Save the Date: “Super event” meets anniversary year - WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Saalfelden Leogang

The Epic Bikepark Leogang celebrates its 25thanniversary this year, while the bike region in Pinzgau will host a UCI Mountain Bike World Cup event for the 15th time from 11-14 June. Another historic moment, driven by the “Women in Mountain Bike” program, will see the Elite Women’s Downhill race close a UCI Downhill World Cup event for the first time.

With two major anniversaries, the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series weekend marks a special milestone for mountain biking in the region: 25 years of Epic Bikepark Leogang and the 15^th UCI World Cup event in Saalfelden Leogang highlight the venue’s long-standing role as a staple on the international racing calendar.

On the sporting side, fans can once again look forward to a stacked UCI World Cup program. In Cross-Country, the world’s best riders will battle for crucial points on the XCC and XCO tracks at the foot of Asitz Mountain. Last year, Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Premier Tech) dominated both the Short Track and the Olympic distance, while Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) took the Short Track win in the men’s race and XC veteran Ondrej Cink (Cube Factory Racing) celebrated his first XCO victory after 16 years of UCI World Cup racing. This year’s XCO competition will take place on a slightly adapted course.

Downhill and Enduro will once again deliver spectacular racing at the highest level. On the legendary Speedster track in Epic Bikepark Leogang, the fastest riders in the world will be pushing the limits, fighting for hundredths of a second. Meanwhile, the Enduro format will challenge riders across multiple stages in the alpine terrain of Austria’s largest bike region Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. As part of the UCI Enduro World Cup weekend, an Enduro Open Race will also take place this year, giving ambitious amateurs the chance to experience UCI World Cup racing firsthand. In 2025, Ella Conolly and Jesse Melamed claimed the Enduro victories. In Downhill, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) and Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) took the wins – but this year local hero Vali Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) will be pushing hard to secure her third UCI World Cup victory in Saalfelden Leogang.

This season, a special spotlight will shine on the Women’s Downhill race. For the first time, the Elite Women’s final – featuring UCI World Champion and overall UCI World Cup winner Vali Höll – will close the program at a UCI Downhill World Cup event. This landmark decision places the world’s fastest female downhill riders center stage and sends a strong signal for greater visibility, reinforcing the sport’s commitment through the “Women in Mountain Bike” initiative.

“My home World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang is always something really special. My whole family is there, all my friends show up, and the crowd is always amazing. Getting the prime slot for the final Downhill race right here at home makes it even more exciting. On top of that, the new race schedule is an important signal for women’s downhill. Having our race as the big finale brings more attention and shows how much the sport has grown. For us female riders it’s a huge opportunity – and extra motivation to put on a spectacular show for the fans.” – Vali Höll, 2025 Women’s Downhill UCI World Champion and Overall UCI World Cup Winner, 2023 & 2024 Women’s Downhill Winner in Leogang

“I know the area, the trails and everything just feels a bit easier. Winning on your home track in front of your family cannot be described. I really appreciate having a home World Cup – many riders don’t even get that chance. I also think it’s really cool that the women get to race last this year. It’s awesome to see how many women are on the start list and how close the times are.” – Rosa Zierl, 2025 Junior Women’s  UCI Downhill World Champion and Overall UCI World Cup Winner, 2025 Junior Women’s Downhill Winner in Leogang

Race program:

Friday, 12 June:

UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup (U23 and Elite)

UCI Downhill World Cup Qualifications (Junior and Elite)

Saturday, 13 June:

UCI Downhill World Cup Finals (Junior and Elite)

Sunday, 14 June:

UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) (U23 and Elite)

UCI Enduro World Cup

Tickets for this extraordinary bike weekend are available here. It's worth grabbing them quickly - demand is high, and tickets usually sell out fast. Early bird tickets will be available until 30 April.

Of course, the event weekend not only offers thrilling race highlights but also once again impresses with varied side events, parties, an extensive expo, autograph sessions, and much more.

All further details about the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Saalfelden Leogang can be found at www.mtb-weltcup.at

For all those who cannot be onsite in Saalfelden Leogang, there is the option of following the final races live on various channels. All information about where which race will be broadcast, can be found here.