A wave of new national XCO champions 2026: Azzaro, Lecomte, Schwarzbauer, Lillo, Valero…

While the Tour de France captures much of the cycling news, this weekend mountain biking experienced one of the most important dates on its calendar with the celebration of the National XCO Championships in many parts of the world. Beyond the prestige of wearing the national champion jersey for a year, these events come at a very significant moment in the season, when the World Cup has already passed its first block and riders begin to prepare for the decisive part of the calendar with the World Championships on the horizon.

The National XCO Championships mark the midpoint of the season: here are the new champions from the major MTB powers

These results also allow us to see who maintains the level shown during the first international events, who continues to grow, and who seems to have found the right form just before facing the upcoming World Cup events.

France: Azzaro surprises Luca Martin and Lecomte wins again

As usually happens every year, the French Championship was one of the highest-level events of the weekend. In the men's race, Mathis Azzaro claimed the national title after defeating Luca Martin, one of the major protagonists of the World Cup this season.

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The young Cannondale rider arrived after stringing together several outstanding performances, although in Pal Arinsal he left the impression of not having the same superiority he had shown weeks earlier. Azzaro took advantage of that moment to conquer the French jersey, a victory that brings him back into the spotlight for the second half of the season.

In the women's event, Loana Lecomte returned to the top. The BMC rider had struggled to find the consistency that made her one of the great references in world XCO, and this national title represents an important boost of confidence for the upcoming races.

Germany: Schwarzbauer confirms his great moment

Luca Schwarzbauer was one of the big names of the weekend. The German achieved a double by becoming national champion in both XCC and XCO, continuing the excellent level he showed just a few days ago at the World Cup in Pal Arinsal.

His performance in Andorra confirmed that he was getting closer to his best version, and this weekend he reaffirmed those feelings with two victories that will allow him to face the next international block with confidence.

In the women's category, Nina Graf took the national championship after defeating Kira Böhm and Sina van Thiel.

Switzerland: Lillo and Koller conquer one of the most competitive nationals

If there is a national championship that is particularly difficult to win, it is the Swiss one. The depth of Swiss XCO means that practically any race gathers several usual podium contenders from the World Cup.

In this context, Dario Lillo achieved one of the most important victories of his season after winning by just three seconds over Fabio Püntener. A victory that confirms the good moment of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team rider.

In the women's category, Nicole Koller once again demonstrated her consistency by defeating Alessandra Keller and Rebekka Estermann to win a new national jersey. Both Lillo and Koller send a clear message before the return of the World Cup.

Italy: Martina Berta is in a brilliant moment and Avondetto wears the tricolor again

In the Italian Championship, Simone Avondetto was crowned national champion ahead of his teammate Juri Zanotti, while Matteo Siffredi completed the podium.

In the women's category, Martina Berta proved that her recent brilliant performances in the World Cup, including the victory in La Thuile, were not a fluke and reclaimed the national title after surpassing Giada Specia and Sara Cortinovis.

Austria: Stigger maintains her dominance

Laura Stigger continues to be the great reference of Austrian mountain biking. The Specialized Factory Racing rider won another national championship after defeating Katrin Embacher and Antonia Grangl.

In the men's race, the title went to Maximilian Foidl, who surpassed Mario Bair and Alexander Hammerle.

Spain: Valero and Marta Cano reaffirm national prominence

In Arroyomolinos, David Valero once again demonstrated that despite having retired from the modality, he remains a reference in Spanish XCO and won, after an intense duel, against Thibaut François. David Campos completed the podium.

In the women's category, Marta Cano achieved the first elite title of her career after a very solid performance, with Estíbaliz Sagardoy and Natalia Fischer taking second and third place.

United States: Blevins and Blunk maintain their great season

In the United States, there were no surprises. Christopher Blevins once again claimed the national championship after another display of strength, while Savilia Blunk defended the women's title.

Both continue to have an outstanding season and will arrive at the next block of the World Cup as two of the fittest riders on the international circuit.

Canada: Carter Woods confirms his progression

In Canada, Woods continues to make strides this season and after a great performance in Andorra that left him with his best position in the World Cup this year (13), he now adds one of the most important victories of the year.

Meanwhile, SCOTT SRAM rider Emily Johnston confirmed that she remains the reference in her country.

Romania: Dascalu adds an important title in his return

Another standout name of the weekend was Vlad Dascalu. The Romanian won the national championship in a season marked by his return to competition after serving the sanction that kept him away from the highest level.

The title comes at a time when Dascalu is gradually regaining his sensations and can serve as an important confidence boost to continue growing during the second half of the season.

We summarize the new National XCO Champions 2026 crowned this weekend

• France: Mathis Azzaro and Loana Lecomte
• Germany: Luca Schwarzbauer and Nina Graf
• Switzerland: Dario Lillo and Nicole Koller
• Italy: Simone Avondetto and Martina Berta
• Austria: Maximilian Foidl and Laura Stigger
• Spain: David Valero and Marta Cano
• United States: Christopher Blevins and Savilia Blunk
• Canada: Carter Woods and Emily Johnston
• Romania: Vlad Dascalu and Miruna Mada