The XCM World Cup starts in Nove Mesto

The XCM World Cup will kick off the season at the Nove Mesto event. This is the first of three tests that the Championship has been reduced to, and in the opening event, it shares venue and date with the XCC and XCO events.

XCM World Cup Nove Mesto 2024: dates and favorites

The marathon discipline joined the UCI World Cup in 2023 and its calendar was renewed and announced late for the 2024 season. Additionally, it was reduced to just 3 events, and in the first one, Nove Mesto, participation has decreased compared to the previous year.

These may not seem like good numbers, but this category continues to have the support of fans, and its races maintain a general interest even above the support it receives from the World Cup. Remember that these races do not have live broadcasts in the World Cup, but in the past they have been well received in broadcasts such as the World Championships or any prestigious stage race.

In 2023, the overall winners of the UCI XCM World Cup were Italian Fabian Rabensteiner (Willier Vittoria Factory Racing) and Bosnian Lejla Njem?evi? (Allebike9), and as expected, both will be at the start line in Nove Mesto next Sunday.

Route, schedules, and how to follow the XCM World Cup in Nove Mesto

The XCM races will take place on Sunday, and the 123km route with 2830m of positive elevation gain will start and finish at the Vyso?ina Arena. The circular route will head north where cyclists will enter the recognizable forests of Nové M?sto Na Morav? that have made this venue so special for mountain biking.

Sunday, May 26

• Women XCM - 07:00
• Men XCM - 08:15

 

Fabian Rabensteiner and Lejla Njem?evi? are the favorites

In the women's race, Lejla Njem?evi?, the 2023 overall winner, has shown that she continues to maintain a high level this season by winning the national championship or finishing fourth in the past Andalucía Bike Race. But in Nove Mesto, she will not have an easy victory, and among her main rivals are Rosa Van Doorn (Buff Megamo Team) and Janina Wüst (Buff Megamo Team). Van Doorn comes after great performances in the Mediterranean Epic, 4 Islands MTB Croatia (XCMS), and Transgrancanaria Bike in 2024, while her teammate Wüst partnered with the Dutch rider in Croatia and finished third in the Mediterranean Epic.

In addition to the favorites, we must also consider Vera Looser, who finished fourth in the overall standings last year despite only competing in half of the rounds. And German Adelheid Morath, who has already won a XCM World Cup and practically won all the events she competed in this discipline last year.

Among the men, Rabensteiner has also started his season strong by winning in Andalucía with Samuele Porro, as well as the Scott Bike Marathon. But in Nove Mesto, he will have to compete with Belgian Wout Alleman (Buff Megamo Team), who comes after winning the Mediterranean Epic (XCMS), Roc d'Ardenne, and making the podium at the Cape Epic.

Other contenders to watch out for are Simon Stiebnjahn (Singer Racing Team) or former world champion Héctor Leonardo Páez León.