Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Alps, La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta welcomed the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series to the Italy–France border for a gruelling test of endurance. Making its debut on the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup calendar, the venue challenged riders with a compact yet explosive 714-metre course, featuring two steep ascents at 1,500 metres above sea level. Dry, dusty conditions and technical descents further amplified the challenge, setting the stage for a thrilling day of racing across all categories.
Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) took his second Men’s Elite UCI XCC World Cup win of the season after overcoming fellow Frenchman Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) in a last lap tussle.
In similar fashion, Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) charged clear of challenger Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) to win her first Women’s Elite UCI XCC World Cup race of the season.
Meanwhile, there were familiar names at the top of the under-23 podiums as Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) and Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) increased their overall leads. 
BOICHIS OVERCOMES CANNONDALE CHALLENGE TO TAKE VICTORY
Adrien Boichis rose to the occasion in a thrilling battle with Cannondale Factory Racing duo Luca Martin and Charlie Aldridge. The race turned on the penultimate lap when Aldridge clipped wheels with his teammate and crashed, leaving Martin as Boichis’ sole remaining rival. Sensing his opportunity, the Frenchman unleashed a decisive attack on the final lap, breaking clear to secure the win.
There was notable absentees on the starting line with Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) out with a fractured fibula suffered during a training ride and Martín Vidaurre (Specialized Factory Racing) also failing to take the start after crashing in practice.
The race exploded from the gun as the riders sprinted up the opening gravel climb determined to reach the first technical section in prime position. Aldridge won the dash to the front, forming part of a select group of seven riders that quickly opened a gap. Further back, overall series leader Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) saw his hopes dented when he crashed in the rock garden, conceding crucial seconds to the front group.
Cannondale Factory Racing held the upper hand in the early stages, with Martin and Aldridge firmly established at the head of the race. The lead group swelled around the halfway mark as the chasing riders reeled them in, while Boichis and Aldridge exchanged blows in a thrilling contest for control. But La Thuile’s loose and unforgiving terrain continued to take its toll, with home hero Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) slipping out of contention after a costly mistake.
The race’s defining moment came on the penultimate lap when Cannondale Factory Racing teammates tangled while attempting to contain Boichis’ relentless pressure, leaving Aldridge on the ground. With Martin now the sole Cannondale rider at the front, Boichis seized his opportunity, unleashing his final-lap attack. Aldridge fought back admirably to claim third, narrowly beating Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) to the final podium spot. Despite earlier crashes, both Azzaro and Avondetto recovered strongly to secure top-10 finishes and valuable points in the overall standings.
Azzaro’s recovery to finish eighth ensured that he remains leader of the UCI XCC World Cup, just 55 points ahead of Boichis.
Reflecting on his victory, the Frenchman said: “I don’t know why, but I just wanted to make it hard. It’s a beautiful place and a really nice track for Short Track. Luca [Martin] is in incredible form, and it was great to race against him. We’ve known each other for a long time, so to be up there battling together was something special.”
RISSVEDS THRIVES ON NATURAL TRAILS WITH LATE CHARGE
Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) produced a perfectly timed late attack to deny Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and claim her first UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup victory of the season.
The steep climbs and technical descents of La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta created a demanding test that quickly separated the strongest riders from the rest of the field. It was Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing) who suffered the first setback of the race, unclipping on the opening lap and losing valuable positions. Meanwhile, the combination of a technical rock garden descent and a tight switchback climb immediately fractured the field, with six riders breaking clear on the opening lap.
Fresh from her UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) World Cup victory in Lenzerheide, Rissveds set the pace at the front during the early stages. Behind her, Blöchlinger mounted an impressive recovery, using her climbing strength to fight her way back into contention.
As the race intensified, Rissveds' relentless tempo and descending prowess began to take their toll. By the halfway point, the Swedish rider had reduced the lead group to just three riders, pulling clear alongside Frei and Alessandra Keller (Thömus maxon).
