UCI World Champions Crowned After Spectacular Week of Racing in Val Di Sole – Trentino

Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) delivered the ride of his young career, pulling away from Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) on the final descent to secure an emotional home victory at the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France). In the Women’s Elite race, Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) once again showcased her climbing prowess, breaking clear of Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) to win another thrilling chapter in the pair’s season-long rivalry.The final European round of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series brought the world’s best cross-country riders to the iconic venue of Les Gets. With only three rounds remaining, every point carried added significance in the battle for the overall standings. On a demanding course featuring two gruelling climbs per lap and rough, technical descents, margins remained razor-thin throughout the day’s racing.In the Women’s Elite race, it was not until the final steep ascent that Frei finally managed to shake off overall rival Rissveds, while Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) remained within striking distance in third place.Frei’s victory completed a remarkable weekend double, matched shortly afterwards by Boichis, with both riders having also claimed victory in Friday’s UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup races.The 23-year-old Frenchman took control on the final lap before opening a decisive gap over Van der Poel on the fast run to the finish, becoming just the fifth French rider to win a UCI World Cup round on home soil.Earlier in the day, Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) produced yet another dominant display to secure the Women’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup overall title, while Heby Gustav Pedersen (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) emerged victorious after a fiercely contested Men’s Under-23 race.Frei and Boichis also spearheaded a dominant day for Specialized Factory Racing, helping the team claim victory in the team classification. With two rounds remaining, the squad leads the overall standings by 701 points.BOICHIS DENIES VAN DER POEL IN THRILLING LES GETS BATTLE Adrien Boichis claimed his third Men’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup victory of the season with another emphatic display of strength and composure. Backed by a passionate home crowd in Les Gets, the Frenchman launched a decisive attack on the final lap to break apart a five-rider lead group and secure a memorable victory on home soil.Les Gets also welcomed the return of Mathieu van der Poel to UCI XCO World Cup competition. Starting from the second row, the Dutch superstar quickly worked his way to the front on the opening climb and immediately established himself as a contender. It was a different story for French National Champion Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division), who was forced to withdraw after struggling with illness earlier in the week.At the front, Boichis set a relentless tempo from the outset and, by the halfway point, five riders had separated themselves from the rest of the field. Alongside the Specialized Factory Racing rider were Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing), Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Racing), Van der Poel and Martín Vidaurre Kossmann (Specialized Factory Racing).Chasing his first UCI XCO World Cup victory in seven years, Van der Poel took control on the penultimate lap as the leading quintet prepared for a thrilling finale. The riders crossed the line to begin the final lap under the ringing of the bell by French cycling prodigy Paul Seixas, setting the stage for one of the most captivating battles of the season.Boichis made the first decisive move, launching a blistering attack on the opening steep climb of the final lap. Van der Poel and Vidaurre Kossmann managed to respond, while overall series leader Martin and Avondetto were unable to match the pace and slipped out of contention.The Frenchman's relentless pressure eventually proved too much for Vidaurre Kossmann, reducing the fight for victory to a head-to-head duel with Van der Poel. Boichis continued to force the pace on every climb, repeatedly testing the Dutchman’s resolve before making the decisive difference on the descents. Navigating the technical sections with remarkable precision, he burst clear through the final rock garden before powering to an emotional and hard-fought victory.Behind the leading pair, Vidaurre Kossmann secured third place, finishing 32 seconds adrift of his team-mate. Luca Martin crossed the line in fourth, although his lead in the overall standings was cut to just 15 points over Boichis with two rounds remaining.Following his victory, Boichis said: “It’s by far the most beautiful win of my career. With how hard the race was and how hard the battle was, it’s something that I will remember forever. I grew up being a massive fan of Mathieu [van der Poel] and I still am. To think that I was able to fight with him, and all the others, today is something that I’ll remember forever. I don’t go into races with a plan, I just see how my legs are feeling. I’m just so happy. From tomorrow I’ll start from zero again and focus on preparing for the [UCI] World Championships as best as possible, but today I just want to enjoy this moment.”FREI KEEPS OVERALL TITLE FIGHT ALIVE Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) proved strongest when it mattered most, producing a decisive late-race attack to ride clear of her rivals and claim victory in Les Gets. The newly crowned European XCO Champion once again came out on top in her season-long duel with overall series leader Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing).The race began in familiar fashion, with Frei and Rissveds locked shoulder-to-shoulder on the opening climb as another chapter of their rivalry unfolded. Just as she had done on her way to victory at the same venue last season, Rissveds opened a 12-second advantage before the first