How to watch the MTB World Cup Val di Sole 2024: schedules and favorites

The most important XCO competition in this sport returns this weekend with the Val di Sole XCO World Cup 2024.  The historic alpine circuit will be the scene of another battle between the best riders in the world, except for a Tom Pidcock now focused on the road. In the women's category, a new assault will be witnessed in the Ferrand Prevot-Pieterse duel.

Schedule and where to watch the Val di Sole 2024 XCO World Cup

The calendar continues in European soil, although the presence of the Downhill World Cup alters the usual schedules. In this way, the Short Track races will take place on Friday, the DH finals will be on Saturday, and the XCO will be reserved for Sunday. The broadcasts can be followed on Discovery+ and on Eurosport channels or app -according to the schedule-.

Friday, June 14

• 17:15 Women's Short Track
• 17:50 Men's Short Track
• 18:40 Women's U23 Short Track
• 19:15 Men's U23 Short Track

Saturday, June 15

• 11:30-12:00 Junior Women's DH Final
• 12:00-13:00 Junior Men's DH Final
• 13:15-14:00 Women's DH Final
• 14:00-15:00 Men's DH Final

Sunday, June 16

• 9:00 Women's U23 XCO
• 11:15 Women's XCO
• 14:00 Men's XCO
• 16:00 Men's U23 XCO

Platforms to follow the races

• Argentina - Claro
• Germany - Eurosport, discovery+ 
• Austria - Eurosport, discovery+ 
• Australia - discovery+
• Belgium - Eurosport
• Bolivia - Claro
• Brazil - TNT Sports, YouTube Channel 
• Bulgaria - Eurosport
• Canada - Flosports 
• Chile - Claro 
• China - Zhibo.tv 
• Colombia - Claro 
• Costa Rica - Claro 
• Denmark - Max, Eurosport, Czech TV 
• Ecuador - Claro 
• El Salvador - Claro 
• United States - Max
• Finland - Eurosport
• France - Eurosport, L'Equipe 
• Greece - Eurosport
• Guatemala - Claro 
• Honduras - Claro 
• Hungary - Max, Eurosport
• Ireland - discovery+ 
• Italy - Eurosport Channels, discovery+ 
• Mexico - Claro 
• Nicaragua - Claro 
• Norway - Max
• Netherlands - discovery+ 
• Panama - Claro 
• Paraguay - Claro 
• Peru - Claro 
• Poland - Eurosport
• Portugal - Max, Eurosport
• Puerto Rico - Max
• United Kingdom - Eurosport, discovery+ 
• Czech Republic - Max, Eurosport, Czech TV 
• Dominican Republic - Claro 
• Romania - Max, Eurosport
• Serbia - Eurosport
• Sweden - Max, Eurosport
• Switzerland - Eurosport, SRG 
• Turkey - Eurosport
• Uganda - Claro 
• Uruguay - Claro 
• Venezuela - Claro

What happened in the last race and how is the overall standings?

The XCO World Cup stepped on European soil for the first time this year in the last race in Nove Mesto. The riders exchanged the sweltering heat of the first two rounds in Brazil for one of the most iconic tracks in the discipline. The return of Tom Pidcock was the most talked about in the preview and on Sunday it was confirmed that the British rider is a step above his rivals; imperial attack and victory.

Nino Schurter emerged as the only one capable of keeping up with the pace, and although he eventually gave in, he had a great race. However, the discreet results in Mairipora and Araxá leave him -for now- in the background in the overall standings.

This is how the overall standings look:

1. Victor Koretzky 666 points
2. Christopher Blevins 496 points
3. Filippo Colombo 486 points
4. Alan Hatherly 474 points
5. Sam Gaze 469 points.

Nove Mesto also marked the end of the Olympic qualification period. The battle to secure a spot in the most coveted race on the planet ended, and the Olympic Ranking closed its doors. 

In the women's category, the competition intensified with the return of Ferrand-Prevot, Pieterse, and Mitterwallner. The French rider outperformed Pieterse -expected to fight for the win- and the rest of the competitors in an exemplary performance that earned her a comfortable victory in Nove Mesto. However, Batten's second-place finish allowed the American to extend her lead in the overall standings.

This is how the overall standings look:

1. Haley Batten 776 points
2. Alessandra Keller 610 points
3. Savilia Blunk 548 points
4. Jenny Rissveds 519 points
5. Linda Indergand 383 points

Schurter meets Koretzky, Sarrou, and company to defend the Val di Sole crown

The northern region of Trentino-Alto Adige is home to many valleys and mountains of the Italian Alps. Val di Sole has earned the right to be considered one of the most renowned venues on the calendar, backed by an extensive history with mountain biking. On one hand, the circuit -3.54 km with 224 m of positive elevation- is a technical and demanding challenge; on the other hand, it is a favorite track for some of the best riders in the world.

The Val di Sole race will have two significant absences. Tom Pidcock will be absent again from his particular schedule, which currently has him participating in the Tour de Suisse; Vlad Dascalu will also not be present due to the suspension imposed by the UCI. The article will be updated throughout the week as information about the participants becomes available.

Nino Schurter arrives as one of the top favorites. The years have not affected the legs of the Swiss rider, who faces a circuit that suits him perfectly -having won eight of the last nine editions and the 2021 World Championship- and comes from an excellent performance in Nove Mesto. The French riders Victor Koretzky and Jordan Sarrou will be other tough contenders for the win, as well as Sam Gaze, Chris Blevins, or Filippo Colombo.

On the other hand, Luca Schwarzbauer, Alan Hatherly, Charlie Aldridge, Mathias Fluckiger, or Simon Andreassen could also be in the mix.

Ferrand-Prevot against the world: Pieterse, Keller, and Batten present their candidacy to dethrone the queen

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot made a grand return to the XCO World Cup in Nove Mesto. The French rider is performing at a high level with the motivation to extend this winning streak to the Olympic event. However, Puck Pieterse showcased her skills in a fierce European Championship, so Val di Sole could witness a great duel between them.

In addition, familiar names like Haley Batten, Alessandra Keller, Mona Mitterwallner, Savilia Blunk, Jolanda Neff, or Jenny Rissveds could also be protagonists in the race.