A pair of breakthrough performances headlined a scorching day of XCO World Cup racing in Val di Sole, Trentino. In the women’s race, Puck Pieterse etched her name into the record books with a dominant win and a rare “double-double,” while Chile’s Martin Vidaurre Kossmann claimed a landmark victory in the men’s event, becoming the first rider from his country to win a World Cup XCO. Here’s how both races unfolded.
Women's elite: Puck Pieterse dominates Val di Sole XCO World Cup for historic double-double
Puck Pieterse stormed to a commanding win at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Val di Sole, becoming the first elite woman to achieve back-to-back victories in both XCC and XCO at the same venue in consecutive years — a “double-double” that cements her dominance on the circuit.
Racing on a loose, technical course under hot conditions, Pieterse (Alpecin–Deceuninck) attacked early and never looked back. After an assertive opening lap that strung out the field, she traded early blows with 2016 Olympic champion Jenny Rissveds (Canyon CLLCTV Factory XC Team). When Rissveds showed signs of fading midway through, Pieterse seized the moment, opening a gap on the climbs and extending it relentlessly.
Pieterse crossed the line 26 seconds ahead of rising Kiwi star Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team), who delivered one of the most impressive rides of her career to take second after powering through the field from outside the top five mid-race.
Behind them, the battle for third was fierce. Austria’s Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) showed grit and smart tactical riding, using her descending skills to gap rivals in the final lap and secure the final podium spot. Rissveds faded but held on for fourth, while Nicole Koller (Ghost Factory Racing) rounded out the top five.
Maxwell, the current overall series leader, looked increasingly strong as the race went on, consistently setting some of the fastest lap times. Though unable to close the final gap to Pieterse, her second place reinforced her status as a serious contender for the overall title.
Post-race, Pieterse acknowledged her tactical approach: “I noticed a few spots where I was a bit quicker, so I tried to make the best of it. Once I got the gap, I just had to go for it."
Men's Elite: Martin Vidaurre Kossmann makes history
Martin Vidaurre Kossmann became the first Chilean to win an elite UCI Mountain Bike World Cup race on Sunday, surging to a breakthrough victory in the men’s XCO round in Val di Sole, Trentino. The 25-year-old Specialized Factory Racing rider seized control late in the race and powered away on the final lap to beat France’s Mathis Azzaro by 23 seconds in a showdown between two of the sport’s fastest-rising stars.
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