellerman and Bloeme Kalis (KMC Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) able to respond.Jackson did enough to hold off the chase and claim her maiden Women U23 UCI XCC World Cup victory. Carrier crossed the line second, a result that propelled the Canadian from fifth to second in the overall standings, while home favourite Kellerman completed the podium and secured third overall.Bethany-Ann Jackson said: “It’s incredible. One of my goals this year was to get a podium. I made the podium at Worlds, and now I’ve done it in the World Cup too. I couldn’t be happier. I don’t know what changed [during the off-season], but I couldn’t be happier. I’m so excited [about tomorrow’s Women U23 UCI XCO World Cup]. The course is wicked and, if there’s a bit of mud, that only helps me.”Overall winner Valentina Corvi said: “Not exactly what I was hoping for, but every race is different. Today I crashed after making contact with another rider. It was a big impact, so I couldn’t finish the race. I’m happy I took the overall. I would have liked to finish the season in a better way, but that’s racing. I’m not going to race tomorrow because it’s better to focus on staying healthy. This season, I’ve already achieved some big goals, so I’m super happy. Next season will be another challenge.”ANDRÉ GALLIS ENDS XCC SEASON ON A HIGH AS SCHEHL CLAIMS OVERALLThe Men U23 UCI XCC World Cup overall had also been decided before a pedal was turned in Lake Placid, with Paul Schehl’s (Lexware Mountainbike Team) five consecutive victories earlier in the season proving decisive.With the pressure off, the German was looking to bounce back from fifth place in Soldier Hollow, Utah (USA), and end his title-winning season on a high.Schehl was immediately prominent at the front in the damp and muddy conditions, but he wouldn’t have things all his own way. After leading deep into lap five, he slipped back to fifth on the following lap and was unable to return to the head of the race.Instead, it was Alix André Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) who seized the initiative. Outside the lead group after three laps, the Frenchman steadily worked his way back into contention before launching the decisive move from a nine-rider group on the final lap.André Gallis held firm to claim his maiden Men U23 UCI XCC World Cup victory, while Benjamin Krüger won the sprint for second, edging Naël Rouffiac (Origine Racing Division) at the line to complete the podium.André Gallis said: “I’m so happy. This morning, for the last one, I just wanted to have fun. I didn’t expect this at all. I missed my pedal at the start and thought I wouldn’t be able to make it back into the top 10. Over the last few laps, a few opportunities made things easier for me, and on the final lap I just gave it everything I had. It worked. XCO is a different race, but my weekend is already good. Tomorrow is just a bonus.”Overall winner Paul Schehl said: “It was super tough. The pace was super high from the beginning. I had planned a mid-race attack, but I didn’t have the chance because everyone was attacking from the start. It was super hard. On the last lap, there was a crash in front of me that cost me a bit of momentum. In the end, I could sprint for fourth, but I didn’t have the power anymore. With the overall, Worlds, my XCC results this season and P5 here, I’ll take that.”MORE TITLES ON THE LINE AS LAKE PLACID RACING CONTINUESIn a change from the standard double-header schedule, the Endurance riders will be back between the race tape tomorrow for the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup, while the Downhill field will also return to action as riders battle to qualify for Sunday’s UCI Downhill World Cup finals.In the Women Elite XCO, the tables are turned, with Jenny Rissveds and challenger Sina Frei set to go bar-to-bar once again in the fight for the overall crown. In the Men Elite race, Luca Martin heads into the season finale on the verge of completing an impressive XCO-XCC overall double, a feat that will further establish him as one of cross-country mountain biking’s leading young riders.