Mountain Bike World Championships 2026 [FULL RACE – XCC] (ladies)

August 27, 2026

Mountain Bike World Championships 2026 – XCC WE – Val di Sole, Italy 🇮🇹

Mountain Bike World Championships XCC is a UCI World Championship short-track cross-country event run on a compact off-road circuit, where short climbs, sharp accelerations, and technical features create an intensely fast and tactical race. The terrain is usually a mix of dirt, roots, rocks, and man-made obstacles, with little time for recovery between repeated surges. Riders must handle rapid changes in rhythm, precise bike placement, and constant contact pressure, as position at the start can strongly influence the whole race. Race dynamics center on explosive starts, sustained high power, and frequent attempts to break the elastic of the lead group before the final laps. Typical course profiles include punchy climbs, tight corners, short descents, and sections that reward efficient handling as much as raw fitness. Weather and surface conditions can quickly alter grip and traction, making the course more selective if it is wet or loose. The finish is usually a small-group sprint or a late solo move, decided by who can sustain the highest intensity after repeated attacks.

Laura Stigger (Austria) powered to victory in the elite women’s short track, coming from behind to out-sprint Evie Richards (Great Britain) in a photo finish. Sina Frei (Switzerland) was third.

Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) finished fourth after breaking the race apart with a blistering surge on lap seven of ten, but at the start of the final lap, Frei managed to get in front, but tangled with Rissveds in a curve, allowing Stigger and Richards to open up a gap.

Richards opened up the sprint, accelerating out of the final turn but Stigger matched her pace and then won by a tyre’s width with a bike throw.

Results :