News
LEO PAEZ AND ROSA VAN DOORN WIN THE NATURLAND - ANDORRA
01 June 25
Sant Julià de Lòria, in the Principality of Andorra, shines like a diamond among the Pyrenees. Located at 2,000 m, this plateau is an outstanding cross-country ski resort during winter but as soon as the snow melts, turns into an ideal stage for mountain biking.
The 2025 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup alighted here during June’s first weekend. The Naturland, Andorra’s marathon race, takes place on an extremely technical trail boasting 60 km and 1,984 hm. Besides the track itself, cyclists had to prove their stamina and physical fitness during this race due to its location at 2,000 m altitude.
And guess who came out on top among the men? Our friend Hector Leonardo Paez Leon – although we just call him Leo Paez. A performance which resembled that of the Leo of old – always spearheading the group during the starting phases, then giving it his all on the climbs where he truly shines, both in terms of performance and headspace. Hot on his heels, the current world champion, Andreas Seewald (Germany) representing team Singer KTM Racing, and Wout Alleman, from Belgium, representing Buff Megamo. Given his performance in the Pyrenees, it's a safe bet that the Colombian will start as favourite on Saturday, 14 June at the HERO Dolomites.
After her first win in Capoliveri, Rosa van Doorn from Buff Megamo Team won again! The Dutch athlete was quite surprised by her victory as her home country has little to no steep climbs she could have trained on. The rest of the podium welcomed Sandra Mayrhofer, from Italy, and Vera Looser, from Namibia – the latter is ready to defend her title of champion at the HERO Dolomites against the other two cyclists. The final, overall ranking was truly an international one, with 9 countries represented across the top 10 spots. Among the Men’s ranking, the ratio is 6:10.
The leaders of the overall ranking remains the same – after round 1 in Capoliveri and round 2 in Andorra, the 2025 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup’s ranking leaders for the Elite category remain Wout Alleman and Rosa Van Doorn. In the Master’s ranking, the leader is Alexandre Llado Diaz from Spain, and Kamila Gurzynska from Poland among the women.
ANDORRA IS READY TO HOST THE 2025 HERO UCI CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON WORLD CUP’S SECOND ROUND!
22 May 25
Dear HERO,
On 1 June, the Pyrenees will be the stage of the 2025 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup’s second stage during the Naturland in the Principality of Andorra.
The cyclists are all aiming for the top spot on the podium, and will have to face a technical trail cross 60,04 km and boasting 1,984 hm. The path wends its way across the valleys surrounding the small municipality of Sant Julià de Lòria in southern Andorra.
All eyes are set on Rosa van Doorn, from the Netherlands, and Wout Alleman, from Belgium, who won the first stage this May in Capoliveri.
In the Women’s race, Van Doorn, who represents team Buff-Megamo, will have to face Lejla Njemcevic and Adelheid Morath, who placed respectively second and third during the Elba race. She’ll also have to watch her back from Sandra Mairhofer and Vera Looser – their aim in Andorra is to score precious points and claw their way back up the overall ranking.
A similar scenario awaits Wout Alleman during the Men’s race, with Gioele De Cosmo and Fabian Rabensteiner, the two Italian Torpado Kenda FSA cyclists who placed second and third in the overall ranking, hot on his heels. This won’t be an easy race for the three cyclists who won a place on the podium for the 2025 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup’s first race – they’ll have to watch out for Leo Paez, and Andreas Seewald who represents team Singer KTM Racing – the two have already won a World Championship in the past. Casey South from Switzerland is back on his feet and raring to go after his accident at Cape Epic.
ROSA VAN DOORN AND WOUT ALLEMAN WEAR THE HERO UCI MARATHON WORLD CUP’S LEADER JERSEY
19 May 25
Dear HERO,
On Saturday, 10 May, the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup’s first stage took place in Capoliveri.
A grand total of 2,247 cyclists competed on the 65 km and 2,400 hm track. 208 of them, representing 24 countries, are also competing in the 2025 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup. Out of the Elite athletes, Wout Alleman, from Belgium, representing Team Buff-Megamo, was the first to cross the finish line at 02:59:42. Gioele De Cosmo, from Italy, Team Torpado Kenda FSA Factory, was hot on his heels, completing the race in 03:00:01, whereas his teammate Fabian Rabensteiner finished 00:39 after him.
