The inaugural 2025 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup is off to a blistering start, with some heroic performances at superb venues. And the truly global nature of this year’s five-round series has already been reflected on the podiums.
From the 189 Elite riders taking part in the first two rounds, the fans have applauded winners of three different nationalities and witnessed podium positions for riders from seven countries – Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Namibia and the Netherlands – representing three continents. The riders’ performances have set up fascinating scenarios in both overall classifications.
Women Elite: Van Doorn’s double
At the Capoliveri Legend Cup powered by Scott, the best Women Elite riders were confronted by 2,200m of climbing over 62 kilometres on the Italian island of Elba, largely following the course of the 2021 UCI Cross-country Marathon World Championships.
At this season opener, held on 10 May, Rosa Van Doorn (NED), second in the UCI Cross-country Marathon Ranking, set the early pace on the course that was 65% offroad and 35% singletrack. A lead group of five riders formed, with Bosnian Lejla Njemcevic, Adelheid Morath of Germany and the Italian pair of Debora Piana and Sandra Mairhofer initially staying with the European champion, before her relentless pace forced gaps to appear.
That race order was maintained with the Dutchwoman going on to win in 3:37:14, over five minutes ahead of Njemcevic, with Morath in third.
“After 20km I had a little gap which I didn’t expect so early in the race,” said Van Doorn. “My team manager said, ‘Don’t go 100 per cent, go 90 per cent, don’t make mistakes’, so I was thinking ‘If they come back, they come back, I’ll just raise my pace’, but ultimately I rode alone, a time trial… it was amazing!”
The second round, held on 1 June at Naturland, Andorra, featured nearly 2,000m of climbing – at altitude – over a 60 km route dominated by long climbs.
Before the race, the organisers asked whether Vera Looser could hit back or would Rosa Van Doorn secure back-to-back wins?
Ultimately, the fans were treated to both scenarios; while the Namibian champion improved on ninth place in the first round, it was Van Doorn who had the widest smile, winning in 3:24:41, a clear 2:36 ahead of Mairhofer with Looser in third.
Men Elite: close races and wide-open overall
In round 1, the Men Elite riders faced an 8.5 km climb from the start of the 65 km race – setting the tone for the event’s 2,408 m total elevation gain. Denmark’s Eskil Evensen-Lie led down the first descent but after two hours he was 30 seconds down to Wout Alleman (BEL) and Gioele de Cosmo (ITA) who battled for the lead for much of the race. Fabian Rabensteiner (ITA) and UCI Cross-country Marathon Ranking leader Andreas Seewald (GER) were also still in contention.
Alleman held on to win, ducking under 3 hours, just 18 seconds ahead of De Cosmo, with Rabensteiner a further 20 seconds back. After Van Doorn’s first World Cup victory, her team-mate’s winning exploit made it a perfect day for the Buff-Megamo Team.
“I tried to open up the race from the first climb because with all the singletrack it was better to be in a small group, and it worked out really well… Then it was all about making it count on the final climb,” said Alleman. “I’m super happy. It’s something that I have been working really hard for over the last three years. To finally do it is fantastic!”
After the sunshine of Elba, the rain ahead of the Andorran race failed to dampen the riders’ spirits.
It was a day for the most experienced riders, and Colombia’s two-time UCI Cross-country Marathon World Champion Héctor Leonardo Páez León, determined to make amends for his 11th place in Italy, won in 2:45:06.
Behind him was 2021 UCI Cross-country Marathon World Champion Seewald, improving on sixth at Elba. And in third, Alleman. Although the winner of the first round couldn’t match his team-mate for back-to-back victories, he was happy to claim another 160 points towards the overall competition.
Overall standings
After two rounds, 24-year-old Rosa Van Doorn heads the Women Elite classification with 500 points. Njemcevic is second on 350 points after finishing fourth in Andorra, while Morath lies third on 320.
In the overall Men Elite competition, 29-year-old Wout Alleman leads with 410 points. Páez León and De Cosmo both have 340 points, followed by Seewald on 330.
The three remaining rounds take the riders to more superb venues in three different countries. Opportunities abound for all participants, with points being awarded down to 60th position.
Photo: © HERO UCI Marathon World Cup_wisthaler.com.