2025 UCI Trials World Cup: stars poised for action

First round in Switzerland

The 2025 UCI Trials World Cup is poised, ready to spring into action. The defending winners are in final preparation for the first of three UCI World Cup rounds, all taking place in Europe, before the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November.

Round 1 of the 2025 UCI Trials World Cup takes place 4-6 July in Valbirse, Switzerland. The series will continue in Krynica, Poland (1-3 August) before the final round in Cordon, France (12-14 September).

Last year’s winners were crowned after taking victories in the fourth and final round in Mouilleron-le-Captif-Vendée: Vera Barón (ESP), Borja Conejos (ESP) and Charlie Rolls (GBR) in the Women Elite, Men Elite 20” and Men Elite 26”, respectively.

Barón took her fourth overall win at the age of 20, her Spanish compatriot Conejos snatched the 20” title from the grasp of another Spanish athlete Alejandro Montalvo, and Great Britain’s Charlie Rolls landed his first 26” overall title in style. They are all motivated to defend.

Swiss kick-off

A record 159 athletes are registered for the season openerin the Swiss town of Valbirse. The first round of the UCI Trials World Cup to be held in the country since 2014 is organised by Vélo Trial Moron, headed by Vito Gonzalez who finished third in the 26” category at last weekend’s Swiss Championships. Preparation work has been underway on obstacles, with wood and stone amongst the natural materials to challenge the competitors.

With free entry to the trials park, locals will watch Swiss riders including five-time Swiss 26” Elite Champion Tom Blaser and the return of Johan Buchwalder.

But it is also the global stars who will draw the crowds. After Friday’s quarter-finals and the semi-finals on Saturday, all three finals will be on Sunday afternoon, with riders seeking the first 200 points for the UCI World Cup win.

Riders to watch

In the Women’s competition, all eyes will be on Spain’s UCI World Champion Alba Riera and Vera Barón, whose preparation has included the Spanish Cup.

But also look out for France’s 19-year-old National Champion Nina Vabre, who threatens to bunnyhop further up the podium.

Last year’s Men 26” winners included Britons Rolls and Jack Carthy, but also watch their young compatriot Oliver Weightman who impressed in his first year in 26” after winning the rainbow bands for 20” in Glasgow, Scotland (Great Britain) in 2023. The Spanish contingent includes Daniel Barón, who would love to emulate his 2024 round 1 victory, and Julen Saenz who took the rainbow jersey with his fellow Spanish athletes in the team event at last year’s UCI World Championships.

In the Men 20” competition, Spain’s top names – Conejos, Montalvo and Eloi Palau – will face stiff competition, not least in Frenchman Robin Berchiatti.

2025 UCI Trials World Cup