Schedule, favorites and how to watch the Short Track of the Nove Mesto 2025 World Cup

After a spectacular start to the season in Brazil, where the Specialized team put on a real show, the XCO World Cup arrives in Europe next weekend on May 24-25. This is how the competition arrives at one of the most emblematic events of the year, this is how the XCO World Cup arrives in Nove Mesto 2025.

Schedules and where to watch the XCO World Cup in Nove Mesto

Saturday, May 24 - XCC (Short Track)

• 11:30 - Elite Women
• 12:10 - Elite Men

Sunday, May 25 - XCO (Cross-country Olympic)

• 10:00 - Elite Women
• 12:00 - Elite Men

The elite races can be watched live through the MAX digital application or from the Eurosport channel.

The XCO World Cup has its next stop in Nove Mesto

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From May 23 to 25, the spotlight shifts to Nové M?sto na Morav?, a mythical stage on the world calendar that has been present since 2011. Located in the Vyso?ina region, this Czech enclave is known for its technical and fast track, which combines explosive climbs, dizzying descents, roots, and rock gardens that punish any mistake, especially if it rains.

The Czech event comes after a one-month break from Brazil, so it is expected that the riders will arrive fresh and prepared to offer a total battle from the first meter.

Among the favorites, great debuts are expected in the World Cup, such as the current World Champion Alan Hatherly, who competed last weekend in Germany but several incidents in the middle of the race did not allow him to fight for the victory. But there is no doubt that the most anticipated comeback is that of Mathieu van der Poel, who will return to this competition after 4 years and with his sights set on the next MTB World Cup.

To these reappearances we have to add those who have done the best in the beginning of the season, so we have to add the Specialized Factory Racing with the American Christopher Blevins, the Frenchmen Victor Koretzky and Adrien Boichi, and the Chilean Martin Vidaurre. Nor can we leave out of the podium pools the Swiss Filippo Colombo, Nino Schurter or Mathias Fluckiger, among others.

But if we have seen anything in recent seasons is that the XCO is living a golden age in which the favorites multiply in each race and it is increasingly difficult to make predictions about the podium.

In the women's category, the current XCO World Champion Puck Pieterse, will arrive in Nove Mesto after a brief transition from road to mountain bike in which she has had time to proclaim herself Dutch Short Track champion and take the victory last weekend in Heubach.

We will also see the World Cup debut of Australian champion Bec Henderson, now recovered from the injury suffered in her shoulder during the Nationals last March. The presence of American Haley Batten is still in doubt after skipping the start of the season in Brazil due to health problems of a family member.

To these additions we must add the usual favorites like Jenny Rissveds, Evie Richards or Allesandra Keller and add the new emerging stars that we saw above in the trials in Brazil, such as Samara Maxwel or Jennifer Jackson.

How is the overall classification going?

The women's overall classification arrives in Nové M?sto led by New Zealander Samara Maxwell, whose impressive performance in the early races of the year earned her 585 points to take the lead. Swedish Jenny Rissveds and Swiss Nicole Koller complete the provisional podium, both showing great consistency. Also close by are names like Evie Richards, who won the XCC in Mairiporã, and Jennifer Jackson, all within the top 5.

In the men's fight, American Christopher Blevins leads with 610 points, thanks to his multiple victories (XCC and XCO) in Araxa. He is closely followed by Frenchman Victor Koretzky, winner of the first XCO in Brazil. Chilean Martín Vidaurre is third to the delight of Specialized, while Nino Schurter, Adrien Boichis, and Jordan Sarrou continue to fight in a very tight classification after two intense rounds in South American soil.