Wilier-Vittoria: Lake Placid, UCI MTB World Series Round 9 - Preview

The Wilier-Vittoria MTB Factory Team has crossed the Atlantic for the decisive stretch of the season. Over the next two weekends, the Italian squad will tackle the final two rounds of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series—first in Lake Placid, USA, followed by Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada.

The first stop comes in the United States, October 3–5. The Olympic region of Lake Placid lies in the far north of New York State, 285 miles from Manhattan and just a short distance from the Canadian border. Best known for its winter sports and as host of two Winter Olympic Games, the area has in recent years developed a strong summer offer centered around the off-road trails of Mt Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface Mountain.

The cross-country course was purpose-built for the 2024 UCI World Series round and proved to be a stern test for riders, packed with features such as rock gardens, a dual slalom-style section, and even a stretch designed to mimic the venue’s Olympic bobsled run.

In the U.S., Wilier-Vittoria will be without Elian Paccagnella, sidelined by a knee issue as he works toward a comeback in Canada next week. Still, the team lines up with a strong roster: vice World Champion Simone Avondetto, 4th in Lenzerheide’s XCO; Italian Champion Luca Braidot, currently 5th overall; and Juri Zanotti in the elite men’s races. In the elite women’s field, Sofie Heby Pedersen will carry the team’s colors.

Among the U23s, all eyes will be on Gustav Heby Pedersen, sitting 2nd overall in the World Cup XCC standings and 3rd in XCO, and Ella MacPhee, currently 2nd overall in the U23 women’s XCO standings.

WHERE TO WATCH THE LAKE PLACID WORLD CUP? CLICK HERE to find out which channels/platforms are broadcasting the World Cup in your country. Here are the local start times for the XCC and XCO races, so you won’t miss a single pedal stroke from the Wilier-Vittoria riders!

Friday October 3rd

• 09:45 - 10:05 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Women U23 (MacPhee)

• 10:35 - 10:55 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Men U23 (G.Pedersen)

• 16:20 - 16:40 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Women Elite (S.Pedersen)

• 17:00 - 17:20 – UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup | Men Elite (Avondetto, Braidot, Zanotti)
  

Sunday October 5th

• 09:00 - 10:10 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Women U23 (MacPhee)

• 11:00 - 12:10 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Men U23 (G.Pedersen)

• 13:30 - 14:50 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Women Elite (S.Pedersen)

• 15:30 - 16:50 – UCI Cross-country Olympic World Cup | Men Elite (Avondetto, Braidot, Zanotti)