World Cup cross-country racing is having a moment. It seems to have shed its image of mountain bikers wearing poorly fitted Lycra kits riding down tame gravel path courses on bikes with 600mm-wide handlebars (with bar ends).
Red Bull has invested massively into the sport, the courses, and the athletes. Viewers can turn on their smart TVs and watch races on a Saturday or Sunday morning from across the world and see athletes battle for a strategic pass, ride out a rock garden with one leg off the pedal, or beat someone to the line by a hair in a sprint finish.
The technology and engineering behind new mountain bikes has no doubt pushed the limits of what’s possible. If you watch a World Cup from 20 years ago and then watch one now, the athletes back then almost look a little awkward aboard their ancient bikes. Since then, cross-country bikes have become lighter, their geometry has progressed and become more relaxed and modern, suspension travel has grown, and thank goodness, the handlebars are wider.
With that in mind, we wanted to see which bikes are currently the most dominant on the XCO World Cup circuit. There is a clear winner. This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that we can say it’s the fastest XC bike. It actually suggests a few other things, because there are numerous variables to consider. Athletes change sponsors, brands shut down or start new racing teams from year to year, some brands have bigger teams, and other brands just invest more in the discipline.
For the past several weeks, I’ve been looking at photo stories from years prior, watching video recaps, and creeping on athletes’ Instagram photos like a jealous ex-, to identify which bike they rode in each round, as some switch between hardtails and full-suspension XC bikes. We’ve looked at the prior three complete seasons, including World Championship rounds, starting in 2016 and ending in 2018.
(Scroll down to the bottom of the article to see the full XC World Cup results from 2016-2018, including annual tallies by bike.)
The most winning bikes – or teams
- Scott Spark: 50 Wins from 2016 – 2018
- Specialized S-Works Epic full-suspension: 48 wins from 2016 – 2018
- Kross Level: 19 wins from 2016 – 2018
- Trek Procaliber: 18 wins from 2016 – 2018
- Trek Top Fuel: 17 wins from 2016 – 2018 (will see more with Jolanda Neff)
- Cannondale Scalpel: 15 wins from 2016 – 2018 (none in 2016)
- BMC Four Stroke: 14 wins from 2016 – 2018 and consistent in every season. / Ghost Lector: 14 wins from 2016 – 2018 (all in 2018)
- Felt Nine: 13 wins from 2016 – 2018 (all in 2016). Model changed to Doctrine, but they lost Sina Frei in 2018. American Eagle Atlanta: 13 wins from 2016 – 2018
- BH Lynx: 11 wins from 2016 – 2018
- Scott Scale: 10 wins from 2016 – 2018 / BMC Teamelite: 10 wins from 2016 – 2018
Analysis
The results above are overwhelmingly tipped in favor of Specialized and Scott. Sam Gaze, Jaroslav Kulhavy, Kate Courtney, and Annika Langvad have all driven the Specialized Epic to the podium many times over the years. This year will be interesting though, as Courtney has left Specialized. However, the brand has strong U23 riders like Simon Andreassen and Alan Hatherly. Sam Gaze is late to start the World Cup circuit due to a concussion at the Absa Cape Epic. He missed the start in Albstadt and finished in 116th in Nove Mesto. Annika Langvad broke her hand in a local race, and as of June 2 she will need about four weeks of recovery time according to this Instagram post. It’s likely that she will miss the next round in Vallnord, Andorra.
As mentioned, Scott-SRAM picked up Kate Courtney and Lars Forster, so the Scott team will likely see even more wins. They started the season off with a bang, and Courtney proved she is a real contender in the women’s elite category aboard the Scott Scale in Albstadt and then she won the following weekend aboard the Spark in Nove Mesto. Schurter started a little behind the power curve and ended up in 6th place in Albstadt and finished 2nd in Nove Mesto.
