A dramatic UCI Cross-country Short-Track World Cup showdown in Nové Město Na Moravě saw Puck Pieterse storm back to claim victory on her return to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, while Mathis Azzaro denied Tom Pidcock in a last-lap sprint, with both races decided in thrilling fashion on the final straight.
Katrin Embacher (KTM Factory MTB Team) took her maiden WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series victory by dominating the U23 Women’s UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup at Nové Město Na Moravě while Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing) sealed a cat-and-mouse U23 Men’s win.
Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France) curtain-raiser blends rider and fan favourites with a brand-new stage.
Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) and Makena Kellerman showed there is more than one way to win at Nové Město Na Moravě, as they took Under 23 victories in the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup.
Following an action-packed season opener in South Korea, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series heads to Nové Město na Moravě, one of the sport’s most iconic venues, for a weekend of fast, technical racing, a stacked field led by stars like Tom Pidcock and Puck Pieterse, and a vibrant fan experience featuring over 20 brand activations, bike demos, freestyle shows and live entertainment.
Tom Pidcock, Puck Pieterse and Mathieu van der Poel are set to line up at the UCI Cross-country World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě, Czechia from 22-24 May.
Get the riders thoughts from South Korea’s UCI World Cup in The B Line from MONA YongPyong
Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-road Team - XC) took two of the hardest-fought UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup victories in recent years at the opening round of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in South Korea.
A historic opener to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in South Korea saw Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) claim a sensational Elite debut victory while Vali Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) triumphed despite a flat tyre. On a demanding brand-new course, Junior wins for Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) and Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) capped a thrilling start to the season.
Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) headline a thrilling start to the XCC season in MONA YongPyong, where the format made its Asian debut. Fast, tactical racing and standout first-time wins set the tone across Elite and U23 categories pointing to an exciting season ahead.
The opening round of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series marks the return of Downhill racing to Asia after 25 years, debuting a brand-new track in MONA YongPyong, South Korea. In sunny, dry but windy conditions, Harriet Harnden (AON Racing) and Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) topped qualifying with standout performances, while several favourites faced early challenges setting the stage for highly unpredictable finals.
The South Korean venue will welcome the UCI Cross-country World Cup to the continent for the first time, while UCI Downhill World Cup returns after a 25-year absence
GOBIK becomes the Official Technical Apparel Supplier for Cross-country disciplines in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series through a long-term partnership. The partnership will come to life through the ‘Best XC Rider of the Event’ activation, directly linking on track performance with fan engagement.
The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will be streamed across the globe via WBD Sports’ network including HBO Max, Eurosport and TNT Sports, as well as a host of broadcast partners.
A preview of the 2026 UCI Enduro World Cup season, with updated rankings and regulations, as the world’s best riders – led by reigning champions Slawomir Łukasik and Ella Conolly – line up for a season combining elite competition, fan-focused coverage and new opportunities for both professional and amateur racers.
