UCI Downhill World Cup: Williams and Höll Show Fearlessness to Take Wins at La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta

The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike Series approaches its midway point this weekend, and all four of the formats’ overall titles are still wide open with plenty to play for. The racing in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta (Italy) will therefore be pivotal in setting the tone for the latter stages of the season, providing momentum in a frantic run of back-to-back race weekends that continue with Pal Arinsal (Andorra) for the downhill and cross-country athletes next weekend and Aletsch Arena-Bellwald, Valais (Switzerland) for enduro the following.The Italian Alps venue returns after a successful debut in 2025, where both the UCI Enduro and UCI Downhill World Cups produced some memorable and incredibly close action. This weekend sees the UCI Cross-country World Cup join the fray, making it the second four-way WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series stop of the season.THE FORMING OF AN ITALIAN ICONLa Thuile - Valle d’Aosta is a high alpine ski town in the northwest of Italy that’s nestled in the Alps on the Italy-France border. A stone’s throw from Chamonix (France) and Mont Blanc, the town’s 1,450m elevation guarantees amazing views of the surrounding mountain range and down into the valley below.Its trail area is home to 170km of routes, featuring some challenging, black-diamond trails packed with long, steep descents. Above the treeline, riders are treated to mellow, meadow fields, but on dropping into the woods, the lines become rocky, rooty, and natural, creating a demanding test for both rider and bike.The UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup course is new for 2026 on the UCI World Cup circuit and combines natural, long open climbs with a mix of flowing bike park descents and technical, raw cross-country drops on its 3.42km loop. The 714m UCI Cross-country Short-Track (XCC) World Cup course meanwhile features the same tight start corner and punchy initial climb before descending back down with a couple of tight, hairpin bends thrown in what could cause havoc at the front of the race.The LTHell - La Thuile Hell downhill course was created especially for the UCI Downhill World Cup by track manager Enrico Martello and Swiss specialists Trailworks (whose work includes Bike Kingdom, Lenzerheide, Switzerland). The technical, steep and fast 2.3km course has an average gradient of -27% as it drops 641m in elevation. A mix of 40% machined and 60% natural terrain, it represents La Thuile’s character as it passes through dense alpine forests before opening up into a fast, flowing white-knuckle ride down towards the finish line.The venue’s Enduro stages meanwhile take in the best trails of the Aosta Valley. The UCI Enduro World Cup will see athletes take on four stages as part of a 28.4km course featuring 2,696m of descent. Stages one and three are drawn out affairs – the opening 4.42km with 874m descent Touraisse the longest of the lot – while the venue is pulling out all the stops again for the final stage, Nightfall.After a successful debut in 2025, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ only after-dark stage returns; riders dropping in from 20.30 CET and navigating the 600m-long stage lit by 23 floodlights that utilise the same technology as those used in Formula 1’s night races to ensure there are no shadows.WILDCARD TEAMSThe following wildcard teams have been confirmed to compete in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta:UCI Downhill World Cup: Crestline Speed Shop, Outlaw Intense Racing, Pivot Factory Racing, Team High Country, The Alliance, Stoic Racing, YT RD.UCI Cross-country World Cup: Bike Team Solothurn, KTM Factory Team, Lexware Mountainbike Team, Massi, Scott Creuse Oxygene Gueret, SUNN Factory Racing, Thömus Akros - Youngstars, UNNO Factory Racing.It’s the first appearance for YT RD, a development squad run by YT whose previous riders include Oisin O’Callaghan (Trek - Unbroken DH).PRIVATEERS LEAD THE WAY IN ENDUROAlex Rudeau and Ella Conolly might not have the backing of a factory set-up, but both riders make the privateer life work for them as they lead the UCI Enduro World Cup.The 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion, Rudeau minimised losses in a dramatic and weather-impacted round in Val di Fassa, Trentino (Italy), last weekend to finish fifth, while his most likely challenger for the overall series Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) could only manage 11th place. With such a short turnaround between rounds, it will be interesting to see whether the support of a team plays to Lukasik’s advantage during Saturday’s UCI Enduro World Cup.Conolly meanwhile continued her impressive consistency – the last time the Brit finished outside the top two was at the UCI Enduro World Championships in September 2024. She opened her 2026 account with victory in Loudenvielle, and although Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) got the better of her in the Dolomites last week, a return to La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta, where she triumphed 12 months ago, could provide the perfect stage for another success.DOWNHILL: ILES EYES A HISTORIC HAT-TRICK WHILE HÖLL TARGETS A RETURN TO WINNING WAYSThings are finally falling into place for Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity). The Canadian overcame his 1,407 days without a win in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria) and then followed it up seven days later with a second victory at the next time of asking. With team-mate Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) out, Iles has big boots to fill as the team’s leader, but he’s doing it in style, and will fancy his chances in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta, even though he failed to make it out of qualifying last year.Another Canadian, Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate), stood on the top step 12 months ago, and while the reigning overall champion is without a podium in 2026, he’s getting closer, finishing fourth in Lenzerheide (Switzerland).Elsewhere, Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) is showing the consistency that has been lacking in his riding since his last overall title from 2022, and Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) looks to be near his race-winning best.Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orress) had an off day by her incredibly high standards – her 10th place her worst result since Mont-Sainte-Anne in October 2025. The Austrian will hope that Lenzerheide was just a blip and will look to go one better than her result in the Italian Alps from last year, where she finished second.Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP) appears the most likely to capitalise on any mistakes from Höll. The American is fresh from recording her first-ever UCI World Cup victory two weeks ago, an achievement that earned her the right to choose a career number, with Newkirk opting for 14.Others knocking on the door include Gloria Scarsi (MS Racing), last year’s La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta winner Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) and we’re yet to see the form that took Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X Adidas Race Division) to second place in the overall in 2025.CROSS-COUNTRY: MARTIN AND RISSVEDS ON THE MARCHLuca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) currently sits in first place of the UCI rankings and it’s easy to see why. The Frenchman is having a stellar second season in the elite class, adding another win to his collection in the UCI XCO World Cup last time out. He hasn’t finished off the podium in the Olympic distance all year, and it’s this sort of consistency that will make him a firm favourite for the title.He won’t have it plain sailing in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta though. Multi-discipline riders Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) and UCI XCO World Champion Alan Hatherly (Giant Factory Off-Road Race Team - XC) can both keep Martin off the top spot, and Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) might be closer to full race fitness than he was when he made his return from injury two weeks ago in Lenzerheide.Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) is also riding a wave of success with the Swede finishing in the top three of the UCI XCO World Cup for more than a calendar year, including back-to-back wins in the last two rounds. Another victory in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta would be the Rio 2016 Olympic champions’ 10th of her career and move her within one win of eighth-place Loana Lecomte (BMC Factory Racing) in the all-time list.Only the Specialized Factory Racing pair of Sina Frei and Laura Stigger have had the edge on Rissveds in the UCI XCO World Cup this season, but Ronja Blöchlinger (Liv Factory Racing) and Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) are on the rise, while Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) are always a threat.RICHARDS AND KORETZKY RETURN IN SHORT TRACKThe UCI XCC World Cup has been missing two of its biggest stars for large portions of this season – women’s reigning overall winner Evie Richards (Trek - Unbroken XC) out for the last two rounds with concussion, while men’s UCI XCC World Champion Victor Koretzky (Specialized Factory Racing) has been injured all year with a broken arm. Both are set to return in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta and will be keen to make up for lost time.Richards’ return will give series leader Frei an extra challenge alongside the likes of Rissveds, Blunk and Pieterse, while Koretzky could shake up a men’s contest that has so far been dominated by three other Frenchmen – Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division), Boichis and Martin.MORE THAN RACINGSet against an outstanding backdrop and with a wide range of activities on offer, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series stop in La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta promises to deliver everything fans and riders need for an unforgettable weekend.With all four formats reunited, the on-track action is guaranteed, while off track, fans can immerse themselves in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series experience through the partner passport challenge, a fun initiative that invites them to explore the Event Village. Visitors will receive a booklet and are encouraged to stop by each partner stand to collect stickers. Once completed, the passport can be redeemed for a prize at the official merchandise store.The initiative is designed to encourage fans to discover the full Event Village, increase engagement with partners, and celebrate the launch of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series official store. Now present at all major European events and available online worldwide, the store offers exclusive merchandise ranging from apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, long-sleeve tees) and accessories (water bottles, hats, key rings, mugs) to race-day essentials such as branded ponchos and sun hats. Explore the full collection here.

