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MTB World Series
Article - 05 Jul 26
Short Track

UCI XCO World Cup: Berta Claims Historic Home Victory in La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta While Martin Continues his Winning Run

Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) thrilled the home crowd with a breakthrough Women’s Elite victory on one of the most demanding courses of the season, while overall leader Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) extended his advantage with a commanding second consecutive UCI XCO World Cup win. In the Under-23 categories, Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) and Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) completed dominant weekend doubles in La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta (Italy)

Set high in the spectacular Alps on the Italy–France border, La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta provided the backdrop for one of the most physically demanding rounds of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. Perched at 1,500 metres above sea level, the brand-new 3.2-kilometre UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup course combined relentless climbing with technical descents, pushing riders to their limits.

The challenge began almost immediately with a punishing 652-metre ascent from the start line, before competitors were tested further by rutted downhill sections and a steep rock garden that demanded unwavering focus and precision throughout.

The efforts of the La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta organisers were rewarded with a weekend of thrilling racing from the world’s best athletes. Racing in her Italian National Champion jersey, Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) delighted the home fans by securing her maiden Women’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup victory. In the Men’s Elite race, overall series leader Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) delivered a composed and clinical performance, capitalising on a rare error from his rivals before riding clear to victory.

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In the Under-23 categories, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) and Valentina Corvi (Canyon CLLCTV XCO) completed a perfect weekend, backing up their UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup victories on Friday evening with equally dominant displays in Sunday’s XCO races.

Strong performances across the weekend saw Specialized Factory Racing extend their advantage at the top of the team standings. However, with just 76 points separating the next five teams, the battle behind remains fiercely contested as the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series heads into the second half of the season.

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A DREAM COME TRUE: BERTA CLAIMS FIRST UCI XCO WORLD CUP WIN ON HOME SOIL

Martina Berta delivered a dream performance in front of her home fans to claim her maiden Women’s Elite UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup victory. Racing just a short distance from her hometown and wearing the Italian National Champion jersey, the 28-year-old rose to the occasion on one of the most demanding courses of the season. However, victory did not come easily, as she was forced to fend off a relentless late challenge from Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) before sparking scenes of celebration in La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta.

Fast starter Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing) set a fierce early pace, opening up a 10-second advantage on the opening lap. Behind her, Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) led the chase before being joined by Berta and Blunk. Roared on by the home crowd, Berta steadily reeled in Blöchlinger before making her move at the front, with only Blunk able to match the Italian’s pace.

As the race unfolded, the altitude and relentless nature of the course began to take their toll. Blunk lost precious seconds through a series of small mistakes, while Blöchlinger also faded from contention and was eventually caught by a charging Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing).

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Yet the battle for victory was far from over. Blunk mounted a determined comeback and steadily closed the gap to the leader. As the riders crossed the line to begin the final lap, Berta held a slender four-second advantage, while Stigger sat 36 seconds adrift in third. Sensing the pressure, the Italian dug deep and responded in emphatic style, producing her fastest lap of the race to finally shake off Blunk and secure a memorable victory on home soil.

Blunk was forced to settle for second place, finishing 12 seconds back as she continues her search for a first UCI XCO World Cup win, while Stigger completed the podium 55 seconds behind the winner.

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Rissveds strengthened her overall series lead with a fourth-place finish, one spot ahead of fellow title contender Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon). Returning to competition after recovering from concussion, Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC) impressed with a solid seventh-place finish.

In victory, Berta became the first Italian Elite woman to win a UCI XCO World Cup on home soil. Reflecting on her achievement, she said: “I’ve dreamed about this day since last year when the calendar came out. I saw La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta on the calendar and told my coach I wanted to win here, it was a dream. From dreaming it to actually doing it is a long journey. It’s just amazing. I’m so grateful for all the support. In the final part of the race I was really suffering because Savilia [Blunk] was coming back. I couldn’t disappoint all the people here. I still can’t believe what I did today, and it will probably take a few days to fully realise it.”

