Snowshoe serves up a series of spectacular short-track thrillers

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports confirm the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series calendar for the 2026 season. The fourth year of the revamped format for mountain bike’s different UCI World Cups - launched in 2023 to unite almost all of mountain bike’s major formats under a single brand for the first time - will visit three continents and nine countries across 14 events between May and October and will feature the best athletes in the sport’s Endurance (Cross-country Olympic, XCO and Cross-country Short Track, XCC) and Gravity (Downhill, DHI and Enduro, EDR) formats. The series kicks off with a landmark weekend of Cross-country and Downhill racing at the Race of South Korea in MONA YongPyong – the first-ever Asian UCI XCO and XCC World Cup rounds and first UCI Downhill World Cup round on the continent in 25 years. After this, the action moves to Europe for the summer, with Nové Město Na Moravě (Czechia) welcoming the Endurance formats and Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France) welcoming the Gravity formats – the UCI Enduro World Cup starting outside of Italy for the first time since 2023. The following weekend sees the first of two XCO/XCC/DHI/EDR quadruple-headers at long-term partner venue Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria), before riders get a week’s break leading into the start of five back-to-back WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series race weekends. Lenzerheide (Switzerland) and Pal Arinsal (Andorra) welcome both the Cross-country and Downhill contingent, while Val di Fassa - Trentino (Italy) and the 2025 UCI Enduro World Championships venue Aletsch Arena-Bellwald, Valais (Switzerland) are the proving grounds for Enduro. In the middle of the five-week run is La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta (Italy), which hosts the second quadruple header of the series. Cross-country has also been added to the schedule following a successful debut for the venue in 2025 which saw the steepest Downhill track in the series’ history as well as the world’s first Enduro night stage. After a summer break, the European leg of the season concludes with back-to-back race weekends in Haute-Savoie (France) – one Cross-country and Downhill, the other the Enduro finale – before the Series jets off to North America for three rounds and two new venues. The first will see Cross-country contested on the trails of Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah (USA) – a venue hosted by the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, home to the USA Olympic biathlon team training centre and a regular on the IBU Biathlon World Cup circuit. With the region preparing to co-host the Olympic Winter Games in 2034, Soldier Hollow brings Olympic pedigree and world-class credentials to the closing stages of the season.   Downhill will then take to its spiritual home in Whistler Mountain Bike Park, British Columbia (Canada), delivering on decades of anticipation with a stage set for unforgettable racing. The iconic venue, which hosted the Olympic Winter Games 15 years ago, will welcome the world’s best downhill riders for a UCI World Cup for the first time. The final weekend will see both the UCI Cross-country and Downhill World Cups decided in Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York (USA). Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, said: “The 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series was always going to be about bedding in the major reforms that we introduced at the start of this year, and the competitiveness and excitement of each format shows that the changes are working. For 2026, we’re doubling down on our successes and pushing the sport even further into new territories. “The 2026 calendar will witness 14 gripping events that take in the world’s best destinations, including four proven Olympic venues, with half returning under multi-year agreements reflecting our sustained investment in the sport’s growth. Every venue we've introduced since 2023 has quickly become a favourite among athletes, highlighting WBD’s commitment to pushing the limits of performance while prioritising safety and expanding a world-class, global calendar. We’re continuing to expand the reach of the sport by bringing Cross-country Olympic racing to Asia for the first time, growing our footprint in the USA, and will fulfil a long-term wish from fans, teams and athletes alike by adding Whistler – one of the world’s most iconic mountain bike destinations - to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series calendar from next year.” UCI President David Lappartient said: “Bringing together three different UCI World Cups, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will see many stories unfold in 2026 as the weekends of competition progress. The succession of races throughout the season means athletes must strive for consistency, and logically there will be ups and downs along the way. The experience of seasoned riders and the sheer audacity of younger athletes always makes for thrilling competition across the different rounds. "In 2026, the UCI World Cups for cross-country Olympic, cross-country short track, downhill and enduro will span 14 weekends in the space of six months with exciting new hosts joining some of the series’ favourite venues. I am particularly pleased that the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will expand into Asia in 2026, adding a new dimension to the series and providing a prestigious opening to the season.” WHOOP UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD SERIES 2026 CALENDAR: Round 1 / May 1-3: Race of South Korea, South Korea (UCI Cross-country and Downhill World Cups) Round 2 / May 22-24: Nové Město Na Moravě, Czechia (UCI Cross-country