Tom Pidcock wins the XCO World Cup in Nové Město and matches Nino Schurter's record of victories

Tom Pidcock has returned to the XCO World Cup and he did it in the only way he knows how in Nové Město, by winning. The British rider returned to the Czech circuit this Sunday after many months away from mountain biking and proved once again that this track remains completely his territory. But this time it was not a comfortable exhibition. Luca Martin delivered one of his best elite races and forced Pidcock to push himself to the limit in a very fast and aggressive race from the start.

Pidcock returns to XCO winning again in Nové Město after resisting Luca Martin's constant attacks

The race started at a very high pace from the first meters. Dario Lillo initially took the lead of the group while Mathis Azzaro, winner of Saturday's Short Track, showed himself to be very aggressive at the start. Pidcock started a bit more conservatively but quickly moved to the front.

Even before completing the first lap, the British rider had already taken command of the race and at the start of the second lap launched the first major attack. Luca Martin and Mathis Azzaro were the only ones able to respond initially, although Pidcock quickly began to open a gap.

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As the British rider intensified the race, problems and gaps began to emerge behind. Charlie Aldridge lost contact with the leaders after suffering mechanical issues with his handlebars and Azzaro, after a very explosive start, began to lose positions. That’s when Adrien Boichis made a strong appearance, executing a great comeback to place himself among the best for a good part of the race.

But the main protagonist of the day alongside Pidcock was Luca Martin. The French rider from Cannondale Factory Racing practically held on alone throughout the race and was the only rider able to keep the fight for victory alive. For more than an hour, he constantly chased Pidcock and even managed to reduce the gap to just 10 seconds with two laps to go.

Behind, the SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team placed several riders in front positions throughout the race with Filippo Colombo, Fabio Püntener, and Bjorn Riley riding together in the fight for the podium. Riley was having one of his best performances in the elite World Cup until a flat tire and a rear wheel blowout ended his chances.

When it seemed that Luca Martin could catch up with Pidcock, the British rider accelerated again on the penultimate lap and managed to open a small lead that would ultimately prove decisive. Martin never stopped insisting and managed to keep Pidcock in sight at some points on the circuit during the final lap, but the British rider made no mistakes and crossed the finish line alone to maintain his perfect record of victories in Nové Město.

With this victory, Tom Pidcock equals the circuit record of victories previously held by Nino Schurter with 5.

Luca Martin finished second after a huge performance that confirms him as one of the best in the world of XCO. The podium was completed by Filippo Colombo after winning the final battle for third place against Fabio Püntener and Martin Vidaurre.

Top 10 – XCO World Cup Nové Město 2026 (Elite Men)

1. Tom Pidcock – 1:18:52
2. Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) – 1:19:10 (+18)
3. Filippo Colombo (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) – 1:19:56 (+1:04)
4. Martin Vidaurre Kossmann (Specialized Factory Racing) – 1:20:11 (+1:19)
5. Fabio Püntener (SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team) – 1:20:12 (+1:20)
6. Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) – 1:20:23 (+1:31)
7. Dario Lillo (GIANT Factory Off-Road Team - XC) – 1:21:13 (+2:21)
8. Maximilian Foidl (KTM Factory MTB Team) – 1:21:27 (+2:35)
9. Juri Zanotti (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) – 1:21:47 (+2:55)
10. Mathis Guay (KTM Factory MTB Team) – 1:21:50 (+2:58)