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MARTIN MASTERS LA THUILE TO EXTEND UCI XCO WORLD CUP LEAD

Luca Martin delivered another statement performance as the Frenchman secured back-to-back UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup victories. After narrowly losing out to long-time rival Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) in Friday’s UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup, the Cannondale Factory Racing rider proved untouchable over the longer distance, capitalising on a key mistake from his rivals before powering clear to a dominant victory.

The start list was notably missing two major contenders. Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) remained sidelined after fracturing his fibula in a recent training accident, while Martín Vidaurre (Specialized Factory Racing) was unable to start after crashing during practice earlier in the weekend.

Simon Andreassen (Orbea Fox Factory Team), winner of the UCI XCC World Cup round in Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland last month, set the early pace on La Thuile’s demanding opening climb. Riding high after team-mate Martina Berta’s victory in the Women’s Elite race, Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) looked eager to animate the race and launched an early attack, with Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) joining him at the front.

Neither Boichis nor Martin showed any signs of fatigue from their XCC battle two days earlier and quickly responded to the move. The lead group was eventually reduced when Avondetto crashed on an off-camber section through the woods, bringing down Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) and causing both riders to lose contact with the leaders.

What followed was a fascinating tactical battle, with Martin, Boichis and Azzaro repeatedly testing one another across the punishing climbs and technical descents of the Alpine course. The decisive move came midway through the race when Martin sensed an opportunity on one of La Thuile’s technical downhill sections. A small error from Azzaro was all the overall series leader needed to launch his attack, opening a gap that neither Azzaro nor Boichis could close as the pair made further mistakes while trying to respond.

From there, Martin never looked back. The Frenchman steadily extended his advantage to take victory by more than a minute, while Azzaro dropped Boichis over the closing laps to secure second place.

Riley recovered strongly from his earlier setback to continue his impressive season in fourth, while United States National Champion Riley Amos (Trek – Unbroken XC) celebrated a career-best fifth-place finish.

Elsewhere, reigning UCI XCO World Champion Alan Hatherly (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) made his return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series following a spell racing on the UCI WorldTour road circuit, crossing the line in 16th place.

Martin’s victory extended his lead in the overall UCI XCO World Cup standings to 343 points after five rounds. Reflecting on his triumph, he said: “It is so special. I’m so happy to have raced here. This track was a real mountain bike track, with incredibly technical and dusty descents. When we reached around 45 minutes into the race, I felt it was the right moment to attack because I was feeling really good. I live in Nice and the terrain is quite similar, with the same type of dirt and descents, so I felt very comfortable riding this course.”

CORVI AND SCHEHL DOMINATE UNDER-23 RACING IN LA THUILE

Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) delivered the most commanding performance of the day in the Women’s Under-23 race. The Italian has established herself as the rider to beat in the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup this season and strengthened her grip on the overall standings with a fourth victory in five rounds.

In front of her home crowd, Corvi wasted no time asserting her dominance, opening up a 45-second advantage on the opening lap and steadily extending her lead throughout the race before crossing the line an emphatic 2 minutes and 42 seconds clear of her nearest challenger.

Monique Halter (Thömus Akros – Youngstars) rode a lonely race in second for much of the day, but a slower penultimate lap allowed the chasing riders to close the gap. Despite a determined final-lap effort from Ella Macphee (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Racing), Halter held on to secure second place by just two seconds, with the Canadian completing the podium in third.

Corvi’s latest success extended her lead in the overall standings to an impressive 320 points after five rounds. Reflecting on her performance, she said: I’m almost speechless. I knew my shape was good, so I just tried to race as well as I could. From the start, my goal was to enter the second part of the track in front because I felt that was the key section. Lap after lap I gained a few more seconds and managed my effort. It’s such a demanding course, with tough climbs and technical descents. To win both races here in Italy, in front of my home crowd, makes it even more special.

In the Men’s Under-23 race, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) also completed a perfect double after backing up his UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup victory with a commanding XCO triumph. Much like Corvi earlier in the day, the German took control from the front on La Thuile’s gruelling course, distancing his rivals from the opening lap and quickly establishing a decisive lead.

