UCI XCO World Cup - Season Review: Jenny Rissveds and Luca Martin Rise to the Top

The 2026 UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup titles were decided by season-long battles, with neither champion able to establish a comfortable grip on the overall until the closing rounds.Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) went toe-to-toe with Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) throughout the campaign, while Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) faced sustained challenges from fellow Frenchmen Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division). Momentum shifted repeatedly, leaving both title fights finely poised as the season approached its conclusion.The struggles of defending champions Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) and Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC), who missed rounds through injury and were unable to maintain their usual form, created an opportunity for new names to rise. But Frei and Martin still had to fight every step of the way before emerging as first-time UCI XCC World Cup overall winners.MARTIN TURNS CONSISTENCY INTO MAIDEN XCC OVERALL TITLE Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) ended 2025 in flying form, winning the final UCI XCC World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Québec, Canada) to finish runner-up in the overall standings. The Frenchman carried that momentum into 2026, producing the consistent campaign needed to go one better and claim his first UCI XCC World Cup overall title.His season did not begin as planned. A mid-race flat tyre forced Martin to record a DNF at the opening XCC race in MONA YongPyong (South Korea), before a sixth-place finish in Nové Město na Moravě (Czechia) offered the first signs that his challenge was gathering pace.Martin found his rhythm in Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland (Austria), recovering from a crash on a descent to charge back through the field and secure third place. He followed that result with second in Lenzerheide (Switzerland), finishing behind compatriot Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) as Boichis celebrated his first UCI XCC World Cup victory. The same result followed in La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta (Italy), where Martin was once again runner-up to his fellow Frenchman.A fourth-place finish at the high-altitude round in Pal Arinsal – Andorra left Martin narrowly outside the podium and allowed Boichis to take control of the overall standings heading into the six-week summer break, with Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) sitting second.When racing resumed in Les Gets – Haute-Savoie (France), Martin returned in strong form but once again had to settle for second behind Boichis, who strengthened his grip on the overall lead. With only two rounds remaining, Martin’s chances of taking the title appeared to be fading.However, Boichis’ decision not to contest the final North American leg blew the battle wide open. Martin immediately capitalised, taking another second place in Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA) to move into the overall lead and set up a final-round showdown with Azzaro.Martin arrived at the Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA) with a 96-point advantage, meaning Azzaro needed to win while Martin finished outside the podium places to overturn the deficit. The suspense ended before racing began when Azzaro withdrew from the weekend, but Martin still closed out his campaign with fourth place, securing his first UCI XCC World Cup overall title and completing his rise from 2025 runner-up to 2026 champion. Martin completed the double by also securing the UCI XCO World Cup overall title that weekend. It capped a landmark season for the Frenchman, who also secured the UCI XCO World Cup overall title to complete an impressive double.With both titles secured, Martin will begin a new chapter in 2027, joining Decathlon Ford Racing Team and racing aboard VAN RYSEL’s debut mountain bike, the RCR-XC, with the cycling brand serving as the team’s official bike and apparel supplier.FREI EDGES RISSVEDS AFTER SEASON-LONG FIGHT FOR THE TITLE Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) ended the 2024 season in impressive form with two XCC victories but endured a difficult 2025 campaign without recording a single podium finish. She returned in 2026 with a point to prove and made the perfect start, winning the opening round in MONA YongPyong to claim her first victory in the format since the 2024 season finale in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada).After finishing fifth in Nové Město na Moravě, Frei quickly returned to winning ways in Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland, taking her second victory from the opening three rounds and strengthening her early grip on the overall standings.However, finishes of sixth in Lenzerheide, second in