The Short Track returns on Friday at the XCO Haute Savoie World Cup, Les Gets

The XCO World Cup moves to the French town of Les Gets to compete in the sixth round of the competition. Despite the absence of Tom Pidcock, the return of Victor Koretzky is expected, along with the presence of Nino Schurter and the rest of the heavyweights in the peloton. This event is crucial as it is the last race of this magnitude before the Olympic Games.

Schedule and where to watch the XCO World Cup in Les Gets 2024

The calendar is advancing rapidly and Les Gets will mark the end of the European leg of the World Cup. The Downhill events require a different weekend format than usual: Friday will be the XCC's turn and Sunday will be reserved for the XCO. The broadcasts can be followed on Max and on Eurosport channels or app -according to the schedule-.

Friday, July 5

• 16:45 XCC Women's U23
• 17:20 XCC Men's U23
• 18:00 XCC Women's
• 18:35 XCC Men's

Saturday, July 6

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

Sunday, July 7

• 9:00 XCO Women's U23
• 11:00 XCO Women's
• 13:30 XCO Men's
• 18:00 XCO Men's U23

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 alpine valleys of Crans Montana -host of the 2025 World Championships- were the setting for the fifth round of the XCO World Cup. Tom Pidcock was the undisputed protagonist of the weekend: impossible comeback to win the Short Track after recovering from last place and comfortable victory in the XCO race.

Crans Montana proposed a complex track and, with Paris around the corner, caused some riders to take only the necessary risks. Track conditions made the situation even more challenging, and riders like Pidcock or Schurter ended up on the ground.

The race was marked by the absence of then-leader of the overall standings Victor Koretzky -after dealing with Covid and the consequences of a fall in Val di Sole-, the return of David Campos and the injury of Maximilian Brand.

This is how the overall standings look:

1. Nino Schurter 942 points
2. Alan Hatherly 798 points
3. Filippo Colombo 795 points
4. Victor Koretzky 789 points
5. Jordan Sarrou 698 points

In the women's category, Ferrand-Prevot was absent after her outstanding performance in Val di Sole. Without the French rider in the mix, it was time for other riders to take the spotlight and shine at the top of the podium. Puck Pieterse won her third consecutive Short Track and Loana Lecomte revived her best version to claim victory in the XCO.

This is how the overall standings look:

1. Alessandra Keller 1008 points
2. Haley Batten 917 points
3. Savilia Blunk 738 points
4. Puck Pieterse 708 points
5. Loana Lecomte 688 points

Les Gets, the final showdown before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The French Alps will be dressed up to host a new World Cup event. The town of Les Gets is a classic in this sport, although this time the battle will have a special flavor as it is the last showdown before the mother of all races: the Olympic Games. The weekend will be the final opportunity for riders to fine-tune their skills, as when they meet again, it will be to fight for Olympic medals on July 29.

Tom Pidcock is the first confirmed absence. The British rider is in the Tour and, as a clear dominator of the discipline, his absence opens the door to victory for others. Maximilian Brandl is another absence.

The article will be updated as the rest of the participants are officially announced.

Swiss riders Nino Schurter and Mathias Fluckiger are two of the main contenders for victory. The former is the overall leader and has been one of the best riders in the peloton for weeks; the latter regained his form in Crans Montana with a great second place after a slow start to the season.

Victor Koreztky is the big question mark. Only he knows how he is feeling, but if he is in good shape, he is one of the clear favorites for everything. The Frenchman earned the right to be the best during the first months of competition, although a Covid infection and a fall in Val di Sole weakened him and kept him off the bike in Crans Montana.

Other usual suspects like Luca Schwarzbauer, Filippo Colombo, or Alan Hatherly should also be in the mix. The Spaniards could also play an interesting role: David Valero is gaining momentum and will step onto the stage where he became the world runner-up in 2022.

Ferrand-Prevot and Pieterse meet in the prelude to the Olympic Games

The women's race will also require all riders to sharpen their quadriceps in order to test themselves one last time before Paris 2024. The final exercise where preparation reaches its peak and where they should already have a form very similar to what they intend to showcase at the Olympic stage on July 28.

Ferrand-Prevot is the main attraction and the top candidate to steal the spotlight. The French rider has shown to be a step above her rivals and has earned the right to be the favorite in the predictions. She will face a Puck Pieterse ready to fight, although she has shown a lower level in the longer races.

Other big names like Evie Richards, Haley Batten, Alessandra Keller, Chiara Teocchi, Laura Stigger, or Anne Tauber should also have a chance to fight for top positions.