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

Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project) and privateer Ella Conolly delivered standout performances to claim UCI Enduro World Cup victories in La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta, following a spectacular day of racing in one of Enduro’s iconic destinations. Nestled in the Alps, La Thuile Bike World once again lived up to its reputation as a rider favourite, providing a dramatic backdrop for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.Set on the Italy–France border, the challenging Alpine venue featured 28.4 kilometres of racing across four stages, with almost 3,000 metres of descending. The day concluded with a unique spectacle: a 600-metre night stage, illuminated by 23 floodlights and featuring the fan-favourite rock garden, creating a memorable finale for riders and spectators alike.Giambi secured the first Men’s Elite UCI Enduro World Cup victory of his career thanks to a composed and consistent performance across the venue’s dusty, technically demanding trails. In the Women’s Elite competition, Conolly claimed her fifth UCI Enduro World Cup win, strengthening her bid for the overall title.The Junior races followed a familiar script, with overall series leaders Nežka Libnik and Hugo Marti Montessinos once again standing on the top step of the podium. In the teams classification, Speed Project continued their dominant season, securing a fourth consecutive victory to remain the benchmark squad in the series.GIAMBI MASTERS LA THUILE’S CHALLENGE TO TAKE MAIDEN UCI WORLD CUP VICTORYRaphaël Giambi claimed the first Men’s Elite UCI Enduro World Cup victory of his career with a masterclass in consistency and technical precision on the demanding trails of La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta.Defending overall champion Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) took to the start despite suffering a crash during practice the previous day, setting the stage for a fiercely contested race. Even on the opening stage, a near nine-minute test across exposed alpine terrain, the margins remained remarkably tight at the front of the field.Adrien Dailly (Speed Project) laid down an early marker, finishing 2.3 seconds quicker than Jt Fisher (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team), with Giambi a further two seconds adrift. Having finished runner-up in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes earlier this season, Giambi arrived determined to go one step better. He found his opportunity on the steep and technical 1.43-kilometre Belface stage, where he showcased his descending prowess to claim the stage win on a challenging mix of bike park features and wooded singletrack.Joe Millington posted the second-fastest time on the stage, with Łukasik third. Meanwhile, overall contenders Fisher and Alex Rudeau remained firmly in the hunt as the battle intensified. Dailly’s challenge, however, suffered a major setback when a puncture cost him 19 seconds and valuable ground in the overall standings.The notoriously demanding Cambogia test, a 3.58-kilometre stage packed with technical sections and little margin for error, proved decisive. Dailly responded impressively to his earlier misfortune, setting the benchmark time and finishing eight seconds clear of his nearest rival to reignite his podium hopes.Canadian rider Lief Rodgers clocked the second-fastest time, while Giambi limited his losses with the third-best stage result, 10 seconds back. Fisher conceded 15 seconds, while Łukasik dropped a further 23 seconds to his rivals in the overall battle.Giambi ensured there would be no late drama by also taking victory on the final stage, ahead of Dailly, who finished second, and William Bordie, who completed the stage podium a year after crashing out on La Thuile’s iconic night test.At the end of four demanding stages, Giambi secured the overall victory by five seconds over team-mate Dailly, delivering a one-two finish for Speed Project. Alex Rudeau rounded out the podium in third and strengthened his position at the top of the overall standings, where he now holds an 85-point advantage after four rounds.Following his victory, Giambi said: “It was a dream day for me. I was consistent from start to finish, avoided mistakes, and led after the first three stages. Heading into the night stage as the last rider on course was an incredible experience. It felt unreal, almost like I wasn’t riding anymore, just floating down the track.”CONOLLY STRENGTHENS TITLE BID WITH DOMINANT VICTORY IN LA THUILEElla Conolly claimed her second Women’s Elite UCI Enduro World Cup victory of the season with a commanding performance in La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta, pairing outright speed with remarkable consistency across the demanding Alpine terrain. The race was missing two of its expected contenders before it had even begun, with both Winnifred Goldsbury and Simona Kuchyňková (Cube Action Team) ruled out following crashes during practice.After finishing runner-up in Val di Fassa–Trentino a week earlier, where severe weather forced the cancellation of two key stages, Conolly arrived determined to make amends. The Briton wasted no time asserting herself, producing a dominant ride on the opening 4.42-kilometre Touraisse stage. Her aggressive yet controlled run through the loose, open terrain earned her a stunning stage victory by 13 seconds, immediately putting her rivals on the back foot.Fresh from her win in Val di Fassa–Trentino, Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) recovered well from an early mistake to finish