descent. However, Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) quickly sensed the danger and bridged across to the reigning UCI XCO World Champion during the opening lap.Frei and Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) measured their efforts perfectly and soon joined the leaders, forming a select front group of four riders. As the pace intensified, Berta began to lose contact under the constant pressure applied by Frei at the front, opening the door for Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) to move into podium contention.Keller repeatedly found herself under pressure on the punishing climbs but used her renowned technical skills to claw her way back on every descent. As a result, four riders started the final lap together with victory still very much up for grabs.Frei seized control in the closing stages, setting a ferocious tempo on the opening climb of the final lap that finally distanced both Keller and Blunk. The Swiss rider then delivered the decisive blow on the final steep ascent through the woods, opening a small but crucial gap over Rissveds.The Swedish star threw everything she had at the chase, but Frei held firm to cross the line just two seconds ahead of her rival, with Blunk completing the podium in third. The victory marked Frei’s second UCI XCO World Cup triumph of the season after also completing a weekend double in MONA Yongpyong, South Korea.Elsewhere, Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) made a welcome return to XCO competition after time away from racing following her 2025 UCI XCO World Cup overall title. The New Zealander produced an impressive comeback ride, charging through the field from 15th position on the opening lap to finish sixth.After seven rounds of racing, Rissveds retains a 282-point advantage over Frei in the overall standings heading into the final stages of the season.Following her victory, Frei said: “It honestly feels a little bit unreal. I’m a little bit lost for words. It was a very tactical and fast race, so it wasn’t easy. I managed to stay calm and had the final kick in the end. I’m very happy. I was trying to only focus on myself, but I was also a bit nervous as it was so close to the finish and I really had to stay calm. In the end you can only do what you can and you can’t influence the others. The strongest and smartest rider will always win, and that’s the case in every race.”CORVI CLINCHES OVERALL U23 CROWN AS PEDERSEN COMPLETES PERFECT DOUBLE Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) sealed the Women’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup overall title in style, securing her sixth victory of the season with another commanding performance. The 21-year-old Italian, who had already triumphed in Friday’s XCC race, led from gun to tape on the demanding Les Gets course, although Swiss privateer Anina Hutter ensured she had to earn every second of her winning margin.Hutter, who also finished runner-up in Nové Město na Moravě (Czechia) earlier this season, remained firmly in contention throughout the race and had reduced Corvi’s advantage to just eight seconds after three laps. But the Italian still had plenty left in reserve and steadily increased her lead over the closing stages, eventually crossing the line 35 seconds clear of her closest challenger. Hutter once again secured second place, while Katrina Embacher (KTM Factory MTB Team) produced a strong finish to complete the podium in third.With two rounds still to race, Corvi now holds an unassailable 474-point lead in the overall standings and becomes the 2026 Women’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup winner. Following her victory, she said: “It’s really good. It was important to test my shape before the big goal next week. The condition and the feeling were really good. I still have a few days to recover and then I’ll be fully focused on the World Championships at home in Italy, which makes it even more special. There will be a little pressure, which is normal, but racing at home, surrounded by friends, gives me extra motivation to give a little bit more. The World Championships is always a different kind of race, but the Swiss riders and everyone who was at the front today will be very competitive.”In the Men’s Under-23 race, Heby Gustav Pedersen (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) completed a perfect weekend by adding the XCO victory to his XCC triumph from Friday. Despite the course’s physical climbs and technical descents, four riders remained locked together at the front for much of the race, with Pedersen joined by Benjamin Krüger, overall leader Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) and Alix André-Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team).Pedersen came under pressure during the final lap but used his technical skills to repeatedly claw his way back into contention before launching a decisive late attack. He crossed the line just two seconds ahead of Krüger, while Schehl finished 17 seconds further back in third.Schehl’s podium result was particularly impressive given that he injured his arm in a training crash the previous day. The German still managed to collect valuable points and heads into the final two rounds with a commanding 161-point lead in the overall standings.The day, however, belonged to Pedersen. Reflecting on his victory, he said: “It was super hard. There were four of us at the front all race and there was almost nothing between us. It was full gas from the start, really tactical racing, and I often felt like I was on the back foot. I tried to save as much energy as possible because I knew the final lap would be the moment to go all-in.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series now heads to North America for the final three rounds of the season. UCI Cross-country World Cup racing returns at Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA) on 19-20 September, before the UCI Downhill World Cup makes its debut at Whistler Mountain Bike Park, British Columbia (Canada), on 25-27 September. The season will then culminate at Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York where endurance and gravity specialists will reunite for a final showdown from 2-4 October.

