The Black Forest hosts the penultimate round of the 2026 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup. In Kirchzarten, all eyes are on the battle for the red jersey, with Claudia Peretti leading the women's results after her victory at the HERO Südtirol Dolomites.
After the emotions of the HERO Südtirol Dolomites, the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup moves to Germany for one of the most iconic events on the international calendar. Sunday 26th July it will be the turn of the Black Forest Ultra Bike Marathon, a historic marathon that for over twenty years has attracted thousands of bikers to the evocative setting of the Black Forest.
The village of Kirchzarten, at the gateway to the Feldberg massif, is one of the cradles of German mountain biking. Here, mountain biking is an integral part of the local sporting culture, and the Ultra Bike Marathon has become an unmissable event, combining high-level competition with huge public participation.
A marathon that made history
The German race is one of the most prestigious marathon competitions in Europe. The course of the World Cup race measures 118 kilometers with 3.550 meters in altitude, developing around the Feldberg Mountain, the highest peak in the Black Forest at 1.492 metres.
It's a comprehensive route, alternating long climbs, fast forest roads, technical single tracks, and constant changes of pace, testing your endurance, ability to manage effort, and riding technique.
Every year there are approximately 3.000 bikers who reach Kirchzarten to take part in what is much more than a simple race: a true mountain bike festival immersed in one of the most fascinating natural landscapes in Germany.
The World Cup enters its decisive phase
With the German one we enter the final phase of the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup 2026.
In the men's category, the Spanish rider still leads the general classification. David Valero Serrano, who will have to defend the leader's jersey from the Belgian's attacks Wout Alleman, 125 points away, while the Colombian Leonardo Paez occupies third position with a 194 point gap.
The fight for the World Cup is also wide open among the women.
Switzerland Anna Weinbeer leads the ranking with 900 points, ahead of the Spanish Natalia Fischer (695), while in third place there is an Italian who is having a season as an absolute protagonist.
Claudia Peretti dreams of a comeback
After the splendid victory achieved at the HERO Südtirol Dolomites, Claudia Peretti arrives in Germany with enthusiasm and great confidence.
The Italian champion occupies the third place in the general classification and, despite being 280 points behind the leader Anna Weinbeer, she demonstrated that she can compete on equal terms with the world's best marathon runners.
The Black Forest Ultra Bike Marathon therefore represents a fundamental step in the pursuit of the final podium of the World Cup.
In recent days 365mountain bikes had the opportunity to interview Claudia Peretti, who told us how she's experiencing this season, her goals for the World Cup finale, and the emotions of her victory in the Dolomites. If you haven't read it yet, you can find the full interview on our website.
A weekend dedicated to mountain biking
The event program will kick off on Friday with the opening of the Expo Village, the beating heart of the event, where companies, teams, and enthusiasts can meet and discover the latest in the sector.
Saturday will be the day ofHERO Race Talk, the meeting with the Elite athletes scheduled for 16.00 pm at the Black Forest Lounge of the Sport Stadium in Kirchzarten.
The race will start on Sunday morning at 7.30 with the Elite men starting, while ten minutes later the women, Masters and amateurs will start.
The first arrivals are expected around 12.00, with the Elite awards ceremony scheduled for 13.30.
With the penultimate appointment of the season, the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup is definitely entering its decisive phase and the Black Forest is ready, once again, to put on a show.
