In the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup held in Nové Město na Moravě, Austria’s Laura Stigger and Britain’s Tom Pidcock delivered commanding performances in the cross-country Olympic (XCO) events.
Women’s XCO: Stigger’s Dominance
Laura Stigger, who secured a strong second place in the short track (XCC) the previous day, showcased her prowess in the XCO race. She led from start to finish, completing the course in 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 32 seconds, finishing 47 seconds ahead of her closest competitors. The battle for the remaining podium spots was intense, with Sweden’s Jenny Rissveds and Switzerland’s Sina Frei both clocking the same time to share second place. Swiss riders Nicole Koller and Alessandra Keller rounded out the top five. American Savilia Blunk continued her impressive season with a sixth-place finish, while Dutch rider Puck Pieterse, despite a strong start, had to settle for eighth place. (xcomtb.com)
Men’s XCO: Pidcock’s Strategic Victory
Tom Pidcock, returning to the World Cup circuit after a stint in road racing, demonstrated his exceptional skill on the challenging Nové Město course. The Olympic champion quickly positioned himself at the front, maintaining a steady pace throughout the race. French rider Luca Martin remained close, responding to Pidcock’s accelerations and keeping the race suspenseful. It wasn’t until the final laps that Pidcock managed to break away, securing a decisive victory. Martin delivered a standout performance, earning second place just 18 seconds behind Pidcock. Swiss rider Filippo Colombo completed the podium, while Martin Vidaurre Kossmann and Fabio Püntener contended for the remaining top positions. French cyclist Adrien Boichis confirmed his upward trajectory in the Elite category with a sixth-place finish. (vojomag.com)
These results underscore the high level of competition and the strategic acumen of the athletes in one of the most iconic circuits of the calendar.
Highlights:
- Puck Pieterse sprints to Mountain Bike XCC World Series victory as Tom Pidcock is denied by Mathis Azzaro at Nové Město Na Moravě, Published on Saturday, May 23