2026 XCO World Cup in Leogang: How to Watch Live, Schedule, and Favorites

After almost three weeks of pause since the spectacular event in Nové Město, the XCO World Cup returns to action this weekend in Leogang (Austria). The third round of the 2026 season comes with a completely renewed circuit that will test the best specialists in the world.

Dates and Times for the Leogang XCC and XCO World Cup 2026

Friday, June 12 - XCC

• 10:35 - XCC U23 Women
• 11:25 - XCC U23 Men
• 17:30 - XCC Elite Women
• 18:20 - XCC Elite Men

Sunday, June 14 - XCO

• 08:30 - XCO U23 Women
• 10:10 - XCO U23 Men
• 11:55 - XCO Elite Women
• 13:50 - XCO Elite Men

How to watch the Leogang World Cup

The elite XCC and XCO events can be followed live through HBO Max, as well as on platforms and channels with broadcasting rights in each country.

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But if you don't want to miss the minute-by-minute coverage of the XCO Elite events, you can follow them for free on our live tracking service.

The XCO World Cup arrives in Leogang with a completely new circuit and several notable absences

The XCO World Cup 2026 returns this weekend in Leogang (Austria) for the third round of the season. After the events in South Korea and Nové Město, the best specialists in the world face a challenge that presents significant changes, starting with a completely redesigned course that promises to change the usual profile of one of the classic venues on the calendar.

The Austrian race will also kick off an intense block of consecutive competitions in Europe, featuring several of the big names in the peloton fighting to consolidate their positions in the overall standings.

A new XCO circuit in Leogang

Although Leogang hosted the MTB World Championship in 2020 and is one of the best-known venues of the World Cup, the organization has opted for a deep renovation of the cross-country circuit for 2026.

The changes include a new rock garden at the start and finish, more natural trails within the forest, and several unprecedented descents that should increase the technical difficulty of the course. On paper, the layout will continue to reward riders with great climbing ability, but the new sections could create more differences and increase the importance of technique.

The weather could also play an important role. Forecasts indicate a high probability of rain throughout the weekend, which could make the race one of the most demanding of the season if mud appears.

This is how the standings look after Korea and Nové Město

The women's classification is led by Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing), who has been one of the most consistent riders at the start of the season. Behind her is her teammate Laura Stigger, Jenny Rissveds (Canyon), Nicole Koller (Lapierre), and Martina Berta (Origine).

In the men's category, the leader is Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team), followed by Luca Martin (Cannondale), Filippo Colombo (SCOTT), Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale), and Mathis Azzaro (Origine).

The last event held in Nové Město saw victories for Laura Stigger and Tom Pidcock in the XCO, while Puck Pieterse and Mathis Azzaro triumphed in the Short Track.

Notable absences and a high-level starting list

As has become customary this season, the provisional list of entrants shows several notable absences. Tom Pidcock, winner in Nové Město, will not be present, as expected, nor will the Swiss Finn Treudler, a revelation in the first event of the season, the world champion Alan Hatherly, or the injured Christopher Blevins and Victor Koretzky.

However, the level remains extraordinarily high, and among the prominent men who will surely be fighting for podium positions are the leader Dario Lillo, Luca Martin, Filippo Colombo, Charlie Aldridge, Mathis Azzaro, Martin Vidaurre, Fabio Püntener, Lars Forster, Bjorn Riley, Simon Andreassen, and Luca Schwarzbauer.

In the women's category, the presence of almost all the contenders for the overall title is notable, except for Evie Richards, who is still recovering from a concussion. Led by Sina Frei, there will also be Puck Pieterse, Laura Stigger, Jenny Rissveds, Nicole Koller, Martina Berta, Jennifer Jackson, Ronja Blöchlinger, Mona Mitterwallner, Savilia Blunk, Gwendalyn Gibson, Jolanda Neff, Anne Terpstra, Puck Pieterse, Alessandra Keller, Rebecca Henderson, and Candice Lill.

With a completely new circuit, rain forecast, and several open questions in both the men's and women's categories, Leogang presents itself as one of the most interesting events at the start of the 2026 XCO World Cup season.