World Cup) Round 3 / May 28-31: Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, France (UCI Downhill and UCI Enduro World Cups) Round 4 / June 11-14: Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland, Austria (UCI Cross-country, UCI Downhill and UCI Enduro World Cups) Round 5 / June 19-21: Lenzerheide, Switzerland (UCI Cross-country and Downhill World Cups) Round 6 / June 26-28: Val di Fassa - Trentino, Italy (UCI Enduro World Cup) Round 7 / July 3-5: La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta, Italy (UCI Cross-country, UCI Downhill and UCI Enduro World Cups) Round 8 / July 8-12: Pal Arinsal, Andorra (UCI Cross-country and Downhill World Cups) Round 9 / July 17-19: Aletsch Arena - Bellwald, Valais, Switzerland (UCI Enduro World Cup) Round 10 / August 14-16: Haute-Savoie, France (UCI Cross-country and UCI Downhill World Cups) Round 11 / August 21-23: Haute-Savoie, France (UCI Enduro World Cup) Round 12 / September 19-20: Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah, USA (UCI Cross-country World Cup) Round 13 / September 25-27: Whistler Mountain Bike Park, British Columbia, Canada (UCI Downhill World Cup) Round 14 / October 2-4: Lake Placid Olympic Sites, New York, USA (UCI Cross-country and UCI Downhill World Cups)

After a seven-week summer break since Pal Arinsal (Andorra), the Cross-country and Downhill athletes of the 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series are heading back between the race tape in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France) and the start of the season’s second half.  The Alpine venue is a legendary location and has been welcoming the Gravity format on and off since 1996. A staple of the UCI World Cups for both cross-country and downhill since 2019, and host of the 20024 and 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, it is renowned for its passionate, partisan French crowd. Located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, close to the Swiss border, Les Gets bike park will host action for both formats. 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 Downhill 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 Cross-country Olympic (XCO) and Cross-country Short Track (XCC) races, meanwhile, take on a custom trail that has its start/finish straight at the resort’s main hub. The XCO course is 3.55km long (140m elevation gain), while the XCC course is 1km long (43m elevation gain). CAN ANYONE CATCH MAXWELL? Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) is having the season of her young life. The 23-year-old New Zealander has been incredibly consistent in the first six rounds of the UCI XCO World Cup, and hasn’t finished outside the top two all year. Her win in Pal Arinsal in July showed that her victory in the opening round in Araxá, Minas Gerais (Brazil) wasn’t a fluke, and she has built a seemingly unassailable lead in the overall series with Nicole Koller (Ghost Factory Racing) second and 445 points behind. Although Koller sits second, it’s fifth-placed Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who is the most likely challenger to Maxwell’s crown. The Dutchwoman was in searing form, winning five out of six races (including XCC) entered in 2025, although she came unstuck at altitude with 10th place in Pal Arinsal. A confirmed starter for Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, she will be targeting a return to the podium on a course where she won last year. IS BLEVINS’ XCO SEASON A BUST?Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) might lead the men’s series but his last three results (17th, 8th and 29th) suggest that the wheels might be falling off his bid for a first overall title. The American hasn’t raced since Pal Arinsal and will be hoping that the seven-week break can act as a reset for his season. Second and third spots in the overall are occupied by Blevins’ teammates Martin Vidaurre Kossmann and Victor Koretzky (Specialized Factory Racing). The Chilean looks most likely to challenge Blevins for the top spot, with Koretzky yet to reach the same highs as last season and skipping Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, to focus on the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Crans-Montana (Switzerland). Riders who look like they could break up the American factory team’s dominance include Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing), who finished second behind Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) in Pal Arinsal; fourth-placed Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) and the relative wild card Fabio Püntener (Bike Team Soloturn). Finally, multi-discipline master Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) is always a favourite whenever he lines up off-road but the Dutchman will be hoping for a smoother ride than he had in his only other mountain bike race this year, where he DNFd and fractured his wrist in Nové Město Na Moravě (Czechia). PREPARE FOR A BOUNCE BACK AND THE RISE OF KELLER IN SHORT-TRACK The men’s and women’s XCC standings couldn’t be more different. In the men’s, Blevins has dominated all year, and his record-breaking five-strong winning streak was only halted by Martin in Pal Arinsal, with the American having to settle for second. His 578-point cushion over second-placed Koretzky in the rankings means he could wrap the series up as early as this weekend if other results go his way, and expect him to be targeting the podium top spot and get back to winning ways. The women’s field, meanwhile, is tightly poised with only 130 points separating the top four. Reigning UCI XCC World Champion Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing - Pirelli) leads the way but Pieterse has the most wins (three) this series. While both will be in contention in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, it’s worth keeping tabs on Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon). The 2024 UCI XCC World Cup overall series winner has gone under the radar this season but has displayed her signature consistency – finishing inside the top seven all year – to find herself tied in second on 930 points. The Swiss rider won in Pal Arinsal and knows what it takes to win an overall title as the series nears its conclusion. WOMEN’S DOWNHILL CONTEST IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT The women’s downhill series has never been more competitive, with four different winners from the opening six rounds. Valentina Höll (YT Mob) still leads the series despite failing to record a win all year – her second place in Pal Arinsal her fourth of 2025 – but knows what it takes to win on the Les Gets, Haute-Savoie course, having won the UCI World Championships at the venue in 2022. Others in contention are Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Race Division), the Canadian currently sitting in second and aiming to get back on the podium after a fifth in Pal Arinsal; Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea/FMD Racing), who won in Pal Arinsal and is having her best season in recent memory; and home favourites Marine Cabirou (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) and Myriam Nicole (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction). BRUNI AND GOLDSTONE SET TO BATTLE IT OUTJackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) might have missed out on securing the overall winning streak record in Pal Arinsal, but the Canadian’s second place means he still leads the series as the most consistent winner. With four rounds remaining, including a season finale in Mont-Sainte-Anne in front of a home crowd, the 21-year-old will be targeting a few more wins to start in Quebec as the nailed-on favourite. The one rider who can realistically spoil the Canadian party is Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity). The reigning UCI Downhill World Cup overall series winner clinched his second UCI World Cup of the season in Pal Arinsal and will be confident he can make up the 137-point gap to Goldstone over four rounds – starting in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie. Like Höll, he has only won at the venue once, but it was when it mattered most: at the 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. Others in contention in Saturday’s final include 2024’s winner Amaury Pierron (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction), reigning rainbow band wearer Loris Vergier (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) and wild card entrant Thibaut Daprela (Rogue Racing - SR Suntour). Racing gets underway in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie on Friday with the UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup. Full schedule and event details are available here.

The Swiss UCI World Cup round will be the record-breaker's last after 17 seasons.  Nino Schurter (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) has announced that he will be lining up at a UCI World Cup for the last time in Bike Kingdom - Lenzerheide (Switzerland) on September 19 and 21.  The 39-year-old shared his retirement news on a post on social media, adding “it’s been one hell of a ride”.  In the video, Nino Schurter said: “Dear mountain bike family and beyond. For the past two decades, I've given my body, my mind and my soul to mountain biking. A beautiful sport, but also brutal at pro level. You either win races, you are a contender, or you're gone. There's no place for passengers. It's all or nothing. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “When I raced my first World Championships, I was just a kid chasing a dream in Lugano 2003 and I left with my first international medal. What I didn't know then: that dream would carry me through countless unforgettable moments and let me win more than half of all of those championships along the way. “It's been one hell of a ride. But now it's time. Time to let my mind breathe and to spend more moments with the people who have supported me through it all. This year gives me the perfect goodbye. Crans-Montana will be my final XCO World Championships and Lenzerheide, my favourite race, will be my last World Cup. Two home races. I couldn't have scripted it better. “I want to thank everyone of you teammates, competitors, fans and the entire mountain bike community. You made this journey unforgettable. You were the reason I pushed harder. And you were the magic behind the medals. “I'm not disappearing. I'll still be riding, even racing (just not between the World Cup tape) and diving into new projects I can't wait to share soon. But for now, I'm giving it everything one last time. See you in Crans-Montana. See you in Lenzerheide. Let's make it legendary.” The Swiss rider is widely regarded as the greatest of all time, claiming 10 UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Championships, nine UCI XCO World Cup overall titles, 36 UCI XCO World Cups and bronze, silver and gold medals at Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 respectively.  Not only will Lenzerheide give him a home send-off on his record-extending 132nd UCI XCO World Cup start, but with three wins at the venue (2016, 2017 and 2023), it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Schurter going out at the top with win number 37 – another record. The retiring star added: “I’m incredibly thankful for everything I achieved in my life as a professional mountain bike racer. Now it's time to take all this experience into a new chapter of my life. I'm sure what comes from here is going to be just as exciting. Yes, I'm saying goodbye to cross-country World Cup racing but I will remain in the exciting world of cycling with all the great people involved.” We wish Nino the best in retirement from the UCI World Cup race tape!