Team Buff-Megamo repeated the win in the women’s race – Rosa Van Doorn, from The Netherlands, completed the challenging Elba race in 03:37:15. The women’s podium welcomed Lejla Njemcevic, from Bosnia, just 05:36 behind the winner, and the third place went to Adelheid Morath, from Germany, who finished the race in 03:43:33.
Turning to the Master Licence ranking, Andrea Bravin (Italy) won the men’s race, while Kamila Gurzynska (Poland) won the women’s race.
CAPOLIVERI KICKS OFF THE 2025 HERO UCI CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON WORLD CUP
30 April 25
Dear HERO,
The countdown to the 2025 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup has officially begun!
On Saturday, 10 May, all eyes will be on the circuit’s first stage – the Capoliveri Legend Cup. This historical race has been taking place on Elba Island’s southeastern part, in Capoliveri, and has become a point of reference for marathon enthusiasts.
The qualifying race for the UCI World Cup is the Marathon distance boasting 65 km and 2,400 hm. It wends its way over paths, mule tracks, and scenic roads surrounded by the Mediterranean vegetation around Monte Calamita and its historical iron mines. The race is set against the backdrop of the stunning palette of the Mediterranean sea.
The best élite marathon athletes will join the grid, including the winners of the last UCI World Cup – Fabian Rabensteiner, from Italy, and Vera Looser, from Namibia. They will also be joined by the winners of the previous Capoliveri Legend Cup, Martin Stosek from Czechia, and Costanza Fasolis from Italy.
THE STARS OF THE 2025 HERO UCI CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON WORLD CUP
09 April 25
On 10 May, the 2025 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup will kick off!
Together with thousands of passionate amateur cyclists, you’ll have the chance of competing next to the discipline’s crème de la crème, ready to show us what they’re made of as they attempt to win the UCI World Cup.
The spotlight is on Fabian Rabensteiner (Torpado Kenda FSA Factory) from Italy, the UCI Marathon World Cup overall winner, having won the title in 2023 and 2024. He’ll have to face a group of seasoned cyclists, including Andreas Seewald (Singer KTM Racing) from Germany, winner of the 2021 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships (and current leader of the UCI XCM Individual Ranking), and Jakob Hartmann (Singer KTM Racing), from Germany. Samuele Porro (Klimatiza Orbea Team) from Italy, Germany’s Simon Schneller (Team Bulls), and Martin Stošek (Buff Megamo Team) from Czechia will also join the starting grid, fourth in the UCI XCM Individual Ranking. Alban Lakata (Team Bulls) from Austria will also join the fray – he boasts three UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Cups under his belt and, despite being born in 1979, he’s as competitive as ever! Among the potential winners how could we not mention Leonardo Hector Leon Páez from Colombia?
Janina Wüst (Buff Megamo Team) from Switzerland will be someone to keep an eye on, having finished third at the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Cup. Another noteworthy name is her teammate, Stephanie Walter. There’s plenty of expectations for Costanza Fasolis (Cannondale ISB Sport) from Italy, who’s currently sixth in the UCI XCM Individual Ranking.
Other hopefuls are Vera Looser, who conquered the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Cup and is currently first in the UCI XCM Individual Ranking, or Lejla Njemčević. The Netherland’s Rosa Van Doorn also features among the favourites, currently second in the UCI XCM Individual Ranking. All eyes are also on Adelheid Morath, from Germany, and Sandra Mairhofer.
Register for the circuit and individual races at www.heroucimarathonworldcup.com
About UCI
09 April 25
Founded on April 14, 1900, in Paris, France, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms and for all people: as a competitive sport, a healthy recreational activity, a means of transport, and also just for fun. The UCI manages and promotes the eleven cycling disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, cyclo-cross, trials, indoor cycling, cycling esports, gravel and snow bike. Five of these are featured on the Olympic Games programme (road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle), two in the Paralympic Games (road and track), and four in the Youth Olympic Games (road, mountain bike, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle).