After four format action at Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria), the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ downhill and cross-country athletes return for their second UCI World Cup in as many weeks, having made the short journey west across the Austrian-Swiss border to the canton of Graubünden and the trails of Bike Kingdom – Lenzerheide (Switzerland).We look at everything you need to know about the Lenzerheide round of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, including when the cross-country short track (XCC), cross-country Olympic (XCO) and downhill (DHI) events are scheduled to take place, who is racing, and how to watch.WHEN? The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series round in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) starts with the Women U23 UCI XCC World Cup at 10:35 (UTC+2) on Friday, June 19 and concludes with the Men Elite UCI XCO Cup at 15:30 (UTC+2) on Sunday, June 21.Below are the key timings for race weekend. All times are UTC+2 (EDT+6/BST+1/CEST):Friday, June 1912:30 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 1 Women Elite13:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 1 Men Elite14:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification Women Junior14:20 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification Men Junior15:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 2 Women Elite15:30 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 2 Men Elite10:35 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Women U2311:25 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Men U2318:00 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Women Elite18:50 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Men EliteSaturday, June 2011:30 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Women Junior12:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Men Junior13:00 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Women Elite14:10 – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Men EliteSunday, June 2109:00 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Women U2311:00 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Men U2313:30 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Women Elite15:30 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Men EliteWHERE CAN I WATCH?There are several ways to catch all the action from Switzerland. The UCI Downhill World Cup* and the Elite UCI Cross-country World Cup races are available to watch live worldwide.Europe:Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Baltics, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, Ukraine – HBO Max / EurosportBelgium: HBO Max, Eurosport, RTL (only Men Elite downhill & Men Elite XCO races live)Czechia: HBO Max, Eurosport, Czech TVIreland: TNT SportsSwitzerland, Liechtenstein: HBO Max, Eurosport, SRF/RSIUnited Kingdom : HBO Max, TNT SportsAsia:Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand - Eurosport WorldOceania:Australia: Stan SportNew Zealand: MTBWS TVSamoa: Eurosport WorldNorth America:Canada: FloSportsUSA: HBO Max / MTBWS TVMTBWS TV has now launched in the US, so fans will be able to watch the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series live on the streaming service. Racing will also still be available to watch on HBO Max.Central America: MTBWS TVSouth America: MTBWS TV and Direct TV (only XCC Elite races)Africa: MTBWS TVAll other territories: MTBWS TV*The UCI Downhill World Cup Qualification Day can be followed on live timing and across social media. The men’s and women’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup races will be available on HBO Max (in all available territories) and MTBWS TV via subscription. The Elite finals will be shown on one of the above channels or streaming services.RIDERS TO WATCHIn downhill, the series looks wide open in the Elite men’s category with three different riders victorious in the first three rounds – two taking their debut UCI World Cup wins and one, Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity), returning to the top of the podium for the first time since 2022.Iles has looked back to his best this year and has become the de facto leader of the Specialized Gravity team with teammate Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) out for the foreseeable future with injury.The Canadian sits second in the standings though behind Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) – the 2018 UCI World Cup overall winner adding a second podium of the season to his collection in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland. The Frenchman won in Lenzerheide in 2025 and has racked up three UCI World Cup wins at the venue in his career, so don’t be surprised if he adds number four this weekend.Others to keep tabs on include first-year Elites Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) and Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP), reigning UCI Downhill World Champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) and Henri Kiefer (Canyon DH Racing).The women’s contest, meanwhile, is beginning to take shape just three rounds in, with Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) proving untouchable so far. She continues her 100%-win record in 2026, extending her advantage in the overall standings to 271 points over second-place Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction).Lenzerheide hasn’t historically been a happy hunting ground for Höll though. While she won the Junior UCI Downhill World Championships at the venue in 2018, her best result has been third (2021, 2025) since she joined the Elite class.Nicole has three UCI World Cup wins in Lenzerheide although the Frenchwoman hasn’t stood on the top spot since Loudenvielle-Peyragudes in September 2024. Others to watch out for are Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing), Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP) and Harriet Harnden (AON Racing).Either side of the downhill action is the Friday’s XCC and Sunday’s XCO, with each series shaping up nicely after three fierce rounds of racing.Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) lead the respective XCC overall classification, and both riders have recorded two UCI XCC World Cup wins already in this series.Neither is guaranteed to have it their own way in Lenzerheide though. Frei is likely to face stiff competition from Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing), Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and a resurgent Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon), while Azzaro’s main rivals will be Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing), Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team - XC) and Simon Andreassen (Orbea Fox Factory Team).On Sunday’s XCO, Rissveds and Martin are the riders who will line up with the red number one plate. UCI XCO World Champion Rissveds has picked up from where she left off at the end of 2025, recording two second places and a win from the opening three rounds. Frei and Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) are the only two riders to have gotten the better of the Swede in the Olympic distance race this year, while Pieterse and Keller are the only other likely candidates to truly test the 2016 Olympic champion.Martin meanwhile is without a win in 2026 but finds himself at the top of the men’s table through consistency – the Frenchman recording three consecutive second place finishes so far this season. It appears to be only a matter of time before he records his second UCI XCO World Cup win, but Lillo and Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) will take confidence from the fact that they’ve had the edge on the Cannondale Factory Racing rider in 2026.Reigning XCO-XCC overall champion Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) is also back between the race tape this weekend after being out since the opening round in MONA YongPyong (South Korea) with a broken collarbone.

