With the course confirmed, start list finalised and off seasons completed, all that’s left for the athletes to do is get between the race tape and duke it out to be crowned the first UCI Enduro World Cup winner of the year.
But before they dropped into their practice runs, Elliott Heap caught up with a number of the stars from this year’s field in the first virtual press conference of 2026. From reflections on 2025 success to an insight in which rounds they’re looking forward to most in the UCI Enduro World Cup , here’s what some of the sport’s best riders had to say…
CONNOLLY AND LUKASIK REFLECT ON 2025 SUCCESS
Ella Connolly and Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) dominated proceedings in 2025, picking up three UCI Enduro World Cup wins each and three podium finishes to secure their respective titles.
It was also a season where the pair stepped out of the shadows of their rivals, propelling themselves to the top of a UCI Enduro World Cup top spot for their first times in their careers before repeating this feat.
“I felt pretty relaxed going into last season, and just curious to see where I was,” said Connolly. “I carried that mindset throughout the season, focusing on getting the most out of myself at each race rather than getting too caught up in the results. I think that made a real difference.”
Lukasik too looked to take the pressure off himself, and the results speak for themselves: “Last year was pretty smooth for me. I was really relaxed and enjoyed the racing. I didn't think about the results at any time; I just kept going, and it was really fun to do all the races for the whole year with the team.”
HOSKINS SHARES OFF-SEASON PROGRESS
While Connolly is the favourite to defend her title, the Brit won’t have it all her own way if Elly Hoskin can help it. The Canadian had a breakout debut Elite season of her own in 2025, winning two UCI Enduro World Cups and the rainbow jersey at the UCI Enduro World Championships. And ominously for her rivals, she has had an injury-free off-season.
“This off season it's been really awesome,” she said. “It’s the first one since I've started racing the UCI World Cup that I haven't had any injury going into it, so I was finally able to ski, which was really awesome. I did a lot of that at home and lots of biking; I also had a little bit of racing leading into this trip [to Europe], and I’m feeling really good.”
COURDURIER CONFIRMS MIXED-FORMAT AMBITIONS
One rider who could rival anyone on her day is Isabeau Courdurier. The legendary Enduro rider announced her retirement from the sport to start a family at the end of 2024, but the race tape has been calling and she has announced a mixed-format schedule for 2026.
“This season, the first big challenge is that I'm mixing up; I'm going to race Downhill as well as Enduro,” she said. For the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by Facom, the Frenchwoman will be lining up alongside the likes of Vali Höll (Commencal by Schwalbe Les Orres) and another mixed-format fan Harriet Harnden (AON Racing).
“I prepared as much as I could with the circumstances, having a baby in October, and getting back to training as early as I could, so we are prepared enough to survive going down this track.”
The first time that Enduro fans will see her return to the format will be in Val di Fassa, Trentino (Italy), which will be used in preparation for the UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships in Finale Ligure (Italy) in October. “I will be back racing Enduro in Canazei, with hopefully more time on the bike, and then my big goals will be at the end of the season.”
RUDEAU TARGETS OVERALL TITLE
It’s not just the women’s field that is shaping up to be super competitive in 2026, with Alex Rudeau confirming that he will be going bar-to-bar with Lukasik at every round of the 2026 series. The 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion isn’t going to make up the numbers, either.
“I'm back doing full series this year,” he said. “My main goal is to try to win the overall; I'm really happy to be back and try to push for these goals.”
RODGERS HIGHLIGHTS HIS DETERMINATION TO COMPETE AT THE SPORT'S PINNACLE
Lief Rodgers might not be a household name yet, but the Canadian had a memorable 2025, completing a full UCI Enduro World Cup season for the first time and finishing on the podium at the season finale in Morillon, Haute Savoie (France). He did all of this without the backing of a big team, and his off-season highlights how the life of a privateer is worlds away from those at the sport's pinnacle.
"Off season this year was really good. I did as much riding and training as I could, and also I was working 30 hours a week as a plumber. It was pretty similar to what I did last off season, and the year went well" he said.
This year, he continues his David vs Goliath story, and has his sights set on even more success. "My results last year changed some of my expectations for this season. I have some big goals this year. I'd like to get on the podium a lot more this year, while also working on the process and getting the mental game dialed too."