Harriet Harnden (AON Racing) and Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) mastered the ever-changing conditions in Les Gets to claim their maiden UCI Downhill World Cup victories. The French round also saw Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) secure a fifth Women Elite overall title as the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series drew thousands of fans to the slopes of Haute-Savoie.After a six-week summer break, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series returned for its final European stop of the season. While wet weather had dominated Saturday’s qualifying sessions, conditions improved for race day, creating a constantly evolving and unpredictable track.Last rider down the hill, Alran brought the home crowd to its feet as a sea of tricolour flags erupted in celebration of the teenager’s breakthrough UCI World Cup victory. In doing so, he denied Santa Cruz Syndicate a long-awaited win, with Andreas Kolb and Jackson Goldstone finishing second and third respectively.In the Women Elite race, Harnden’s precise and composed riding proved decisive. The Briton stormed to her first-ever UCI Downhill World Cup victory in an emotional triumph. Behind her, Höll’s third-place finish was enough to mathematically secure the overall series title with two rounds still to come. Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing) finished runner-up on home soil, delighting the French fans.The junior categories delivered equally commanding performances. Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) and Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) kept their composure to take victory, with Williamson also clinching the Men Junior overall title with two rounds remaining.In the team standings, Canyon DH Racing emerged as the top-scoring squad of the weekend and climbed to second overall. With two rounds left in the season, COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction maintains the lead, but by a slender margin of just 36 points.A STAR IS BORN: ALRAN THRILLS FRENCH FANS IN LES GETS Max Alran crowned his first season in the Men Elite ranks with a flawless performance that sent the home crowd into raptures. The 19-year-old thrived under the pressure of racing in front of his local fans, topping qualifying before delivering a blistering race run to secure a breakthrough maiden elite victory.Fellow rising star Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) rolled off early after progressing through Q2 on Saturday but kept his overall title ambitions alive with a hard-fought fifth-place finish.Having twice finished runner-up in Les Gets, Andreas Kolb (Santa Cruz Syndicate) looked determined to go one better. The Austrian attacked the technical wooded sections with aggression and precision to set the benchmark time, one that would ultimately be surpassed by only one rider. Richard Rude Jr (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) and Antoine Pierron (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) both threatened Kolb’s lead but eventually settled for fourth and sixth respectively.UCI World Champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate), who will defend his rainbow stripes next weekend, once again showcased the fearless riding that carried him to the overall title last season. The Canadian clawed back time on teammate Kolb through the wooded sectors and unleashed some huge jumps in the lower sections to secure third place.Elsewhere, overall title contender Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) appeared on course to challenge for victory before a crash in the lower part of the track ended his hopes. Overall leader Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) also lost valuable points, a conservative run leaving him seventh on the day.Penultimate starter Martin Maes (Orbea FMD Racing) had impressed throughout qualifying but saw his podium hopes unravel when he unclipped a foot mid-run, eventually crossing the line in ninth. All eyes then turned to final starter Alran. With the French crowd packed trackside in anticipation, the teenager delivered under immense pressure, producing the fastest times in the final two sectors to stop the clock at 3:27.9, an astonishing 1.6 seconds clear of Kolb and enough to seal a dream home victory.Following his triumph, he said: “I don’t know how to feel, I’m just so stoked. It’s insane. I was feeling great up top and wasn’t stressing at all. Starting last puts the pressure on everyone else and it paid off. It feels unreal. I couldn’t be more proud. My parents, my friends and my brother were all here shouting for me.”With two rounds remaining, Williams continues to lead the overall standings, holding a 143-point advantage over Vermette and Finn Iles (Specialized Racing), who missed the Les Gets round through injury.HARNDEN BREAKS THROUGH AS HÖLL CLINCHES FIFTH OVERALL CROWNHarriet Harnden completed her transition from Enduro to Downhill by claiming the first Women Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory of her career. A former UCI Enduro World Cup overall winner, the 25-year-old Brit made the switch to downhill racing last season and has steadily established herself among the format’s elite. After narrowly missing the podium with fourth place at the season opener in