Pidcock Dominates and Stigger Claims Victory at Nové Město UCI Mountain Bike World Series

The second round of the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series recently concluded in Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic. Known as a premier destination for mountain biking, the technical, high-speed course challenged elite riders with its complex root-covered terrain and intense atmosphere created by large crowds.

Elite Men: Pidcock Extends His Dominance

Thomas Pidcock of the Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling team delivered a masterclass performance in the elite men’s race. Following a strong showing in the Short Track (XCC) event earlier in the weekend, Pidcock navigated a highly competitive field, including opening-round winner Dario Lillo of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC.

By the second lap, Pidcock responded to aggressive attacks from riders such as Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) with a decisive counter-attack. Once he secured the lead, Pidcock maintained his momentum, effectively managing the gap despite persistent efforts from Martin to close the distance. Utilizing his strength on the climbs to neutralize his rivals, Pidcock crossed the finish line to secure the victory. This win marks a significant milestone in his career at this venue, as he successfully held off the field to maintain his record.

Reflecting on the intensity of the competition, Pidcock noted that the race was exceptionally demanding, requiring him to push his limits on the climbs to secure the necessary advantage over Martin, who finished in second place. Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) rounded out the podium in third. Following the event, Dario Lillo retains the overall series lead after two rounds.

Elite Women: Stigger Secures Breakthrough Win

In the elite women’s category, the race saw a tactical battle for supremacy. While pre-race attention centered on Short Track winner Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck), the race dynamics shifted when world champion Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) established a high pace early on.

The pivotal moment arrived in the third lap when Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) executed a precise attack on a technical descent. Stigger capitalized on the technical section to pull away from the lead group. As the chase group struggled to coordinate, Stigger extended her lead, eventually finishing 47 seconds ahead of the competition. This victory marks Stigger’s third career World Cup win and her first on European soil.

“I just trusted my feeling and kept my pace,” Stigger said following her win, highlighting the impact of the crowd’s support along the technical sections of the course. With this result, Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) continues to hold the overall series lead heading into the next rounds.

Key Takeaways

• Dominant Performances: Thomas Pidcock continues to demonstrate his strength in the XCO discipline, while Laura Stigger secured a significant career win in Europe.
• Series Standings: Dario Lillo and Sina Frei remain at the top of their respective overall standings after two rounds.
• Upcoming Schedule: The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series shifts focus to gravity events, with the next stop scheduled for May 28–31 in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, France.

The series will transition to the UCI Enduro World Cup and the second round of the UCI Downhill World Cup in France. Endurance racing, including cross-country events, is set to resume in Leogang, Austria, from June 11–14.