Not to be denied a place in the fight for the podium, Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) gradually worked her way back to the leaders and rejoined the front group. On the penultimate lap, Rissveds launched a fierce acceleration on the climb, with only Frei able to match her pace.
The leading pair started the final lap with a seven-second advantage over the chasers. Frei struck first, attacking on the steep climb above the start area as the two rivals raced wheel-to-wheel. But Rissveds had the final word, producing a decisive move on the course’s steep switchback ascent. The reigning UCI XCC European Champion opened a small gap and held it all the way to the finish, taking victory ahead of Frei, while Blunk secured third place.
Although disappointed to miss out on the win, Frei strengthened her grip on the overall standings and now holds a commanding 170-point lead after five rounds of the UCI XCC World Cup.
Reflecting on her victory, Rissveds said: “It feels great. I really love it here. The surroundings are incredible and the course is so good. I really appreciate the natural trails, it’s proper mountain biking and that’s really cool. It’s also been great to see Sina [Frei] step up this season. She’s racing at an incredibly high level and it’s exciting to battle against riders who are that strong.”
The Women’s Elite race also marked the welcome return of reigning UCI XCC World Champion Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC), who was back in action after recovering from concussion and enjoyed an encouraging comeback with a top-10 finish. 
CORVI AND SCHEHL TAKE UNDER-23 WINS
Valentina Corvi (Canyon XC Racing) gave the home fans plenty to celebrate by becoming the first rider to win a UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup race at La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta.
Having already claimed three UCI World Cup victories this season, all in the Olympic discipline, the Italian arrived in La Thuile in outstanding form. Fresh from a runner-up finish in the XCC at Lenzerheide, Corvi carried that confidence onto home soil and quickly asserted herself at the front of the race.
Taking the lead after eight minutes of racing, the Canyon XC Racing rider used the course’s demanding climbs to steadily build an advantage over her rivals. Even a mid-race mechanical failed to derail her charge. Staying composed, Corvi quickly re-established her lead before cruising to the finish line with a commanding 18-second margin of victory.
Bloeme Kalis (KMC Nukeproof MTB Racing Team) chased hard but had to settle for second place, while Monique Halter (Thömus Akros – Youngstars) completed the podium in third. After five rounds, Corvi now leads the overall UCI XCC World Cup standings by 54 points.
Reflecting on her victory, she said: “It was really hard. The track is super steep on the climbs, very physical, and the pace was really high today. I tried to stick to my own rhythm and realised I was gaining time on both the climbs and the descents. When I had a mechanical issue in the middle of the race, I stayed calm, got going again and focused on my own race. I’m super happy with how I felt today.”
Meanwhile, Paul Schehl (Lexware Mountainbike Team) continued his dominance in the Men’s U23 category, securing a fourth consecutive UCI XCC World Cup victory with another commanding display.
As has become a familiar storyline this season, Schehl was once again joined at the front by rival Thibaut François Baudry (Canyon XC Racing). The pair set the pace throughout the race before the German made his decisive move on the final lap. Showing his trademark power, Schehl opened a winning gap to take victory ahead of Baudry, while Nicolas Halter (Thömus Akros – Youngstars) rounded out the podium in third.
The result further strengthened Schehl’s grip on the overall standings, extending his advantage to 115 points after five rounds.
Following his victory, he said: “My plan was to stay at the front because of the dust, and I managed to do that from the start. I kept the pace high, but in a way that suited me. I felt strong throughout the race and started to increase the pace with three laps to go, hoping to catch everyone by surprise. I could see Thibaut [François Baudry] still on my wheel, so on the final lap I gave absolutely everything. It worked perfectly. I really enjoy racing against Thibaut and having that rivalry with him.”
The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues at La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta on Saturday, when gravity riders take centre stage with the UCI Enduro World Cup and UCI Downhill World Cup. The endurance athletes return to action on Sunday for the venue’s first-ever UCI XCO World Cup. Discover the full schedule and where to watch here.