The Ghost squad, which started in 2011 as an all-women’s team, and dominated in 2018 with numerous wins, picked up Marika Tovo for 2019. Frei is now racing in the women’s elite category and had a huge 4th place finish in Nove Mesto.
The Kross team may see some results level off after losing Neff to Trek, but Maja Wloszczowska will still be riding Kross, now as the main athlete for the team. Unfortunately she sat the Albstadt round out, and will probably be out for Nove Mesto also, according to an Instagram post.
What role does the bike play?
For a deeper look at the dominant, winning results that Specialized and Scott have amassed over the years, I reached out to both brands with a set of questions to understand how the bikes have contributed to those results over the years.
Scott didn’t respond, but Todd Cannatelli of Specialized gave us some insight as to how the Specialized Epic and the Specialized Factory Racing team have done so well.
The Specialized S-Works Epic full-suspension is very dominant in the World Cup circuit. [Clearly this isn’t] solely [due to it] being a faster bike, but rather a [part of a] team that heavily invests in XCO racing. How has the Specialized S-Works Epic gained so much traction on the World Cup circuit?
At Specialized we have always emphasized “made in racing” as our philosophy for top performance products like the Epic. In order to effectively develop the best racing products, we need a powerful factory team that we can utilize early in development, and to back up products with race wins when they become available. We may not be able to attribute the wins on an Epic to being the fastest bike, but between in-race development under real racers, bringing athletes along the development cycle, and delivering exactly what the courses demand, we play all the right cards to be the fastest on the XC track.
How does having top pros race the bike work from a marketing aspect?
This one is two-fold. Having athletes that can bring home results on the Epic shows the bike is capable at the highest level. Our athletes capped their 2018 season with a number of wins at XC World Champs in Elite Women and U23 Men and Marathon World Champs for Elite Women. Having top pros on the Epic also helps us push the product to the edge to develop it further for the next evolution.
What makes the Specialized S-Works Epic different from other XC bikes?
Our Brain suspension is the most obvious and visible difference. Featured in both the rear shock and the fork, it’s the only suspension system that knows the difference between input from the rider or input from the terrain. The system is built around a brass mass with a small spring that keeps it suspended to close ports for oil flow. When the rider pedals, the spring continues to press that brass mass upwards and in place, never exposing the ports and allowing oil to flow. This keeps the suspension firm. But when the rear wheel hits a rock or bump in the trail, the weight of the brass mass keeps it in place, the springs collapses, and oil ports are exposed, allowing oil to flow freely and for the suspension to absorb the impact. When the wheel returns, the brass mass is back in place and oil is restricted. All of this occurs in fractions of a second. This leaves the rider to focus on riding, rather than flipping a lever on the handlebar or shock to open or lock their suspension. The Brain 2.0 on the current Epic is leaps and bounds more advanced than previous generations with a faster and smoother transition from firm to plush.
The Epic also has very capable geometry that allows the bike to handle the more technical terrain XCO courses are bringing these days. The courses are rougher and the speeds are higher. We developed the current Epic with that in mind.
What are a few major changes the S-Works Epic has seen over the years?
Suspension evolution and geometry are the two most notable changes specific to the Epic. Between increasing the rear shock damping quality and BRAIN (inertia valve) sensitivity, we have the most efficient package that never needs extra levers on the bars, so riders are not distracted from chasing down the finish line with full focus. The suspension is firm and efficient when necessary, but eats up the rough parts of the course without needing to activate the shock. XC geometry evolution is a hot topic these days as riders continue to push the boundaries of what XC bikes were intended for. Epic is among the first to things like shorter stems and alternative fork offsets to increase stability and rider confidence, common attributes that create a significantly more capable bike.
What is the Specialized XCO team hopeful for in the future?