La Thuile and eighth in Pal Arinsal saw her advantage begin to narrow. Frei’s closest challenger, Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing), won the latter two rounds to cut the gap at the top of the standings to just 30 points and set up a compelling title fight heading into the six-week summer break.Frei regained the momentum when racing resumed in Les Gets, taking her third victory of the season as Rissveds had to settle for second. The Swiss rider then finished third in Soldier Hollow, while Rissveds could only manage fifth, giving Frei a valuable advantage ahead of the final round.At the Lake Placid Olympic Sites, Rissveds once again crossed the line in second, but Frei remained close behind in third. That result was enough for the Swiss rider to prevail in their season-long battle and secure the UCI XCC World Cup overall title by just 60 points.CORVI AND SCHEHL CROWNED U23 WINNERSIn the U23 field, two riders dominated proceedings with an impressive string of UCI World Cup wins between them.In the women’s Under 23 category, Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) opened her season with podium finishes in South Korea and Czechia. After missing the podium in Austria, the Italian hit an outstanding run of form, claiming runner-up in Lenzerheide followed by three consecutive XCC victories from La Thuile to Les Gets.That commanding mid-season streak gave Corvi enough of a cushion to finish outside the podium places at the final two rounds and still secure the overall title by more than 100 points.In the men’s Under 23 category, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) was almost unstoppable from the outset, making his final U23 season one to remember before his move to the Elite ranks in 2027. After opening his campaign with third place in South Korea, the German produced an incredible run of five back-to-back XCC victories from Nové Město na Moravě to Pal Arinsal. A runner-up finish in Les Gets and two results outside the podium places in North America did little to threaten his commanding advantage, as Schehl secured the overall title by more than 200 points ahead of Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing).The 2026 UCI XCC World Cup ultimately proved a test of consistency, resilience and speed, with the battle for points playing out across a demanding season. With four overall winners crowned across the Elite and U23 categories, the campaign once again demonstrated the depth of talent and fiercely competitive nature of short track racing, one of the most explosive showcases of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.

VAN RYSEL will enter the mountain bike world in 2027 with the RCR-XC, its first bike developed to compete at the highest level of cross-country racing.The new bike will make its WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series debut with Decathlon Ford Racing Team, with VAN RYSEL becoming the team’s official bike and apparel supplier from the 2027 season. It will be raced by a world-class roster that includes 2026 UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup overall winner Luca Martin, 2025 UCI XCO World Cup overall winner Samara Maxwell, UCI World Cup winner Savilia Blunk and 2026 UCI World Championships bronze medallist Cole Punchard.The launch marks the next chapter for the French brand, based in Lille, which has spent several months building a dedicated mountain bike operation. This includes recruiting established talent from across the discipline and forming a research and development team based in the French Alps.Behind the scenes, VAN RYSEL’s engineers and product managers have been developing an entirely new range of products, applying the expertise gained through the brand’s road programme to the demands of modern cross-country racing, with the objective of creating a bike capable of winning the sport’s biggest races.Beginning with an in-depth review of data collected since the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the development team examined the demands of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series circuit before focusing on three key areas: speed, power and time. These findings shaped the foundations of VAN RYSEL’s first mountain bike.Its partnership with Decathlon Ford Racing Team will provide the ultimate test, placing the RCR-XC on the start line at the highest level of the sport throughout the 2027 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series season. With some of the world’s leading cross-country riders putting the bike through its paces on the sport’s most demanding courses, every race will offer an opportunity to validate, refine and push the project forward.For VAN RYSEL, the move into mountain biking is more than the launch of a new bike. It represents the start of a new chapter for the brand and an ambitious commitment to cross-country racing, with the RCR-XC ready to make its mark on the world stage from its very first season.