MONA YongPyong (South Korea), Harnden has been a consistent top-10 finisher throughout 2026. In Les Gets, she took the final step to the top of the podium.The rider she succeeded on the top step, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco x adidas Race Division), endured a frustrating weekend. The Canadian was forced to advance through Q2 on Saturday and saw her hopes of defending her Les Gets victory disappear after crashing in the upper section of the course.Home favourite Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) showed immense determination as she continued her comeback from surgery on a broken and dislocated finger. Racing through the pain, the Frenchwoman secured a top-10 finish in front of her home crowd.Former Les Gets winner Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing), also still finding her way back after a lengthy injury layoff, finished 12th after struggling with the track’s physical demands.Entering the weekend second in the overall standings, Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) was the only rider capable of delaying teammate Valentina Höll’s title celebrations. Despite qualifying ninth, the Swiss rider produced a much stronger race run, finding significant pace throughout the course to finish sixth.Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP) looked poised to challenge for victory until a mistake in a rut near the finish cost her crucial seconds, dropping her to fifth place. Newly crowned European Champion Gloria Scarsi (MS-Racing) continued her impressive recent form, delivering one of her strongest performances of the season to take fourth.Having qualified third the previous day, Harnden excelled where it mattered most. The Brit looked composed and committed through the technical wooded sections before producing a near-flawless lower half of the run to move into the lead, guaranteeing herself a podium place with only two riders left on the mountain.Penultimate starter Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing) came out of the gate aggressively and posted some of the fastest times in the upper sectors. However, the French National Champion could not match Harnden’s pace in the closing stages and crossed the line 1.2 seconds adrift of the Brit to take second place.All eyes then turned to Valentina Höll. The Austrian knew that a top five finish would be enough to secure a fifth overall Women Elite title. She flew out of the start gate, carrying impressive speed through the upper sections and into the woods, where she built an advantage of almost three seconds. But Harnden’s technical mastery proved decisive. The Brit clawed back time sector after sector and Höll eventually finished third, 1.4 seconds behind the winning ride.Following her breakthrough victory, Harnden said: “It’s unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to do this and to actually pull it off doesn’t feel real yet. Having so many friends and family here supporting me means everything. I felt good on track this morning and had a feeling it could be my day, but you never know and you still have to put everything together. Everyone else was absolutely flying at the top. I gave everything I had in the lower sections and found something that really worked for me. I’m having so much fun on the bike and living the dream. It was such a surreal moment. I can’t believe it.”Höll’s third-place finish was enough to secure her fifth Women Elite overall title, drawing level with French legends Sabrina Jonnier and Anne-Caroline Chausson on five series crowns. Harnden’s victory also elevated her to second in the overall standings, where she now holds a slim 33-point advantage over Baumann.Reflecting on her title-winning performance, Höll said: “I’m pretty stoked. I’ve qualified first in Les Gets a lot of times before and lost it in the final section. Maybe next year I won’t just focus on maximum watts all the way down. I was a little too cautious and comfortable at the bottom. It’s a good lesson to learn ahead of next week’s World Championships. I’m happy, healthy and ready for the challenge.”JUNIOR TITLE GLORY FOR WILLIAMSON, ANOTHER WIN FOR OSTGAARDJonty Williamson continued his dominant 2026 campaign by claiming a sixth Men Junior UCI Downhill World Cup victory of the season and, in the process, securing the overall series title with two rounds still to race.British privateer Elliot Smith had announced himself as a rider to watch by topping topping qualifying on Saturday in only his second Men Junior UCI Downhill World Cup appearance. But with the track drying out and conditions changing significantly for finals, it was New Zealanders Williamson and Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton) who emerged as the class of the field.Boatwright threw down the gauntlet, shaving three seconds off the previous fastest time to take over the hot seat. However, series leader Williamson once again rose to the occasion, edging out his compatriot by just two tenths of a second to extend his remarkable winning streak. Final starter Smith could not match the pace of the New Zealand duo and completed the podium in third.Williamson’s victory not only secured a sixth win of the season but also made him the first New Zealander to win the Men Junior UCI Downhill World Cup overall title. With an unassailable