After two UCI Enduro World Cup rounds in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France) and Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria), the series moves into round three this weekend with its first two-day format of the season, as Val di Fassa, Trentino (Italy) welcomes the Enduro field to the dramatic setting of the Dolomites.
A staple of the UCI Enduro World Cup and its precursor -the Enduro World Series- since 2019, the location and its Val di Fassa Bike Park District are regarded as one of the best riding destinations in the world.
The venue is so iconic that it hosted the inaugural UCI Mountain Bike Enduro and E-Enduro World Championships in 2024 and is scheduled to host the UCI Enduro World Championship in 2031 as part of the third multi-discipline UCI Cycling World Championships – the Italian region of Trentino following Glasgow and Scotland, UK (2023) and Haute-Savoie, France (2027) in welcoming the event which is held every four years and, over a two-week period, combines UCI World Championships for nearly all cycling disciplines.
RACING IN THE HEART OF THE DOLOMITES
WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series locations don’t get much better than the bucolic surrounds of the Dolomites. The mountain range provides a jaw-dropping backdrop to the Enduro action, and its terrain will also make for some amazing racing.
The charming town of Canazei will play host to the race HQ, while the riding will stretch across seven trails of the Val di Fassa Bike Park District over the four days of riding – two practice and two racing.
For the third round of the UCI Enduro World Cup, athletes will take on seven stages during a 59.6km course featuring 2,633m of descent across two days. The first day’s action will be completely pedalled, while the second day’s four stages will involve a mix of lifts and pedalling transfers.
Day one kicks off with the iconic Tutti Frutti, albeit a shorter version that starts just below the Col Rodella ridge and connects with Fassa and Furious. Iconic stages 9.90 and Ciasates EWS also return on a day that, while lighter on descending, will push riders into the red with plenty of pedalling in the intervening liaisons.
With legs nicely warmed, day two will put recovery to the test as riders tackle the region’s high altitude and long, natural descents. Titans delivers a brutal wake-up call, with the intensity only building from there starting with the UCI Enduro World Cup debut of Lezuo’s epic 3.94km stage, before flowing straight into fan favourite Infinity. And if the racing is still close, expect a sprint finish on the final stage of Ciasates “EDR”.
ŁUKASIK PLAYING CATCH UP WHILE CONOLLY HAS COMPETITION IN COURDURIER
The return of Slawomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) to the top step of the podium in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland (Austria) confirmed that the reigning UCI Enduro World Cup overall winner has put the disappointment of finishing outside the points in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France) behind him.
However, despite taking maximum points two weeks ago, the Pole still has ground to make up in the overall standings and remains 125 points back from series leader, round one winner and 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion Alex Rudeau.
The pair have one win each from the format’s last two visits to the Val di Fassa Bike Park District – Łukasik most recently in 2025, and the Frenchman when he clinched the rainbow bands in 2024 – making them the clear favourites. Whoever comes out on top this weekend will head into the series’ midway point in the ascendancy, carrying valuable momentum into the final three rounds.
Another rider to keep an eye on is privateer Lief Rodgers. The young Canadian secured his best-ever finish and second UCI Enduro World Cup podium with second place in Austria and was within five seconds of a debut UCI World Cup win.
In the women’s competition, Ella Conolly’s second place in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland kept her title defence on track. However, New Zealand’s Winnifred Goldsbury, fresh from claiming her first UCI Enduro World Cup victory and now racing with career number 73, has added her name to the growing list of riders capable of challenging the British rider on any given day.
Conolly starts in Canazei as a favourite having won in the Dolomites in 2025, but she will face her sternest test yet with Isabeau Courdurier set to make her long-awaited return to the UCI Enduro World Cup.
The multi-time UCI Enduro World Cup overall winner and 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion took the 2025 season off to start a family, but has returned to racing sooner than expected, proving that motherhood and elite-level mountain biking can go hand in hand.
While the Frenchwoman is prioritising downhill this season, she is still lining up in UCI Enduro World Cup rounds when her schedule allows. Although she has yet to qualify for a Women Elite final after her two UCI Downhill World Cup appearances this season, Courdurier is a very different force on an enduro bike, one capable of pushing Conolly all the way on the Italian trails.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Race content will be available across the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ official platforms, including:
A detailed course preview highlighting the route and its key sections and video highlights from both practice and race days on the official YouTube channel.
Key moments shared on social media (@uci_mtbworldseries)
Live timing on the official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series website and via the official app, which will also feature live blogging with key updates throughout the event.
A highlights programme will be broadcast on Eurosport and TNT Sports next week and available on streaming platform HBO Max on demand.
This season, former Enduro rider and Enduro World Series (EWS) Under 21 Champion Elliott Heap has joined the team as a presenter across all video content, bringing first-hand race experience along with expert insight and analysis.
SHIMANO ENDURO OPEN RETURNS
Set against an outstanding backdrop and with a wide range of activities on offer, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series stop in Val di Fassa-Trentino is set to provide both fans and amateur riders with everything they need for an unforgettable weekend.
Through the Shimano Enduro Open participants have the opportunity to test themselves on the very same trails and on the same days as the sport’s elite, dropping in just hours ahead of the professionals. Once they cross the finish line, they can stay on to watch the pros race and directly compare their times with the world’s best.
To further enhance the competitive experience, new age categories and a pairs category have been introduced, allowing for tighter groupings and more meaningful racing. Registration is also open for the remaining Enduro Open rounds in Aletsch Arena–Bellwald (Valais, Switzerland) and Morillon (Haute‑Savoie, France) with full details available here.
Racing gets underway in Val di Fassa, Trentino on Saturday 27 June. Discover the full schedule and event details here.
