How and when to watch the Val di Sole XCO World Cup 2023

The XCC and XCO World Cup prepares for another competitive weekend with the race in Val di Sole. The Italian event will serve to take stock of the first part of the season before starting the summer break. Pidcock will be out again and the door to victory will be open for other riders, who will already be riding with one eye on the overall.

Schedule and where to watch the Val di Sole XCO World Cup 2023

With the Val di Sole race, we will have reached the halfway point of the calendar. Sunday will again concentrate all the XCO races, since Saturday will be reserved for DH. The broadcasts can be followed on GCN+, Eurosport or Discovery+.

Thursday, June 29th

• 17:30-17:52 XCC Women's U23
• 18:15-18:37 XCC Men's U23

Friday, June 30th

• 17:45-18:07 XCC Women
• 18:30-18:52 XCC Men

Saturday, July 1st

• 10:45 Women's DH Semifinal
• 11:20 Men's DH Semifinal
• 13:00 Women's Final DH
• 14:00 Men's Final DH

Sunday, July 2nd

• 8:30-9:40 XCO Women's U23
• 10:30-11:40 XCO Men's U23
• 13:00-14:20 XCO Women's
• 15:30-16:50 XCO Men's

What happened in the last race and how are the overall standings?

The Italian round comes this weekend as the last effort before embarking on the summer break of more than a month and a half. Two weeks ago Lars Forster won the Leogang World Cup, while just a few days ago it was Vlad Dascalu who took gold at the European Championships.

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In the Austrian event, Fluckiger, who suffered a flat tyre that ruined his great comeback, and Cink, who came in third, were also worthy of mention. Special mention must go to Schwarzbauer, who managed to maintain his usual explosiveness throughout the race and showed that he should also be counted on in this type of race.

The overall is red hot and it will be very important on a psychological level to finish the first part of the season in a good position.

Overall standings - Men

1. Jordan Sarrou 580 points
2. Nino Schurter 565 points
3. Luca Schwarzbauer 548 points
4. Lars Forster 534 points
5. Alan Hatherly 516 points
6. Thomas Griot 489 points
7. Mathias Fluckiger 446 points
8. Joshua Dubau 404 points
9. David Valero 352 points
10. Daniele Braidot 350 points

In the women's category, Puck Pieterse once again shone with a new World Cup victory that put more distance in the overall and to which she added another success last weekend with the gold obtained at the European Championships.

Beyond the Dutchwoman, both Mitterwallner and Stigger put in strong performances to finish second and third in Leogang, respectively.

Overall standings - Women

1. Puck Pieterse 781 points
2. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot 640 points
3. Loana Lecomte 630 points
4. Anne Terpstra 544 points
5. Alessandra Keller 532 points
6. Mona Mitterwallner 483 points
7. Jenny Rissveds 477 points
8. Laura Stigger 460 points
9. Evie Richards 450 points
10. Sina Frei 414 points

What is the Val di Sole circuit like?

The Italian Alps mountains of Val di Sole are one of the most iconic stages on the calendar. The course, the favorite of Nino Schurter, among others, can be defined as technical and demanding. Special attention deserves the fine dust that covers the circuit and forces the riders to be very tactful because of the little grip it offers.

In total, participants will have to face a route of 4.2 km and 204 meters of elevation gain.

As for the weather situation, the weather will be unsettled during the week; some forecasts call for rain on Sunday morning, while others are leaning towards a dry day.

Favorites to take the victory in Val di Sole

Despite the absence of Thomas Pidcock —who this time will be racing the Tour de France— the XCO World Cup always has the highest level riders in the line-up. The fourth race of the year will be a good opportunity for those who have not stepped on the top step of the podium to do so, as well as to go calculator in hand thinking in general.

Nino Schurter did not have one of his best days in Leogang after finishing 21st. But the Swiss always starts as one of the favorites and will come more rested than some of his rivals, as he did not participate in the European Championships. In addition, he already took the pressure off the 34th victory when he won in Lenzerheide.

Jordan Sarrou is the overall leader and another name to watch out for. The Frenchman won the Leogang XCC and, although he finished outside the top 10 in Sunday's race, he has the best score so far in the World Cup. His compatriot Titouan Carod, winner in Val di Sole last year, will be another favorite if he finally competes in the race.

Luca Schwarzbauer will be someone to take into account after achieving a great result in Austria and presenting his candidacy for everything. Mathias Fluckiger was another who showed a high level in the last race and will try to get rid of the thorn of the puncture that frustrated a Sunday that was aiming high.

Joshua Dubau, recent European champion Vlad Dascalu, Lars Forster or Alan Hatherly are other candidates for a leading role.

On the other hand, David Valero is already ninth overall and will try to sign a great result to continue climbing positions; while David Campos made us dream in the European Championship with a sensational start and will try to repeat another great performance in the World Cup.

Rival wanted to stop Pieterse

Puck Pieterse is on a rampage for the overall victory. There are still a lot of races to go and it would be foolish to start overdrawing. But the Dutchwoman lands in Italy as the rival to beat and the tough task of cutting her lead must start as soon as possible.

The other pretenders to the throne will be there to compete. The list is extensive, although the French Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (last year's winner in Val di Sole) and Loana Lecomte stand out.

Alessandra Keller, Mona Mitterwallner, Laura Stigger or Anne Terpstra are other riders to follow closely and who could win a position of honor.