Developing young talent and developing better product. Our roster is relatively young. Simon Andreassen and Christopher Blevins are both in U23 (2019 being Christopher’s first U23 season). Laura Stigger, who we support on her own program is also first-year U23. Alan Hatherly is first-year Elite. Sam Gaze and Annika Langvad round out our Elite male and female riders, with Annika being the most seasoned of them all. It’s pretty exciting to bring up these younger riders who are at the start of their professional careers, as well as help take athletes like Sam and Annika to the next level.
We’re also looking forward to tapping into all of the broad talent we have on the team to drive our product. It’s a pretty interesting opportunity to be able to tap into fresh perspectives on new product.
Conclusion
In the end, I think most would agree there’s a lot more to winning XC races than the bikes the racers choose. While riders on the Specialized S-Works Epic and the Scott Spark have notched the most World Cup XC wins over the past few years, even the brands themselves admit there are a lot of variables at play.
Both companies are heavily invested in the sport of cross-country racing and have been for a long time. Both most likely have more financial means to invest in World Cup racing than smaller bike brands. Considering that there is a feedback loop between the athletes that race the bikes, and the engineers that develop them, Scott and Specialized no doubt have the best feedback available to develop winning cross-country bikes.
2016-18 World Cup XC race results
2018 results
Stellenbosch, South Africa, 3/10. Photo: Cannondale.
| 2018 World Cup Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stellenbosch, South Africa, 3/10 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Sam Gaze | Specialized S-works Epic FS |
| 2 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 3 | Maxime Marrote | Cannondale Scalpel SI |
| 4 | Mathieu van Der Poel | Canyon Lux |
| 5 | Titouan Carod | BMC Four Stroke |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Pauline Ferrand Prevot | Canyon Lux |
| 3 | Anne Tauber | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 4 | Helen Grobert | Cannondale Scalpel Si |
| 5 | Maja Wloszczowska | Kross Level HT |
| Men’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Petter Fagerhaug | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Ben Oliver | Giant XTC |
| 3 | Neilo Perrin-Ganier | BMC Four Stroke |
| 4 | Simon Andreassen | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 5 | Pierre De Froidmont | Merida Ninety-Six |
| Women’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Malene Degn | Ghost Lector |
| 2 | Sina Frei | Ghost Lector |
| 3 | Evie Richards | Trek Top Fuel |
| 4 | Helene Clauzel | BH Lynx |
| 5 | Loana Lecomte | Sunn Prim HT |
| Albstadt, Germany 5/19 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Scale |
| 2 | Stephane Tempier | Bianchi Methanol |
| 3 | Mathieu van Der Poel | Canyon Exceed |
| 4 | Maxime Marrot | Cannondale FS-I |
| 5 | Jordan Sarrou | BH Ultimate Evo HT |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Level HT |
| 2 | Yana Belomoyna | American Eagle Atlanta |
| 3 | Anne Tauber | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 4 | Alessandra Keller | Thomus Tomcat HT |
| 5 | Elisabeth Brandau | Radon Jealous HT. |
| Men’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Joshua Dubau | Sunn Prim HT |
| 2 | Antoine Phillip | BMC Teamelite |
| 3 | Jonas Lindberg | Trek Top Fuel |
| 4 | Petter Fagerhaug | Scott Scale |
| 5 | Fillipo Columbo | BMC Teamelite |
| Women’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Ghost Lector |
| 2 | Evie Richards | Trek Procaliber |
| 3 | Malene Degn | Ghost Lector |
| 4 | Chiara Teocchi | Bianchi Methanol |
| 5 | Marika Tovo | Trek Top Fuel |
| Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Rep., 5/26 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Anton Cooper | Trek Top Fuel |
| 3 | Maxime Marotte | Cannondale Scalpel |
| 4 | Lars Forster | BMC Four Stroke |
| 5 | Manuel Fumic | Cannondale Scalpel |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Earth |
| 3 | Pauline Ferrand Prevot | Canyon Lux |
| 4 | Emily Batty | Trek Top Fuel |
| 5 | Maja Wloszczowska | Kross Level HT |
| Men’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Vlad Dascalu | Protek Victoria HT |
| 2 | Filippo Colombo | BMC Four Stroke |
| 3 | Alan Hatherly | S-Works Evo |
| 4 | Petter Fagerhaug | Scott Spark |
| 5 | Joshua Dubau | Sunn Prim HT |
| Women’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Ghost Lector |
| 2 | Malene Degn | Ghost Lector |
| 3 | Marika Tovo | Trek Top Fuel |
| 4 | Ronja Eibl | Simplon XC FS bike |
| 5 | Nicole Koller | Scott Spark |
| Val di Sole, Italy, 7/6 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Gerhard Kerschbaumer | Torpado Matador |
| 3 | Mathieu van Der Poel | Canyon Lux |
| 4 | Henrique Avancini | Cannondale Scalpel |
| 5 | Florian Vogel | Focus Raven |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Maja Wloszczowska | Kross Level HT |
| 2 | Emily Batty | Trek Procaliber |
| 3 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Level HT |
| 4 | Pauline Ferrand Prevot | Canyon Lux |
| 5 | Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa | Merida Big-Nine |
| Men’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Petter Fagerhaug | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Joshua Dubau | Sunn Prim HT |
| 3 | Vlad Dascalu | Protek 29FSTeam |
| 4 | Colombo Filippo | BMC Four Stroke |
| 5 | Christopher Blevins | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| Women’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Ghost Lector |
| 2 | Evie Richards | Trek Procaliber |
| 3 | Malene Degn | Ghost Lector |
| 4 | Isla Short | Felt Doctrine HT |
| 5 | Ronja Eibl | Simplon XC FS bike |
| Vallnord, Andorra | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Gerhard Kerschbaumer | Torpado Matador |
| 2 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 3 | Mathieu van Der Poel | Canyon Lux |
| 4 | Henrique Avancini | Cannondale Scalpel |
| 5 | Jordan Sarrou | BH Lynx |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa | Merida Big Nine |
| 2 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Level HT |
| 3 | Emily Batty | Trek Procaliber |
| 4 | Anne Tauber | America Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 5 | Maja Wjoszczowska | Kross Level HT |
| Men’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Joshua Dubau | Sunn bikes |
| 2 | Antoine Philipp | BMC Teamelite |
| 3 | Filippo Colombo | BMC Four Stroke |
| 4 | Vlad Dascalu | Protek 29FSTeam |
| 5 | Jofre Cullell Estape | Megamo Track |
| Women’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Ghost Lector |
| 2 | Evie Richards | Trek Top Fuel |
| 3 | Malene Degn | Ghost Lector |
| 4 | Rocio del Alba Garcia Martinez | Mondraker Podium |
| 5 | Marika Tovo | Trek Procaliber |
| Mont Saint Anne, Canada, 8/10 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Mathias Flueckiger | Thomus Lightrider |
| 2 | Gerhard Kerschbaumer | Torpado Matador |
| 3 | Titouan Carod | BMC Four Stroke |
| 4 | Maxime Marotte | Cannondale Scalpel |
| 5 | Luca Braidot | Olympia F1X |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Earth |
| 2 | Annika Langvad | S-Works Epic |
| 3 | Emily Batty | Trek Procaliber |
| 4 | Yana Bolomoina | American Eagle Atlanta |
| 5 | Anne Tauber | America Eagle Atlanta |
| Men’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Alan Hatherly | S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Christopher Blevins | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Jose Gerardo Ulloa Arevalo | Finnix FS Bike |
