Valero remains unbeatable in the XCM World Cup and wins the iconic Hero Sudtirol Dolomites

David Valero continues to expand his achievements in the 2026 season. After winning in Andorra, the Klimatiza Orbea Team rider triumphed this Saturday at the Hero Südtirol Dolomites, the fourth event of the XCM World Cup, becoming the first Spanish cyclist to win one of the most prestigious MTB Marathon events on the international calendar.

David Valero at the Hero Südtirol Dolomites and conquers his first victory in the mythical Italian marathon

The race held in Selva di Val Gardena brought together some of the best specialists in the world on a course of 86 kilometers that once again demonstrated why the Hero is considered one of the toughest and most emblematic marathons on the planet.

 

 

 

 

 

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A battle of six riders until the decisive kilometers

The men's race remained very open for much of the course. A group of six riders managed to select the race and concentrate all the fight for victory. Among them were David Valero, Leonardo Paez, Tim Smeenge, Diego Rosa, Dario Cherchi, and Wout Alleman.

As the kilometers passed, the toughness of the course reduced the group. The first to drop was Alleman, while Cherchi lost contact later when Valero and the Dutchman Tim Smeenge increased the pace at the front.

The acceleration of both also caused Leonardo Paez and Diego Rosa to be dropped, although the race still had several twists in store.

The definitive attack from Valero

The final selection came on the last major climb of the course, on the ascent to Zallinger, located around kilometer 75. There, Valero increased the pace again and managed to drop Smeenge to ride solo towards victory.

Behind, Paez managed to return to the wheel of the Dutchman and seemed to re-enter the fight for the podium. However, a small mechanical problem at the crucial moment ended up hindering the Colombian's chances, who lost contact when the race was deciding the honor positions.

While Valero consolidated his lead, Diego Rosa made a great comeback. The Italian regained ground until he caught up with Smeenge and ended up pulling away in the final kilometers to secure second place.

Valero crossed the finish line with a time of 4:30:11, finishing 41 seconds ahead of Rosa. Smeenge completed the podium 49 seconds behind the winner, while Paez had to settle for fourth place after his mechanical setback.

Top 10 Elite Men (86 km)

1. David Valero (Klimatiza Orbea Team) – 4:30:11
2. Diego Rosa (FOL Racing Team) – +0:41
3. Tim Smeenge (Team Bergankunft) – +0:49
4. Leonardo Paez (Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing) – +1:08
5. Dario Cherchi (Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing) – +3:29
6. Wout Alleman (BUFF-BH) – +4:42
7. Andreas Seewald (Singer KTM Racing) – +5:58
8. Samuele Porro (Klimatiza Orbea Team) – +7:05
9. Lorenzo Samparisi (KTM Spada Brenta Brakes) – +7:37
10. Sebastian Andrés Gesche (Klimatiza Orbea Team) – +8:08

Claudia Peretti dominates the women's race

The women's race of 60 kilometers had much less uncertainty. The reigning Italian XCM champion, Claudia Peretti, took the lead from the very first moments and completed an impeccable performance to win solo.

The Olympia Factory Team rider gave no options to her rivals and reached the finish line after 3 hours, 53 minutes, and 48 seconds of effort. The Dutch Rosa van Doorn was second, 2:32 behind, while the Polish Paula Gorycka completed the podium at 3:52.

The World Cup leader, Swiss Anna Weinbeer, finished just outside the podium in fourth place, only three seconds behind Gorycka. Meanwhile, the Spanish Natalia Fischer managed to close the Top 10 of the race.

With the victories of David Valero and Claudia Peretti, the fourth round of the Hero UCI Marathon World Cup 2026 concludes. The circuit will return on July 26 with the Black Forest Ultra Bike Marathon in Kirchzarten, Germany, the penultimate event before the final showdown in Girona.

Top 10 Elite Women (60 km)

1. Claudia Peretti (Olympia Factory Team) – 3:53:48
2. Rosa van Doorn (BUFF-BH) – +2:32
3. Paula Gorycka (Strüby Sting) – +3:52
4. Anna Weinbeer (KTM Spada Brenta Brakes) – +3:55
5. Debora Piana (FOL Racing Team) – +6:52
6. Mara Fumagalli (KTM Spada Brenta Brakes) – +8:12
7. Amanda Bohlin (Umara Racing) – +9:15
8. Lejla Njemcevic (Orbea) – +9:29
9. Chelsea Bolton (SPCC) – +11:26
10. Natalia Fischer (Extremadura Ecopilas UCI MTB Team) – +12:18