UCI Trials World Cup: Carthy makes history in Poland

25th win for British rider

The second round of the 2025 UCI Trials World Cup saw 20 nations represented in a beautiful square in the small southern Polish town of Krynica- Zdrój. After Saturday’s rain, blue skies greeted the riders for Sunday’s finals.

Half the competitors qualifying for the three finals were Spanish, including two of the winners: Alba Riera (Women), and Alejandro Montalvo (Men 20”), while Britain’s Jack Carthy won the Men 26” for the 25th time.

Women Elite: Barón battles Riera

From a field of 20 riders the six finalists saw a solid line-up: six-time UCI World Champion Nina Reichenbach (GER), reigning UCI World Champion Alba Riera alongside fellow Spanish riders Vera Barón and Andrea Pérez, Czechia’s rising star Eliška Hříbková, the youngest competitor in the finals, and France’s Nina Vabre, who is enjoying working with her coach, three-time UCI World Champion Vincent Hermance.

Alba Riera came out hot, hitting a perfect 60 points on the first section. Vera Barón - having qualified in first position with the maximum 600 points –was frustrated with 50 points. A dab for Riera – UCI ranked no 1 – on section 2 and a clean round for Barón saw the two Spanish friends level on points, battling for the win, just as they did in the first round of the 2025 UCI Trials World Cup.

After Riera’s 60 in section 3, a score of 20 made it tough for Barón to stay on terms but her 60 on section 4 took the competition to the tough final section. However, 50 was enough for Riera to take her first UCI World Cup victory since 2023, her 270 points placing her 40 points clear of Barón. The pair are now level on 360 points at the top of the overall UCI Trials World Cup table, making the prospect of September’s final round in Cordon, France, even more mouth-watering!

Vabre was strong throughout, scoring 30 on section 5 to finish third with 150 points.

“I feel incredible. It’s amazing to win here with a lot of people in Poland,” said Alba Riera. “I’m very happy. It was tight with Vera, if she didn’t make that mistake we would be closer.”

Men Elite 20”: Montalvo’s masterful timing

Three Spaniards – Alejandro Montalvo, Borja Conejos and Eloi Palau – have won the last four Men Elite 20” UCI World titles between them. And with Austria’s Thomas Pechhacker, there were four current or former UCI World Champions in the Men Elite 20” finals. They were joined by French Champion Robin Berchiatti and Finland’s Niilo Stenvall.

2018 UCI World Champion Pechhacker and two-time and reigning UCI World Champion Montalvo both scored 50 points in the first section, but were bettered by Berchiatti and 2021 World Champion Conejos.

Montalvo, who qualified third in Poland, achieved section 2’s only 60-pointer. Berchiatti, Pechhacker and European Champion Palau all scored 50 points.

Sections 3 and 4 saw former Junior UCI World Champion Berchiatti extend his lead. Going into the fifth and final section, the Frenchman led with 210 points over Montalvo’s 160. However Montalvo retaliated with a classy 60 points while Berchiatti only managed 10, meaning the two athletes finished level on points. Victory went to Montalvo on countback – that final clean round making the difference. Palau held third spot from Conejos.

Montalvo tops the overall table with 400 points, Berchiatti’s two second places give him 320, while Conejos and Palau each have 265.

“I am very happy. I did some silly mistakes but I am riding good, with some good sections, the last one was very nice,” said Alejandro Montalvo.

Men Elite 26”: Carthy makes history

Jack Carthy and Charlie Rolls qualified 1st and 2nd with 590 and 580 points respectively. Along with their fellow Briton Oliver Weightman, they faced the Spanish delegation of Julen Sáenz, Daniel Barón and Martí Vayreda in the final.

Weightman, Sáenz, Vayreda and Barón all hit 40 points on the first section, while Rolls and Carthy both went clean. Rolls dropped points in section 2, Sáenz and Vayreda improved, and seven-time Elite UCI World Champion Carthy scored 50 to take the lead.

In section 3, Vayreda and Barón both scored 50, Rolls hit 40, and Carthy went clear, already eyeing his 25th Elite UCI World Cup victory. Rolls put in a 60 on the penultimate section, and Carthy scored 50, giving him a 30-point advantage over his countryman going into the final section.

Rolls’ 50 points secured him at least second place, leaving Carthy needing 20 for victory. Mission accomplished. The Yorkshireman bagged his 25th UCI Elite World Cup win with a total of 260 points to Rolls’ 240. Level on 220 points with Vayreda, Sáenz took the third place, having scored more 50s.

“I felt good all weekend. I’m happy with my ride,” said Carthy. “It’s not really my style here but I enjoyed it.”