| 4 | David Nordemann | American Eagle FS Proto |
| 5 | Simon Andreassen | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| Women’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Ghost Lector |
| 2 | Evie Richards | Trek Top Fuel |
| 3 | Malene Degn | Ghost Lector |
| 4 | Marika Tovo | Trek Top Fuel |
| 5 | Nicole Koller | Scott Spark |
| La Bresse, France, 8/26 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Gerhard Kerschbaumer | Torpado Matador |
| 3 | Maxime Marotte | Canyon Lux |
| 4 | Mathieu van Der Poel | Canyon Lux |
| 5 | Victor Koretzky | BH Lynx. |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Earth |
| 2 | Emily Batty | Trek Procaliber |
| 3 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 4 | Pauline Ferrand Prevot | Canyon Lux |
| 5 | Alessandra Keller | Thomus Lightrider |
| Men’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Petter Fagerhaug | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Jofre Cullell Estape | Megamo Track |
| 3 | Simon Andreassen | S-Works Epic |
| 4 | Joshua Dubau | Sunn Prim HT |
| 5 | Tobias Johannessen | Cannondale Scalpel |
| Women’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Ghost Lector |
| 2 | Evie Richards | Trek Top Fuel |
| 3 | Ronja Eibl | Simplon XC FS bike |
| 4 | Marika Tovo | Trek Procaliber |
| 5 | Haley Batten | Orbea Alma |
| Lenzerheide, Sweden, 9/8 XCO World Champs | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Gerhard Kerschbaumer | Torpado Matador |
| 3 | Mathieu Van Der Poel | Canyon Lux |
| 4 | Henrique Avancini | Cannondale Scalpel |
| 5 | Florian Vogel | Focus O1E |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Emily Batty | Trek Top Fuel |
| 4 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Earth |
| 5 | Maja Wlosczczowska | Kross Earth |
| Men’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Alan Hatherly | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Christopher Blevins | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | David Nordemann | American Eagle Proto FS |
| 4 | Petter Fagerhaug | Scott Spark |
| 5 | Jonas Lindberg | Trek Top Fuel |
| Women’s U23 | ||
| 1 | Alessandra Keller | Thomus Lightrider |
| 2 | Sina Frei | Ghost Lector |
| 3 | Marika Tovo | Trek Top Fuel |
| 4 | Ronja Eibl | Simplon XC FS Bike |
| 5 | Caroline Bohe | Merida Big Nine |
2018 season totals
- Ghost Lector: 14
- Scott Spark: 13
- Trek Top Fuel: 13
- Specialized S-Works Epic FS: 12
- Canyon Lux: 10
- Cannondale Scalpel: 9
- Trek Procaliber: 8
- BMC Four Stroke: 7
- Kross Level: 7
- Kross Earth: 5
- Sunn Prim: 5
- Torpado Matador: 4
- American Eagle Atlanta: 4
- BMC Teamelite: 3
- BH Lynx: 3
- Merida Big Nine: 3
- Simplon XC FS bike : 3
- Thomus Lightrider: 3
- Megamo Track: 2
- Scott Scale: 2
- Bianchi Methanol: 2
- Protek 29FSTeam: 2
- Giant XTC: 1
- Merida Ninety-Six: 1
- Canyon Exceed: 1
- Cannondale FS-I: 1
- BH Ultimate Evo: 1
- Thomus Tomcat: 1
- Radon Jealous: 1
- Protek Victoria HT: 1
- Focus O1E: 1
- Focus Raven: 1
- Felt Doctrine: 1
- Mondraker Podium: 1
- Orbea Alma: 1
- American Eagle FS Proto: 1
2017 results
| 2017 World Cup Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic 5/20 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Stephane Tempier | Bianchi Methanol |
| 3 | Maxime Marotte | Cannondale Scalpel |
| 4 | David Valero | MMR Kenta 29 |
| 5 | Jordan Sarrou | BH Lynx |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Sabine Spitz | WiaWis FS Proto |
| 3 | Linda Indergand | Focus O1E |
| 4 | Maja Wjoszczowska | Kross Level HT |
| 5 | Yana Belomoyna | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Petter Fagerhaug | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Martins Blums | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| 3 | Sebastian Carstensen Fini | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 4 | Sasu Halme | Focus O1E |