After the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series burst into action last month, riders head into the first quadruple header of the season with scores left to settle from the opening rounds.With two rounds down of the downhill (DHI), cross-country short track (XCC) and cross-country Olympic (XCO) formats the early standings are already beginning to take shape as riders arrive in Austria. Meanwhile, enduro riders have had two weeks to tweak their form following the opening round in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France).Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland is a favourite on the international calendar, having hosted 14 UCI Mountain Bike World Cups, alongside the 2012 and 2020 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, and is set to return as a UCI World Championships venue in 2028. This year’s event marks a major milestone, with the Epic Bikepark celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026.A FAMILIAR TEST WITH A NEW TWISTBased in the heart of the Austrian Alps near the German border, the Epic Bikepark forms part of Austria’s largest bike region, Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, and stands as one of Europe’s most renowned mountain biking destinations. Offering trails for all levels, from first timers to elite riders, the venue has evolved from a handful of tracks into an extensive network of 120 km of lines and trails, continuously developed and refined over the years.For the 2026 season, new courses and stages have been designed specifically for the XCO and enduro competitions, further strengthening the region’s status as a world-class destination for elite mountain bike racing.The cross-country Olympic course features several new rock gardens near the start/finish, along with a newly introduced natural descent, while the XCC course has also undergone a revamp.The ‘Speedster’ trail will once again host UCI Downhill World Cup riders, with a 2.6 km course featuring 468 m of descent. Considered a classic for the discipline, the steep slopes encourage high speeds and motorway jumps, alongside tight, technical tree sections where line choice is key.The UCI Enduro World Cup will see athletes take on six stages across an expanded 71 km course, featuring 2,000m of descent during the race stages. The grueling test includes a brand-new 820 m ‘Back to the Roots’ stage, providing a fresh challenge for riders.For the first time, Leogang will welcome Enduro Open, giving riders from around the world the chance to compete at this iconic venue, tackling the exact same course as the UCI Enduro World Cup elite just hours earlier.WILDCARD ENTRIESThe wildcard teams who will take on the downhill course are Crestline Speed Shop, Outlaw Intense Racing, Pivot Factory Racing, Team High Country, The Alliance and Stoic Racing.Among the standout results for wildcard teams at the previous UCI Downhill World Cup, Dylan Maples (Pivot Factory Racing) secured 13th in the Men’s Elite, Indy Deavoll (Stoic Racing) impressed with 5th in the Women’s Junior category, and Sterling Stevens-McNab (The Alliance) claimed 9th in the Men’s Junior race.Meanwhile, the cross-country wildcard teams are CABTECH RACING TEAM, KTM Factory Team, Lexware Mountainbike Team, MASSI, SCOTT Creuse Oxygene Gueret, SUNN Factory Racing, Thömus Akros -Youngstars and UNNO Factory Racing.Standout performances from the previous round in Nové Město Na Moravě saw Maximilian Foidl (KTM Factory Team), finish 8th in the Men’s Elite XCO, Sara Cortinovis (UNNO Factory Racing) take 10th in the Women’s Elite XCC and Monique Halter (Thömus Akros Youngstars), place 9th in the Women Under 23 XCO.UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CUP: HÖLL LEADS CHARGE AS GOLDSTONE TARGETS REDEMPTIONReigning Women Elite UCI Downhill World Champion Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) has been flawless across the opening two rounds of the season. Despite already claiming 13 UCI World Cup victories, the Austrian has yet to win three consecutive rounds, a milestone now within reach. Should she succeed, Höll would become just the fourth woman to win the opening three Elite UCI World Cup rounds, with each of the previous riders going on to secure the overall title.Her path, however, will not be without challenges. Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) is set to return from the elbow injury she sustained in the opening round, with the Briton chasing her 50th podium from 86 starts. Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) could also prove a major contender, having won at this venue last year and finished runner-up to Höll in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes. Meanwhile, Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) and Valentina Roa Sánchez (MS-Racing) have both shown consistency across the opening rounds.For the first time in the sport’s history, the Women Elite UCI Downhill World Cup riders will conclude the race schedule as the final competitors on Saturday’s Finals day.In the men’s field, defending overall Elite UCI Downhill World Cup winner Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) arrives with a point to prove on the ‘Speedster’ track. A difficult start to the season, including a 26th-place finish at MONA YongPyong (South Korea) and a failure to post a qualifying time in Loudenvielle, leaves the Canadian more than 200 points off the overall lead.His task is made slightly easier by the absence of key rival Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity), who is set for a spell on the sidelines following wrist surgery after a crash in practice at the last round. In contrast, Luca Shaw (Canyon DH Racing) leads the standings after securing a long-awaited first Elite UCI World Cup victory in Loudenvielle. The American has chosen number 10 as his career number following the memorable victory. Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP), fresh from his maiden Elite UCI World Cup win at MONA YongPyong, will also be targeting more success, while Benoît Coulanges (Scott Downhill Factory) and Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) have both made strong starts to the 2026 season.SWISS PAIR LEAD EARLY CROSS-COUNTRY STANDINGSAfter two rounds of cross-country action, Switzerland’s Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) lead the Elite UCI XCO standings heading into Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland. Both riders excelled in the wet and muddy conditions at MONA YongPyong and will be hoping for similar terrain should rain arrive this weekend.Lillo backed up his victory with a seventh-place finish in Nové Město Na Moravě (Czechia) and has also collected two XCC podiums this season. Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a broken collarbone sustained at the series opener. Meanwhile, defending Leogang winner Ondřej Cink (Cube Factory Racing) returns to the venue where he triumphed in XCO last year, although he could only manage 20th in the previous round at Nové Město Na Moravě.In the women’s Elite competition, Frei has been a model of consistency, winning the opening round and following it with another podium finish. However, Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) has dominated at the Epic Bikepark in recent seasons, claiming back-to-back XCO wins and completing the XCO-XCC double last year. On her return to mountain biking two weeks ago, she immediately made an impact with victory in the XCC race.Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) continues her search for a first win of the season after finishing runner-up in XCO and outside the podium in XCC at both rounds so far, with the reigning UCI World Champion well suited to the demands of Leogang’s gruelling course. Isabella Holmgren (Trek – Unbroken XC) is another name to watch as she steps up to the Women’s Elite ranks - the multi-discipline U23 UCI World Champion arrives off the back of a fourth-place overall finish at the Giro d’Italia Women. Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) will carry the hopes of the Austrian crowd, while Nicole Koller (Lapierre PXR Racing) has also enjoyed a strong start to the season.A notable absence will be that of 2025 Women Elite UCI XCC World Cup overall winner Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC), who will not line up in Leogang after suffering a concussion in a crash at Nové Město na Moravě.RUDEAU AND CONOLLY LEAD AFTER OPENING ROUNDElla Connolly continued her impressive form in the Women Elite UCI Enduro World Cup, winning the opening round in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes. The Briton, who claimed three victories and three additional podiums last season, laid down a strong marker with a five-second winning margin and arrives as the rider to beat.She is unlikely to have it all her own way, however. Raphaela Richter showed strong pace on her return from shoulder surgery, claiming victory on the final stage of the opening round, while Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) finished second and will be hoping to go one better in Austria. Talented Slovakian rider Simona Kuchyňková (Cube Action Team), who enjoyed a breakthrough season last year with a win in La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta and three further podiums, will be hoping for better luck this weekend after suffering a mechanical issue off the start ramp two weeks ago.In the Elite Men’s competition, the season opened with a dramatic showdown, with just seven-tenths of a second separating the top two riders. Alex Rudeau edged out Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project) for victory, giving him an early psychological advantage heading into round two. Ryan Gilchrist (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) demonstrated clear speed despite inconsistency, ultimately finishing third.Last year’s overall winner Slawomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) endured a frustrating start to his title defence after crashing on the opening stage, ruling him out of contention. He will be looking for a clean run and a return to form this weekend.Racing gets underway in Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland on Friday 12 June with the UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup. Full schedule and events details are available here. Find out where to watch here.