Description
July 5, 2026
MTB – XCO – World Cup 2026 – 5 – ME – La Thuile, Italy 🇮🇹
MTB Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) World Cup is a UCI World Cup classification that unfolds on a closed-loop circuit of relentless technicality and physical demand,
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July 5, 2026
MTB – XCO – World Cup 2026 – 5 – ME – La Thuile, Italy 🇮🇹
MTB Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) World Cup is a UCI World Cup classification that unfolds on a closed-loop circuit of relentless technicality and physical demand, where riders battle against the clock and each other over a course that twists through forests, rocky outcrops, and open meadows, its terrain a brutal test of endurance, skill, and tactical acumen. The circuit, typically 4–6 kilometers in length, is a microcosm of every conceivable challenge—steep, root-laden climbs that force riders to dismount and run, loose-rock descents that punish the slightest error, and tight, off-camber corners that demand precision and control. The race begins with a mass start, the riders surging forward in a chaotic scramble for position, their bikes lurching over the first obstacles as they fight to avoid the inevitable bottlenecks that form at the narrowest sections. The climbs are short but savage, their gradients often exceeding 15%, the riders’ legs burning as they grind upward, their tires slipping on loose gravel or wet roots. The descents are equally punishing, the bikes skittering over rocks and drops, the riders’ bodies hovering just inches above their saddles as they absorb the relentless punishment of the terrain. Between the climbs and descents, the course flattens briefly, but the respite is short-lived—technical sections of singletrack, rock gardens, and tight switchbacks ensure that the pace never lets up. The race unfolds over a set number of laps, typically lasting 90 minutes plus one lap, the riders pushing themselves to the limit as they jockey for position, their lungs screaming for air and their muscles screaming in protest. The dynamics shift with every lap, attacks launching on the steepest climbs or the fastest descents, the peloton thinning as the weaker riders are dropped or forced to chase. The finish often arrives after a final, all-out effort on the last lap, where a lone rider might break clear or a small group sprints for victory, the outcome decided by a bike length or less. The race is a relentless test of physical and mental strength, where every second counts and a single mistake can cost a rider their position—or their race.
In the elite men’s race, series leader Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) backed up his Lenzerheide win and consolidated his shift to the top step after a run of second places earlier in the season.
The French champion had a strong start to the eight lap race, among the leading group which was pared down to three French riders – Martin, Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing) and Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) – by the fifth lap of eight. In lap six Martin poured on the pressure and took off, quickly carving out a solid margin.
Martin claimed the win with plenty of time to celebrate, crossing the line with his front wheel in the air and a gap of 1:07 to second-placed Azzaro while Boichis was 1:20 behind.
“I’m so happy to have raced here,” said Martin. “This track was a real mountain bike track with incredibly technical and dusty descents.
“When we reached around 45 minutes into the race I felt it was the right moment to attack because I was feeling really good. I live in Nice and the terrain is quite similar, with the same type of dirt and descents, so I felt very comfortable riding this course.”
Results :
 World Cup is a UCI World Cup classification that unfolds on a closed-loop circuit of relentless technicality and physical demand, where riders battle against the clock and each other over a course that twists through forests, rocky outcrops, and open meadows, its terrain a brutal test of endurance, skill, and tactical acumen. The circuit, typically 4–6 kilometers in length, is a microcosm of every conceivable challenge—steep, root-laden climbs that force riders to dismount and run, loose-rock descents that punish the slightest error, and tight, off-camber corners that demand precision and control. The race begins with a mass start, the riders surging forward in a chaotic scramble for position, their bikes lurching over the first obstacles as they fight to avoid the inevitable bottlenecks that form at the narrowest sections. The climbs are short but savage, their gradients often exceeding 15%, the riders’ legs burning as they grind upward, their tires slipping on loose gravel or wet roots. The descents are equally punishing, the bikes skittering over rocks and drops, the riders’ bodies hovering just inches above their saddles as they absorb the relentless punishment of the terrain. Between the climbs and descents, the course flattens briefly, but the respite is short-lived—technical sections of singletrack, rock gardens, and tight switchbacks ensure that the pace never lets up. The race unfolds over a set number of laps, typically lasting 90 minutes plus one lap, the riders pushing themselves to the limit as they jockey for position, their lungs screaming for air and their muscles screaming in protest. The dynamics shift with every lap, attacks launching on the steepest climbs or the fastest descents, the peloton thinning as the weaker riders are dropped or forced to chase. The finish often arrives after a final, all-out effort on the last lap, where a lone rider might break clear or a small group sprints for victory, the outcome decided by a bike length or less. The race is a relentless test of physical and mental strength, where every second counts and a single mistake can cost a rider their position—or their race.
In the elite men's race, series leader Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) backed up his Lenzerheide win and consolidated his shift to the top step after a run of second places earlier in the season.
The French champion had a strong start to the eight lap race, among the leading group which was pared down to three French riders – Martin, Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing) and Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) – by the fifth lap of eight. In lap six Martin poured on the pressure and took off, quickly carving out a solid margin.
Martin claimed the win with plenty of time to celebrate, crossing the line with his front wheel in the air and a gap of 1:07 to second-placed Azzaro while Boichis was 1:20 behind.
"I’m so happy to have raced here," said Martin. "This track was a real mountain bike track with incredibly technical and dusty descents.
"When we reached around 45 minutes into the race I felt it was the right moment to attack because I was feeling really good. I live in Nice and the terrain is quite similar, with the same type of dirt and descents, so I felt very comfortable riding this course.”
<strong>Results : </strong>
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