As we approach the sharp end of the season, the UCI Enduro World Cup 2026 season is shaping up to be a classic with both the men’s and women’s overall titles finally poised.
Ella Conolly and Alex Rudeau lead their respective categories, but both hold slim advantages over their closest competitors – Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project) in the women’s field, and privateer Lief Rodgers in the men’s.
The quartet joined UCI Enduro World Cup presenter Elliott Heap, along with La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta winner Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project) and German Enduro star Raphaela Richter ahead of the penultimate round of the series in Aletsch Arena - Bellwald (Switzerland) to share their thoughts on their seasons so far, and what we can expect in the final two rounds.
CONOLLY LEADS THE CHARGE AS RIVALS CLOSE IN
Ella Conolly is having another series to remember, as the reigning women’s overall series holder has picked up two wins and two second-places from the first four rounds to find herself in pole position.
“I’ve had a solid, consistent season so far. I’ve been enjoying the racing,” she said. She starts in Switzerland after a week off and is targeting the top spot at a venue where she finished second in last year’s UCI Enduro World Championships. “I’m feeling refreshed and ready to go. We had some big stages today [in practice]. It’s so loose and dusty and rough. It’s pretty physical. But I’m feeling good this evening, which is good because we’ve got another three huge days coming up, so I’d be a bit worried if I was tired already.”
Her closest competitor in the overall, Pugin, is also feeling confident heading into the two days of racing but is conscious that recovery is crucial when you factor in the two days of practice before the racing even starts.
“It's a long weekend and I need to recover energy and also mechanic a little bit. So I need to manage more than just one day of racing, and I think maybe I rode a little bit slowly during practice to save some energy for the race.”
The Speed Project rider believes that recovery between rounds could be key to challenging Conolly for the overall, as well as being in a good space mentally.
Richter meanwhile finds herself third in the overall, but the German starts in Alestch Arena - Bellwald still suffering the fatigue from her winning run at last weekend’s Megavalanche.
“I’m actually not quite as rested as the others seem to be. I tried to take it easy today and have a good feeling on the bike and tick off some small goals. I just tried to take it really easy during practice. Will probably also try to take it easy tomorrow to conserve some energy for the races.”
RUDEAU DEFENDS, RODGERS BELIEVES
In the men’s field, Alex Rudeau started the season with the ambition of clinching the overall, and so far the 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion is on course to achieve his lofty goals. But he’s noticed the impact of competing at every round rather than cherry picking his races like 2025. “Last year, I did only three races and I was on the podium at each race. This year it's not the same, it's more managing and try to keep the lead.”
Just 85 points behind him in the overall series is fellow privateer Lief Rodgers, and the Canadian says he’s “exceeding my expectations” in only his second full year in the elite class.
“I guess one of my goals was a top 10 in the overall, and then just more podiums. I got my first ever podium last year at the last race of the season. I've only been on the podium once so far this year, but second in the overall as well, which is pretty insane.”
He’s narrowly missed out on the podiums at the last two rounds, finishing fourth in both. “The last two rounds, I've been fourth and less than two seconds off the podium both times. I'm definitely happy to be consistent with my results, but yeah, it always stings a bit getting fourth place, especially when you're that close.”
Like Pugin, Rodgers believes that the difference between finishing first and second in the overall will come down to his mental strength rather than on-bike ability. “Throughout this whole season, I've been learning that I need to trust my riding, trust my pace, and just try my hardest. For these last two rounds, it'll be more of that.”
The pair won’t have it all their own way though, with La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta (Italy) winner Raphaël Giambi a fan of the Alestch Arena - Bellwald terrain. “I feel good. I’m a bit tired because I did a lot of track work. But the stages are good, a bit physical, but technical too. I like it when it’s technical, it's good.”
Racing gets underway in Alestch Arena - Bellwald on Saturday – full schedule and event details are available here.
