UCI XCC World Cup: Berta and Gaze Christen Soldier Hollow in Style While Overall Elite Titles Remain Alive

Making its debut on the UCI World Cup circuit, Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah (USA), offers riders a unique challenge. Its dry, sandy terrain is unlike anything encountered so far this season and is expected to add an extra layer of unpredictability to the racing.Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Soldier Hollow, presented by SCOTT Sports, including the schedule for the Cross-country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-country Olympic (XCO) races, the key riders to watch, and how you can follow all the action live.WHEN?The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series round in Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA) starts with the Women’s U23 UCI XCC World Cup at 11:20 (UTC-6) on Saturday, September 19 and concludes with the Men’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup at 15:30 (UTC-6) on Sunday, September 20.Below are the key timings for race weekend. All times are UTC-6 (EST-2/BST-7/CEST-8):Saturday, September 1911:20 – UCI Cross-Country Short Track | Women U2312:10 – UCI Cross-Country Short Track | Men U2313:00 – UCI Cross-Country Short Track | Women Elite13:50 – UCI Cross-Country Short Track | Men EliteSunday, September 20 9:00 – UCI Cross-Country Olympic | Women U2311:00 – UCI Cross-Country Olympic | Men U2313:30 – UCI Cross-Country Olympic | Women Elite15:30 – UCI Cross-Country Olympic | Men EliteWHERE CAN I WATCH?The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series heads to North America for the first time in 2026, with the eighth round of the UCI Cross-country World Cup set to take place at Soldier Hollow. Fans around the world will be able to watch the Elite XCC and XCO races live via the following broadcasters and streaming services:Europe:Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Baltics, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Ukraine – HBO Max / EurosportCzechia – HBO Max, Eurosport and CT Sport +France – HBO Max, Eurosport and L'Equipe LiveIreland – TNT SportsSwitzerland, Liechtenstein – HBO Max, Eurosport and SRF/RSIUnited Kingdom – HBO Max and 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 TVSouth & Central America: MTBWS TVAfrica: MTBWS TVAll other territories: MTBWS TVRIDERS TO WATCHA lot has changed in the fight for the UCI XCO World Cup overall since the last European round of the season in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France) at the end of August.In the women’s field, Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) appears to have the momentum. The Swiss rider followed up the XCO-XCC double she secured in Les Gets by claiming the UCI XCO World Championship title in Val di Sole, further strengthening her credentials as she looks to hunt down Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing).While Rissveds still holds a commanding 282-point lead with two rounds remaining, Frei will be aiming to close the gap before the season finale at Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA) and take the overall contest down to the wire. That task now takes her to Soldier Hollow, the latest of three new UCI Cross-country World Cup venues introduced in 2026, following MONA YongPyong (South Korea) and La Thuile, Valle d’Aosta (Italy). Frei has already proven she can adapt quickly to unfamiliar terrain, claiming another XCO-XCC double at the Korean stop earlier this season. While Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) and Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) remain mathematically in contention for the overall title, they are more realistically chasing podium positions in the standings.Other riders to watch include Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), whose impressive return to competition continued with a fifth-place finish at the UCI XCO World Championships, and Haley Batten (Specialized Factory Racing), the local favourite and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist. The men’s competition also remains mathematically open with five riders still in contention, although it would take a major upset for Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) not to be crowned the 2026 overall winner. The Frenchman’s closest challenger, Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), has shifted his focus to road racing for the remainder of the season, leaving Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team), Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) and Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team - XC) with a significant deficit to make up. That does not mean there will be any shortage of storylines in Soldier Hollow. Martin is chasing a third UCI XCO World Cup victory of the season, while teammate Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) will look to carry his strong form into the North American leg after finishing runner-up to Tom Pidcock at the UCI XCO World Championships, having already secured the European title in July. Martín Vidaurre Kossman (Specialized Factory Racing), fourth in Val di Sole, and teammate Christopher Blevins should also feature prominently. The latter has happy memories of the venue, having won the American Continental XCO Championship there in 2024.Saturday’s UCI XCC World Cup race could prove equally decisive in the battle for the overall series. Just 80 points separate Frei and Rissveds in the Women Elite standings and, with 500 points still available, Savilia Blunk, Nicole Koller (Lapierre PXR Racing) and Laura Stigger remain in the mathematical hunt. Blunk will be especially motivated on home soil as she targets her second UCI XCC World Cup victory of the season, while Stigger will make her first appearance in the rainbow jersey since being crowned UCI XCC World Champion.In the Men Elite category, the absence of newly crowned UCI XCC World Champion Adrien Boichis reopens the fight for the overall title between Luca Martin and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division). Both riders are expected to surpass Boichis’ points tally, with just 46 points separating them heading into the final two rounds. Although Azzaro has been the less consistent of the two, he boasts two UCI XCC World Cup wins this season compared to Martin’s none. Martin, however, held the upper hand at the UCI XCC World Championships, finishing third while Azzaro crossed the line in seventh. Elsewhere, Riley will be targeting a second victory of the campaign in front of a home crowd, while Aldridge arrives with podium momentum after his runner-up finish in Val di Sole.Racing gets underway on Saturday, September 19 in Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA).Full schedule and event details are available HERE.You can find where to watch all of the racing action live HERE.