| 5 | Gioele Bertolini | BMC Teamelite |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Evie Richards | Trek Top Fuel |
| 3 | Sina Frei | Felt Doctrine |
| 4 | Anne Marie Worst | Stevens Sonora |
| 5 | Lena Gerault | BH Lynx |
| Albstadt, Germany 5/27 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Scale |
| 2 | Mathieu van der Poel | Stevens Jura |
| 3 | Anton Cooper | Trek Procaliber |
| 4 | David Valero | MMR Rakish 29 |
| 5 | Maxime Marotte | Cannondale F-Si |
| 1 | Yana Belomoina | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 2 | Maja Wjoszczowska | Kross Level HT |
| 3 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Level HT |
| 4 | Linda Indergand | Focus Raven |
| 5 | Bec Henderson | Scott Scale |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Nadir Colledani | Torpado Ribot |
| 2 | Georg Egger | Scott Spark |
| 3 | Peter Disera | Norco Revolver HT |
| 4 | Gioele Bertoline | BMC Teamelite |
| 5 | Martins Blums | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Evie Richards | Trek Procaliber |
| 2 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| 3 | Sina Frei | Felt Doctrine |
| 4 | Marlena Drozdziok | Scott Scale |
| 5 | Nicole Koller | Scott Scale |
| Vallnord, Andorra 7/1 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Mathias Fluckiger | Radon FS Proto |
| 3 | Jordan Sarrou | BH Lynx |
| 4 | Sam Gaze | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 5 | Florian Vogel | Focus O1E |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Yana Belomoyna | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 2 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works FS |
| 3 | Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa | Merida Big Nine |
| 4 | Linda Indergand | Focus O1E |
| 5 | Emily Batty | Trek Procaliber |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Simon Andreassen | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Alan Hatherly | Specialized S-Works FS |
| 3 | Martins Blums | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 4 | Nadir Colledani | Torpado Matador |
| 5 | Vlad Dascalu | Cube AMS 100 |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Felt Doctrine |
| 2 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Evie Richards | Trek Procaliber |
| 4 | Rocio del Alba Garcia Martinez | Mondraker Podium |
| 5 | Martina Berta | BH Lynx |
| Lenzerheide, Switzerland 7/8 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Stephane Tempier | Bianchi Methanol |
| 3 | Maxime Marotte | Cannondale Scalpel |
| 4 | David Valero | MMR Kenta 29 |
| 5 | Jordan Sarrou | BH Lynx |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Annie Last | Silverback Sesta |
| 2 | Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa | Merida Big Nine |
| 3 | Yana Belomoyna | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 4 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Level HT |
| 5 | Helen Grobert | Cannondale Scalpel |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Martin Blums | Specialized S-Works HT |
| 2 | Maximilian Brandl | Scott Spark |
| 3 | Colledani Nadir | Torpado Ribot |
| 4 | Sebastian Carstensen Fini | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 5 | Vlad Dascalu | Cube AMS 100 |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Sina Frei | Felt Doctrine |
| 3 | Evie Richards | Trek Top Fuel |
| 4 | Haley Batten | Orbea Oiz |
| 5 | Martina Berta | BH Lynx |
| Mount Saint Anne, Canada 8/5 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Stephane Tempier | Bianchi Methanol |
| 3 | Gerhard Kerschbaumer | Torpado Matador |
| 4 | Titouan Carod | BMC Fourstroke |
| 5 | Maxime Marotte | Cannondale Scalpel |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Yana Belomoyna | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 2 | Pauline Ferrand Prevot | Canyon Lux |
