Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) has been one of the standout performers of the year. The reigning UCI XCO World Champion has carried her late-2025 momentum into this season, leading the UCI XCO World Cup standings while sitting just 30 points behind Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) in the UCI XCC World Cup rankings.
Yet the Swede can afford no room for error. A formidable chasing pack, led by riders enjoying the strongest campaigns of their careers, remains firmly in contention. Frei, teammate Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) and Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) have all emerged as title contenders and are ready to capitalise on any opportunity.
With three UCI World Cup rounds remaining, as well as next week’s 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Trentino (Italy), the battle for supremacy is set to intensify. Expect Rissveds, Frei, Stigger and Berta to be at the heart of the action every time the start gun fires.
LAURA STIGGER: “YOU CAN’T UNDERESTIMATE ANYONE”
Laura Stigger is enjoying the most consistent season of her career in 2026. The Austrian has finished outside the top 10 just once in the UCI XCO World Cup this year, in Saalfelden Leogang-Salzburgerland, and secured a breakthrough victory at round two in Nové Město Na Moravě (Czechia).
During the summer break, Stigger has taken the opportunity to recharge both physically and mentally, spending time with friends and family while reflecting on a season that has firmly established her among the leading contenders. Her last outing in Pal Arinsal-Andorra produced another strong showing, with second place in the XCC and fifth in the XCO.
“It was good to remember after Nové Město and then having Leogang as a really tough race,” she said. “It made me appreciate that victory even more. Starting that four-race block with a difficult race and then gradually building momentum gave me a lot of confidence.”
Although Jenny Rissveds remains the benchmark, Stigger believes the depth of competition at the top of women’s cross-country racing is stronger than ever: “There are so many riders you have to keep an eye on, and you can’t underestimate anyone,” she explained. “At the World Championships especially, everybody wants to be at their very best. We can only focus on ourselves and make sure we deliver our best performance.”
The upcoming UCI Mountain Bike World Championships are one of the major targets of her season, but Stigger is equally excited about what lies beyond Val di Sole: “I’m super excited for the new venue in Utah, in Haley Batten’s backyard,” she said. “I can’t wait to see the course and experience a completely new destination on the World Cup calendar.”
SINA FREI: “EVERY SIGNLE POINT COUNTS”
Sina Frei is also enjoying a career-best campaign. During the summer break, the Swiss rider added the European XCO and XCC titles to an already outstanding season that sees her sitting second in the UCI XCO World Cup overall standings while leading the race for the UCI XCC World Cup crown.
Frei credits much of her success to a change in mindset, learning to appreciate achievements along the way rather than immediately looking ahead to the next challenge: “What I learned is to really enjoy every little success as much as possible. In the past, I didn't do that as well,” she explained.
The six-week block of racing also provided a valuable lesson. Rather than worrying about limited training opportunities between events, Frei embraced the fact that every rider faced the same challenge and focused on making the most of each race weekend.
“When there are so many races close together, it's not easy to keep your focus and belief in yourself. Sometimes you start thinking your fitness is gone,” she said. “But I kept telling myself that the others couldn't train either, that we were all in the same situation. Realising that was a turning point for me. In the past, I would panic too much about not being able to train. Now I'm much more relaxed, and I think that's made the biggest difference.”
Although her eighth-place finish in the XCC at Pal Arinsal reduced her advantage at the top of the standings to 30 points, Frei took pride in the way she fought for every position and every point.
“That race didn't go as planned, but with two laps to go I told myself: ‘I have to give absolutely everything until the finish because every single point counts.’”
That determination has been a defining feature of Frei’s season so far, and with the UCI World Championships looming and three UCI World Cup rounds still to come, she remains firmly in the driving seat in the battle for the UCI XCC World Cup title.
MARTINA BERTA: “THERE’S NOT MUCH LEFT TO DO BUT RACE, ENJOY AND NOT THINK TOO MUCH”
Another rider enjoying a breakthrough campaign is reigning Italian champion Martina Berta. The 28-year-old has grown in confidence and consistency throughout the season, culminating in a memorable maiden UCI XCO World Cup victory on home soil in La Thuile, Valle d’Aosta. She carried that momentum into Pal Arinsal-Andorra, where a second-place finish elevated her to fourth in the overall UCI XCO World Cup standings.
The demanding July race block delivered some of the biggest highs of her career, but it also highlighted the mental challenge of staying focused after emotional peaks.
“The July block of racing was amazing,” said Berta. “It required a lot of energy, and I was happy to have a proper break after the National Championships because I was quite tired, maybe more mentally than physically. When you have those highs in La Thuile and Pal Arinsal, there’s naturally a bit of a low afterwards, and it can be difficult to stay focused.”
Berta’s success has mirrored the rise of Origine Racing Division, a team that continues to challenge the sport’s biggest names despite being only in its second season. The Italian is quick to credit the collective effort behind their progress.
“There are a lot of people working behind the scenes who don’t appear on screen but do an incredible job,” she explained. “Mathis [Azzaro] has also been really important for me. Last year he had a very strong first half of the season while I was struggling a bit more, so it was inspiring to see him performing at that level and to have that example within the team.”
Now, Berta turns her attention to a pivotal final chapter of the season, with the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and the closing UCI World Cup rounds presenting an opportunity to transform an already outstanding campaign into a truly memorable one.
“I’m really happy with the season I’ve had so far, and it’s motivating to arrive at the World Championships feeling confident,” she said. “Italy is home, I know the venue, and I know so many people there. On a good day you enjoy it even more, but if things aren’t going your way, you still have the crowd behind you.”
Looking beyond Val di Sole, Berta knows the final stretch will demand careful management as the series heads to North America.
“From Les Gets to Lake Placid it’s going to be a long block. There are a few weeks between Worlds and the U.S. trip, but there won’t be much time for training. The focus will be on recovery and making the most of the work we’ve already done over the past month. By the time you arrive in Les Gets, there’s not much left to do other than race, enjoy it and not overthink things.”