second on the opening test, although she conceded valuable time to the race leader. Raphaela Richter completed the top three, keeping herself firmly in contention heading into the more technical stages.Reigning UCI Enduro World Champion Elly Hoskin found herself on the defensive after losing 18 seconds on the opening stage. Determined to respond, she attacked the steep and highly technical Belface stage, a 1.43-kilometre descent packed with 525 metres of vertical drop. The short but intense test rewarded both precision and commitment, and Hoskins delivered exactly that, edging out Conolly for the stage victory by just one second. Pugin remained within striking distance in third as the battle for the podium tightened.Pugin showcased her technical skill once again on the infamous Cambogia stage, a 3.58-kilometre test featuring steep rock gardens, wooded sections and high-speed descents. The French rider set the fastest time to reignite her challenge, but crucially managed to claw back only four seconds on overall leader Conolly.New Zealander George Swift impressed with the third-fastest stage time, while Hoskins endured a difficult run and lost 26 seconds, reopening the fight for the final podium place and allowing Richter to move back into contention.Hoskins bounced back by claiming victory on the spectacular floodlit final stage, but Richter stayed close, finishing just 1.8 seconds behind. Rebecca Baraona completed the stage podium in third as the crowd-lined night test delivered a dramatic conclusion to the weekend.Despite the late pressure, Conolly held firm to secure overall victory by seven seconds over Pugin. Richter completed the overall podium after edging Hoskins by a razor-thin one-tenth of a second. The result also strengthened Conolly’s grip on the UCI Enduro World Cup standings, extending her series lead to 70 points over Pugin as the two riders continue to emerge as the main protagonists in the fight for the overall title.Following her victory, Conolly said: “Nightfall is such a cool stage. Having such a huge crowd up there really gets you pumped up. I rode quite cautiously because I knew I had a small advantage, maybe even a little too cautiously as it ended up being pretty close. But it was an amazing way to finish the weekend. I’m taking it one round at a time and just focusing on giving everything every race weekend. My goal is simple: I want to fight for the win every time I line up.”LIBNIK AND MARTI MONTESSINOS EXTEND THEIR JUNIOR DOMINANCE IN LA THUILENežka Libnik continued her remarkable run of form by extending her winning streak in the Women’s Junior category. Fresh from a dominant victory in Val di Fassa–Trentino (Italy), where she claimed every stage win, the Slovenian once again set the benchmark in La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta.Libnik laid the foundations for victory on the opening 4.42-kilometre Touraisse stage, where she immediately opened up an advantage of more than 30 seconds over her rivals. The championship leader further strengthened her position on the demanding Cambogia test, extending her lead as the battle for the remaining podium places intensified. Bélinda Baudet established herself in second after gaining 26 seconds on Romy Williams (Speed Project), creating a clear gap in the fight for the runner-up spot.The final floodlit Nightfall stage saw the podium order remain unchanged, with Libnik completing a flawless weekend to secure overall victory by an impressive 1 minute 48 seconds over Baudet, while Williams finished a further minute adrift in third.Despite missing the opening round of the season, three consecutive victories have propelled Libnik to the top of the overall standings, where she now holds a 30-point lead.Following her victory in La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta, Libnik said: “It’s so special to come to places like this and be able to win. My goal is to race the remaining rounds and do my best to secure the overall title. The night stage was incredible, the atmosphere in the rock garden was amazing, with so many people cheering us on.”In the Men’s Junior race, overall leader Hugo Marti Montessinos arrived in La Thuile determined to bounce back after a crash last weekend denied him victory in Val di Fassa-Trentino. The French rider immediately signalled his intent by winning the opening Touraisse stage and carving out an advantage of almost five seconds over his rivals.Fellow French riders Tommy Bougon and Jules Janniaud emerged as his closest challengers, while the second stage produced one of the tightest battles of the weekend. Marti Montessinos edged out Guillaume Marmillon by a mere two hundredths of a second, with Bougon once again completing the top three.There was no stopping the championship leader on the demanding Cambogia stage, where he added another five seconds to his advantage. Janniaud mounted the strongest challenge, while Harper Nelmes recovered from a difficult start to the day to secure third on the stage.Bougon finally earned a stage victory on the spectacular Nightfall test, finishing ahead of Marmillon and Matej Šrail. With a comfortable advantage in hand, Marti Montessinos was able to manage his effort through the floodlit finale and seal overall victory by 15 seconds, with Janniaud finishing second and Bougon rounding out the podium in third.After claiming three victories in the opening four rounds, Marti Montessinos has strengthened his grip on the championship and now leads the overall standings by 80 points. Following his victory, he said: “The final stage at night was really exciting. There were so many spectators around the rock garden, which is one of the toughest sections of the course. Racing at night is something completely different, and we had a lot of fun out there.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues on Sunday in La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta, where UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup riders will tackle the venue’s demanding course for the first time. The series then heads to Pal Arinsal, Andorra (10–12 July), where both endurance and downhill racing return to centre stage. Enduro competitors will resume their campaign the following weekend with a two-day challenge at Aletsch Arena–Bellwald, Switzerland (17–19 July).

