Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) headline a thrilling start to the XCC season in MONA YongPyong, where the format made its Asian debut. Fast, tactical racing and standout first-time wins set the tone across Elite and U23 categories pointing to an exciting season ahead.
1 May 2026 – The opening round of the UCI Cross-country Short Track (XCC) World Cup made the format’s Asian debut in MONA YongPyong (South Korea), and the new venue delivered fast and frenetic racing from the off.
In the women’s event, it was a case of a rider returning to the top spot with Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) taking her first win in the format since 2024’s season finale in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada), while in the men’s, Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) finally opened his XCC account after a string of second places.
While the talk before the season opener was of Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) and reigning UCI XCC World Cup overall winner Evie Richards (Trek – Unbroken XC) resuming their battle from last year, the Swede never really threatened the front of the race, with Richards the most likely to rival Frei for victory – the Brit ultimately settling for second, with Martina Berta (Origine Race Division) in third.
In the men’s Elite, Azzaro appeared to be one of the strongest riders as the race approached its second half, and used his matches wisely – letting the likes of Filippo Colombo (Scott-SRAM MTB Race Team) and Finn Treudler (Cube Factory Racing) do all of the hard work before launching the race-winning move on the final lap. Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team) and Dario Lillo (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) were the other podium finishers.
Before the Elites, it was the turn of the U23s on MONA YongPyong’s lactic acid-inducing course, and it witnessed debut wins in both the men’s and women’s races – Spanish national champion Thibaut Francois Baudry (Canyon XC Racing) edging it in the men’s, and Makena Kellerman soloing to the line with a seven-second advantage in the women’s.
STIGGER SETS UP FREI FOR SHORT TRACK WIN MADE BY TEAMWORK
Specialized Factory Racing used their numerical advantage at the front of the race a number of times during the men’s 2025 UCI XCC World Cup series, and the women’s team showed that they can use the same tactics at the 2026 season opener.
It was Haley Batten (Specialized Factory Racing) who looked strong from the start, while Jenny Rissveds appeared to be settling in for the long haul towards the front.
By lap four of 10, Sina Frei joined the front group, and Specialized had all three riders in the front group of 10. By lap eight there was still a group of 13 at the front.
On the following lap, Laura Stigger lit the touch paper. The Austrian surged on the climb, with Evie Richards chasing and Rissveds unable to follow.
Crossing the line for the final lap, Stigger led with Richards on her tail, while Frei launched her move over the top of the climb. Frei flew down the descent and held off Richards to the line.
Speaking at the end of the race, Sina Frei said: “Laura [Stigger] did a great job. We had some good teamwork and then during the last uphill we punched again, and I just went all in.”
AZZARO TIMES ATTACK TO PERFECTION
The men’s race started frantically, with Martín Vidaurre Kossman (Specialized Factory Racing) and Finn Treudler (CUBE Factory Racing) strong off the line.
As the race approached halfway, Filippo Colombo took control, but Mathis Azzaro stayed patient. On the penultimate lap, Colombo attacked again and Azzaro followed.
On the final lap, Azzaro launched his decisive move on the climb, taking advantage in the technical descent to secure victory ahead of Avondetto and Lillo.
Speaking after the race, Mathis Azzaro said: “I was patient. I waited for my time. I stayed calm the whole race and I knew I had a good chance to do my kick at the very top of the climb.”
KELLERMAN AND FRANCOIS BAUDRY CLAIM U23 WINS
Makena Kellerman recorded her debut win in the U23 women’s race after a decisive final-lap attack, finishing ahead of Valentina Corvi and Elina Benoit.
In the men’s U23 race, Thibaut Francois Baudry edged a tight contest ahead of Heby Gustav Pedersen, with Paul Schel completing the podium.
NEXT ROUND
WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series action continues with the UCI Downhill World Cup Finals before the XCO World Cup closes the South Korea block on Sunday.
(source: press office)