For more information: www.uci.org.
TRAVELLING TOGETHER
03 April 25
Car journeys are the main culprit when it comes to emissions generated for each stage of the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup. To reduce GHG emissions, we’ve created a dedicated car sharing and pooling menu on our website.
It’s a simple gesture which can have a great impact on reducing your environmental footprint – and will save you a penny or two, to boot!
Check all the car sharing and pooling requests or publish your own here.
The 2025 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup’s stages
03 April 25
Dear HERO,
We were met by mountains of love once we announced the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup – we couldn’t be more grateful and prouder. Thank you!
We know you’re raring to go – and so are we! Until the circuit officially starts, let’s take a look at the individual stages of what will be an out-of-this-world challenge.
Capoliveri Legend Cup (Island of Elba) – 10 May 2025
Revel in the Mediterranean bush and sea and the historical iron mines, facing the 62 km and 2,200 hm marathon track on the island.
Naturland (Andorra) – 1 June 2025
A breathtaking marathon against the backdrop of the Pyrenees boasting 87 km and 3,000 hm – unspoilt nature as far as the eye can see awaits.
HERO Südtirol Dolomites (Val Gardena) – 14 June 2025
Explore the Dolomites with the HERO and its 86 km and 4,500 hm – prepare for the toughest mountain bike marathon in the world.
Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon (Germany) – 13 July 2025
Cyclists will wend their way through forests and woods across 118 km and 3,550 hm all the way up and down the Feldberg mountain.
La Tramun Sea Otter Europe (Costa Brava) – 21 September 2025
The last race features 78 km and 2,800 hm and will be the stage of the UCI World Cup award ceremony. Join us in the celebrations in one of Spain’s most fascinating places.
THE HERO CELEBRATES ITS HEROINES
07 March 25
On the occasion of International Woman’s Day, the HERO’s Organising Committee thanks its heroines for all the passion and energy they put into the toughest mountain bike marathon in the world.
You’re fighters, dedicated mountain bikers, and bold – this is what makes our event so special. Today we’ll be celebrating your decisive contribution to the HERO. Without you, our race wouldn’t grow, wouldn’t push the boundaries, and wouldn’t be enriched by your stories.
Today, we want to underscore the importance of inclusivity in sports – every athlete should be able to reach their potential regardless of their gender. We continue pulling out all the stops to ensure that the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup is open to everyone, allowing every cyclist to experience a unique and positive moment.
JOIN THE 2025 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup!
04 February 25
Have you ever dreamt of taking part in a truly global event? No, none of you? Well, now’s your chance to change that – you’ll be able to test your mettle next year at a World Cup!
We’re incredibly proud to announce that we’ll be holding the 2025 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup!
The HERO UCI Marathon World Cup is part of the Union Cycliste Internationale’s official World Cup circuit, which consists of five races. An event which will lead to crowning the Marathon World Cup champion. Both the Élite Men and Women categories will vie for the Cup as well as thousands of Master Licence cycling enthusiasts as long as they’re official members of their national team affiliated to the UCI.
The challenge will consist of five of the most beloved European mountain bike marathons – for the first time grouped in one circuit under the aegis of the Union Cycliste Internationale.
The official dates are:
- 10 May 25 Capoliveri Legend Cup Elba Island ITA
- 1 June 25 Naturland – Andorra Andorra AND
- 14 June 25 HERO Südtirol Dolomites Val Gardena ITA
- 13 July 25 Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon Kirchzarten GER
- 21 Sep. 25 La Tramun Sea Otter Europe Girona/Costa Brava SPA
By being part of an event boasting 402 km and 15,605 hm, the 2025 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup will be a unique, global race attracting hundreds of amateurs willing to test their skills against mountain biking professionals.
Registrations for each individual race will open from 4 February on. The overall ranking, divided by category, will be published at the end of each race on www.heroucimarathonworldcup.com.
We’ll send further information in the upcoming weeks. Until then, you know what you need to do – train! Your first HERO UCI Marathon World Cup is just around the corner, after all.