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series has never been afraid to break new ground, and with just three rounds remaining in the 2026 season, two new venues are set to make their UCI World Cup debuts, including Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah (USA).Soldier Hollow will welcome the Endurance athletes for the penultimate rounds of the UCI Cross-country World Cup, presented by SCOTT Sports. With both the Men Elite and Women Elite overall titles still hanging in the balance across the cross-country Olympic (XCO) and cross-country short track (XCC) formats, riders and fans can expect two days of all-out racing and an unforgettable UCI World Cup debut for Utah's iconic venue.While Soldier Hollow is new to the UCI World Cup circuit, it is no stranger to elite-level competition. The venue hosted biathlon and cross-country skiing events during the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games and will once again play its part on the world stage when it hosts competitions at the 2034 Olympic Winter Games.Beyond its Olympic pedigree, Soldier Hollow has established itself as a premier summer destination for mountain biking and outdoor recreation. It sits at the heart of a state deeply woven into the fabric of the sport, with Utah's legendary riding destinations, including Moab and Zion, helping to shape mountain bike's global identity.Located approximately 50 miles southeast of Salt Lake City within Wasatch Mountain State Park, the venue's sandy terrain and exposed landscape will provide a distinctive challenge in this year's series. The course is built on Utah's characteristic red soil, which becomes extremely hard-packed and fast in dry conditions but can quickly turn sticky and slippery when wet, adding an extra layer of unpredictability for riders.Both courses have been purpose-built to deliver fast, flowing racing while maximizing the spectator experience. Thanks to the openness of the venue, fans can follow almost 90% of the action from a single vantage point. Riders, however, will face a sterner test, with the renowned Hard Line rock garden demanding precision, commitment and exceptional bike-handling skills.The XCO course measures 4.2km and features 178m of elevation gain, while the XCC course measures 1.2km with 34m of elevation gain.RISSVEDS AND FREI LEAD THE CHARGE AS BATTEN EYES HOME GLORYJenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) had a near-perfect year as the 2025 UCI XCO World Champion. The Swede has finished outside the podium just once all season, placing fourth in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta (Italy), while claiming five UCI XCO World Cup victories, three of them in 2026. However, after finishing seventh at the 2026 UCI XCO World Championships, Rissveds knows there is still work to do if she is to finally secure the overall title.Standing in her way is a rider whose momentum continues to build race after race. Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) followed up her dominant UCI XCO-XCC World Cup double in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France), with victory at the UCI XCO World Championships, adding the rainbow jersey to an already stellar season. As Rissveds’ closest challenger in the standings, the Swiss rider will arrive in Utah determined to keep the title fight alive.Rissveds currently leads Frei by 282 points and needs to leave Soldier Hollow with a 330-point advantage to clinch both her first overall UCI XCO World Cup title and the first for Sweden. With every position carrying valuable points at this stage of the season, expect the pair to be locked in battle across both days of racing in Utah.While the overall title appears destined to be decided between Rissveds and Frei, there will be no shortage of contenders for victory in Soldier Hollow. Local hero and Olympic silver medallist Haley Batten (Specialized Factory Racing) will be eager to deliver a standout performance on home trails, while fellow American Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) will also be looking to shine in front of a home crowd.Meanwhile, Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) continues to be a consistent force at the sharp end of the field, and the resurgent Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) arrives with growing momentum after a strong return to form, making her a genuine threat heading into the penultimate round of the season.ALL EYES ON MARTIN, BUT THE BATTLE IS FAR FROM OVERLuca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) arrives in Soldier Hollow with one hand firmly on the Men Elite overall title. The Frenchman can now only be caught mathematically by Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team), Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) and Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team - XC). However, with Boichis turning his focus to road racing for the remainder of the season and the other three trailing by more than 550 points, Martin is firmly in the driving seat heading into the penultimate round.That does not mean the racing will lack intrigue. A victory in Utah would be the fourth UCI XCO World Cup win of Martin’s career, drawing him level with mountain biking legend Bart Brentjens on the all-time winners list.The home crowd, meanwhile, will be hoping for a different outcome. American stars Bjorn Riley and Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) headline