lead of 124 points and two rounds remaining, the crown is already his.Following his victory, Williamson said: “I’m so happy to put down a good run and get on the top step of the podium. I struggled all week with the conditions and tyre choice, and the track was super physical. Winning the overall is so cool. I’ll head to the World Championships next week and try to bring the same consistency to my racing.”In the Women Junior category, overall series leader Aletha Ostgaard continued her imperious run of form with another commanding victory in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie.Rosa Marie Jensen (Specialized Gravity), one of the most consistent riders in the category this season, once again delivered a strong performance and set the benchmark time for the final two riders to beat. Cassandre Peizerat, racing as a guest rider for COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction, showcased her immense potential by going six seconds quicker than Jensen to move into the lead. But Ostgaard was once again untouchable. The American produced yet another masterclass on the drying track, carrying speed and precision throughout the run to stop the clock at 4:19.3, more than six seconds faster than Peizerat and comfortably enough for a third consecutive UCI Downhill World Cup victory.Ostgaard now holds an 85-point lead in the overall standings as she continues her charge towards the series title.Following her victory, she said: “This one was definitely rewarding for me. It was such a long and physical course, and the mud was changing every lap. To put together a clean run in those conditions felt really good. I’m stoked. Everyone was struggling because one minute it felt dry and the next it was incredibly slippery. I love riding in the mud.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, on Sunday with the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup. The UCI Downhill World Cup then heads to Whistler Mountain Bike Park in British Columbia, Canada, from 25-27 September, marking the long-awaited UCI World Cup debut of a venue widely regarded as the spiritual home of downhill mountain biking.

Six weeks on from the action in Pal Arinsal, Andorra, the world’s best cross-country riders returned to action at the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France). The iconic French venue would mark a fast and furious return to racing, and with only three rounds remaining until the end of the season, every point and place could make a difference to the destination of the overall titles.In the Women Elite race, Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) strengthened her grip on the overall standings by returning to the top step of the podium. The Swiss rider claimed her third XCC victory of the season and first since securing the European title in July. Overall rival Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) finished second, while Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) continued her impressive consistency with a third podium appearance of the year following her victory in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.The Men Elite race delivered a memorable result for the home crowd as Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) timed his effort to perfection. The Frenchman surged past compatriot Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) on the final climb before sprinting to his third UCI XCC World Cup win of the season. Martin completed a French one-two in front of the packed Les Gets spectators, while race animator David List (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) capped an aggressive performance with a maiden UCI XCC World Cup podium in third.Earlier in the day, the U23 categories took centre stage in wet and slippery conditions. Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) reinforced her position at the top of the Women U23 overall standings with another victory, while Heby Gustav Pedersen (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) emerged victorious in the Men U23 race.FREI RULES IN LES GETSAfter a rain-soaked morning, conditions began to improve just in time for the Women Elite race, although the Les Gets, Haute-Savoie course remained far from dry. Damp grass, slippery corners and constantly evolving grip levels meant line choice would prove decisive, particularly through the track’s technical off-camber sections.The race exploded into life almost immediately when a crash on the opening gravel climb disrupted much of the field. At the front, however, Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) wasted no time stamping her authority on proceedings. Enjoying the strongest season of her career, the Italian champion was chasing a maiden UCI XCC World Cup victory to add to the the breakthrough XCO win she secured on home soil in La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta.Berta’s early spell at the front was short-lived as Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) quickly took control of the race. The Swiss rider, racing in the European champion’s jersey, looked composed and calculated from the outset, repeatedly using the technical rock garden descent to test her rivals and identify where she could make the difference.While Frei dictated the pace, much of the attention shifted to Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing). Making her first race appearance since taking an extended break following her 2025 UCI XCO World Cup overall triumph, the New Zealander steadily carved her way through the field. Starting from the back rows of the grid, she remarkably joined the lead group by lap three, immediately showing she had lost none of her race sharpness.As the race settled, a familiar pattern emerged. Frei continued to apply pressure at the front, while those around her fought desperately to stay attached. Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) and Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) proved particularly resilient, matching each acceleration and ensuring the Swiss rider could not break clear.With two laps remaining, eight riders still contested the lead, although Maxwell’s impressive comeback was cut short by an untimely puncture. Moments later, another increase in pace split the race apart, reducing the contenders to four: Frei, Rissveds, Blunk and Berta.The decisive move came on the final lap. Berta was the first to lose contact on the long gravel climb, and shortly afterwards Frei delivered the acceleration that finally cracked her remaining challengers. What began as a gap of a few bike lengths quickly grew as neither Rissveds nor Blunk could respond. By the final passage through the rock garden, Frei had the clear advantage she had been working towards all race.Crossing the finish line with arms raised, the Specialized Factory Racing rider secured her third UCI XCC World Cup victory of the season and the fifth of her career. The result also strengthens her grip on the overall standings, extending her advantage over Rissveds to 80 points with just two rounds remaining. Blunk’s third-place finish, meanwhile, moves the American up to third overall in the series standings.Speaking after the race, Frei said: “I think the special bike and the jersey were shining today. I felt really good and it was so much fun to race here in Les Gets. The atmosphere was incredible and I really enjoyed every moment of it.”“The plan was to stay near the front without necessarily leading all the time. In the end it probably looked a little different, but I felt strong and when I saw an opportunity, I decided to go for it. Thankfully it worked out.”“I just tried to pedal as hard as I could. The bike felt amazing today. The Specialized S-Works Epic 9 was incredibly stiff through the grassy sections and that made a huge difference when it came to putting the power down and accelerating.”VAN DER POEL'S CHARGE FALLS SHORT AS BOICHIS TAKES THE WIN All eyes were on Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) ahead of the Men Elite race as the Dutch superstar lined up for his first UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup appearance since 2021. The most successful rider in XCC history, with 10 career victories, faced a formidable challenge from the outset after drawing 41st position on the grid.His presence shaped the race from the very first lap. Aware of the threat lurking behind them, the riders at the front immediately drove up the pace, determined to build a gap large enough to prevent Van der Poel from storming through the field and adding an 11th short track victory to his remarkable tally.The early initiative came from Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division), who kept the pressure high at the head of the race. Yet it quickly became clear that even their efforts might not be enough to contain Van der Poel. The Dutchman sliced through the pack with ease, gaining more than a dozen positions on the opening climb alone and moving up to 24th by the end of the first lap.At the front, the French riders continued to set the tone. Azzaro, Boichis and Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) briefly turned the race into a French one-two-three midway through the second lap, while newly crowned European champion Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) remained firmly in contention.The race took another twist on lap three when David List (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) launched an aggressive move to the front. Capitalising on a brief hesitation among the favourites, the German opened a gap and began dictating the pace, refusing to relinquish the lead despite mounting pressure from behind.By the halfway point, Van der Poel had completed his charge into the lead group, transforming the race exactly as many had anticipated. However, while the Dutchman looked powerful on the climbs, he appeared slightly less comfortable through the course’s technical descent, where List continued to force the issue at the front.A key moment came on lap six when Van der Poel narrowly avoided disaster in the final rock garden, producing a spectacular save to stay upright. From then on, the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider appeared more measured in his approach, seemingly prioritising a strong result and valuable track time ahead of Sunday’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup rather than gambling everything for victory.Up front, the battle for the win was reaching boiling point. Azzaro, Boichis and Martin traded attacks on the gravel climb, their accelerations finally proving too much for List’s prolonged