The HERO UCI Cross-Country Marathon World Cup 2026 kicks off the new season successfully with the HERO Costa Blanca. A total of 173 riders with elite and master licenses from 24 nations will ride in the 82-kilometer race with 2,700 meters of elevation gain and collect points for the overall ranking. As with all races in the series, numerous amateur riders will accompany the starting field on the course around Calpe.

Elite Men

The first phase of the elite men's race is initially led by Germany's Lukas Baum, until a defect in his rear derailleur forces him to limit the damage. This allowed his compatriot Andreas Seewald, defending champion of the 2025 Marathon World Cup, to take the lead. He started a strong comeback after falling back to fifth place.

Spain's David Valero also worked his way up from eighth place to finish third. After a successful XCO career, which he crowned with Olympic bronze in Tokyo, he is now officially competing in the marathon. The strongest rider of the day is Wout Alleman. The Belgian is on course for a podium finish for long stretches and seizes his chance when Seewald suffers a flat tire shortly before the finish. Alleman overtakes him just before the finish line and wins in 3:41:44 hours. "I'm really happy. It's the first World Cup race of the season, so this victory is hugely important," says Alleman at the finish line. "I've been in Spain for a few weeks to prepare myself optimally, and I know the course here very well. I'm in good shape and this success shows that the hard preparation is paying off." After finishing second in the 2025 overall standings, there are many indications that this will be a strong season.

Andreas Seewald finished second in 3:42:49 hours (+1:05). David Valero completed the podium, 1:46 minutes behind.

Elite Women

In the elite women's race, the vice world champion from Switzerland, Anna Weinbeer, broke away from the field early on. Similar to the Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon in July last year, she rode a solo race to the finish. A year ago, she was still an amateur, but this year she is starting her first elite season and riding for the KTM SPADA Powered by Brenta Brakes team.

Behind her, Dutch rider Rosa van Doorn (2025 World Cup overall winner), Spanish rider Natalia Fischer, and Polish rider Paula Gorycka Kurmann battle it out for second place. Fischer ultimately prevails.

Anna Weinbeer wins in 4:27:05 hours. "I am extremely satisfied and feel in top form," says the winner. "A lot is new for me this year. Team, bike, environment, races, and sponsors. I find myself in a completely new situation and am delighted with this successful start. The heat did bother me in the second half of the race, but I coped with it well." Natalia Fischer finished second, 3:37 minutes behind, with Rosa van Doorn coming in third in 4:31:31 hours.

Gerhard Vanzi, Chairman of the HERO UCI Cross-Country Marathon World Cup 2026, is satisfied: "We are delighted with the successful start to this new event, which requires a lot of organization and planning. Our thanks go to the authorities and local partners."

Women's results

Men's results