Just a month to go until the opening race of the first ever edition of the HERO UCI Cross- country Marathon World Cup. Over 50 pro cyclists, representing 11 UCI MTB Marathon Teams, will compete for the top spot in the marathon world circuit.
Currently, the eleven teams have a grand total of 50 athletes, 14 of whom are women, representing 14 countries
THE MEN FIGHTING FOR THE TITLE
Among the men, one name outshines the others: Italian Fabian Rabensteiner (Torpado Kenda FSA Factory), the current UCI Marathon World Cup overall winner, having won the title in 2023 and 2024. Originally from Villandro, South Tyrol, he’ll have to face a group of seasoned cyclists, including Germans Andreas Seewald (Singer KTM Racing), 2021 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Champion and currently at the top of the UCI XCM Individual Ranking, and Jakob Hartmann (Singer KTM Racing), also raring to go this season. Samuele Porro (Klimatiza Orbea Team) from Italy will also join the starting grid. He placed fourth overall in last year’s UCI Marathon World Cup, only 5 points off third-placed German Simon Schneller (Team Bulls). The circuit will also feature another star, Martin Stošek (Buff Megamo Team) from Czechia, fourth in the UCI XCM Individual Ranking. Alban Lakata (Team Bulls) from Austria will also join the fray – he boasts three UCI MTB Marathon World Cups as well as three UCI World Championships under his belt and, despite being born in 1979, he’s as competitive as ever!
Hector Leonardo Páez Leon, from Colombia, is also among the cyclists, aiming to improve his second place overall obtained at last year’s UCI MTB Marathon World Cup.
ALL EYES ON THE WOMEN
Among the women racing to the podium of the 2025 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup, Janina Wüst (Buff Megamo Team) from Switzerland stands out. She placed third overall at the 2024 UCI MTB Marathon World Cup, while her teammate, Stephanie Walter, ended the last season in eighth place. There’s plenty of expectations for Costanza Fasolis (Cannondale ISB Sport) from Italy, who’s currently sixth in the UCI XCM Individual Ranking.
While they may not be part of a UCI MTB Marathon Team, there are other athletes who are podium favourites. Take 31-year-old Vera Looser from Namibia, for example, who conquered the 2024 UCI Marathon World Cup and is currently first in the UCI XCM Individual Ranking, or Lejla Njemčević from Bosnia Herzegovina. Rosa Van Doorn also features among the favourites and is currently second in the UCI XCM Individual Ranking. Eyes are also on Adelheid Morath, from Germany, and Sandra Mairhofer, from Italy – both are capable of outstanding, high-quality performances.
THE RACES
The first stage is just around the corner – the Capoliveri Legend Cup will take place on 10 May 2025, followed by the Naturland in Andorra on 1 June. The cyclists will then head back to Italy on 14 June for the HERO Südtirol Dolomites. Germany will follow on 13 July with its Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon and, last but not least, the La Tramun Sea Otter Europe will take place in Girona on 21 September, crowning the winners of the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup.For further information visit heroucimarathonworldcup.com
