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.
