VALERO AND WEINBEER SHINE AT NATURLAND ANDORRA

Dear HEROes,

If you have just returned from the 2,000-metre heights of Naturland Andorra after a weekend on your mountain bike, then you already know exactly what we are talking about. Up there, almost close enough to touch the sky, there is something special in the air: a unique energy that surrounds one of the most anticipated events of the entire season.

And if you were not there to witness last Sunday's race in person, which welcomed 123 Elite and Master riders from 28 nations, allow us to take you back.

This is a story told through emotions, images and adrenaline - because race results alone can never fully capture what happened on the trails. The third round of the UCI World Cup lived up to every expectation: a true, intense and spectacular race that once again confirmed why the 2026 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup continues to deliver authentic competition, iconic trails and a season packed with excitement.

At Naturland Andorra, the protagonists meant business. And it showed.

In the men's race, it was David Valero Serrano of the Klimatiza Orbea Team who executed the perfect race strategy.

After carefully managing the first two laps, the Spaniard launched his decisive attack on the final climb, just a few kilometres from the finish line, dropping the last remaining challenger: Leonardo Paez (LeeCougan Basso Factory Racing Team). As resilient as ever, the Colombian once again proved that thin mountain air is no obstacle when the race gets tough. Finishing third was an unexpected marathon newcomer, Mexico's Jose Gerardo Ulloa Arevalo, who, after winning an XCO race the day before, decided to enter the marathon event and became one of the biggest surprises of the weekend.

And yes, you probably noticed it too: an all-Spanish-speaking podium.

With this victory, Valero also takes over the red jersey as leader of the overall standings, completely reigniting the battle for the UCI World Cup title. The Spaniard now leads Belgium's Wout Alleman by just five points - a tiny margin, yet enough to earn him the jersey of the man to beat.

In the women's race, the story remains the same: Anna Weinbeer (KTM Spada powered by Brenta Brakes) continues her remarkable run of form, claiming her third consecutive UCI World Cup victory.

After controlling the race throughout the opening stages, the Swiss rider increased the pace on the final lap and left her rivals behind, once again showcasing an extraordinary level of fitness. Joining her on the podium were Spain's Natalia Fischer (Extremadura Ecopilas) in second place and Italy's Claudia Peretti, who secured her first-ever UCI World Cup podium finish. Congratulations, Claudia!

And of course, the overall leader's jersey remains firmly on Anna Weinbeer's shoulders.

There is little time to celebrate, however. In less than two weeks, both Valero and Weinbeer will return to action on the legendary trails of the Dolomites, ready to defend their positions and ambitions at the HERO Südtirol Dolomites, Round #4 of the UCI World Cup, scheduled for Saturday, 13 June 2026.

See you soon in Selva Val Gardena.

THE STORY COMES TO LIFE

If words alone are not enough, we have prepared an exciting recap featuring the most memorable moments from Round #3:
https://www.heroucimarathonworldcup.com/media/hs-videos

YOUR RACE PHOTOS

A day like this is hard to forget, but you can relive every moment and find your race photos here:
https://www.canofotosports.com/es/eventos/hero-uci-marathon-world-cup-naturland-andorra-0