Danish rider achieves first victory at Mountain Bike XCC

Danish rider Simon Andreassen of the Orbea Fox Factory Team scored his first-ever victory at the Mountain Bike XCC World Series at Saalfelden-Leogang, Austria, amid challenging rain and muddy conditions on June 12, 2026. The race was part of the third round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series.

Andreassen commented after his win, "I didn't have a plan, just tried to survive. I'm super proud of this one. It's my first World Cup win in the short track, and also my first World Cup win on my new team, Orbea. So, looking forward to the rest of the season."

The event also spotlighted Sina Frei from the Specialized Factory Racing team, who dueled against MTB world champion Jenny Rissveds of Canyon XC Racing, claiming victory in the elite women's category. This win marked Frei's second in three XCC races this season, further solidifying her lead in the UCI MTB World Series standings.

The course in Saalfelden-Leogang presented many challenges, with mud and tricky conditions impacting the race. Competitors negotiated a new design for the cross-country competitions that featured rock gardens near the start and finish lines. The venue has a history of hosting 14 UCI MTB World Cups.

The elite men's race commenced with 11 laps on the slippery track. Luca Martin of Cannondale Factory Racing initially led the pack but faced difficulties after losing balance on a tight downhill turn midway through. Despite slipping, Martin regained his position temporarily amidst a fast-moving group of 12 riders.

Andreassen navigated through the challenging conditions, taking advantage of a critical moment when rival Filippo Colombo misjudged a move at the rock garden. Andreassen maintained the lead and executed a solo attack for the victory, successfully overcoming the challenges of the course. "I struggled to see as my glasses were full of mud. I just wanted to have kind of clear vision," he noted.