Nicolas Halter (Thömus Akros–Youngstars) emerged as Schehl’s closest challenger but was unable to match the German’s pace, eventually finishing 1 minute and 32 seconds adrift in second place. Behind him, Lucas Teste (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) timed his race to perfection to secure third, while Friday’s XCC runner-up Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon CLLCTV XCO) finished fourth.

Three consecutive UCI XCO World Cup victories have helped Schehl extend his lead at the top of the overall standings to 68 points. Following his latest win, he said: “It’s unbelievable. I’m in the shape of my life at the moment and everything is coming together perfectly. I’m so happy. This track is amazing. I absolutely love it. We need more courses like this.

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues at a relentless pace, with another iconic mountain destination awaiting next weekend. The series heads to Pal Arinsal – Andorra, where riders will once again face the challenges of high-altitude racing. Action begins on Friday with the UCI XCC World Cup and UCI Downhill World Cup qualifying, before the downhill finals take centre stage on Saturday and the UCI XCO World Cup concludes the weekend on Sunday.

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Article
19 Aug 26
Van der Poel's Comeback Headlines Blockbuster WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Weekend in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie
Short Track
Cross-Country
Downhill

After a six-week summer break, the cross-country and downhill contingents of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series return to action this weekend with a delicious double header in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France).The French Alps venue is one of the most iconic in mountain bike’s history and has been welcoming the Gravity format on and off since 1996. It’s been a staple of the UCI World Cup since 2019, including the 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, and is renowned for its passionate, partisan French crowd. Next year, it’s also due to host the rainbow jersey races once again as part of Haute-Savoie’s 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships.Located in the heart of the Portes de Soleil mountain resort, close to the Swiss border, both formats take place at the Les Gets bike park. The park has 128km of trails across 23 different tracks and three ski lifts to help riders experience everything the park has to offer.The UCI Downhill World Cup takes place on the venue’s Mont-Chéry UCI World Cup track – a 2.2km course that features 571m of descent and a maximum gradient of 43.8°.The UCI Cross-country World Cup races, meanwhile, take on a custom trail that has its start/finish straight at the resort’s main hub. The UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup course is 3.55km long (140m elevation gain), while the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) course is 1km long (43m elevation gain).Beyond the racing, Les Gets has a packed schedule of fan activities and entertainment throughout the week. The festivities get underway on Thursday, 20 August, with the Team Presentation at the Village Fan Zone in front of Les Gets Town Hall.Fans can also take part in a treasure hunt around the venue alongside WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series mascot Roki, attend autograph sessions with WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series stars or enjoy the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series trophy exhibition throughout the weekend.Open from Friday to Sunday, the Village Fan Zone will offer something for visitors of all ages, from souvenir medal-colouring workshops for children and an immersive virtual reality MTB experience to a personalised event photobooth. Live music, entertainment, film screenings, concerts and a host of other activities will ensure there is plenty to enjoy away from the racetracks.WILDCARD TEAMS SET TO JOIN THE ACTION IN LES GETSBefore diving deeper into the main storylines and key riders to watch this weekend, here are the wildcard teams that have been confirmed to compete in Les Gets, Haute-SavoieUCI Downhill World Cup: Crestline Speed Shop, Outlaw Intense Racing, Pivot Factory Racing, Team High Country, The Alliance, Stoic Racing.UCI Cross-country World Cup: KTM Factory Team, Lexware Mountainbike Team, Massi, Scott Creuse Oxygene Gueret, SUNN Factory Racing, Thömus Akros - Youngstars, UNNO Factory Racing, Bike Team Solothurn.Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) remains the standout wildcard contender, with the German carrying an impressive nine-race winning streak across the Men’s U23 UCI XCO and XCC World Cups. In Downhill, wildcard teams also made their mark in Pal Arinsal - Andorra, where Bode Burke (Crestline Speed Shop) secured a second place in Men’s Elite qualifying before suffering a DNF in the finals. On the women’s side, Jenna Hastings (Pivot Factory Racing) delivered the best wildcard result with a fifth-place finish in the Women’s Elite race.RISSVEDS CLOSES IN ON OVERALL CROWN, MAXWELL MAKES COMEBACKIt’s been a memorable season in the rainbow jersey for Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing), and as the Swede prepares to wear the 2025 UCI World Champion’s colours for the final time at Les Gets, another victory could leave her with one hand firmly on the overall title with two rounds remaining.Rissveds arrives in France full of confidence after claiming maximum points in Andorra with a dominant XCC-XCO double. As one of the most successful riders ever to race in Les Gets, where she also completed the double in 2025, she knows exactly what it takes to triumph on the iconic French Alps course.Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) remains Rissveds’ closest challenger in the overall standings, while Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) will look to carry her outstanding form through the summer break. The Italian backed up her maiden UCI XCO World Cup victory in La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta (Italy) with a runner-up finish in Andorra and will be eager to continue her momentum.Another major name returning to the spotlight is Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech). Jointly tied with Rissveds as the most successful rider in Les Gets, Pieterse lines up for her fifth UCI World Cup appearance of 2026 after a summer that saw her claim the Queen of the Mountains polka dot jersey at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.Meanwhile, Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Factory Racing) makes a highly anticipated return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. The reigning overall UCI XCO World Cup champion is back on the start line after a ten-month sabbatical and will be keen to make an immediate impact in one of the season’s most prestigious rounds.VAN DER POEL RETURNS AS MARTIN AND BOICHIS RENEW TITLE FIGHTLuca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) endured a rare setback in Pal Arinsal, with the overall UCI XCO World Cup leader finishing 22nd and missing out on a top-two result for the first time this season. Despite the disappointment, the Frenchman remains firmly in control of the standings on 1,419 points.However, his lead over compatriot Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) was cut to 130 points after Boichis delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend, finishing second in the UCI XCC World Cup before claiming victory in the UCI XCO World Cup.Les Gets could provide the perfect opportunity for Martin to bounce back. The French venue was the site of his breakthrough UCI XCO World Cup victory in 2025, and he will be eager to rediscover that winning form on home soil. Yet with Boichis continuing to impress across multiple disciplines, the battle for the overall crown is far from settled.Adding even more intrigue to the weekend is the return of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech). The Dutch superstar swaps the road for the mountain bike as he begins his build-up to next week’s UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Trentino (Italy), where he will aim to complete a unique set of rainbow jerseys across cross-country, road cycling and cyclocross.Fresh from winning the final stage of this year’s Tour de France, van der Poel will make his first mountain bike race appearance of 2026 in Les Gets. The 31-year-old is also beginning to turn his attention towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games, making his return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series one of the biggest storylines of the weekend.RISSVEDS, FREI AND VAN DER POEL HEADLINE XCC ACTIONAdrien Boichis’ consistency in the short track has allowed the Frenchman to establish a commanding lead in the UCI XCC World Cup standings, despite competing in only five of the six rounds so far this season. Yet all eyes will be on one rider in Les Gets: Mathieu van der Poel.The most successful men's short track rider in history returns to the format for his first UCI XCC World Cup appearance since 2021. Chasing an 11th career victory, the Dutch superstar also has the chance to become the first male rider to win more than one UCI XCC World Cup race in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie.Boichis is unlikely to make life easy for van der Poel, however. The current overall leader has been one of the standout performers of the season, while Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) and Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) have both demonstrated they have the speed and explosiveness required to win in the fast-paced format.The Women's Elite race promises to be equally compelling. Just 30 points separate Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and Jenny Rissveds at the top of the standings, with both riders having claimed two victories apiece in 2026. Momentum, however, appears to