Luca Martin wins the XCO in Lenzerheide after a dramatic finish with Boichis

The XCO World Cup in Lenzerheide offered one of the most intense and exciting races of the season. For over an hour, Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) and Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) engaged in a high-level duel that seemed destined to be decided in the final meters. However, an unexpected fall by Boichis on the last lap completely changed the outcome and allowed Martin to take a victory that was as hard-earned as it was deserved. Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) completed the podium after another outstanding performance.

Luca Martin conquers Lenzerheide after Adrien Boichis's fall in a dramatic finish

The race started under intense heat and at a very high pace right from the Start Loop. Adrien Boichis, Mathis Azzaro, Dario Lillo, Martin Vidaurre, and Bjorn Riley were the first to take responsibility at the front, while Jofre Cullell made a great start to place himself among the top ten.

By the first lap, Boichis and Azzaro were leading a race that was quickly stretching out due to the toughness of the Swiss circuit.

The Frenchman from Specialized did not take long to show his intentions. Lap after lap, he increased the pace on the most demanding climbs, forcing his rivals to run constantly at the limit.

RECOMENDADO

"Sometimes I just need to be patient": Van der Poel regains feelings in Switzerland

Video with the highlights of Short Track in Lenzerheide: the first World Cup race in which 32" bikes competed

Paula Blasis's Colnago Y1R is stolen in the middle of the Volta a Catalunya Femenina

The 32” make their debut in the World Cup, climb onto the podium, and Thomus announces a limited pre-sale

Boichis signs another great performance in the Short Track of the World Cup in Lenzerheide

Savilia Blunk surprises everyone with a meteoric finish and wins the Lenzerheide Short Track after the first showdown between 32“ and 29”

The first major selection came before the halfway point of the race. A mechanical problem for Mathis Azzaro definitively broke up the front group and left Boichis at the front alongside Martin Vidaurre, Luca Martin, and Bjorn Riley.

Shortly after, the Short Track leader increased the pace again and began to eliminate rivals one by one. First, Schwarzbauer, Colombo, and the rest of the pursuers fell back. Later, it was Vidaurre and Riley's turn.

At the start of the fifth lap, the race already had two clearly defined protagonists: Adrien Boichis and Luca Martin.

Both opened a gap of nearly half a minute over Bjorn Riley, who was riding in a solid third position, while behind them, the battle for fourth place was organized among Martin Vidaurre, Luca Schwarzbauer, Filippo Colombo, and Simone Avondetto.

A spectacular head-to-head

The second half of the race turned into a true duel between the two young Frenchmen.

Boichis continued to attack constantly, trying to break Martin's resistance. However, the Cannondale rider responded to all the changes in pace and seemed to feel increasingly comfortable as the laps progressed.

By the sixth lap, both were neck and neck at the front of the race, while Riley was already over half a minute behind.

The situation changed slightly when Martin took advantage of a tricky root section to open a few meters of lead. It was the first time all afternoon that Boichis seemed to really struggle, although he managed to close the gap shortly after and restore equality at the front of the race.

With the bell for the last lap, the two Frenchmen were still wheel to wheel, and everything pointed to a sprint finish.

The decisive attack… and the fall that changed the race

As soon as the final lap began, Adrien Boichis launched what seemed to be the definitive attack. The Frenchman accelerated strongly on a climb and managed to open several meters on Martin, who for the first time could not respond immediately. The victory seemed to be heading towards Specialized.

But just a few minutes later, the decisive moment of the race arrived. Boichis suffered a strange fall while leading and unexpectedly went down. Although he managed to get back on his bike, he lost precious time and allowed Luca Martin to regain the first position.

From that moment on, the Cannondale rider did not waste the opportunity. He increased the pace, opened a definitive gap, and rode solo towards victory.

A reward for consistency

Luca Martin crossed the finish line as the winner of the Lenzerheide World Cup after a performance based on patience, consistency, and the ability to withstand all of Boichis's attacks.

The Frenchman never lost his cool, even when it seemed he was at the limit following his compatriot's pace, and ultimately found his reward at the most unexpected moment.

Adrien Boichis had to settle for second place after dominating much of the race, while Bjorn Riley secured another podium for SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team.

Top 10 XCO Elite Men - Lenzerheide 2026

1. Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) – 1:20:43
2. Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) +25”
3. Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) +58”
4. Martin Vidaurre Kossmann (Specialized Factory Racing) +1:22
5. Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) +1:29
6. Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing) +1:59
7. Luca Schätti (BIXS Race Team) +2:23
8. Filippo Colombo (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) +2:23
9. Luca Braidot (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) +2:24
10. Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team - XC) +2:27