La Thuile – Valle d'Aosta presented the 2026 edition of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series today at the headquarters of the Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta, confirming the Aosta Valley stage as one of the most important events on the international mountain bike calendar.
Source: press release
The press conference was attended by the President of the Region, Renzo Testolin; the Vice President and Councilor for Economic Development, Training and Employment, Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Luigi Bertschy; the Councilor for Tourism, Sport and Commerce, Giulio Grosjacques; the Mayor of La Thuile, Mathieu Ferraris; the representative of the Organizing Committee, Killy Martinet; and Enrico Martello, Sports Manager of the Local Organizing Committee.
After the 2025 debut, which saw La Thuile enter the world circuit with the Enduro and Downhill, 2026 marks a further step forward. The Aosta Valley stage will host four World Cup disciplines: Enduro, Downhill, Cross Country Olympic (XCO) and Cross Country Short Track (XCC).
This significant leap in scale places La Thuile among the most comprehensive venues on the circuit. In the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Series calendar—which encompasses 14 locations worldwide, from Whistler, Canada, to Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, and Les Gets, France—La Thuile will be one of only two stages to host all four disciplines, and the only one to do so within a single, compact logistics hub, with a paddock, event village, expo area, and race courses all within walking distance of the town.
Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, explains it very well. Although unable to attend the press conference in person, he nevertheless wanted to be present via video: “I remember saying this mountain was going to be incredible, and what was built in 2025 was true proof of that: it was one of the best-designed, best-built, most modern DH courses, and it received some of the best feedback from the athletes we’ve ever seen. I expect nothing less from the Cross Country race.”
This formula makes the experience even more engaging for spectators, media, and athletes, allowing them to have everything at their fingertips and experience the event at the heart of the action. A new ticketing option is also being developed for 2026, allowing spectators to choose between stadium-only access or a package that also includes a chairlift ride to reach some of the most spectacular points on the courses. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks, when online sales open.
The World Cup project in La Thuile, however, is not an isolated event, but part of a three-year program spanning 2025–2027 that aims to strengthen the Aosta Valley's positioning as an international destination for outdoor sports and cycling tourism.
The first year has already shown important numbers: in 2025 the La Thuile stage hosted over 500 athletes from 35 nations and in 2026 they will be joined by 30 teams from the endurance scene, a concentration of riders and industry professionals never seen before in Italy, a truly unmissable event for enthusiasts.
From a sporting perspective, the 2026 programme will take place over several days, with training and qualifying starting on Thursday 2 July and the race weekend between Friday and Sunday.
The calendar includes:
- Friday, July 3 – Cross Country Short Track (XCC) and qualifying Downhill
- Saturday 4th July – Enduro races and Downhill, with the return of the spectacular NightFall by CVA, the special night-time test of the enduro
- Sunday, July 5 – Cross Country Olympic (XCO)
Enrico Martello, Sport Manager, goes into detail about the technical part: “From the point of view of the routes, the Downhill and Enduro already represent a very strong foundation for the 2026 edition. The DH track, built specifically for the 2025 debut, has received enthusiastic feedback from athletes and has been cited by many riders as one of the most technical, spectacular, and innovative tracks on the entire circuit. – continues Martello – Enduro, on the other hand, will continue to be characterized by its long high-altitude descents, starts above 2.400 meters, and natural trails that have made La Thuile one of the most beloved locations among specialists in the discipline. One of the most original and distinctive elements of the event will also return, the NightFall by CVA, the special nighttime stage that in 2025 surprised athletes, spectators, and professionals, transforming itself into a show within a show.
Finally, the Cross Country race will take place on a course that has already proven its worth internationally: technically modern, it fits perfectly into the format of the 2026 event, but it is unprecedented in terms of challenges for the World Cup.
"The second edition of the Mountain Bike World Cup circuit in La Thuile confirms this major sporting event as one of our region's major projects for promoting summer outdoor sports. It is, in fact, a major event that strengthens the link between major sporting competitions and the promotion of the local area, and its goal is to strengthen the image and brand of the Aosta Valley as the ideal destination for practicing this sport on highly qualified trails," stated Councilor Giulio Grosjacques. "This year, the Aosta Valley stage will host four disciplines of the MTB Series, and the races will offer spectators a comprehensive and compelling spectacle. Numerous teams are expected, with athletes who already demonstrated their appreciation for the trails and the organization offered by the resort last year, further confirming the Aosta Valley's strong tradition of hosting high-level sporting events. This will be a sporting event that, in addition to having a direct impact on the area in terms of tourism, will provide great visibility for our region and our splendid and unique mountains."
The World Cup also represents an important opportunity for the area. Mayor Mathieu Ferraris explains it well: "The event directly involves the local community, generates economic benefits for the tourism system and contributes to the development of cycling infrastructure, including the pump track, the cross-border route towards the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass and the new cycling track. Downhill which, after the race, was opened to the public during the summer season”.
Confirming the event's all-round regional importance, the collaboration with the Chambre Valdotaîne aims to highlight traditional Aosta Valley products, both artisanal and food and wine. Guests in the VIP tent will be treated to all local products.
A tangible legacy that confirms how the Mountain Bike World Cup is not just a major sporting event, but also a tool for promoting and developing La Thuile and the entire Aosta Valley.