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series arrived in the Italian alpine town of La Thuile, where dry conditions left the course increasingly dusty and unpredictable throughout the day. The demanding downhill track provided a true test of nerve and skill, plunging 641 metres over 2.3 kilometres with an average gradient of -27%.Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) claimed the second Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory of his career with a fearless run that secured victory by less than a second. The triumph ended a lengthy wait for the British rider, whose previous UCI World Cup win came in Lenzerheide in 2023. In the Women’s Elite race, Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) delivered another commanding performance, securing the 15th UCI Downhill World Cup win of her illustrious career.In the junior categories, Kasper Hickman (Cube Factory Racing) celebrated a breakthrough victory with his first Men’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup win, while Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) produced a dominant display to take top honours in the Women’s Junior race.Höll also led Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres to the mixed team event honours. Meanwhile, COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction lead the overall standings by 56 points.WILLIAMS’ LONG-AWAITED RETURN TO UCI WORLD CUP GLORYJordan Williams brought an end to a 1,107-day wait for a UCI Downhill World Cup victory with a fearless ride down LTHell – La Thuile Hell. The 21-year-old had already topped qualifying and found another level in the finals, attacking the demanding course to post a winning time of 3:25.767.Williams arrived in La Thuile playing second fiddle to Specialized Gravity team-mate Finn Iles, who led the overall standings after back-to-back victories. However, while Iles could only manage 20th place on the challenging Italian track, Williams stepped up to continue the team's winning streak. It was also a difficult weekend for overall contender Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction), who battled illness throughout the event and finished seventh.The dry conditions and rapidly changing berms on the La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta course caught out numerous riders as they pushed the limits in search of speed. Yet Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) looked determined to deliver a memorable result for the United States on the Fourth of July. After losing time in the fastest section near the top of the track, he excelled through the technical lower slopes to set the benchmark with a time of 3:26.728.Defending La Thuile winner Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) produced his strongest performance of the season. The Canadian carved creative lines through the wooded sections and finished just four-tenths of a second behind Vermette in third. The result marked a welcome return to the podium for Goldstone and his 12th Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup podium from just 23 career starts.Privateer Ángel Suárez Alonso, who had qualified second fastest the previous day, was among the riders caught out by the unforgiving slopes of LTHell – La Thuile Hell, suffering a crash during his finals run.At the front, Williams appeared to be riding on the edge throughout his descent. A dramatic moment in the final corner almost brought his challenge undone, but he somehow kept the bike upright to snatch victory by nine-tenths of a second.The race has further tightened the battle for the overall title, with just 65 points separating the top four riders after five rounds. Despite his seventh-place finish, Pierron retains the series lead.Reflecting on his victory, Williams said: “That was so insane. I risked my life the whole way down, I just went for it. The track is awesome and the bike is working super well; the grip I had up there was next level. It feels so good to win. Sometimes you feel like it’s never going to happen again. I had a pretty rough winter and broke my collarbone. I knew I was on a pretty good run, and I needed to keep pushing all the way. The back wheel slid and I thought I was going down. Somehow, I managed to hold on and cross the line. I was stoked.”HÖLL DENIES BAUMANN MAIDEN UCI WORLD CUP WIN IN LA THUILE THRILLERValentina Höll spearheaded a dominant one-two finish for Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres, edging team-mate Lisa Baumann by just two tenths of a second in a thrilling Women’s Elite final. The reigning UCI Downhill World Champion bounced back in style after a 10th place finish in Lenzerheide, returning to the top step of the podium with another display of composure and speed.The pair had already stamped their authority on the weekend by securing the top two spots in qualifying, although both left room for improvement on the dusty and ever-evolving La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta track. When it mattered most, they delivered.The Women’s Elite field was missing several big names. Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) was absent after announcing she would take time away from competition to recover from the injuries that have hampered her season. Meanwhile, recent Lenzerheide winner Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP) failed to qualify for the finals, as did Phoebe Gale (Orbea FMD Racing) and Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing).With confidence growing and conditions remaining fast despite the loose surface, the finals saw times tumble dramatically. In a sign of the level on display, the top seven riders all bettered the fastest qualifying time from the previous day. Sacha Earnest (Trek – Unbroken DH) set the benchmark with an outstanding run of 3:58.942, becoming the first Women’s Elite rider of the weekend to break the four-minute barrier. Fellow New Zealander Jess Blewitt (Scott Downhill Factory) slotted in just over a second behind as attention turned to the final contenders.Baumann, still chasing a maiden Women’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory after claiming two podium finishes this season, looked set to secure a breakthrough win. The Swiss rider delivered a near-perfect run, moving into the lead by the slimmest of margins, just one tenth of a second ahead of Earnest. But last out of the gate was Höll, and the Austrian once again rose to the occasion. Carrying more speed through the wooded sections and maintaining her rhythm across the demanding lower half of the course, she stopped the clock two tenths of a second quicker than her team-mate to clinch victory and complete a Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres one-two.The result extends Höll’s lead over Baumann in the overall standings to 363 points at the halfway stage of the season, further strengthening her grip on the race for the overall title.After securing her 15th UCI Downhill World Cup victory, Höll said: “It was so hard to push; the track is so demanding and physical. I really didn’t have enough confidence today after practice. I wish Lisa [Baumann] would have won, it was so close. It’s so cool to share a podium with my team-mate. It was super tight this time and maybe next time she’ll get me. It was all about commitment. You have to enter sections quicker than you think you should. You have to trust the berms, push, and hope for the best.”HICKMAN AND OSTGAARD SHINE IN JUNIOR FINALSKasper Hickman (CUBE Factory Racing) delivered a landmark performance in the Men’s Junior competition, claiming his maiden UCI Downhill World Cup victory and becoming the first Finnish rider ever to win a Men’s Junior UCI World Cup round in the gravity format. Having secured a career-best third place in Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland (Austria) last month, the young rider took another significant step forward by mastering the demanding slopes of LTHell – La Thuile Hell.Hickman dominated from start to finish, setting the fastest time in every sector on his way to a winning run of 3:32.179. His commanding performance left him nearly three seconds clear of the rest of the field. Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton) emerged best of the chasing pack to take second place, while Sacha Gabriel Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) completed the podium in third.The race proved costly for overall leader Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team). After crashing in practice, the New Zealander could only qualify 17th and endured further misfortune in the finals when a puncture compromised his run, leaving him in the same position. Despite the setback, Williamson retains the overall lead after five rounds, holding an 83-point advantage over Brizin.Reflecting on his breakthrough victory, Hickman said: “It’s incredible, I’m super stoked with that. I made one little mistake, but that’s the best I could have done today. I can’t complain. I’m happy to make it down in a good time.”In the Women’s Junior category, Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) continued her impressive season by claiming her second UCI Downhill World Cup victory of the year. The American, who also triumphed at MONA Yongpyong (South Korea) produced a superb run of 3:59.6 to finish four seconds clear of her nearest rival.Lina Frener (Norco Race Division) arrived in La Thuile on the back of consecutive UCI World Cup victories but was unable to extend her winning streak, settling for second place. Cassandre Peizerat completed the podium in third.The result further intensifies the battle for the overall title. Ostgaard now leads the standings by just 15 points over Frener, while Rosa Marie Jensen (Specialized Gravity) remains firmly in contention as the season heads into its second half.After her victory, Ostgaard said: “I’m really happy because my riding has been so good lately. I’ve been pushing so hard and the competition is incredibly strong, so to see it finally pay off feels amazing. It’s the Fourth of July, so it’s a special day for me. I’m just stoked to have put together a good run. I love this place. I got my first win here, so it will always have a special place in my heart.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues in La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta on Sunday 5 July, where endurance riders will take on a brand-new course for the UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup. Meanwhile, the UCI Downhill World Cup moves on to Pal Arinsal (Andorra), for the next round of the season.

