Van der Poel's Comeback Headlines Blockbuster WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Weekend in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie

Lisa Bouladou (Santa Cruz Burgtec By Goodman) and Luke Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team DH) went all-in to claim victory in the UCI Downhill World Cup season finale at Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA), while Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) and Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) secured the coveted overall titles.At just 19 years old, rookie Vermette delighted the home crowd by becoming only the second American to claim the Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup overall, following a dramatic final weekend of racing.Whiteface Mountain provided a spectacular autumnal backdrop as the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series reached its conclusion. The two-kilometer, machine-built downhill course evolved throughout the weekend, with wet conditions earlier in the week giving way to a progressively drier and faster track. Technical wooded sections combined with high-speed open terrain to deliver a demanding test of skill, precision and nerve.Bouladou produced a fearless run to claim her maiden Women’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory, denying Höll a historic seventh win of the season. In the men’s race, Meier-Smith repeated his triumph at the same venue 12 months earlier to secure the second UCI Downhill World Cup victory of his career.There were maiden winners in the Junior categories too, as Ryder Wilson (Team High Country) and Tilly Boadle (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) celebrated their first UCI World Cup victories. The overall titles had already been secured by Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) and Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing).The Team standings went down to the wire in the final round, with Canyon DH Racing taking the Lake Placid victory on 73 points after finishing level on points with COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction. Across the season, however, COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction proved the most consistent, securing the overall Team title.VERMETTE MAKES HISTORY AS MEIER-SMITH DOUBLES UP IN LAKE PLACIDLuke Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team DH) made it back-to-back victories at Lake Placid, winning the Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup for a second consecutive season. Meanwhile, rookie Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) became only the second rider in history to claim the Men’s Elite overall title in his debut season, following in the footsteps of French legend Nicolas Vouilloz.Vermette was made to work for the crown, holding off a final-round challenge from Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) after a dramatic conclusion to the season.Heading into the weekend, the overall title was a three-way battle between Vermette, Williams and Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction). The pressure showed during qualifying, with Pierron crashing twice and failing to progress to the final, ending his hopes of the overall title, while Vermette was forced to battle his way through Q2.UCI Downhill World Champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) was another big name left watching the final from the sidelines after also going out in Q2. With Pierron eliminated, all eyes were on Vermette as the 19-year-old looked to lay down a benchmark time and put himself in position to secure the overall crown.Despite struggling through the opening technical section, the American fought back strongly and recorded the fastest speed of the day, clocking 72km/h through the speed trap. Vermette’s time was eventually good enough for eighth place and, with title rival Williams finishing sixth, the Frameworks Racing/TRP rider had done enough to be crowned overall winner.Meier-Smith had hoped his maiden UCI Downhill World Cup victory at Lake Placid 12 months earlier would prove a breakthrough moment. However, the Australian endured a challenging 2026 campaign, arriving at the final round with just one top 10 finish to his name. Back on a Whiteface Mountain course that clearly plays to his strengths, Meier-Smith rediscovered his best form, powering to victory in 3:08.38.Andreas Kolb (Santa Cruz Syndicate) mastered the second half of the course to repeat his runner-up finish from Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France), earlier in the season, finishing 1.3 seconds behind Meier-Smith.Ryan Pinkerton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) had qualified fastest the previous day but was unable to start after crashing during the morning practice session. In his absence, Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Trek – Unbroken DH) was the final rider out of the start gate and produced a strong closing section to snatch third place.Following his victory, Meier-Smith said: “It’s crazy. It hasn’t really been the season I had been hoping for. To turn it around at the end and get another win here is just insane. I was getting a little bit of doubt in my head, not sure if I could do it again. But I just gave it my all. I didn’t have anything left at the bottom. I think that made the difference.“For me, it’s the best track. Coming from Australia, we have a lot of tracks that are pretty flat and physical. You’ve got to carry your own speed and not just manage it. That’s sort of my strength, and I think this track has that pretty well. I think that’s what makes the difference for me here.”Vermette finished the season at the top of the overall standings with 1,442 points, 66 ahead of Williams in second, with Pierron completing the top three.Reflecting on his achievement, Vermette said: “It’s insane. I dreamed of it at the beginning of the season, so for it to happen is crazy. It has been a crazy season, with ups and downs. I don’t really have any words.”On the nerves before his final run, Vermette added: “My head was spinning. Before I dropped in, I was just like, ‘Just ride your bike.’ It was so hard to lock in with all those nerves. I was riding tight, but I was glad it was good enough to get down.”BOULADOU DENIES HÖLL HISTORY WITH MAIDEN LAKE PLACID VICTORYLisa Bouladou (Santa Cruz Burgtec By Goodman) saved her best for last, producing a fearless run in the season finale to claim her maiden Women’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory. The 21-year-old had already shown her form one week earlier at Whistler Mountain Bike Park (British Columbia, Canada), where she qualified fastest before securing a career-best third place.The French rider again topped qualifying in Lake Placid before going one better when it mattered most, setting a winning time of 3:36.03. Her victory denied UCI Downhill World Champion Valentina Höll the chance to make history in the final round. A seventh victory of the season would have seen Höll equal the record held by Anne-Caroline Chausson and Rachel Atherton for the most wins in a single season.Starting second from last, the Austrian looked in formidable form as she flew through the technical sections of the Whiteface Mountain course. However, a strong headwind over the final jumps visibly disrupted her momentum, costing the overall winner valuable speed and time as she ultimately settled for second.Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) missed the early part of the season after suffering an elbow injury at the opening round, but the British rider had shown increasing consistency in recent races, including two seventh-place finishes. Seagrave drew on all her experience and power on the demanding Lake Placid course to take a close third, finishing just six tenths of a second behind Bouladou.It was also a day for experience to shine, with Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) lining up for the 100th UCI Downhill World Cup race of her illustrious career. The French rider had amassed 66 UCI World Cup podiums but has been searching for another victory since 2024. She narrowly missed out on the podium on this occasion, finishing fourth, with Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing) completing the top five.Away from the fight for the race victory, the battle for second place in the overall standings provided another layer of drama. Gloria Scarsi (MS-Racing) arrived in Lake Placid holding second but, after being forced through Q2 the previous day, could only manage 11th in the final. That opened the door for Harriet Harnden (AON Racing), whose sixth-place finish was enough to secure second overall. Canada’s Gracey Hemstreet (Norco x adidas Race Division) completed the overall podium after finishing seventh, pushing Scarsi down to fourth in the final standings.Following her breakthrough victory, Bouladou said: “It was just crazy. At the start gate, I was like, ‘It’s my last run of the year, so I need to give it my all,’ and that’s what I did. My goal this season was to finish with as many top 10s as possible. And last week, being on the podium was already crazy. But winning a World Cup, I can rest in peace this winter.”Höll, meanwhile, wrapped up the overall title with a commanding 1,085-point advantage. She said: “That was quite hard. I was trying to chase history and messed it up today. I was quite stoked with my run until the open section. There was so much headwind. Unfortunately, it’s an outdoor sport and it’s part of the game. I’m happy with my season. It’s pretty insane to get these results.”BOADLE ENDS SEASON ON A HIGH WITH MAIDEN UCI WORLD CUP VICTORYTilly Boadle celebrated a breakthrough first Women’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup victory for Australia, capping a strong end to the season. The Junior UCI Downhill World Champion had hit form in recent weeks, finishing third at Whistler Mountain Bike Park just seven days earlier. On the rough and demanding Lake Placid course, Boadle pulled out all the stops and showed no fear on her way to a winning time of 3:40.3.New Zealand’s Indy Deavoll (Stoic Racing) also ended her season on a high, claiming her maiden UCI Downhill World Cup podium with second place, just 2.3 seconds behind Boadle.All eyes were on fastest qualifier and overall winner Aletha Ostgaard as the American went in search of a home victory and a sixth Women’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup win of the season. Ostgaard lost time through the technical wooded section at the top of the course before regaining speed through the middle. However, a slip on the loose terrain cost her valuable momentum, and she eventually finished third, 4.3 seconds behind the winner.Following her victory, Boadle said: “I honestly can’t believe it. I had such a near-miss up there. My brain just clicked, I went full on and knew I had to push. I really wanted it this week. To do it wearing the [rainbow] stripes just doesn’t feel real. I dislocated my shoulder and every race has been hard since then. I took the risk of not having surgery in the middle of the season and just had to keep going, no matter what. I’ve got an incredible physio and it has all worked out. I’m going to have surgery next week.”Ostgaard had already secured the overall title heading into the final round and ended the season with a 175-point winning margin. She said: “That was not the run that I’d hoped for at all. I came out of the start gate, hit my shoulder really hard and I felt like I couldn’t recover. I tried to push harder and ended up nearly crashing really big again. I was like, ‘Keep it consistent and make it to the bottom and hope for a podium.’ That sums up my season. Even during runs that I’ve not been super-proud of, I put down a time and get on the podium. I wanted to show the US what I could do on home soil, but that’s racing and everyone is super-competitive.”WILSON BOWS OUT OF JUNIOR RANKS WITH FIRST UCI WORLD CUP WINRyder Wilson (Team High Country) signed off from the Men’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup in perfect fashion, claiming his maiden victory in his final race before stepping up to the Elite ranks next season. The Canadian had found his best form during the final two North American rounds, finishing fourth at Whistler Mountain Bike Park the previous week.After qualifying second fastest on Saturday, Wilson carried impressive speed through the lower sections of the demanding Lake Placid course aboard his belt-driven bike, stopping the clock at 3:15.9 to secure a breakthrough victory.Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton) delivered another consistent performance to finish runner-up, two seconds behind Wilson, while fastest qualifier Noé Forlin completed the podium in third.Overall winner Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) missed the North American rounds after fracturing his wrist at the UCI Downhill World Championships. However, seven victories earlier in the season had already put the New Zealander in a commanding position, and he ultimately secured the overall title by 64 points.Following his victory, Wilson said: “I was just feeling the flow out there. From the first corner, I was like, ‘Okay, settle into it, get the top good, and then hammer on the pedals.’ I think it worked pretty well. I honestly can’t believe it. I’ve been working at this for so many years. I’ve been so close in so many races, but I’ve struggled with over-riding a fair bit. These last two races have been the best ones yet. I’m hoping to carry that momentum through the off-season and into next year, because it’ll be my first year in Elite, racing the big dogs.”Reflecting on his overall victory, Williamson said: “It’s just unreal, to be honest. I didn’t really think I’d win that many races coming into this season. I’m just so stoked with what I’ve achieved and hopefully I can carry that momentum into the off-season and get some good training in for next year. My recovery is going well. I’m back on the trail bike at the moment, and hopefully in another couple of weeks I’ll be back riding downhill. For now, the plan is just to chill out for a bit with my mates at home, then head down to Queenstown for the summer and get some training done there.”GOLDEN ARROW AWARDS SET TO CELEBRATE A SPECTACULAR 2026 SEASONLake Placid Olympic Sites brings the curtain down on a spectacular 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, with riders now set to take a well-earned break before turning their attention to winter training and preparations for the 2027 season.Before then, the mountain bike community will come together tonight at the Olympic Centre in Lake Placid for the inaugural Golden Arrow Awards. In a more glamorous setting away from the race tape, the overall winners and top teams will lift their trophies, while awards will also be presented for Best Event, Best Rookie and Best Professional Photography of the Year.The evening will also see the Legacy Award recognise the project that best embodies the values of the the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ CSR roadmap, Leave No Trace, Leave a Legacy, while four new inductees will be welcomed into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.More information on the Golden Arrow Awards ceremony is available here.

Ryan Pinkerton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) and Lisa Bouladou (Santa Cruz Burgtec By Goodman) will be the final riders out of the start gate in their respective categories as the UCI Downhill World Cup season reaches its conclusion at the Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA), on Sunday.The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series finale is shaping up to be a classic, with Whiteface Mountain providing a stern test from top to bottom. The demanding two-kilometre course opens with a technical wooded section that will test riders’ nerve and precision before speeds build rapidly on the steep lower slopes.Wet weather ahead of Saturday’s practice made conditions particularly challenging, with the course proving increasingly unpredictable. However, sunshine later in the day helped the track dry out and conditions improve in time for qualifying.Pinkerton will be chasing his first Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory on Sunday after topping qualifying by more than a second on home soil.The battle for the Men’s Elite overall title also took another twist, with Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) the only title contender to progress directly through Q1. Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) secured his place in the final through Q2 but will start further up the order, while Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) saw his title hopes come to an end after crashing in both qualifying sessions.The final Women’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup of 2026 is also poised to deliver plenty of drama, with Bouladou topping qualifying ahead of Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) to earn the final start position on Sunday.There will be plenty for the home crowd to cheer in the Junior categories too. Women’s Junior overall UCI Downhill World Cup winner Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) was once again fastest in qualifying, while Noé Forlin set the pace among the Junior Men. In a change to the usual schedule, the Junior Men will get racing underway before the Junior Women, allowing Ostgaard to cap her title-winning season in style.PINKERTON SETS THE PACE AS OVERALL BATTLE NARROWS TO TWORyan Pinkerton produced a smooth run on mud tyres