MTB World Cup
Nestled in the Alps, La Thuile Bike Worldonce again lived up to its reputation as a rider favourite, providing a dramatic backdrop for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.
Set on the Italy–France border, the challenging Alpine venue featured 28.4 km of racing across four stages, with almost 3,000 metres of descending. The day concluded with a unique spectacle: a 600-metre night stage, illuminated by floodlights and featuring the fan-favourite rock garden, creating a memorable finale for riders and spectators alike.
Ella Conolly claimed her second Women’s Elite UCI Enduro World Cup victory of the season with a commanding performance in La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta, pairing outright speed with remarkable consistency across the demanding Alpine terrain.
After finishing runner-up in Val di Fassa–Trentino a week earlier, where severe weather forced the cancellation of two key stages, Conolly arrived determined to make amends. The Scot wasted no time asserting herself, producing a dominant ride on the opening 4.42km Touraisse stage. Her aggressive yet controlled run through the loose, open terrain earned her a stunning stage victory by 13 seconds, immediately putting her rivals on the back foot.
Despite the late pressure, Conolly held firm to secure overall victory by seven seconds over closest challenger Melanie Pugin. Richter completed the overall podium after edging Hoskins by a razor-thin one-tenth of a second. The result also strengthened Conolly’s grip on the UCI Enduro World Cup standings, extending her series lead to 70 points over Pugin as the two riders continue to emerge as the main protagonists in the fight for the overall title.
It was 13th in the men’s race for William Brodie, with a stunning stage podium on the final floodlit stage, avenging the demons of the World Cup 12 months ago, where the former Scottish Downhill champion crashed out of contention.
In the cross country, Charlie Aldridge had a solid weekend. Friday’s Short Track saw the Cannondale Factory Racing rider finish on the podium in third. While in Sunday’s Cross Country Olympic event, there would be another top ten for the Crieff man – coming home in eighth.
In the downhill, Stan Nisbet would be the top Scot, finishing in seventh in the men’s juniors.
Para Nationals
Darley Moor Race Circuit near Derby was the venue for the British National Para Cycling Championships.
Fin Graham, in his World Champions skinsuit, claimed the Men’s C1-3 road race title on Saturday, besting Jake Smith and Ben Watson to the title. The Strathpeffer rider would double up in Sunday’s time trial to add another title to his impressive palmares.
It puts the Highland rider in good stead before he competes for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games at the end of the month.
Jenny Holl piloted Sophie Unwin to take both the time trial and road race titles on the tandem. The dynamic duo finished second overall in the combined road race – finishing just behind the winning men’s tandem.
Melanie Rowe (camsmajaco) rode to third place at the British Junior National Road Championships in Yorkshire, the Aberdeenshire native finished fourth in the time trial on Saturday.
While in Wales, at the BMX National Championships, Ruby Warren (Western Titans) was best of the Scots – taking bronze in 13-14 Female event.