Peretti and Valero Win the Marathon World Cup in the Dolomites

Siegerin Claudia Peretti.

Photo: Freddy Paninschek / Hero Summer

Claudia Peretti and David Valero Serrano win the Hero Südtirol Dolomites 2026. Peretti prevails over 60 kilometers and 3,200 meters of elevation gain, while Valero takes the men’s race over 86 kilometers and 4,500 meters of elevation gain. Athletes from 54 countries are at the start of the fourth World Cup stage.

Claudia Peretti and David Valero Serrano won the elite races at the Hero Südtirol Dolomites 2026. The Italian took the lead early in the women’s race and held on to it until the finish. In the men’s race, the Spaniard secured victory with an attack in the final stretch.

The 16th edition of the mountain bike marathon also served as the fourth stop of the 2026 Hero UCI Cross-Country Marathon World Cup. A total of 180 riders rode in the Elite and Master categories. The international field included athletes from 54 countries.

Peretti dominates the women’s race

The women’s elite race covered 60 kilometers and 3,200 meters of elevation gain. Claudia Peretti took the lead on the first climb to the Grödnerjoch and then steadily extended her advantage. The Italian marathon champion crossed the finish line in Wolkenstein after 3:53:48 hours.

“My legs felt really good this morning. That’s why I tried to ride at a pace that matched my form today. It was the right decision,” said the 28-year-old winner. “It’s risky to give it your all right from the start. But when you’re in top form, that risk can pay off. I could tell today was my day.”

Peretti thus confirmed her strong form. She had already won the Italian championship title in May.

Rosa van Doorn took second place, 2 minutes and 32 seconds behind. The Dutch athlete was still in eighth place after about 30 kilometers, but worked her way up to second place in the second half of the race. After a knee injury and a lengthy break at the start of the season, she thus made a successful return.

Paula Gorycka-Kurmann secured third place. The Polish athlete crossed the finish line in 3:57:41 hours, thereby avoiding another fourth-place finish. “I knew Anna Weinbeer was catching up. But I was determined not to settle for fourth place again,” said Gorycka-Kurmann.

Anna Weinbeer missed the podium by three seconds. The Swiss rider finished fourth but defended her lead in the overall standings of the Hero UCI Cross-Country Marathon World Cup.

Valero wins close men’s race

In the men’s race, a close and unpredictable contest unfolded over 86 kilometers and 4,500 meters of elevation gain. Several riders dominated the lead group before David Valero Serrano was able to break away decisively in the final phase.

At the start, Tim Smeenge and former road pro Diego Rosa set the pace. Behind them, Leonardo Paez, Dario Cherchi, Wout Alleman, and Valero Serrano, among others, kept pace with the leaders.

After passing through Arabba, the group of contenders narrowed. Paez had to briefly stop the race due to a technical issue with his handlebars, while Rosa and Smeenge caught up again. The race was ultimately decided on the climb to Zallinger. There, Valero Serrano increased the pace and pulled away from his competitors.

The Spaniard crossed the finish line in 4:30:11 hours and won in his first appearance at the Hero Südtirol Dolomites.

“I knew I had to start cautiously in my first Hero. I knew how demanding this race is,” said Valero Serrano. “I let the other riders set the pace at first and planned my attack for the final stretch. After the Durontal, I was able to break away on the climb to Zallinger and defend my lead all the way to the finish. Winning this race on my very first attempt is overwhelming.”

Valero Serrano rode with a 36-tooth chainring. Cherchi and Paez had opted for chainrings with 32 and 34 teeth, respectively.

Diego Rosa finished second, 41.4 seconds behind. Tim Smeenge followed another 7.6 seconds later in third place. With his victory, Valero Serrano took the lead in the overall standings of the Hero UCI Cross-Country Marathon World Cup.

In the Master categories, the winner was Uwe Hochwarter of Austria and Sophie Johnson of Great Britain.

The fifth World Cup stage will take place on July 26, 2026, at the Black Forest Ultra Bike Marathon in Kirchzarten. David Valero Serrano and Anna Weinbeer will start there as the leaders of the overall standings.