The Rookies Cup wrapped up its 2026 season with an eventful finale in Winterberg. Nearly 350 young riders from 18 countries lined up at the start for the fifth and final round. Not only was the weather changeable, but in several categories, the battle for the overall title remained undecided until the very end.

Right from the start, Winterberg showed its harsh side. Rain and wind made the course extremely slippery during the unofficial practice session. Choosing the right line on the 1,300-meter-long course with 170 meters of elevation gain was correspondingly challenging. Open turns, jumps, rocky sections, roots, and steep passages put significant technical demands on the young riders.

On Saturday, the conditions changed. The course dried out and became significantly faster. Already in the seeding run, riders were competing not only for starting positions but also for important points toward the overall standings. Slovenian Gal Novak sealed the deal early in the Under-15 category, securing the overall victory even before the final.

The decisive races took place on Sunday under late-summer conditions. The competition was particularly close among the older junior riders. Germany’s Samuel Kerda won the Under-19 Junior category, thereby also clinching the overall title. In the Under-17 Pro category, however, New Zealander Reece Everett took the day’s top spot. Germany’s Mika Droste claimed the overall victory for the season in that category.

The Czech rider Robin Chalupa in the under-11 children’s category, the German Mika Schnaars in the under-13 boys’ category, the French rider Clara Rocher in the under-13 and under-15 girls’ categories, and Gal Novak also celebrated a double victory with both the stage win and the overall title.

The daily winners and season champions did not always coincide. In the older girls’ category, Germany’s Nelly-Sophie Rössler won the final, while Austria’s Maria Strobl secured the overall title. In the Open Youth under-17 category, Till Barkmann triumphed in Winterberg, but Maksim Balkanov claimed the overall victory. In the Open Women’s category, the day’s victory went to Alena Strunk, while Zoe Speer clinched the season title.

Winterberg thus brought the 2026 Rookies Cup season to a close. At the same time, young riders continued to have a big stage at the bike park, even though the iXS Dirt Masters Festival did not take place this year for the first time in twenty years.

racement.com