a strong contingent looking to deliver a statement performance on home soil, while a host of riders will see Soldier Hollow’s unique terrain as an opportunity to upset the established order and fight for victory.THE XCC BATTLES REACH BOILING POINTBoth UCI XCC World Cup overall titles remain very much up for grabs with two rounds still to race.In the Women Elite category, the battle once again comes down to Sina Frei and Jenny Rissveds. Frei currently holds an 80-point advantage and could secure the overall crown before the season finale, but only with a near-perfect result in Soldier Hollow and an unusually subdued performance from Rissveds. Given the form both riders have shown throughout the year, another intense head-to-head showdown looks likely.The Men Elite title race has become equally compelling following the absence of newly crowned UCI XCC World Champion Adrien Boichis, whose switch to road racing has left the fight for the overall wide open. As a result, a captivating duel has emerged between Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division), with just 46 points separating the two Frenchmen.Martin has an opportunity to wrap up the overall title in Utah, but the permutations remain complex and far from straightforward. More realistically, Soldier Hollow is shaping up to be a crucial chapter in a battle that appears destined to go down to the wire. With every point carrying added significance, expect Martin and Azzaro to be bar-to-bar throughout the Short Track race as they look to seize the initiative heading into the final round of the season.WILDCARD TEAMS READY TO MAKE THEIR MARK IN SOLDIER HOLLOWThe following wildcard teams have been confirmed to compete in the UCI Cross-country World Cup in Soldier Hollow: KTM Factory Team, Lexware Mountainbike Team, Massi, SUNN Factory Racing, Thömus Akros - Youngstars, UNNO Factory Racing, Bike Team Solothurn and Pivot Cycles OTE.Among the wildcard entries, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) is one of the names to watch. The German could leave Soldier Hollow as the overall winner of both the U23 UCI XCO and XCC World Cups if results fall his way this weekend.Schehl is far from the only wildcard rider making an impact this season. Katrin Embacher (KTM Factory Team) strengthened her grip on second place in the Women U23 XCO overall standings with a podium finish in Les Gets, while Tom Perrin (SUNN Factory Racing) is closing in on a maiden top 10 overall finish in the Men U23 category. Thömus Akros - Youngstars siblings Monique and Nicolas Halter will line up in their respective U23 XCC races wearing the coveted rainbow jersey as reigning UCI World Champions. Meanwhile, Fiona Schibler (Bike Team Solothurn) sits fourth in the Women U23 XCO standings with second place still within reach, and Ian Ackert (Pivot Cycles OTE) arrives in Utah after a season highlighted by a string of top five finishes in the Men U23 ranks.Racing at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Soldier Hollow, presented by SCOTT Sports, gets underway on Saturday 19 September with the UCI XCC World Cup. Full schedule and event information are available here.

The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships delivered a weekend packed with surprises, drama and world-class racing as the sport’s biggest stars battled for the rainbow jerseys in Val di Sole – Trentino (Italy).The action got underway with the Cross-country Short Track (XCC) races, where both titles were decided in thrilling sprint finishes. The excitement continued on the legendary Black Snake course, as the world’s best downhill riders took on one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar in their quest for UCI World Championship glory.The weekend concluded with the Cross-country Olympic (XCO) events, a true showcase of endurance, technical skill and tactical racing, featuring punishing climbs and rocky descents that pushed riders to their limits.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandPIDCOCK PRODUCES A CHAMPION’S RIDE TO WIN UCI XCO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GOLDTom Pidcock (Great Britain) produced a masterclass to claim his second UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Championship title, charging from a fifth-row start to dominate the Men's Elite race in Val di Sole – Trentino.With several of the pre-race favourites caught in traffic early on, Adrien Boichis (France) took advantage by setting a fierce pace from the gun, helping establish a seven-man lead group. Yet the course’s long, demanding climbs played into Pidcock’s hands, allowing the Briton to steadily carve his way through the field despite conceding 16 seconds during the opening laps.Fellow Briton Charlie Aldridge also wasted no time moving through the pack. Combining strength on the climbs with impressive technical skills, he helped stretch the race at the front. By the halfway mark, Pidcock had bridged across to a select group featuring Boichis, Cole Punchard (Canada), Aldridge and Martín Vidaurre Kossmann (Chile).