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Alps, La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta welcomed the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series to the Italy–France border for a gruelling test of endurance. Making its debut on the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup calendar, the venue challenged riders with a compact yet explosive 714-metre course, featuring two steep ascents at 1,500 metres above sea level. Dry, dusty conditions and technical descents further amplified the challenge, setting the stage for a thrilling day of racing across all categories.Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) took his second Men’s Elite UCI XCC World Cup win of the season after overcoming fellow Frenchman Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) in a last lap tussle.In similar fashion, Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) charged clear of challenger Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) to win her first Women’s Elite UCI XCC World Cup race of the season.Meanwhile, there were familiar names at the top of the under-23 podiums as Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) and Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) increased their overall leads. BOICHIS OVERCOMES CANNONDALE CHALLENGE TO TAKE VICTORY Adrien Boichis rose to the occasion in a thrilling battle with Cannondale Factory Racing duo Luca Martin and Charlie Aldridge. The race turned on the penultimate lap when Aldridge clipped wheels with his teammate and crashed, leaving Martin as Boichis’ sole remaining rival. Sensing his opportunity, the Frenchman unleashed a decisive attack on the final lap, breaking clear to secure the win.There was notable absentees on the starting line with Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) out with a fractured fibula suffered during a training ride and Martín Vidaurre (Specialized Factory Racing) also failing to take the start after crashing in practice.The race exploded from the gun as the riders sprinted up the opening gravel climb determined to reach the first technical section in prime position. Aldridge won the dash to the front, forming part of a select group of seven riders that quickly opened a gap. Further back, overall series leader Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) saw his hopes dented when he crashed in the rock garden, conceding crucial seconds to the front group.Cannondale Factory Racing held the upper hand in the early stages, with Martin and Aldridge firmly established at the head of the race. The lead group swelled around the halfway mark as the chasing riders reeled them in, while Boichis and Aldridge exchanged blows in a thrilling contest for control. But La Thuile’s loose and unforgiving terrain continued to take its toll, with home hero Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) slipping out of contention after a costly mistake.The race’s defining moment came on the penultimate lap when Cannondale Factory Racing teammates tangled while attempting to contain Boichis’ relentless pressure, leaving Aldridge on the ground. With Martin now the sole Cannondale rider at the front, Boichis seized his opportunity, unleashing his final-lap attack. Aldridge fought back admirably to claim third, narrowly beating Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) to the final podium spot. Despite earlier crashes, both Azzaro and Avondetto recovered strongly to secure top-10 finishes and valuable points in the overall standings.Azzaro’s recovery to finish eighth ensured that he remains leader of the UCI XCC World Cup, just 55 points ahead of Boichis.Reflecting on his victory, the Frenchman said: “I don’t know why, but I just wanted to make it hard. It’s a beautiful place and a really nice track for Short Track. Luca [Martin] is in incredible form, and it was great to race against him. We’ve known each other for a long time, so to be up there battling together was something special.”RISSVEDS THRIVES ON NATURAL TRAILS WITH LATE CHARGEJenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) produced a perfectly timed late attack to deny Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and claim her first UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup victory of the season.The steep climbs and technical descents of La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta created a demanding test that quickly separated the strongest riders from the rest of the field. It was Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing) who suffered the first setback of the race, unclipping on the opening lap and losing valuable positions. Meanwhile, the combination of a technical rock garden descent and a tight switchback climb immediately fractured the field, with six riders breaking clear on the opening lap.Fresh from her UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup victory in Lenzerheide, Rissveds set the pace at the front during the early stages. Behind her, Blöchlinger mounted an impressive recovery, using her climbing strength to fight her way back into contention.As the