Ondrej Cink makes history and wins his first XCO World Cup in Leogang

Czech Ondrej Cink (Cube Factory Racing) has achieved a sensational and unexpected victory in the elite men's race of the Leogang XCO World Cup. At 34 years old and after several seasons away from the spotlight, Cink has signed the best race of his life and crossed the finish line alone with a time of 1:25:05, resisting the pressure until the end and culminating an unforgettable day.

Ondrej Cink conquers Leogang: historic victory in the 2025 XCO World Cup

The race started with a frantic pace led by Martin Vidaurre (Specialized), but after a fall in the technical section, the Chilean quickly lost positions. The first lap left Mathias Flückiger (Thömus Maxon) as the author of the fastest lap and Cink already in leading positions, attentive to any moves.

As the laps progressed, Cink took control. In the third lap, he positioned himself at the front, taking advantage of the solidity of his pedaling and the difficulties of his rivals in the technical descents. Gradually, he opened a gap with a constant and error-free pace, eventually accumulating up to 24 seconds of advantage.

The excitement peaked in the final laps when Fabio Püntener tried to catch him alongside his compatriot Flückiger. Both Swiss riders offered an exciting battle for the podium, which was resolved in the final meters with Flückiger surpassing Püntener on the climb. However, the joint effort was not enough to reach an imperial Cink.

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The Czech crossed the finish line with his arms in the air, thus signing his first victory in the Elite XCO World Cup after years of struggle, injuries, and a serious heart problem in 2019 that cast doubt on his continuity as a professional cyclist.

The Specialized Factory Racing team had a gray day, with Blevins and Vidaurre far from their usual prominence, while Cube Factory Racing celebrated its greatest success since its creation. A victory of enormous value for a rider who, when it seemed like his best days were behind him, has shown that he still had much to say.

Top 10 - Leogang 2025 XCO World Cup - Elite Men

1. Ondrej Cink (Cube Factory Racing) - 1:25:05
2. Mathias Flückiger (Thömus Maxon) - 1:25:23 (+18s)
3. Fabio Püntener - 1:25:32 (+27s)
4. Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) - 1:25:48 (+43s)
5. Lars Forster (Thömus Maxon) - 1:26:18 (+1:13)
6. Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team) - 1:26:20 (+1:15)
7. Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) - 1:26:25 (+1:20)
8. Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon CLLCTV XCO) - 1:26:49 (+1:44)
9. Vital Albin (Thömus Maxon) - 1:26:51 (+1:46)
10. Alan Hatherly (Giant Factory Off-Road Team - XC) - 1:26:58 (+1:53)

Leogang has witnessed one of the most exciting stories of the season. And Ondrej Cink, finally, has reaped the reward he had been seeking for so long.