be on Rissveds’ side. The Swede won in Les Gets last season and will be aiming for a third successive UCI XCC World Cup victory almost exactly a decade after her unforgettable Olympic gold medal triumph in Rio on 20 August 2016.Among those looking to disrupt the battle at the front are Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) and Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech), both capable of challenging for victory on their day. Meanwhile, reigning UCI XCC World Champion Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon) boasts the strongest record of any rider on the Les Gets short track course, having amassed one win, two runner-up finishes and a third place at the French venue.HÖLL ON THE VERGE OF OVERALL GLORY IN LES GETSValentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) is enjoying the most dominant season of her career and arrives in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie in formidable form ahead of the final three UCI Downhill World Cup rounds and next week’s UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.The Austrian has won five of the first six rounds this season, surpassing her own record for the most victories in a single campaign. Another win in Les Gets would see her move onto 17 Elite UCI World Cup victories, drawing level with Sabrina Jonnier as the third most successful female downhill rider in history.Victory on Saturday would also secure Höll’s fifth overall UCI Downhill World Cup title with two rounds still remaining. Even if she falls short of the top step, she could still wrap up the crown this weekend provided she maintains a lead of at least 500 points over her nearest rival in the standings.The rest of the field may take some encouragement from one statistic: despite her dominance elsewhere, Höll has never won an Elite UCI World Cup race in Les Gets, with a third-place finish in 2025 standing as her best result at the Haute-Savoie venue. Ready to capitalise on any opportunity are the only other winners on the circuit this season, Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP), Höll’s teammate Lisa Baumann (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres), and local favourite Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing). With one victory and two runner-up finishes in Les Gets, Cabirou boasts the strongest record of any Elite Women rider at the venue.The Women’s Junior category is also set to make history this weekend, with 41 riders entered for qualifying, the largest field since the category was introduced in 2017. The impressive number reflects the remarkable growth of women’s downhill racing in less than a decade.Among those to watch is Cassandre Peizerat, who will race as a guest rider for COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction. The 17-year-old Frenchwoman may come from an alpine skiing background, but she has already proven her ability to excel on two wheels, finishing third in Les Gets in 2025 and claiming another podium in La Thuile earlier this season. As part of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series regulations, teams are allocated two guest rider entries per season, with any points scored by those riders contributing to the Team Standings.10-WAY TUSTLE FOR MEN’S DOWNHILL TITLEIf 2025 was a two-horse race between Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) and Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity), then this series is turning into a 10-horse one with three rounds to go and only 393 points separating series leader Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) and 10th placed Till Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction).With Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) ruled out through injury, Williams will look to keep Specialized’s momentum going after the team’s four wins from the opening six rounds. But with no one rider dominating with consistent results, it’s set to go to the wire with plenty of twists and turns still to come.There are a number of riders out to spoil the Specialized party. Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) is the most successful current rider at the venue, and will have the backing of the iconic partisan home crowd as he targets his third win in Les Gets, while last year’s winner Ronan Dunne (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) is set to make his first start of 2026 after recovering from an injury that has ruled him out so far this season.Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) is another to watch – the American already tasting success in his first Elite season and a winner at the venue in the Junior class in 2024 – while Jackson Goldstone could still make a late surge to defend his title if he pulls together another winning record like that seen in 2025.Racing gets underway in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie on Friday with the UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup. Full schedule and events details are available here.

