Valero and Natalia Fischer reach the podium at the Black Forest XCM World Cup: the overall will be decided in Girona

The Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon, held this Sunday in Kirchzarten (Germany), showcased another great performance from the Spanish specialists. David Valero, who debuted his European Champion jersey, secured a valuable second place in the fifth and penultimate event of the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup 2026, while Natalia Fischer also climbed onto the podium after finishing second in the women's race.

David Valero and Natalia Fischer shine in Germany and leave the outcome of the XCM World Cup for Girona

The result keeps the fight for the men's overall classification completely open, which will be decided on September 20 at the Sea Otter Europe in Girona, where David Valero and Belgian Wout Alleman will compete for the XCM World Cup title.

Valero responds to Alleman's attack and everything will be decided in Girona

The German race, covering 118 kilometers and 3,509 meters of positive elevation, started with a large leading group in which the main favorites stayed together for a good part of the course.

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The decisive selection came past the halfway point of the race, and it was Wout Alleman who launched the most important move by breaking away solo with about 45 kilometers to go. David Valero managed the situation well and reduced the gap during the final stretch, eventually catching up to Italian Davide Foccoli and securing second place.

In the end, the Belgian champion crossed the finish line in 4:14:07, with just 12 seconds ahead of Valero, while Foccoli completed the podium just 19 seconds behind the winner after delivering one of the standout performances of the day.

Thanks to this second place, Valero remains very much alive in the overall classification, although Alleman closes the gap with his victory. Everything is pending for the grand final of the World Cup, which will take place on September 20 at the Sea Otter Europe in Girona, where both will compete for the absolute title.

Top 10 Elite Men XCM World Cup Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon

1. Wout Alleman (Buff-BH) – 4:14:07
2. David Valero (Klimatiza Orbea Team) – +0:12
3. Davide Foccoli (Scott Racing Team) – +0:19
4. Leonardo Páez (Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing) – +3:03
5. Samuele Porro (Klimatiza Orbea Team) – +3:20
6. Jakob Hartmann (Singer KTM Racing) – +3:43
7. Alexandre Balmer (Team Solution Tech Nippo Rali) – +3:51
8. Dario Cherchi (Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing) – +4:34
9. Andreas Seewald (Singer KTM Racing) – +6:22
10. Simon Stiebjahn (Singer KTM Racing) – +6:45

Natalia Fischer returns to the podium

In the women's race, Anna Weinbeer confirmed her dominance in the World Cup by achieving her fourth victory in five events held this season.

The Swiss rider took the lead from the first kilometers and progressively extended her advantage to win with a time of 4:55:11.

Behind her, Natalia Fischer delivered another solid performance to cross the finish line in second place, four minutes behind the winner, while Italian Claudia Peretti closed the podium.

With this victory, Weinbeer further strengthens her lead in the overall classification ahead of the decisive event on the calendar.

Top 6 Elite Women XCM World Cup Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon

1. Anna Weinbeer (KTM Spada Powered by Brenta Brakes) – 4:55:11
2. Natalia Fischer (Extremadura Ecopilas) – +4:00
3. Claudia Peretti (Olympia Factory Team) – +7:41
4. Steffi Häberlin (VC Bürglen-Märwil) – +11:27
5. Mara Fumagalli (KTM Spada Powered by Brenta Brakes) – +15:44
6. Amanda Bohlin (Umara Racing Div.) – +17:59