The World Cup arrives in Andorra this weekend: schedules, favorites, and how to watch

The MTB World Cup shows no mercy and after the spectacular debut in La Thuile, the championship heads to Pal Arinsal (Andorra) to compete in the sixth round of the XCC and XCO season. The Andorran circuit is already one of the great classics of the calendar and presents a very different challenge from the Italian event: it will be the only race of the year held entirely at high altitude, a factor that always makes a difference among the best specialists in the world.

Schedule for XCC and XCO of the Pal Arinsal 2026 World Cup

Friday, July 10 - XCC

• 10:35 AM - XCC Women U23
• 11:25 AM - XCC Men U23
• 6:00 PM - XCC Women Elite
• 6:50 PM - XCC Men Elite

Sunday, July 12 - XCO

• 9:00 AM - XCO Women U23
• 11:00 AM - XCO Men U23
• 1:30 PM - XCO Women Elite 
• 3:30 PM - XCO Men Elite 

How to watch the Pal Arinsal World Cup

The elite XCC and XCO events can be followed live, as always, through Eurosport, Max, and the official platforms of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. But in addition, this event will be broadcast on RTVE channels.

Martin and Rissveds defend their lead in the Pal Arinsal XCC/XCO World Cup 2026

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The World Cup arrives in Andorra after a weekend that reaffirmed who the main protagonists of this season are. Luca Martin achieved his second consecutive victory in XCO in La Thuile with a long-range attack that left Mathis Azzaro and Adrien Boichis without a response, further strengthening his overall lead.

In the women's category, Martina Berta made history in front of her home crowd by winning the first XCO World Cup in La Thuile and ending more than a decade without Italian victories in the top competition. Nevertheless, Jenny Rissveds continues to lead the overall classification with authority thanks to her extraordinary consistency shown since Leogang.

Pal Arinsal, the circuit where altitude always decides

Pal Arinsal occupies a unique place in the international calendar. Located above 1,900 meters in the heart of the Pyrenees, it is the only XCO World Cup circuit that is held entirely at high altitude.

The lack of oxygen turns every climb into a maximum effort and makes pace management even more important than at any other venue. Additionally, the course combines long ascents with a large natural rock garden where punctures and technical errors often take center stage.

If La Thuile surprised with its enduro-inspired descents, Pal Arinsal represents a completely different challenge: power, endurance, and the ability to maintain pace at altitude throughout the race.

What happened last year in Andorra

The 2025 edition left several notable results. In XCC, Alessandra Keller and Luca Martin broke the winning streaks held by Chris Blevins and Puck Pieterse.

In XCO, Samara Maxwell achieved the first victory of her career in the World Cup, while Tom Pidcock returned to competition by winning in his season debut after coming back from the fourth row of the start.

Favorites to win in Pal Arinsal: Martin arrives as the man to beat

All the focus will be on Luca Martin. The Frenchman links two consecutive victories in XCO and has shown in Leogang, Lenzerheide, and La Thuile that he is currently the strongest rider on the circuit.

His main rival will again be Adrien Boichis, with whom he maintains a spectacular battle race after race, although Mathis Azzaro arrives boosted after achieving his best performance of the season with a second place in La Thuile.

Also, keep a close eye on Bjorn Riley, Riley Amos, Dario Lillo, Fabio Püntener, Charlie Aldridge, Luca Schwarzbauer, Simone Avondetto and the reigning world champion Alan Hatherly, who will face his second race after returning this weekend.

The question will be whether Victor Koretzky can finally return to competition or if he will extend his recovery for another week.

This is how the men's overall classification stands

Luca Martin continues to extend his lead at the top of the World Cup. The Frenchman has already accumulated two consecutive victories in XCO and, after also winning in La Thuile, approaches the Pal Arinsal event with 1,317 points, a significant margin over Adrien Boichis. Behind, the fight for the podium is much tighter, with Bjorn Riley, Dario Lillo, and Mathis Azzaro separated by just over a hundred points.

1. Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) – 1,317 points
2. Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) – 974 points
3. Bjorn Riley (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) – 773 points
4. Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team XC) – 769 points
5. Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) – 672 points

Rissveds remains the top favorite

Although Martina Berta will arrive with high morale after winning in La Thuile, the main reference continues to be Jenny Rissveds, leader of the World Cup thanks to her victories in Leogang and Lenzerheide and her win in the Short Track in La Thuile.

The Swede will seek to regain her sensations after a less brilliant day in the Italian XCO.

Among the main contenders will again be Laura Stigger, Savilia Blunk, Sina Frei, Alessandra Keller, Nicole Koller, Ronja Blöchlinger, Puck Pieterse, Martina Berta, and Evie Richards, who continues to regain competitive rhythm after the concussion suffered in Nové Město.

This is how the women's overall classification stands

Jenny Rissveds maintains her lead with a solid advantage despite not being able to step onto the podium in La Thuile. The Swede has accumulated 1,302 points, although behind her, the battle tightens after the great weekend of Savilia Blunk, Laura Stigger, and especially Martina Berta, who with her victory in Italy rises to fifth place in the overall standings.

1. Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) – 1,302 points
2. Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) – 1,090 points
3. Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) – 932 points
4. Laura Stigger (Specialized Factory Racing) – 929 points
5. Martina Berta (Origine Racing Division) – 910 points

With the factor of altitude, a historic circuit, and the battle for the overall classification entering its decisive phase, Pal Arinsal once again brings together all the ingredients to offer one of the most demanding races of the entire season.