Wilier-Vittoria: UCI MTB World Series 2026, Round 7Les Gets - Preview

The UCI Mountain Bike World Series returns next weekend (21–23 August) for its seventh round of the season and the final stop on European soil. Les Gets, in Haute-Savoie, will host one of the great classics of the cross-country calendar, and the Wilier-Vittoria MTB Factory Team is determined to be right in the thick of the action. This year’s event carries even greater significance, as it will also be the final test before the home World Championships in Val di Sole (26–30 August).

The Les Gets cross-country course is set against the spectacular alpine backdrop of the Portes du Soleil in France. The modern, approximately 4-kilometre circuit combines steep, selective climbs with technical descents through the forest. The natural terrain is demanding, with tricky roots, rock gardens and man-made drops requiring excellent technical skills and precise bike handling.

Wilier-Vittoria heads into the French round refreshed and highly motivated after a well-deserved break following an intense first half of the season. Leading the Elite squad will once again be XCO World silver medallist and newly crowned Italian champion Simone Avondetto, joined by double European silver medallist Juri Zanotti and the experienced Luca Braidot.

In the Elite women’s field, Sofie Heby Pedersen will be looking to continue her progress, while the U23 squad will feature Gustav Heby Pedersen, currently 5th in the overall standings, Elian Paccagnella, making his return to racing after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to mononucleosis, and Ella MacPhee. The Canadian, in particular, arrives with plenty of confidence after stepping onto the podium in the last two World Cup XCO rounds, in Pal Arinsal and La Thuile, and will be looking to pick up exactly where she left off as the season enters its decisive final stretch.