Article
17 Aug 26
UCI Cross-Country World Cup: Four Rising Stars at the Heart of the 2026 XCO Men Elite Title Fight
Short Track
Cross-Country

With six rounds of the 2026 UCI Cross-country World Cup season complete, just three remain, and both the Men’s Elite Cross-country Olympic (XCO) and Cross-country Short Track (XCC) title races are still wide open.This season, however, has seen a new generation step into the spotlight. Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team), Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) have emerged as the format’s leading forces, delivering remarkable consistency and establishing themselves as contenders week after week.With the season entering its decisive phase, including the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Trentino (Italy), the battle for the biggest prizes in cross-country racing is only set to intensify. As a new generation challenges the established order, expect Boichis, Riley, Martin and Azzaro to be at the heart of the fight for 2026 glory.ADRIEN BOICHIS: “BEING IN A POSITION TO FIGHT FOR THE WIN IS A SPECIAL FEELING”Adrien Boichis has spent 2026 proving he can excel on two wheels, whether on dirt or tarmac. After claiming victory at the last UCI XCO World Cup round in Pal Arinsal (Andorra), the Frenchman switched disciplines during the summer break to compete in the Tour of Poland before turning his focus back to mountain biking.“I'm happy I did it, and now I'm looking forward to being back on my own bike,” he said during the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series mid-season press conference.The current leader of the Men’s Elite UCI XCC World Cup standings believes a new generation has emerged at the front of the sport this season. Yet despite the changing faces on the podium, he insists the level of competition has never been higher.“Between being tenth and first, the difference is not actually that big. It can come down to small details, confidence or simply having a bit of luck on your side. Some days everything goes perfectly and you're still a long way from the win. Just being in a position to fight for victory is already a special feeling. For me, being at the front of the race and battling for the win is one of the best feelings in sport.”At just 23 years old, Boichis has already reached several career milestones this year, securing his first UCI XCO World Cup win in Saalfelden Leogang - Salzburgerland (Austria) before following it up with a breakthrough UCI XCC World Cup victory in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). Despite his rapid rise and growing status as a title contender, the Specialized Factory Racing rider remains grounded heading into the final stretch of the season.“You can never take winning for granted. Sometimes you do everything right, train all year and it still doesn't happen. Other times the momentum is with you and things fall into place. You have to enjoy it when it comes.”With three WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series rounds remaining and the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole - Trentino still to come, Boichis finds himself at the centre of the battle for cross-country’s biggest prizes, representing the new wave of riders reshaping the sport.BJORN RILEY: “IN ANDORRA, I DIDN’T THINK. I JUST WENT”Another rider to claim a maiden UCI XCC World Cup victory this season is Bjorn Riley. The American broke through at the last round in Pal Arinsal (Andorra), and has spent the six-week summer break working to carry that momentum into the decisive final phase of the season.“I've ridden my bike every day and tried to recover because I feel like this next block is going to be a big one too. The last block was really hard because you don't want to do too much intensity between races. Going into this next period, it's a little easier because we have two weekends off after Worlds.”Riley has enjoyed a breakthrough year in the Men’s Elite ranks. Yet despite his growing confidence and newfound status as a regular contender, the Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team rider remains focused on the process rather than the results.Having already secured his first UCI World Cup victory and several podium finishes, the 23-year-old believes he now has the experience and belief needed to consistently challenge at the front of races.“My mindset has changed. Now a podium feels achievable every time I race. I know the process I need to go through to put myself in a position to finish in the top three. Winning is still another step though. Fighting for the podium is very different from fighting for the win.”Riley points to his victory in Andorra as a key moment in his development, not only physically but mentally: “Andorra was really important because I usually overthink every move I make. There, I didn’t think, I just went for it. That was a big step forward from a mental perspective and showed me what’s required to win.“Of course, a victory is always exciting, but right now my focus is on being consistently on the podium. If the wins come as a result, that’s even better.”With the battle for the overall titles entering its decisive phase, Riley has firmly established himself as one of the standout riders of the new generation and a serious contender for the sport’s biggest prizes.MATHIS AZZARO: “MY TIME WILL COME”While Boichis and Riley have enjoyed steadily rising trajectories this season, Mathis Azzaro burst out of the blocks before a series of crashes and a costly race penalty disrupted his momentum. Despite those setbacks, the Frenchman remains encouraged by the progress he has made in 2026 and is confident more opportunities will come.“I’m super happy with what I achieved in the first part of the season and I’m really looking forward to the next block of racing.“My time will come. We’re all working incredibly hard, but you can never be 100% certain that a win will come on Friday in the Short Track or on Sunday in the Cross-country Olympic. I’m a very emotional person, and that can be both a strength and a weakness. Managing those emotions is never easy.”At 26, Azzaro has shown on multiple occasions this season that he has the speed to challenge for victories. Now, as the campaign enters its decisive phase, his focus is on turning that potential into consistent results and ensuring that early promise translates into a strong finish to the year.LUCA MARTIN: “THIS SEASON IS ALREADY A MASSIVE SUCCESS”Luca Martin enters the final stretch of the season as the leader of the Men’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup standings, with a remarkable sweep of the XCO and XCC overall titles, as well as the coveted rainbow jersey at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, still within reach. The Frenchman spent his summer break with one target in mind.“It was difficult to find the right balance because whether you're doing altitude training or following a more traditional training plan, you need to define your priority. At this stage of the season, my preparation has been very much focused on the World Championships.”The Cannondale Factory Racing rider has already enjoyed a career-defining campaign in 2026, establishing himself as one of the sport’s leading figures. Even if he falls short of his ambitious targets in Italy, the 24-year-old remains immensely proud of what he has achieved so far.“I’m already very happy with this season. For me, this year has been a massive success. I just need to keep doing the same things, trust the process and continue building on what has worked so far.”With the overall UCI World Cup titles still on the line and the UCI World Championships looming, Martin finds himself at the centre of one of the most exciting seasons in recent years. Yet while others may focus on the potential rewards, his attention remains firmly fixed on the process that has brought him to this position in the first place.