to top Men’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup qualifying by more than a second.Last year’s Whiteface Mountain winner Luke Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team DH) laid down an early benchmark with a committed run that would ultimately earn him third place. Pinkerton, however, was fastest through every sector, stopping the clock at 3:19.1 on the two-kilometre course to secure the final starting position for Sunday’s final. New Zealand’s Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Trek – Unbroken DH) was the only rider to finish within two seconds of the American, qualifying second fastest.The Men’s Elite overall title remained finely poised heading into the season finale, with Asa Vermette holding a 96-point advantage over Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity), while Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) retained an outside chance of claiming a third overall crown.Vermette arrived in Lake Placid as the in-form rider after the 19-year-old rookie claimed top spot at Whistler Mountain Bike Park last weekend. But both he and Pierron fell victim to the challenging Whiteface Mountain course, with crashes sending the two title contenders into Q2.Williams also made a mistake in the opening wooded section but managed to stay upright and squeeze through Q1 in 16th place.That left a stacked Q2 field that also featured UCI Downhill World Champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate). Pierron’s title challenge came to an end after another crash early in his Q2 run, while Goldstone also failed to secure a place in the final.Ethan Craik (Scott Downhill Factory) went fastest in Q2, finishing 2.4 seconds ahead of Vermette, while fellow Briton Danny Hart (Norco x adidas Race Division) took third.With Pierron eliminated from Sunday’s final, the Men’s Elite overall title will now come down to a two-way battle between Vermette and Williams.BOULADOU EDGES HÖLL TO TOP WOMEN’S ELITE QUALIFYING Lisa Bouladou produced a strong qualifying run to edge Valentina Höll and go fastest in the Women’s Elite UCI Downhill World Cup. The 21-year-old French rider has hit form in the closing rounds of the season, finishing third at Whistler Mountain Bike Park last weekend.Höll arrived in Lake Placid fresh from her sixth win of the season and once again showed her pace, finishing just three-hundredths of a second behind Bouladou to take second.American Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP) gave the home crowd another reason to cheer, qualifying third fastest and putting herself firmly in contention ahead of Sunday’s final. British pair Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) and Harriet Harnden (AON Racing) completed the top five and will also be well placed to challenge for the podium.It was also a historic day for Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction), who is celebrating her 100th UCI Downhill World Cup appearance this weekend, becoming the first woman to reach the milestone. The French rider comfortably secured her place in the final by qualifying ninth.Gracey Hemstreet (Norco x adidas Race Division), runner-up on home soil in Whistler last weekend, arrived in Lake Placid in contention for second place in the overall standings. However, the Canadian lost valuable time in the upper section of the course and finished 14th, sending her into Q2 alongside fellow overall podium contender Gloria Scarsi (MS-Racing).Sacha Earnest (Trek – Unbroken DH) mastered the Whiteface Mountain course in Q2, setting a time of 3:49.4 to finish more than three seconds clear of the field. Scarsi and Hemstreet took second and third respectively to secure their places in the final, although both will be among the earlier starters in Sunday’s season finale.FORLIN FASTEST AS OSTGAARD CONTINUES JUNIOR DOMINANCENoé Forlin will be chasing his maiden Men’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup victory on Sunday after setting the fastest qualifying time by more than two seconds. The multi-discipline rider, who has already won a UCI Enduro World Cup in the Junior category, has also recorded two top-10 finishes in downhill this season.Forlin stopped the clock at 3:29.3, finishing more than two seconds clear of Ryder Wilson (Team High Country) in second, with Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton) qualifying third fastest.Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) had already wrapped up the Men’s Junior overall title after winning each of the opening seven rounds of the season. The New Zealander has missed the North American rounds after fracturing his wrist at the UCI Downhill World Championships.His absence opened the door for Camden Rutherford (Nukeproof Axess Racing) to take victory at Whistler Mountain Bike Park last weekend. Rutherford finished 13th in qualifying, seven seconds off the pace, and will therefore be among the earlier starters in Sunday’s final.In the Women’s Junior category, overall winner Aletha Ostgaard continued her impressive form. The American caught the attention of the Elite field in Whistler last weekend after recording a time faster than any of the Women’s Elite riders and will now chase a sixth UCI Downhill World Cup victory of the season on home soil.Ostgaard once again set the pace in qualifying, stopping the clock at 3:57.8 to finish two seconds clear of Tilly Boadle (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres). France’s Cassandre Peizerat was third fastest.The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series concludes at the Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA), on Sunday, with the downhill finals bringing the season to a close. Racing gets underway at 11:30 local time. Click here to check the full schedule and find out where and how to follow all the action live.

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.