© Giacomo Podetti / Val di Sole Bike LandOnce among the leaders, Pidcock took control. A series of relentless attacks on the climbs gradually shattered the front group, with Boichis and Punchard unable to match his pace. The decisive move came on the penultimate lap, when Pidcock accelerated on the course’s signature climb and finally distanced Aldridge.Behind them, Vidaurre Kossmann’s hopes of a maiden UCI World Championship medal came to a heartbreaking end after a puncture forced him out of contention, handing third place to Punchard.Pidcock crossed the line 17 seconds clear of Aldridge to secure a memorable British one-two, while Punchard finished a further 14 seconds back to claim bronze.Meanwhile, Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) was unable to replicate the form that earned him runner-up honours in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France), the previous weekend. The Dutchman eventually finished 30th, 4:40 adrift of his long-time rival.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandFREI REIGNS SUPREME TO CLAIM MAIDEN XCO RAINBOW JERSEYSina Frei (Switzerland) delivered a commanding performance to claim her first UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Championship title, mastering the demanding climbs of Val di Sole – Trentino to solo her way to rainbow jersey glory.The race began with an early setback for fellow Swiss rider Alessandra Keller, whose hopes of contention were severely compromised by a first-lap mechanical issue that dropped her outside the top 20.Fresh from their thrilling duel at the UCI XCO World Cup in Les Gets, Frei and reigning UCI World Champion Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) once again found themselves at the front of the race. However, the Swiss rider soon turned the contest into a one-woman show, using her climbing prowess to repeatedly apply pressure on the field and gradually distance her rivals.Only Martina Berta (Italy) was initially able to respond, matching Frei’s pace during the second lap as the pair opened a gap on the rest of the field. Yet Frei’s relentless tempo eventually proved too much, and by the halfway point she had broken clear to establish a solo lead.© Alice Russolo / Val di Sole Bike LandBehind her, Nicole Koller (Switzerland) bridged across to Berta, setting up an intense battle for the remaining podium positions alongside Puck Pieterse (Netherlands). While Frei continued to extend her advantage at the front, the fight for silver and bronze remained finely balanced until the closing laps.Frei crossed the line more than a minute clear to secure the biggest victory of her career. Berta edged out Koller in a sprint finish to claim the silver medal, while Pieterse finished just 18 seconds short of a podium place.In the Under-23 categories, Valentina Corvi delighted the home crowd with a dominant victory in the Women's race. Just one week after securing the UCI XCO World Cup title, the Italian rider produced another emphatic display, pulling clear to beat Swiss riders Anina Hutter and Monique Halter, who finished second and third respectively.© Alice Russolo / Val di Sole Bike LandThe Men’s Under-23 race provided a thrilling conclusion to the weekend, with France securing a one-two finish. Naël Rouffiac held off compatriot Alix André-Gallis by just nine seconds after a fiercely contested battle, while Nicholas Halter (Switzerland) completed the podium in third place.UNSTOPPABLE HÖLL CLAIMS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CHAMPION TITLEValentina Höll (Austria) further cemented her place among the sport’s greats by claiming a fifth consecutive Women’s Elite UCI Downhill World Championship title. The 24-year-old has made the rainbow jersey her own since 2022 and once again proved untouchable.After qualifying third fastest, Höll delivered a near-flawless race run, attacking the upper sections of the demanding Val di Sole – Trentino course with trademark precision and confidence. Already crowned the 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner thanks to five victories this season, the Austrian will continue to wear cycling’s most coveted bands for at least another year.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandHer closest challenger was Lisa Baumann (Switzerland), who arrived full of confidence after finishing runner-up to her Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres teammate at two UCI Downhill World Cup rounds this season. Baumann laid down the benchmark time and occupied the hot seat as the final rider dropped into the course, but Höll quickly found her rhythm through the technical sections and maintained her advantage all the way to the finish, securing victory by 1.7 seconds.The battle for bronze went to Harriet Harnden (Great Britain), who continued her breakthrough season by claiming her first UCI Downhill World Championship medal. Fresh from securing her maiden UCI Downhill World Cup victory in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, just a week earlier, Harnden produced another standout performance to finish only two seconds behind Baumann and complete the podium.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandRAINBOW REDEMPTION: GOLDSTONE RISES TO DEFEND UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CROWN Jackson Goldstone (Canada) silenced any doubts about his form with a stunning title defence, producing a flawless run to retain his Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Championship crown in Val di Sole – Trentino.The 22-year-old arrived at the UCI World Championships having endured a challenging UCI Downhill World Cup campaign, still searching for a first victory of the season. Yet under the pressure of being the final rider on course, Goldstone delivered when it mattered most. Riding with exceptional speed, commitment and precision across the Black Snake’s unforgiving roots and rough terrain, the Canadian laid down a benchmark none of his rivals could match.Lachlan Stevens-McNab (New Zealand) came closest to denying Goldstone after topping qualifying and producing another outstanding run in the final. However, he was edged into second place by just six-tenths of a second. Jordan Williams (Great Britain) completed the podium, capping a strong showing from the sport’s emerging generation on one of downhill’s most demanding tracks.