Article
28 Jul 26
WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series enters summer break with championship battles wide open
Short Track
Cross-Country
Downhill
Enduro

The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series has been one for the ages with the first nine rounds serving up brand new venues, the return of fan favourites and adrenaline-packed racing across cross-country, downhill and enduro.While the dust settles on the first half of the series, riders and fans alike get a chance to take a break and reset over the northern hemisphere’s summer before ramping things up again as they build towards the final rounds.With all four formats’ overall titles in the balance, it’s all still to play for in the race to become a 2026 UCI World Cup overall winner. From tight tussles to seemingly foregone conclusions, here’s the state of play as the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series pauses for its summer break.UCI XCO WORLD CUP: MARTIN AND RISSVEDS ON THE MARCHLuca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) have been two of the most consistent riders in the Cross-country Olympic (XCO) format of the last 12 months, and both carried their strong form from the tail end of the 2025 season into this series.Rainbow jersey-wearing Rissveds hasn’t finished outside the top three all year and her XCO-XCC double at the last round in Pal Arinsal (Andorra) demonstrated the Swede’s dominance. Her lead in the overall over second-placed Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) stands at 347 points, so could afford to skip a round and remain in top spot.If results go her way, Rissveds could wrap up a first UCI XCO World Cup title as soon at the next round in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France), but the reality is that she will have to wait until the penultimate round at new UCI World Cup venue Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA).Martin had been showing a similar level of consistency to Rissveds, but the Frenchman finished outside of the top two for the first time this year in Andorra, rolling home in 22nd. Although it didn’t affect his place at the top of the standings, the winner in Pal Arinsal, Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing), managed to shave more than 200 points off of Martin’s lead. Only 130 points separate the duo, and with both often found duelling it out at the front of proceedings, expect the title to go to the wire in Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA).In the Under 23, Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) is the runaway leader in the women’s standings and is unlikely to be caught, while despite his dominance, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) only holds a 103-point lead over Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing) in the men’s U23.UCI XCC WORLD CUP: FREI AND BOICHIS HOLD SLENDER SHORT TRACK LEADSThings are a bit tighter in the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup standings, where Specialized’s Frei and Boichis hold slender leads.Although Frei started the series strongly with two wins in the first third rounds, the momentum appears to have shifted in the direction of second-place Rissveds who has won back-to-back rounds and sits only 30 points behind the Swiss rider in the standings. The summer break could have come at a good time for Frei though, with it providing a chance to reset and go again in defence of her lead.Teammate Boichis meanwhile is in the ascendancy. Despite skipping the opening round of the series, the Frenchman has amassed 960 points in five rounds, leapfrogging early season leader Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) who’s yet to finish higher than eighth after starting the year so strongly with back-to-back wins in MONA YongPyong (South Korea) and Nové Mĕsto Na Moravé (Czechia).Boichis’ 116-point lead in the series and form should stand him in good stead, but with Martin lurking only four points behind Azzaro in third and Pal Arinsal winner Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Race Team) only 222 points off of first, there’s still time for things to be shuffled before the season end.The story in the U23 is the same as in the XCO standings, with Corvi and Schehl both leading their respective categories. Corvi’s advantage over Bloeme Kalis (KMC Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) isn’t as commanding as in the Olympic distance, but back-to-back XCC wins show that the Italian is the clear favourite, while Schehl’s five consecutive wins should be enough to hold off François Baudry.In the UCI Cross-country World Cup team standings, Specialized Factory