solo effort. Although eventually reeled in after four laps at the front, the German refused to crack completely and remained attached to the leading group.The decisive selection came on the penultimate lap. Azzaro slipped out of contention after putting a foot down in one of the race’s technical grass corners, while the relentless pace also ended Aldridge’s challenge.That left Martin, Boichis and List to battle for victory on the final lap. Martin held the advantage over the first climb, but Boichis had perfectly timed his effort. Drawing on the power that has made him one of the season’s standout performers, the Frenchman launched a sustained acceleration on the final ascent and surged past his compatriot. Martin had no response.Boichis powered clear to claim his third UCI XCC World Cup victory of the season, delighting the home crowd and extending his overall series lead to 170 points. Behind him, Martin completed a memorable French one-two, while List’s resilient ride earned him a maiden UCI XCC World Cup podium in third. Van der Poel, meanwhile, completed an eye-catching comeback from the back of the grid to finish 10th.Speaking after the race, Boichis said: “It's nice to see so many French fans. It definitely gives you extra energy. It was really hard. We haven’t raced short track for a long time and it’s impossible to replicate that intensity in training. From the front you don't always know what's happening behind, but to move through the field the way Mathieu [van der Poel] did from the back shows just how strong he is. We all know what he can do. “I hope he’ll be at the front on Sunday and that I’ll get the chance to race against him again. Let’s see.”CORVI CONTINUES HER REIGN AS PEDERSEN ENDS SCHEHL'S STREAKValentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) and Heby Gustav Pedersen (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) mastered the challenging conditions in Les Gets, both producing decisive late-race attacks to secure U23 UCI XCC World Cup victories on a wet and slippery Friday morning.In the Women U23 race, overall series leader Valentina Corvi once again showcased the composure and race craft that have made her the benchmark of the category in 2026. The Italian found herself in a select leading trio alongside Monique Halter (Thömus maxon) and Anina Hutter from lap four, and the group quickly distanced the rest of the field, turning the race into a battle for podium positions.With victory hanging in the balance until the closing stages, Corvi delivered the decisive move on the final lap. The Italian powered clear on the climb and never looked back, claiming her third consecutive UCI XCC World Cup victory and further strengthening her grip on the overall standings. The win extends her series lead to 202 points over nearest rival Lisa Kristina Jorde, while Halter narrowly edged Hutter in a sprint for second place.Speaking after the race, Corvi said: “Today was really important for me. I was super happy to race again. I felt good throughout the race and attacked on the climb of the final lap. Then I just tried to hold the gap all the way to the finish.”“They were really strong and kept trying to attack in the switchbacks. I just focused on staying calm and staying with them.”If Corvi’s victory reinforced the established order in the Women U23 category, the Men U23 race delivered one of the surprises of the day. Entering Les Gets, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) looked almost unbeatable, having won the previous five UCI XCC World Cup rounds dating back to Nové Město na Moravě (Czechia). But Heby Gustav Pedersen had no intention of allowing the winning streak to continue.The Dane set the tone from the outset and remained firmly among the leaders throughout a fast and tactical race. By the penultimate lap, only Schehl, Benjamin Krüger and Alix Andre-Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) could match his pace as the fight for victory intensified.When the decisive attacks finally came, Pedersen had the strongest response. Launching his move at just the right moment, he opened a gap that none of his rivals could close and powered to a breakthrough UCI XCC World Cup victory. He crossed the line three seconds clear of Schehl, ending the German’s remarkable run of dominance, while Krüger held off Andre-Gallis to secure the final podium position.Speaking after the race, Pedersen said: “That was pretty sick. I went all in with five weeks at altitude and I guess it paid off, so I’m really happy. I was riding on Paul’s wheel and felt good, so I thought, ‘Why not try now?’ I managed to get past him and then gave everything I had through the final corners.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues tomorrow (22 August) with a full day of UCI Downhill World Cup racing in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie. After laying down the marker in qualifying, Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) heads into the Women Elite finals as the rider to beat, while home favourite Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) will look to build on a breakthrough first Elite qualifying victory in front of the French crowd. Read the full qualifying report here.Racing gets underway at 11:30 CEST with the Women Junior final. Find out when and where to watch here.