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This weekend, Enduro riders will be tasked with tackling the trails of Aletsch Arena - Bellwald (Valais, Switzerland) – host of the 2025 UCI Enduro World Championships.

While it might only be mid-July, we’re now entering the crucial phase of this year’s WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. With only two UCI Enduro World Cups remaining, every stage, position or point could make all the difference and titles could be won or lost in the blink of an eye. Ella Conolly and Alex Rudeau lead their respective standings, but if this season has proved anything, it’s that there is a long line of riders ready to pounce when the opportunity arises.

This is also the penultimate round of the Enduro Open, giving amateur riders the opportunity to take on the same course as the UCI Enduro World Cup stars across two intense days of racing.


EPIC, DESCENT-HEAVY DAYS OUT

Aletsch Arena – Bellwald is back in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series calendar after a year off in 2025 to host the rainbow jersey events.

The UCI Enduro World Cup takes place on its extensive trail network. Situated in the alpine-forested foothills of the mesmerising Alestch Glacier – the largest in the Alps – riders and fans can expect amazing scenes around every berm and bend.

Athletes will take on eight stages over two days of action that total 80.5km of riding and 5,974m of descent.

Day one is the marginally longer of the two and features more pedal climbing during liaisons. Riders kick off with returning favourites Alpine Rodeo, Blueberry Trail and the longest stage of the day, Glaciara Trail – which features 637m descent over 3.9km. The final stage is a new inclusion for the UCI Enduro World Cup – the 1.5km Time Travel – which is followed by a chunky 12km ride back to the event village in Fiesch.

Day two might be shorter on paper, but with the exploits of day one already in their arms and legs, riders will have literal and figurative mountains to climb on some of the region’s most iconic trails and new additions. After embarking on Cow Safari, riders face the prospect of Lord of the Rims (Extended Cut) – at 4.9km with 725m descent, the longest and toughest trail of the weekend. New inclusion Into the Wild adds an element of unknown to the penultimate stage, while the finale Back to the Roots sees athletes race to the race village finish line in what could be a tight conclusion to proceedings.


CONOLLY AND RUDEAU IN CONTROL BUT NOT OUT OF TOUCH

Ella Conolly and Alex Rudeau are leading the overall standings and their consistency so far in 2026 means that the pair look to have a firm grip on their respective titles. They aren’t out of sight though, and the redistribution of points for the 2026 series means that both riders’ advantage is slimmer than what it might have been in previous years.

Reigning champion Conolly’s 920 points from two wins and two second places solidifies her as the favourite to retain her title. But the Brit only holds a 70-point advantage over second-place Mélanie Pugin (Speed Project), who herself won UCI Enduro World Cup in Val di Fassa - Trentino (Italy) – the only other two-day round that athletes have faced so far this year.

While Conolly’s form suggests she will be on the podium as a minimum – the privateer hasn’t finished outside of the top three at a UCI Enduro World Cup since Saalfelden Leogang - Salzburgerland (Austria) in June 2024 – if Pugin can finish above her in Switzerland, it would leave the title finely balanced ahead of the season finale in Morillon, Haute Savoie (France) in August.

Other than Conolly and Pugin, Winnifred Goldsbury is another rider to watch – the New Zealander and winner in Saalfelden-Leogang Salzburgerland looking to bounce back after crashing in practice in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta (Italy) and missing the round. Reigning UCI Enduro World Champion Elly Hoskin also has previous history at the venue, having won her rainbow stripes here last year.



The men’s field is just as tight, with 2024 UCI Enduro World Champion Alex Rudeau only holding an 85-point lead over fellow privateer Lief Rodgers, while La Thuile-Valle d’Aosta winner Raphaël Giambi (Speed Project) is only 104 points off the top spot in third.

Rudeau’s consistency is what has kept him at the top of the standings since the first round, which he won in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France). He finished fourth in Alestch Arena - Bellwald during last year’s UCI Enduro World Championships and will be hoping to equal or improve on that to go into the short summer break with a lead in the overall title.

Canadian Rodgers is yet to win a UCI Enduro World Cup but is on the cusp of his debut victory, while Giambi could leapfrog Rodgers in the standings if he finishes above him again.

One rider yet to match his previous form is reigning UCI Enduro World Cup overall winner Sławomir Łukasik (Yeti/Fox Factory Racing), but if he can propel himself to the top of the podium for a second time this season and other results go his way, he would still be in with a shot of retaining his title.



HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
Race content will be available across the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series’ official platforms, including: 

A detailed course preview highlighting the route and its key sections and video highlights from both practice and race days on the official YouTube channel.
Key moments shared on social media (@uci_mtbworldseries)
Live timing on the official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series website and via the official app, which will also feature live blogging with key updates throughout the event.
A highlights programme will be broadcast on Eurosport and TNT Sports next week and available on streaming platform HBO Max on demand.
The final stage of the UCI Enduro World Cup in Aletsch will be broadcast live on-site, with fans also able to follow the action on a delayed-live basis via subscription on MTBWS TV, in all markets where the streaming service is available.

ENDURO OPEN RETURNS
 
With demanding, steep, technical and wild trails, Aletsch Arena & Bellwald will push riders of all abilities to their limits. Through the Enduro Open, participants have the opportunity to test themselves on the very same trails and on the same days as the sport’s elite, dropping in just hours ahead of the professionals. Once they cross the finish line, they can stay on to watch the pros race and directly compare their times with the world’s best.
 
To further enhance the competitive experience, new age categories and a pairs category have been introduced, allowing for tighter groupings and more meaningful racing. Registration is also open for the final round in Morillon (Haute‑Savoie, France) with full details available here.