Martin Vidaurre wins the Lake Placid XCC after a brutal attack from Schwarzbauer: Luca Martin takes the overall title

Martin Vidaurre has closed the Short Track season with his first victory in a World Cup XCC Elite. The Chilean triumphed in a challenging Lake Placid after breaking away with Luca Schwarzbauer and dropping the German in the final lap. Filippo Colombo completed the podium, while Luca Martin finished fourth on a day when he secured the overall title even before the race started.

Vidaurre debuts his XCC palmarès in Lake Placid and Luca Martin wins the World Cup

The race began with news that completely changed one of the major attractions of the afternoon. Mathis Azzaro did not start due to respiratory discomfort he has been experiencing for weeks.

His absence mathematically resolved the World Cup XCC. With Adrien Boichis also out of Lake Placid, Azzaro was the only rider who could still threaten Luca Martin, so the Frenchman from Cannondale faced the last race of the year knowing that the overall title was already his. With that battle settled, it remained to be decided who would take the last XCC victory of 2026.

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The rain and accumulated water had made the circuit much more delicate than during the training sessions, but that did not prevent the race from starting at a very high pace. Luca Schwarzbauer was the first to take the lead, and around the German, a large group quickly formed with Martin Vidaurre, Charlie Aldridge, Luca Martin, Bjorn Riley, David List, and Dario Lillo, among others.

The differences were still minimal, and many riders maintained options to join from behind. The race was set for nine laps, and for a good part of them, no one managed to break away. Even upon reaching the sixth lap, when the front group began to become more defined, there were still 15 riders separated by just eight seconds.

Schwarzbauer breaks the race and Vidaurre finishes it off

It was precisely on that sixth lap when Schwarzbauer decided to change the scenario. The German launched a powerful attack, and Martin Vidaurre was able to follow him.

The two quickly opened up a significant gap. With just over two laps still to go, they had around nine seconds over their pursuers, a considerable advantage for such a short and explosive race.

The rest ceased to be a group battle. Lake Placid had turned into a duel between Schwarzbauer and Vidaurre. The outcome came as the bell rang. Vidaurre attacked at the start of the last lap, and Schwarzbauer could not respond. The Chilean opened a gap and faced the final moments of the circuit alone.

Vidaurre crossed the finish line in 21:04, four seconds ahead of Schwarzbauer, a difference unusual in a Short Track, thus achieving his first victory in the World Cup XCC Elite.

The result also extends his excellent end of season in the United States. Two weeks ago, he had already won the XCO of Soldier Hollow, and now he adds to that victory his first Elite win in Short Track.

Behind, Filippo Colombo had a great final lap to finish third, seven seconds back. Luca Martin was fourth, ten seconds behind, on the day he confirmed his overall victory in the World Cup XCC 2026. Fabio Püntener completed the Top 5.

Top 5 XCC Elite Men – Lake Placid 2026

1. Martin Vidaurre (Specialized Factory Racing) – 21:04
2. Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon XC Racing) – +4
3. Filippo Colombo (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) – +7
4. Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) – +10
5. Fabio Püntener (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) – +10