European riders lead the way at Val di Sole Mountain Bike Worlds

The 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships delivered five days of racing in Val di Sole, Italy, where 17 rainbow jerseys were awarded across cross-country Olympic, cross-country short track, cross-country team relay, downhill and E-mountain bike cross-country. Competition took place from 26 to 30 August on the renowned courses at Daolasa di Commezzadura.

Tom Pidcock brought the championships to a memorable conclusion by winning the elite men’s cross-country Olympic title. Starting from the fifth row, the British rider moved steadily through the field before making his decisive attack in the closing laps. He finished in 1:25:26, 17 seconds ahead of compatriot Charlie Aldridge, while Canada’s Cole Punchard claimed bronze.

Switzerland’s Sina Frei produced an equally commanding performance in the elite women’s race. Frei broke clear on the third of seven laps and continued to increase her advantage, eventually crossing the line more than a minute ahead of Italy’s Martina Berta. Fellow Swiss rider Nicole Koller completed the podium.

The downhill competition provided another highlight on Val di Sole’s demanding 2.3-kilometre Black Snake course. Austria’s Valentina Höll secured an extraordinary fifth consecutive elite world title, finishing ahead of Switzerland’s Lisa Baumann and Great Britain’s Harriet Harnden. Canada’s Jackson Goldstone successfully defended the elite men’s crown, beating New Zealand’s Lachlan Stevens-McNab and Britain’s Jordan Williams.

European riders also enjoyed success in the shorter cross-country races. Austria’s Laura Stigger won the elite women’s short-track title in a photo finish, while France’s Adrien Boichis prevailed in the men’s event. Italy delighted the home crowd with victory in the cross-country team relay, and Anna Spielmann of Austria and Jérôme Gilloux of France captured the two E-mountain bike cross-country titles.

Switzerland finished at the top of the overall medal table with five gold, five silver and five bronze medals. France placed second with three titles among its seven medals, while Austria also collected three golds and five medals overall, underlining the strength of European nations across the different mountain bike formats.

One of the young riders to watch following the championships is Swiss prospect Anja Grossmann. She took control of the junior women’s cross-country Olympic race on the second lap and went on to win by 48 seconds from Czech rider Barbora Bukovská, with France’s Agathe Vauchamp in third. Grossmann arrived in Val di Sole having already won the European and Swiss junior titles earlier in the season, and her latest victory adds a world championship rainbow jersey to a rapidly growing list of achievements.