From Friday 20 June, Daolasa di Commezzadura hosts the UCI Mountain Bike World Series stage in Val di Sole-Trentino. Elite and U23 Short Track races the highlights of an action-packed Friday. The event will be aired live on TV all over the World thanks to Warner Bros Discovery Sports’s distribution
There is a moment in the mountains when everything seems to hold its breath. Tomorrow, Friday, June 20, in Val di Sole, that moment will ignite into pure energy: the champions are arriving, excitement is building and passion is about to erupt. The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series is set to take over in Daolasa di Commezzadura once again, in the season preceding another rainbow showdown in Val di Sole in 2026. From June 20 to 22, fans look forward to three intense days of racing, where every corner tells a story and every jump takes your breath away.
The first medal races take place tomorrow (Friday 20 June), with the highly anticipated short track events for the elite and U23 categories. Today, Thursday, June 19th, Downhill and Cross Country specialists also took to the tracks in Daolasa. For downhill riders, this involved inspecting the legendary Black Snake, which is considered one of the most demanding of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, in anticipation of Friday's qualifying round and Saturday's finals.
Changes to the downhill course, which were praised by athletes during Wednesday’s track walk, primarily concern the forest entry section. Meanwhile, the 3.5 km Cross Country loop, which features 150 meters of elevation gain, has been enhanced with new, technically engaging segments. Riders are searching for the fastest lines and optimal setup because, in Val di Sole Bikeland's cross-country events, no detail can be overlooked when chasing a place on the podium.
“I’ve done a few laps and it feels like a classic Val di Sole course. There are some changes that I really liked,” said XCO World Champion Puck Pieterse. “There’s a jump at the top, and the forest section is much smoother now.”
"It’s similar to last years, but faster and smoother. It's currently very dusty. I expect the track will dig in and reveal rocks and roots. It’s always a pleasure to ride in Val di Sole,” commented European Champion Simone Avondetto.
Also taking early laps was Nino Schurter, who has won the Val di Sole Cross Country nine times. “The course is always fun to ride. It’s slightly less demanding in terms of elevation than last year, but it's still technical. There’s not much grip right now, but I’m really enjoying it.”
On Thursday evening, the electrifying Four-Cross action returns under the lights. The 4X Pro Tour qualifying rounds begin at 9 pm, setting the stage for the finals on Friday night.
RACE SCHEDULE & KEY RIDERS
The official Downhill programme kicks off tomorrow, Friday, June 20, with the qualifying rounds. The action starts at 12:30 pm on the Black Snake track with the first qualifying session (Q1). At 13:00, the Elite Men take their turn.
The Junior Women take to the track at 14:15, followed by the Junior Men at 14.40. The elite women return at 15:30 for their second qualifying session (Q2), followed by the elite men at 16:00.
The afternoon will also bring the excitement of the Short Track races. The U23 women will race at 15:45 and the men at 16:25. Then, at 17:30 (women) and 18:10 (men), the Elite Short Track races will take place, broadcast live on Eurosport/Discovery+.
BEYOND THE RACING: A FULL-ON EXPERIENCE IN VAL DI SOLE
The UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Val di Sole, Trentino, is about more than just amazing head-to-head, heart-stopping lines and jaw-dropping tricks. From Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 June, the Daolasa race venue will be filled with music, fun and shared experiences.
The weekend kicks off on Thursday, June 19 with a Red Bull DJ set at 5:30 pm. On Friday 20 June, after the 4X Pro Tour finals, live music will take centre stage at 10.30pm with a performance by Mefisto Bras. Saturday, 21 June brings another aperitivo at 7 pm, followed by the Val di Sole Bikeland Party. On Sunday, 22 June, the event will come to a close at 17:00 with a closing party dedicated to athletes, staff and volunteers – a festive farewell to another unforgettable edition and a toast to the upcoming 2026 World Championships.
But that’s not all. On Saturday 21 June at 12:00, fans can meet mountain bike legend Nino Schurter and the SCOTT-SRAM Team at a signing session in the SCOTT booth. Sam Gaze will be signing autographs at the Selle Italia booth at 1:00 PM — the same spot where Puck Pieterse will meet her fans on Sunday after the Elite Women’s race. Also on Saturday, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, head to the Vibram booth for an aperitif and meet-and-greet with Tommaso Francardo.
Saturday, 21 June is Downhill day, and it’s all about the Black Snake. The Junior Women race at 10:50, followed by Junior Men at 11:20. The Elite Women drop in at 12:15. Favourites include Austria’s Vali Höll and Britain’s Tahnee Seagrave — both past winners on this track. The grand finale is the Elite Men’s race at 13:10, where reigning champion and World’s # 1 Amaury Pierron defends his title.
Sunday, 22 June brings the final battles in Cross Country. U23 Women start at 9:00 am. The Elite Women’s race follows at 11:00 am. At 13:30, the Elite Men take over the best riders in the World all aiming to challenge MTB legend Nino Schurter, who is hunting for his tenth Val di Sole win. The weekend closes with the U23 Men’s race at 15:30.