Racing lead the way thanks to strong performances from Boichis, Frei and Laura Stigger, and with Christopher Blevins close to his best and Victor Koretzky still to return from an injury that has ruled him out of the series so far, it’s unlikely that second-place Canyon XC Racing will be able to close the 547-point gap, even with Rissveds’ red-hot form.UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CUP: HÖLL IN CONTROL, WILLIAMS AND ILES FILLING BRUNI’S SHOESThe UCI Downhill World Cup are complete contrasts. In the women’s field, Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) is on course for another coronation, while Jordan Williams and Finn Iles are keeping Specialized Gravity on top despite team-mate Loïc Bruni’s long layoff.Höll can complete her fifth UCI Downhill World Cup title as early as Les Gets, with the Austrian holding a 553-point advantage over team-mate Lisa Baumann. Her five wins from six rounds this series mean she can even afford to not finish on the top spot and still win before setting foot in North America for the final two rounds, but knowing Höll, she will be challenging for maximum points from now until the end of the series.The Specialized Gravity team-mates Williams and Iles lead the way in the men’s field, but with just 63 points separating them, it’s a much tighter affair. Both have two wins to their names this series and are stepping out of the shadow of Loïc Bruni. With three rounds to go, there are still plenty of other riders within mathematical contention, but Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP), Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) and reigning overall winner Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) are the most likely to challenge.In the Junior class, it’s a reversed situation to the Elites. In the Men Junior, Jonty Williamson (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) has built a seemingly unassailable 111-point lead over Sacha Gabriel Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres), while only 25 points separate Alehta Ostagaard (Canyon DH Racing) and Lina Frener (Norco X Adidas Race Division) in the Women Junior standings.COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction lead the UCI Downhill World Cup team standings, although Canyon DH Racing reduced the Andorran team’s advantage to 48 points in Pal Arinsal. Vali Höll’s Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres sit a further three points back in third, while fourth-placed Specialized Gravity will still fancy their chances despite being 119 points in arrears – particularly if Bruni returns to action as soon as Les Gets, Haute Savoie.UCI ENDURO WORLD CUP: CONOLLY AND RODGERS WITHIN REACH WITH ONE ROUND TO GOBefore the Cross-country and Downhill double header in Les Gets, there’s the small matter of the UCI Enduro World Cup series finale in Morillon, Haute-Savoie. And after the last round in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald (Switzerland), both titles remain on the line in the French Alps.Ella Conolly continued her dominance of the women’s field in Switzerland, adding a third win of the series to put her within reach of defending her overall title. Her 170-point lead over Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) means the privateer needs to just finish sixth in Morillon to make it back-to-back series. Pugin is nailed on for second place whatever happens, while Raphaela Richter and Winnifred Goldsbury can still challenge Elly Hoskin for third.Lief Rodgers meanwhile is having a memorable second season in the Elite men’s class, and the Canadian privateer finds himself in first with an 82-point advantage over Adrien Dailly (Speed Project). Rodgers’ fortunes were boosted after then-series leader Alex Rudeau was disqualified in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald but with 250 points still up for grabs, it’s mathematically possible for anyone in the top six (including fourth-placed Rudeau) to overhaul Rodgers, who needs to finish on the podium to guarantee the title.In the Junior class, Hugo Marti Montessinos clinched the Men Junior class last time out in Aletsch Arena-Bellwald, while 25 points separate Nežka Libnik and Romy Williams (Speed Project) in the Women Junior.While privateers might lead the individual standings, in the UCI Enduro World Cup team standings, Speed Project capped off its dominant season by mathematically securing the overall team title with one round to spare. Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team remain second overall, while Abetone Vittoria Nencini Sport Factory Team completes the top three.

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