The 2026 UEC Mountain Bike European Championships ended today in Monteceneri. For five days, they transformed Ticino into the Mountain Biking capital of Europe. The event saw 296 athletes from 32 countries take to the start line, attracting a total of 10,000 spectators along the course and confirming the excellent health of the sport.
In the medals table, Switzerland triumphed in front of its home crowd with 6 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze medals, ahead of France (3 gold, 2 silver) and Great Britain (2 gold).
The Olympic Cross-Country (XCO) events provided thrilling action right up until the final day. In the Men’s Elite category, Britain’s Charlie Aldridge claimed the European title, finishing ahead of Italy’s Juri Zanotti and Switzerland’s Fabio Püntener, whilst the women’s race delighted the home crowd with a victory for Sina Frei, who achieved a magnificent double after also winning the Short Track title. Behind her were another Swiss rider, Alessandra Keller, and the defending champion Jenny Rissveds (Sweden).
The youth categories were also very evenly matched. In the Under-23s, Switzerland swept the women’s podium with Anina Hutter, Fiona Schibler and Elina Benoit, whilst the men’s event was dominated by France thanks to a one-two finish by Alix Andre Gallis and Naël Rouffiac, with Norway’s Sivert Ekroll finishing third.
In the Junior events, local favourite Anja Grossmann won the European title in convincing fashion ahead of France’s Lise Revol, whilst in the Men’s race, France’s Mathieu Ghibaudo set the pace from the start, securing a well-deserved European champion’s jersey.
The Short Track Cross-Country races kicked off the continental programme with spectacular and fiercely contested finals. In the Elite category, Charlie Aldridge (Great Britain) and Sina Frei (Switzerland) came out on top, whilst the Under-23 titles were won by Paul Schehl (Germany) and Lea Huber (Switzerland). In the Junior categories, Noa Filippi (France) and Barbora Bukovská (Cechia) claimed the European jersey, confirming the high technical standard of the new generation.
The Team Relay had immediately sparked the crowd’s enthusiasm thanks to the victory of the Swiss team, comprising Nicolas Halter, Men Gygax, Ronja Blöchlinger, Anina Hutter, Anja Grossmann and Vital Albin, who finished ahead of Italy and Denmark.
Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: “Monteceneri has once again proved to be an ideal venue for hosting a major international Mountain Biking event. Following the success of 2020, the region has once again demonstrated its passion, expertise and organisational capabilities, offering athletes and spectators a spectacle of the very highest standard.
Mountain Biking remains one of the cornerstones of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme’s activities. The high technical standard of the competitions, the exceptional turnout across all categories and the enthusiasm surrounding this discipline confirm its steady growth and the excellent health of the sport.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Organising Committee, led by President Rocco Cattaneo and Event Director Claudio Casati, to the Velo Club Monte Tamaro and its President Mauro Maggiulli, to Swiss Cycling and its President Luana Bergamin, as well as to the local authorities and the many volunteers who, through their professionalism, passion and unwavering commitment, have contributed to the success of these European Championships.
To all of them, the UEC expresses its gratitude for making possible an event that will certainly rank among the finest of recent years.”
The next edition of the UEC Mountain Bike European Championships will take place in Gothenburg (Sweden) from 3 to 8 August 2027.
