THE HERO UCI CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON WORLD CUP’S 2026 RACE CALENDAR IS HERE
As the 2025 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup enjoys a runaway success
As the 2025 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup enjoys a runaway success, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has confirmed the 2026 race calendar for the series. All five rounds return – and a sixth has been added at the beginning of the year.
The 2025 HERO UCI MARATHON WORLD CUP is not over yet – but preparations for 2026 are well underway. The Organising Committee, which was tasked by the UCI to coordinate and promote this new version of the UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup, has confirmed the dates for the 2026 racing season.
The calendar features the 2025 rounds, proof the partnerships between the individual races and the UCI were a resounding success. So much so, that next year’s season will feature a new round in mid-February in Calpe, Costa Blanca, Spain.
The 2026 HERO UCI MARATHON WORLD CUP’s race calendar is as follows:
- 21 February HERO Costa Blanca Calpe (ESP)
- 9 May Capoliveri Legend Cup Isola d’Elba (ITA)
- 31 May Naturland Andorra Andorra (AND)
- 13 June HERO Südtirol Dolomites Selva Val Gardena (ITA)
- 26 July Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon Kirchzarten (GER)
- 20 September La Tramun Sea Otter Europe Girona (ESP)
The circuit will develop across five countries and for a total of 481 kilometres and 15,459 elevation gain.
UCI President David Lappartient said:“The first edition of the HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup has been an undeniable success so far, and I am delighted that its five popular stopovers will once again feature on the calendar in 2026. In addition, we expand the series next year with the HERO Costa Blanca joining the calendar as the season-opener. We can look forward to another rich and exciting season of mountain bike marathon competitions, both at UCI World Cup level and for riders in the Amateur categories. Allowing the latter to participate in their own dedicated races as part of the same series is an excellent way to further promote mountain bike cross-country marathon.”
The Organising Committee is also incredibly satisfied with the looming completion of the first HERO UCI MARATHON WORLD CUP which has seen the participation of Elite athletes representing 46 countries. The race is also garnering increasing attention from riders in the Amateur categories, with already more than 3,000 participants this year. They compete on the same course as the Elite riders, covering from 60 to 160 kilometres depending on the category and the course, in natural environments and on different types of terrain.
Gerhard Vanzi, responsible for organising the HERO UCI MARATHON WORLD CUP, says: “We are waiting for the last round of the 2025 UCI Marathon World Cup in Girona at the end of September. We have been working swiftly in the past months to develop the circuit’s second season and to confirm this edition’s format. At this stage, I would like to thank all the local organising committees and the UCI for their support and the collaboration during this race season.”
All eyes are now on the La Tramun Sea Otter Europe, which will take place in Girona on 21 September and will coincide with the ceremony to award the overall winners of the 2025 HERO UCI MARATHON WORLD CUP! The overall winners of the Men’s and Women’s Masters racing will be crowned on the same occasion.
Organising Committee
HERO UCI MARATHON WORLD CUP
I-39048 Selva Val Gardena (BZ)
www.heroucimarathonworldcup.com –