© Michele Mondini / Val di Sole Bike LandThe Junior races, meanwhile, produced a series of surprises as pre-race favourites struggled to tame the fast and punishing Val di Sole course.In the Men’s Junior category, Jonty Williamson (New Zealand) arrived as the overwhelming favourite after winning six of the seven UCI Downhill World Cup rounds contested this season and setting the fastest qualifying time. But the Black Snake proved unforgiving, and a training crash ended his hopes of adding a rainbow jersey to his dominant campaign.Instead, the UCI World Championship title went to Raol Schneeberger (Switzerland), who delivered a composed and clinical ride to take victory by four-tenths of a second over Felix Griffiths (Great Britain). Home favourite Filippo Gilardino (Italy) delighted the local crowd by securing bronze, just over a second off the winning pace.A similarly unexpected storyline unfolded in the Women’s Junior race. All eyes were on overall UCI World Cup leader Aletha Ostgaard (USA), who arrived in Val di Sole on the back of three consecutive victories. However, the American struggled to find her rhythm on the technical Italian track and could only qualify 11th.© Giacomo Podetti / Val di Sole Bike LandThat opened the door for Tilly Broadley (Australia), who seized her opportunity in emphatic fashion. The Australian delivered a superb run to claim the coveted rainbow jersey by a commanding seven-second margin. Ostgaard secured the silver medal, while Indy Deavoll (New Zealand) completed the podium in third.BOICHIS CAPS BREAKTHROUGH SEASON WITH UCI XCC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORYAdrien Boichis (France) delivered a perfectly timed performance to claim the Men’s Elite UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Championship title at the first attempt.The Frenchman arrived in Val di Sole – Trentino in outstanding form. After winning the Men’s Under-23 UCI World title a year earlier, Boichis has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, including victories in three of his last four UCI XCC World Cup appearances.© Daniele Molineris / Val di Sole Bike LandAs expected, the race remained tightly contested throughout, with a large lead group entering the final lap together on the fast and punchy Val di Sole course. Charlie Aldridge (Great Britain) launched a decisive attack in an attempt to break the field, but only Boichis was able to respond.The pair quickly distanced the rest of the contenders and set up a thrilling duel for the rainbow jersey. Aldridge led into the closing stages, but Boichis showed exceptional composure and tactical awareness, producing a perfectly judged sprint on the finishing straight to surge past the Briton and secure the biggest victory of his Elite career.© Giacomo Podetti / Val di Sole Bike LandAldridge crossed the line to take the silver medal, while Luca Martin (France) completed a strong day for the French team by claiming bronze.STIGGER SNATCHES UCI XCC WORLD TITLE IN PHOTO FINISH THRILLERLaura Stigger (Austria) edged one of the closest finishes of the UCI World Championships to secure her maiden Women’s Elite UCI XCC World Championship title, defeating Evie Richards (Great Britain) by the narrowest of margins on the line.The race was packed with drama from the outset. Swiss teammates Ronja Blöchlinger and Alessandra Keller saw their medal hopes disappear after a collision in the lead group, taking both riders out of contention.At the front, Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) looked strong throughout as she chased a first UCI World Championship title in the XCC format. However, the race remained tightly contested, with five riders still in the hunt for the rainbow jersey heading into the final lap.© Daniele Molineris / Val di Sole Bike LandAs the pace intensified, Sina Frei (Switzerland) challenged Rissveds for control of the race, while Richards launched a bold long-range sprint that appeared set to carry her to victory. The Briton held the lead until the final metres, but Stigger produced a perfectly timed surge and bike throw on the finish line to snatch the title by mere millimetres. Richards was forced to settle for silver, while Frei secured the bronze medal.The Under-23 races also delivered memorable moments, with Swiss siblings Monique and Nicolas Halter producing impressive performances to claim a historic family double.© Daniele Molineris / Val di Sole Bike LandMonique Halter struck first in the Women's Under-23 race, attacking on the final lap to overcome Bethany-Ann Jackson (Great Britain) and secure the rainbow jersey. Makena Kellerman (United States) completed the podium in third.Not to be outdone, Nicolas Halter followed his sister’s lead in the Men’s Under-23 race. The Swiss rider launched a decisive move on the final lap to deny pre-race favourite Paul Schehl (Germany) the UCI World title, while Rens Teunissen van Manen (Netherlands) claimed bronze to round out the podium.