The final endurance race of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series brought riders to the spectacular Lake Placid Olympic Sites, with the action centred around Mt Van Hoevenberg. A fast, punchy course packed with rock gardens and breathtaking descents, set against the golden light and autumn colours of the Adirondacks, delivered tight group racing and thrilling finishes across the categories.After a gruelling season, the final round provided one last physical test for tired bodies and a stern challenge for equipment, with punctures derailing the hopes of several riders.Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) and Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) held their nerve to claim sprint victories in the concluding round of this year’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup. Meanwhile, Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) and Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) were rewarded for their consistency across the season with the overall titles.The Under-23 races brought fresh faces to the top step of the podium, as Naël Rouffiac (Origine Racing Division) and Fiona Schibler (Bike Team Solothurn) celebrated maiden UCI World Cup victories. Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) and Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team), meanwhile, capped off impressive seasons by securing the overall titles.Cannondale Factory Racing rounded out a stellar weekend with third place in the Team standings, while Specialized Factory Racing secured the overall team title, lifting The Summit, the first-ever UCI Mountain Bike World Cup team trophy, after winning every round of the season bar the finale.ALDRIDGE AND MARTIN DELIVER A DREAM FAREWELL FOR CANNONDALECharlie Aldridge held his nerve in a thrilling sprint finish to edge out Filippo Colombo (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) and claim victory in the Men’s Elite UCI XCO World Cup season finale.With Cannondale Factory Racing set to disband at the end of the season, its riders rose to the occasion in their final outing. Aldridge claimed his second UCI XCO World Cup victory, 12 months after taking his maiden win at the 2025 season finale in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada). Team-mate Luca Martin completed a memorable farewell for the team by securing the overall titles in both XCC and XCO.Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) missed both North American rounds due to road racing commitments but retained second place in the overall standings. Third place, however, was still up for grabs heading into the finale, with the battle going all the way to the last lap.The rough terrain took its toll on riders and equipment throughout an incident-packed race. Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) saw his hopes of securing third overall come to an end after a difficult race that he was unable to finish. With Boichis absent, Martín Vidaurre Kossmann carried Specialized Factory Racing’s hopes in a leading group that gradually whittled down as the decisive final lap approached.Aldridge was determined to control proceedings from the front as the leaders charged up the Mt Van Hoevenberg hillside, but Colombo had other ideas. The Swiss rider squeezed through the smallest of gaps before powering through the rock garden to take the initiative.Aldridge, however, had one final move. Taking an alternative line, the Cannondale Factory Racing rider regained the lead heading into the final section before launching a long sprint for the line. Colombo drew alongside him on the asphalt finishing straight, but Aldridge dug deep to hold on for victory, with Colombo second and Kossmann completing the podium in third.Following his victory, Aldridge said: “I finally won a sprint! I’ve gone too early, I’ve gone too late, and this time it was perfect. What a way to finish the year. It’s the last race for Cannondale Factory Racing, so it feels great to end on a high.”Meanwhile, Martin wrapped up the overall title with a 380-point advantage over Boichis in second, with Kossmann taking third overall. Martin said: “It’s so good to be on the podium, and taking the overall is really special. It’s the last day for this team, and we finished on such a high. Having three riders in the top five shows what a great day it was for us. It was pretty tough for me, but I’m really happy with the way it ended.”FREI EDGES BERTA IN THRILLER AS RISSVEDS SECURES AN HISTORIC TITLESina Frei held on by the narrowest of margins to edge Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) in a thrilling sprint finish, while Jenny Rissveds did enough to secure the overall title.Berta arrived at the season finale as the rider in form, having completed the XCO-XCC double in Soldier Hollow, Utah (USA) two weeks earlier. Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), meanwhile, continued her return to form after missing the start of the season. Despite being held up and forced to dismount through the rock garden on the opening lap, Maxwell fought her way back into the leading group.The technical Lake Placid Olympic Sites course proved unforgiving for both riders and equipment. Rebecca Henderson (Orbea FOX Factory Team), competing in her final UCI XCO World Cup, suffered a mechanical, with Loana Lecomte (BMC Factory Racing) also seeing her race hampered by mechanical trouble. Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing), meanwhile, saw her hopes ended by a crash in the rock garden.Overall leader Rissveds was unable to reproduce the form that had taken her to three UCI XCO World Cup victories this season and gradually slipped back through the field but remained on course to secure the overall crown.At the front, Frei took control as the race entered its decisive final lap. When Berta became tangled with Maxwell, the Specialized Factory Racing rider appeared to have opened the gap she needed. But Berta refused to let the victory slip away, charging back on the descent and putting herself within striking distance for the sprint to the line.Berta launched one final charge, but Frei had just enough left to hold her off and claim her third UCI XCO World Cup victory of the season.Following her victory, Frei said: “Starting the season with a win and finishing it with a win is incredible. I was sprinting full gas and I could see Martina’s wheel coming. I just pushed the bike towards the line, and I’m so happy it worked. Winning in the World Champion’s jersey is incredible. My first World Cup win came in the team jersey, the second in the European Champion’s jersey, and now the third in the World Champion’s jersey. I just knew I had to push over the top of the climbs, then let the brakes go and try to close the gaps on the descents.”Meanwhile, an 11th place finish was enough for Rissveds to secure the overall title, becoming the first Swedish athlete to win the UCI XCO World Cup. After securing the overall title, Rissveds said: “It’s really nice. The level is incredibly high at the moment, and compared to last year it’s much faster. The racing is a lot tighter. The other teams have done their homework over the winter, and that’s what we have to do to keep up with them in the coming years.”SCHIBLER STORMS TO FIRST UCI WORLD CUP WIN AS CORVI TAKES THE CROWN Fiona Schibler (Bike Team Solothurn) delivered a composed performance beyond her years to claim her maiden Women’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup victory.Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) arrived at the season finale with an unassailable lead in the overall standings, having won seven of the eight UCI XCO World Cup rounds. However, a heavy crash in the previous day’s UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup ruled the Italian out of the final race of the season. Her absence opened the door for a new winner, with Katrin Embacher (KTM Factory MTB Team) the only other rider in the category to have claimed a UCI XCO World Cup victory this season.Schibler endured a difficult start, losing 15 seconds on the opening lap, but kept her composure and steadily worked her way back into contention. By the second lap, the Swiss rider had bridged across to compatriots Monique Halter (Thömus maxon) and Anina Hutter at the front of the race. Lisa Kristine Jorde and Canadian Rafaelle Carrier (Trinity Racing) were also part of the early leading group as an intriguing battle began to unfold.Schibler made her decisive move midway through the race, lifting the pace and quickly opening a gap that her rivals were unable to close. Behind, the battle for the remaining podium places went down to the final lap, with Jorde finishing strongly to secure second, just four seconds ahead of Hutter in third.Despite missing the race, Corvi’s commanding advantage was enough to secure the overall title by 433 points. Schibler’s victory elevated her to second in the final standings, with Jorde completing the overall podium in third.Speaking after her maiden UCI XCO World Cup victory, Schibler said: “It means a lot to me. To win the last race of the season is so special. I had a really bad start and was far behind, so I had to give it everything. Lap after lap, I found my rhythm and flow, and it was so cool to ride here. I knew today was really important for the overall because it was so tight behind Valentina [Corvi]. I knew I just had to go for it.”Overall winner Corvi added: “It was strange to be out today. It was the best choice considering how I felt this morning. I’m happy to win the overall. It wasn’t the way I wanted to close out the season, but sometimes it’s like this.”ROUFFIAC CLAIMS MAIDEN WIN AS SCHEHL CELEBRATES OVERALL TITLENaël Rouffiac (Origine Racing Division) clinched his maiden Men’s Under-23 UCI XCO World Cup victory, after overcoming Benjamin Krüger in a sprint finish. The UCI XCO World Champion in the age category finished runner-up two weeks ago in Soldier Hollow.He was joined in a four-rider leading group with overall series winner Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team), Krüger and Alix André Gallis (Decathlon Ford Racing Team). Disaster struck for Schehl at the midway point when a crash resulted in a broken wheel and a change dropping him down the order.The penultimate lap saw Rouffiac and Krüger pull clear of Gallis as they battled out for victory. It was the Origine Racing Division rider who prevailed, while Krüger was edged into second and Gallis third.Speaking following his win Rouffiac said: “I’m so happy. To finish the season like this with the jersey is incredible. I felt good today and managed to stay at the front with the strong riders. Benjamin [Krüger] was really strong and we pushed hard on the last lap. I’m not a big sprinter, but I was on his wheel and managed to take the win in the sprint”.Meanwhile, Schehl battled back to finish 33rd and won the overall title, ahead of Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon CX Racing) in second and Nicholas Halter (Thömus Akros-Youngstars) third.Schehl said: “I crashed and broke some spokes, so I had to change wheels. I didn’t want to give up, so I kept going at my own pace. I felt really strong today, but I made a mistake and it wasn’t the way I wanted to end the season. Still, looking back, I’m really happy with what I achieved this year.”The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series concludes at Whiteface Mountain on Sunday with downhill riders bringing a close to the season. Ryan Pinkerton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) and Lisa Bouladou (Santa Cruz Burgtec By Goodman) will be the last riders out of the gate, as Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) and Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) prepare for a decisive Men’s Elite overall title showdown. Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) and Noé Forlin lead the Junior charge. Read the qualifhing teport here.