Sina Frei signs the double and dethrones Jenny Rissveds at the 2026 XCO European Championship

The Mountain Bike European Championship in Monteceneri wrapped up the elite events this Sunday with an intense women's XCO race that confirmed Sina Frei's great form. The Swiss rider became the new European champion after defeating her compatriot Alessandra Keller and the reigning world champion, Jenny Rissveds, repeating exactly the same podium that had been established in the Short Track a few days earlier.

Sina Frei conquers the European XCO after a race marked by Rissveds' flat tire

The event was marked by several important absences due to the calendar, with riders like Martina Berta, Jolanda Neff, and Puck Pieterse focused on other season objectives. Nevertheless, the starting grid included many of the best specialists on the continent, with Jenny Rissveds starting as the main favorite to defend the title she won a year earlier. Spain was represented by Estíbaliz Sagardoy.

Rissveds struck first, but the flat tire completely changed the race

The world champion set out determined to impose her pace from the first meters, just as she had done in the Short Track. However, the Swede found herself surrounded by the strong Swiss team, which occupied many of the top positions during the initial laps.

RECOMENDADO

2026 XCO/XCC European Championships: Favorites, Schedule, and How to Watch

Sina Frei and Charlie Aldridge are crowned European XCC champions 2026 in Monte Ceneri

Iván García Cortina leaves Movistar and signs with Alpecin-Premier Tech until 2028

It’s official: Mikel Landa signs with Euskaltel-Euskadi and will be the team leader in 2027-28

Factor launches two exclusive ONE inspired by SpongeBob and Patrick Star

Evenepoel seeks a historic record in the San Sebastián Classic 2026: schedules and how to watch

Rissveds, Ronja Blöchlinger, and Sina Frei managed to open a small gap from the first lap. Shortly after, the Swede launched an initial attack that only Blöchlinger could follow, while behind them, Frei, Alessandra Keller, and Evie Richards organized the chase.

The circuit, consisting of seven laps, demonstrated why it is one of the most demanding courses on the European calendar, with continuous rocky areas, trails among trees, and a constant chain of climbs and descents that barely offered moments to recover.

The second lap turned out to be the decisive moment of the race. Rissveds accelerated strongly and seemed to be heading towards another solo exhibition, but a flat tire on her rear wheel forced her to stop in the technical zone. The incident completely changed the course of the event.

Sina Frei took advantage of the setback to move to the front, surpassing Blöchlinger and taking the lead, while Keller began a comeback that would prove crucial in the battle for medals.

Sina Frei seals the European title and completes the double

After regrouping at the front at the start of the third lap, Frei, Rissveds, and Keller rode together for several kilometers. However, the balance did not last long.

In the fourth lap, Frei increased the pace again and managed to definitively break the race. Keller responded to the attack and also managed to shake off Rissveds, who began to lose time after the enormous fatigue accumulated during the first half of the race.

While Blöchlinger lost ground in the fight for the podium, Frei gradually extended her lead during the last two laps. Keller solidified her second position, and Rissveds, now more than a minute behind the leader, had to focus on defending third place until the finish line.

The Swiss crossed the finish line solo to become the 2026 XCO European champion and complete a spectacular continental double after also winning the XCC title. Keller confirmed the Swiss double, and Rissveds completed the podium, with the exact same top three positions as in the Short Track.

Top 10 Women's Elite XCO European Championship 2026

1. Sina Frei (Switzerland) – 1:26:17
2. Alessandra Keller (Switzerland) – +1:26
3. Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) – +2:04
4. Nicole Koller (Switzerland) – +2:57
5. Evie Richards (Great Britain) – +3:15
6. Ronja Blöchlinger (Switzerland) – +4:40
7. Ginia Caluori (Switzerland) – +4:53
8. Sofie Pedersen (Denmark) – +5:23
9. Luisa Daubermann (Germany) – +5:52
10. Janika Lõiv (Estonia) – +6:23

With the European Championship now decided, the main favorites are now focusing their attention on the upcoming World Cup in Les Gets and, above all, on the World Championship in Val di Sole, which will take place at the end of August.