race intensified, Rissveds' relentless tempo and descending prowess began to take their toll. By the halfway point, the Swedish rider had reduced the lead group to just three riders, pulling clear alongside Frei and Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon).Not to be denied a place in the fight for the podium, Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) gradually worked her way back to the leaders and rejoined the front group. On the penultimate lap, Rissveds launched a fierce acceleration on the climb, with only Frei able to match her pace.The leading pair started the final lap with a seven-second advantage over the chasers. Frei struck first, attacking on the steep climb above the start area as the two rivals raced wheel-to-wheel. But Rissveds had the final word, producing a decisive move on the course’s steep switchback ascent. The reigning UCI XCC European Champion opened a small gap and held it all the way to the finish, taking victory ahead of Frei, while Blunk secured third place. Although disappointed to miss out on the win, Frei strengthened her grip on the overall standings and now holds a commanding 170-point lead after five rounds of the UCI XCC World Cup.Reflecting on her victory, Rissveds said: “It feels great. I really love it here. The surroundings are incredible and the course is so good. I really appreciate the natural trails, it’s proper mountain biking and that’s really cool. It’s also been great to see Sina [Frei] step up this season. She’s racing at an incredibly high level and it’s exciting to battle against riders who are that strong.” The Women’s Elite race also marked the welcome return of reigning UCI XCC World Champion Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC), who was back in action after recovering from concussion and enjoyed an encouraging comeback with a top-10 finish. CORVI AND SCHEHL TAKE UNDER-23 WINS Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) gave the home fans plenty to celebrate by becoming the first rider to win a UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup race at La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta.Having already claimed three UCI World Cup victories this season, all in the Olympic discipline, the Italian arrived in La Thuile in outstanding form. Fresh from a runner-up finish in the XCC at Lenzerheide, Corvi carried that confidence onto home soil and quickly asserted herself at the front of the race.Taking the lead after eight minutes of racing, the Canyon XC Racing rider used the course’s demanding climbs to steadily build an advantage over her rivals. Even a mid-race mechanical failed to derail her charge. Staying composed, Corvi quickly re-established her lead before cruising to the finish line with a commanding 18-second margin of victory.Bloeme Kalis (KMC Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) chased hard but had to settle for second place, while Monique Halter (Thömus Akros – Youngstars) completed the podium in third. After five rounds, Corvi now leads the overall UCI XCC World Cup standings by 54 points.Reflecting on her victory, she said: “It was really hard. The track is super steep on the climbs, very physical, and the pace was really high today. I tried to stick to my own rhythm and realised I was gaining time on both the climbs and the descents. When I had a mechanical issue in the middle of the race, I stayed calm, got going again and focused on my own race. I’m super happy with how I felt today.”Meanwhile, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) continued his dominance in the Men’s U23 category, securing a fourth consecutive UCI XCC World Cup victory with another commanding display.As has become a familiar storyline this season, Schehl was once again joined at the front by rival Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing). The pair set the pace throughout the race before the German made his decisive move on the final lap. Showing his trademark power, Schehl opened a winning gap to take victory ahead of Baudry, while Nicolas Halter (Thömus Akros – Youngstars) rounded out the podium in third.The result further strengthened Schehl’s grip on the overall standings, extending his advantage to 115 points after five rounds.Following his victory, he said: “My plan was to stay at the front because of the dust, and I managed to do that from the start. I kept the pace high, but in a way that suited me. I felt strong throughout the race and started to increase the pace with three laps to go, hoping to catch everyone by surprise. I could see Thibaut [François Baudry] still on my wheel, so on the final lap I gave absolutely everything. It worked perfectly. I really enjoy racing against Thibaut and having that rivalry with him.”The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues at La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta on Saturday, when gravity riders take centre stage with the UCI Enduro World Cup and UCI Downhill World Cup. The endurance athletes return to action on Sunday for the venue’s first-ever UCI XCO World Cup. Discover the full schedule and where to watch here.