Wilier-Vittoria: UCI MTB World Series 2026, Round 6 Pal Arinsal - Recap

The Wilier-Vittoria MTB Factory Team heads into its short summer break with plenty to smile about. At the latest round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Pal Arinsal, Andorra, the Italian squad once again established itself among the leading teams, consistently battling at the front throughout the weekend.

Simone Avondetto delivered another impressive performance, finishing 6th in the XCC before backing it up with 5th place in the XCO. Joining him on the front row of Sunday’s race was Juri Zanotti, who had secured a career-best 7th place in the short track, his best-ever World Cup result. Although the XCO didn’t unfold quite as he had hoped, the Lombardy rider once again showed the significant progress he has made this season. Luca Braidot leaves Andorra with 16th and 15th-place finishes, while Sofie Heby Pedersen recorded 15th in the XCC and 24th in the XCO.

“It was great to start on the front row alongside Juri,” said Avondetto, who remains sixth overall in the World Cup standings. “The first two laps didn’t go the way I expected, and I struggled to find my rhythm. But lap after lap I started feeling better and managed to work my way back to fifth. It’s a result that means a lot because it confirms the consistency I’ve found this season. Race after race, we’re building solid performances, and that gives me even more confidence for what’s ahead. Now it’s time to recharge the batteries and enjoy a few days off before getting ready for the next challenges: Les Gets and, above all, the home World Championships in Val di Sole, which will certainly be something special.”

There were more encouraging signs in the U23 category, where Ella MacPhee followed up her podium in La Thuile with an even stronger performance, finishing second behind an outstanding Valentina Corvi after placing 9th in the XCC.

“I only realised after the finish that I’d actually punctured,” said MacPhee. “But I’m really happy with how I raced. I stayed composed and didn’t overdo it, knowing we were racing at 2,000 metres above sea level and that there was no point going into the red too early. It feels great to have found my best sensations again.”

Gustav Heby Pedersen was, once again, a model of consistency. The Danish champion finished 5th in the short track before narrowly missing the podium with 4th in the XCO.

“I gave absolutely everything I had,” said Pedersen, who now sits fifth in the overall World Cup standings. “I came very close to the podium—I could see Nicolas Halter just ahead of me, but I simply couldn’t bridge the gap. It’s disappointing, but honestly, I couldn’t have done any more.”

The World Cup now takes a summer break before returning in Les Gets from 21–23 August. Before that, however, attention will turn to the European Championships in Switzerland, scheduled for 29 July–2 August.