After two adrenaline-filled weekends in Val di Sole and Val di Fassa, the Italian triple header of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series concludes in the heart of the Aosta Alps from 3 to 6 July, with the debut of La Thuile – Valle d'Aosta as the new World Cup venue.
An event entirely dedicated to gravity, familiar to enduro enthusiasts – La Thuile has in fact hosted five stages of the Enduro World Series between 2014 and 2021 – but which represents an absolute debut for the downhill, made possible thanks to a completely new track created for the occasion.
For the third and final consecutive weekend of racing in Italy, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series – gravity section – lands in a new World Cup venue: La Thuile – Valle d'Aosta, where the stages of the World Cup will be held. Downhill and Enduro.
Here’s everything you need to know about the La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta stage of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series: when the race is, who’s starting, and how to follow the event.
When?
The La Thuile – Valle d'Aosta stage will start with the UCI Enduro World Cup on Saturday 5 July at 11:00 and will end on Sunday 6 July at 14:00 with the Men's Elite final of the UCI Enduro World Cup. Downhill.
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RACE SCHEDULE
Live viewing in Italy on Italy – discovery+, Eurosport.
SATURDAY 5 JULY
- 11:00 – UCI Enduro World Cup
- 12pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 1 Women Elite
- 13pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 1 Men Elite
- 14pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification Women Junior
- 14pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification Men Junior
- 15pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 2 Women Elite
- 15pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Qualification 2 Men Elite
SUNDAY 6 JULY
- 11pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Women Junior
- 12pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Men Junior
- 13pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Women Elite
- 14pm – UCI Downhill World Cup | Finals Men Elite
Where to follow the event?
For the penultimate stage of the UCI Enduro World Cup, it will be possible to follow:
the route preview with key sections, highlights of the trials and the race on the official YouTube channel, highlights on social media, live timing on the official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series website.
The qualifications Downhill on Saturday will be followed in real time via live timing and social updates.
For the UCI World Cup of Downhill, Sunday's finals will be streamed live:
The Junior races (Women and Men) will be visible on Max, discovery+ and MTBWS TV.
The Elite Finals will be broadcast on discovery+, Eurosport and the Max platform.
Athletes to watch
Even though La Thuile – Valle d'Aosta is a new stop for the UCI World Cup, it is certainly not an absolute novelty for the circuit: between 2014 and 2021, the location hosted five rounds of the then Enduro World Series, becoming over time one of the favorite destinations for riders and the public.
For enduro it is therefore a return in grand style, while the athletes of the World Cup Downhill will face a completely new track, already tested during the off-season by Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) and the reigning world champion Loris Vergier (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding (Addiction).
For this long-awaited return, La Thuile has prepared a spectacular and challenging enduro course, with three highly technical Alpine specials, including a start at altitude above 2.500 meters, and a mix of mountain descents and natural singletrack, the kind that have made the location famous among enduro enthusiasts. To close the day, a special at night illuminated by powerful headlights, which adds a unique element to an already epic Saturday.
Less than a week after the Dolomite challenge of Val di Fassa, the enduro circuit moves 530 km west, for another high-altitude challenge on the trails of La Thuile – Valle d'Aosta.
Enduro: Titles in sight for Lukasik and Conolly
In La Thuile, Slawomir Lukasik could already win the men's Enduro title thanks to a 550-point advantage and an impeccable season, always on the podium. In the women's field, Ella Conolly is even closer to the finish line: three victories and two second places are enough to close the game in case of success.
Among the most in-form Italians, Nadine Ellecosta (Abetone Ancillotti Vittoria Factory Team) stands out, second in the general classification and fresh from a brilliant second place in Val di Fassa.
There will be no shortage of local support for Sophie Riva from Aosta, a young talent and ambassador of the Enduro scene in the Aosta Valley.
Downhill: Goldstone and Bruni challenge open, Höll still leader
The ranking Downhill remains balanced at mid-season. Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate), fresh from three consecutive victories, can equal Aaron Gwin’s record if he wins at La Thuile. But the completely new track could reshuffle the cards.
The Canadian has only a 100-point advantage over Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity), always consistent and ready to have his say in the Alps. Amaury Pierron is out due to injury, while Loris Vergier, in the rainbow jersey, must make up ground to get back into the running for the general classification.
Among the women, Valentina Höll (YT Mob) leads the standings with a narrow advantage over Gracey Hemstreet (Norco). The Austrian has yet to win in 2025, but her consistent placings – most recently a second place in Val di Sole – keep her firmly at the top.
Hemstreet missed out on a third consecutive win, but remains among the protagonists, while Tahnée Seagrave seeks redemption after a 15th place in Trentino.
Several Italians in the race, both men and women, both in the official teams and among privateers. Maybe not fighting for the top positions, but ready to put on a show, driven by the local cheering and an extra dose of motivation among friends and family.
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