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May 23, 2026
MTB – XCC – World Cup 2026 – 2 – ME – Nové Město, Czech Republic 🇨🇿
MTB XCC (Cross-Country Short Circuit) World Cup is a UCI World Cup classification that condenses the raw intensity of mountain biking into a high-octane,
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May 23, 2026
MTB – XCC – World Cup 2026 – 2 – ME – Nové Město, Czech Republic 🇨🇿
MTB XCC (Cross-Country Short Circuit) World Cup is a UCI World Cup classification that condenses the raw intensity of mountain biking into a high-octane, spectator-friendly battle, where the course unfolds across a compact, technical loop of 1 to 1.5 kilometers, its surface a relentless mix of roots, rocks, and loose dirt that demands constant focus and explosive power. The terrain is a chaotic blend of short, punchy climbs, tight switchbacks, and fast, flowing descents, with obstacles like wooden bridges, artificial ramps, and sudden drops forcing riders to adapt their line choice in an instant. The climbs, though brief, are steep and unforgiving, their gradients punishing any hesitation, while the descents are technical and fast, rewarding those who can carry speed through the roughest sections. The race begins with a mass start, the peloton surging forward in a frenzied dash for the first corner, where positioning is everything—riders fight for space on the narrow singletrack, the risk of a crash or mechanical looming large in the opening laps. The pace is brutal from the outset, the peloton strung out in a long, single-file line as riders jostle for position, their bikes lurching over roots and rocks with every pedal stroke. Attacks come early and often, the short laps ensuring that gaps open and close in a matter of seconds, the elastic of the race stretching and snapping with every acceleration. The finish often arrives after a final, all-out sprint, the lead group reduced to a handful of riders who have survived the relentless pace, their legs burning as they fight for the line in a blur of speed and dust. Alternatively, a lone rider might break clear in the closing laps, holding off the charging pack by a bike length or less, the outcome hanging in the balance until the final meter.
It was a much cagier men’s race without a presence like Pieterse or Rissveds to push the pace, and Pidcock spent the first four laps dead last to avoid the potential pitfalls of a much bigger bunch at the front.
However, first Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing) then the returning Jordan Sarrou (BMC Factory Racing) belated kicked the race into gear and Pidcock himself finally stirred on the fifth lap, reaching the front by the sixth.
Another stalemate ensued, only broken by the bell that sparked a drag race into the bottom of the final ascent, won by Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) before Pidcock lit the touchpaper on the climb, shooting into the lead.
Yet Azzaro spotted the move early enough to cling to the Brit’s wheel and Pidcock couldn’t shake the pack on the following jump line so was forced to jump early on the final straight, setting up Azzaro to outsprint him for victory while Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) finished third.
“Unreal, I felt the whole day I had the legs, but I was super nervous. You have to stay on the bike. That was the position I wanted in the finish,” Azzaro said.
“I knew that Tom [Pidcock] was coming from the back, I just waited, he came the last lap like a Formula 1 car, and I just jumped into the wheel. It’s a name that everyone knows and I’m super proud to beat him, it’s great to race with a champion like this.”
Meanwhile Pidcock admitted he waited too long to move up from last place in the field but added: “I knew when he was straight on my wheel. It’s hard coming back to mountain bike from some time away. I feel like I’ve no idea what I’m doing when I come back, so it’s just nice to get that first race out the way, know that I’ve still got the legs. It’s always a doubt when I come back.
“I’m here to try and win, I’ve done it every other time. I’m here so need to keep that streak going [tomorrow].”
Results :
 World Cup is a UCI World Cup classification that condenses the raw intensity of mountain biking into a high-octane, spectator-friendly battle, where the course unfolds across a compact, technical loop of 1 to 1.5 kilometers, its surface a relentless mix of roots, rocks, and loose dirt that demands constant focus and explosive power. The terrain is a chaotic blend of short, punchy climbs, tight switchbacks, and fast, flowing descents, with obstacles like wooden bridges, artificial ramps, and sudden drops forcing riders to adapt their line choice in an instant. The climbs, though brief, are steep and unforgiving, their gradients punishing any hesitation, while the descents are technical and fast, rewarding those who can carry speed through the roughest sections. The race begins with a mass start, the peloton surging forward in a frenzied dash for the first corner, where positioning is everything—riders fight for space on the narrow singletrack, the risk of a crash or mechanical looming large in the opening laps. The pace is brutal from the outset, the peloton strung out in a long, single-file line as riders jostle for position, their bikes lurching over roots and rocks with every pedal stroke. Attacks come early and often, the short laps ensuring that gaps open and close in a matter of seconds, the elastic of the race stretching and snapping with every acceleration. The finish often arrives after a final, all-out sprint, the lead group reduced to a handful of riders who have survived the relentless pace, their legs burning as they fight for the line in a blur of speed and dust. Alternatively, a lone rider might break clear in the closing laps, holding off the charging pack by a bike length or less, the outcome hanging in the balance until the final meter.
It was a much cagier men’s race without a presence like Pieterse or Rissveds to push the pace, and Pidcock spent the first four laps dead last to avoid the potential pitfalls of a much bigger bunch at the front.
However, first Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing) then the returning Jordan Sarrou (BMC Factory Racing) belated kicked the race into gear and Pidcock himself finally stirred on the fifth lap, reaching the front by the sixth.
Another stalemate ensued, only broken by the bell that sparked a drag race into the bottom of the final ascent, won by Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) before Pidcock lit the touchpaper on the climb, shooting into the lead.
Yet Azzaro spotted the move early enough to cling to the Brit’s wheel and Pidcock couldn’t shake the pack on the following jump line so was forced to jump early on the final straight, setting up Azzaro to outsprint him for victory while Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) finished third.
“Unreal, I felt the whole day I had the legs, but I was super nervous. You have to stay on the bike. That was the position I wanted in the finish,” Azzaro said.
“I knew that Tom [Pidcock] was coming from the back, I just waited, he came the last lap like a Formula 1 car, and I just jumped into the wheel. It’s a name that everyone knows and I’m super proud to beat him, it’s great to race with a champion like this.”
Meanwhile Pidcock admitted he waited too long to move up from last place in the field but added: “I knew when he was straight on my wheel. It’s hard coming back to mountain bike from some time away. I feel like I’ve no idea what I’m doing when I come back, so it’s just nice to get that first race out the way, know that I’ve still got the legs. It’s always a doubt when I come back.
“I’m here to try and win, I’ve done it every other time. I’m here so need to keep that streak going [tomorrow].”
<strong>Results : </strong>
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