World’s MTB Stars Set for Explosive Start to 2026 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup in Costa Blanca
The 2026 HERO UCI Cross‑country Marathon World Cup roars into action on 21 February, with the opening round—the HERO Costa Blanca presented by Millennium Luxury Properties—bringing a world‑class field to the rugged trails between Calpe and Benissa.
The event marks the second edition of the World Cup series after its successful launch in 2025, and anticipation is high: more than 180 Elite and Master riders from 26 nations across four continents will battle for the season’s first set of World Cup points on Costa Blanca’s technical, sun‑baked terrain.
A Brutal Opening Test
Riders will face two demanding courses:
- 82 km with 2,700 m of climbing
- 50 km with 1,400 m of climbing
Both routes snake through the picturesque yet punishing hills of the Costa Blanca, combining steep climbs, rocky singletrack, and panoramic ridgeline sections—a true early‑season test of form and resilience.
Elite Men: Seewald Returns as Target No. 1
Reigning World Cup champion Andreas Seewald (Singer KTM Racing) is back to defend the title he secured just five months ago. But the German powerhouse will not have an easy ride.
Among his main challengers:
- Wout Alleman (Belgium)
- Samuele Porro (Klimatiza Orbea Team, Italy)
- Gioele De Cosmo (Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing, Italy)
- Leo Paez (Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing, Colombia)
One of the most exciting newcomers is David Valero (Klimatiza Orbea Team)—ten‑time Spanish national champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist—who will make his World Cup marathon debut and is expected to be a major factor on home soil.
Elite Women: Van Doorn Faces Stacked Opposition
In the women’s field, defending champion Rosa Van Doorn (Netherlands) aims to repeat last year’s triumph, but the depth of competition has grown significantly.
Key rivals include:
- Adelheid Morath (Germany, Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing)
- Sandra Mairhofer (Italy, Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing)
- Paula Gorycka‑Kurmann (Poland)
- Lejla Njemčević (Bosnia)
- Claudia Peretti (Italy)
- Natalia Fischer (Extremadura Ecopilas, Spain)
The women’s field also welcomes rising star Anna Weinbeer (KTM Spada powered by Brenta Brakes), runner‑up at the 2025 XCM World Championships.
A Festival Atmosphere: HERO Village Opened 20 February
Beyond the racing, the three‑day HERO Village opened on 20 February, offering fans:
- Team presentations (15:30)
- The HERO Race Talk at 16:00 with major stars including Fischer, Valero, Hannah Otto (USA), and Leo Paez
- Live streaming via the event’s Instagram profile
The race will be broadcasted live on the official World Cup website:
👉 www.heroucimarathonworldcup.com