| 3 | Catharine Pendrel | Orbea Alma |
| 4 | Emily Batty | Trek Procaliber |
| 5 | Irina Kalentieva | Scott Spark |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Martins Blums | Specialized S-Works Evo HT |
| 2 | Nadir Colledani | Torpado Matador |
| 3 | Simon Andreassen | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 4 | Quinton Disera | Norco Revolver FS |
| 5 | Simon Vitzthum | Bischi XC bike |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Kate Courtney | Specialized Epic S-Works FS |
| 2 | Sina Frei | Felt Doctrine |
| 3 | Lucie Urruty | Scott Spark |
| 4 | Haley Batten | Orbea Oiz |
| 5 | Nicole Koller | Scott Spark |
| Val di Sole, Italy 8/26 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Stephane Tempier | Bianchi Methanol |
| 3 | Julien Absalon | BMC Four Stroke |
| 4 | Jaroslav Kulhavy | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 5 | Lars Forster | BMC Teamelite |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Level HT |
| 2 | Yana Belomoyna | American Eagle Atlanta HT |
| 3 | Maja Wloszczowska | Kross Level HT |
| 4 | Irina Kalentieva | Scott Spark |
| 5 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Nadir Colledani | Torpado Matador |
| 2 | Martins Blums | Specialized S-Works HT |
| 3 | Petter Fagerhaug | Scott Spark |
| 4 | Georg Egger | Scott Spark |
| 5 | Vlad Dascalu | Cube AMS 100 |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Sina Frei | Felt Doctrine |
| 3 | Evie Richards | Trek Procaliber |
| 4 | Isla Short | Silverback Superspeed 29 |
| 5 | Martina Berta | BH Ultimate |
| Cairns, Australia 9/8 World Championships | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Jaroslav Kulhavý | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Thomas Litscher | Felt Edict |
| 4 | Henrique Avancini | Cannondale Scalpel |
| 5 | Manuel Fumic | Cannondale Scalpel |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Jolanda Neff | Kross Level HT |
| 2 | Annie Last | Silverback Sesta |
| 3 | Pauline Ferrand Prevot | Canyon Lux |
| 4 | Maja Wjoszcxowska | Kross Level HT |
| 5 | Irina Kalentyeva | Scott Spark |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sam Gaze | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Alan Hatherly | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Maximilian Brandl | Scott Spark |
| 4 | Sebastian Fini Carstensen | American Eagle Atlanta |
| 5 | Milan Vader | Canyon Exceed |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Felt Doctrine |
| 2 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Alessandra Kessler | Radon Full-suspension |
| 4 | Barbora Prudkova | Superior Bikes Team29 |
| 5 | Rocio Del Alba Garcia Martinez | Mondraker Podium |
2017 season totals
- Specialized S-Works Epic FS: 17
- Scott Spark: 17
- American Eagle Atlanta: 9
- Kross Level: 8
- Felt Doctrine: 7
- Specialized S-Works HT: 6
- Trek Procaliber: 6
- BH Lynx: 6
- Cannondale Scalpel: 6
- Torpado Matador: 4
- Scott Scale: 4
- Bianchi Methanol: 4
- Focus O1E: 4
- Cube AMS100: 3
- BMC Teamelite: 3
- BMC Four Stroke: 2
- Mondraker Podium: 2
- Orbea Oiz: 2
- Silverback Sesta: 2
- Torpado Ribot: 2
- Trek Top Fuel: 2
- Canyon Lux: 2
- Merida Big Nine: 2
- MMR Kenta 29: 2
- Radon Full Suspension: 2
- Silverback Superspeed 29: 1
- Focus Raven: 1
- Orbea Alma: 1
- WiaWis: 1
- Stevens Sonora: 1
- Stevens Jura: 1
- Cannondale F-Si: 1
- Felt Edict: 1
- Norco Revolver FS: 1
- Norco Revolver HT: 1
- Bischi: 1
- Canyon Exceed: 1
- Superior Bikes Team29: 1
- BH Ultimate: 1
2016 results
| 2016 World Cup Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cairns, Austraila 4/23 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Maxime Marotte | BH Ultimate 29 |
| 3 | Julien Absalon | BMC Four Stroke |
| 4 | Mathias Fluckiger | Stockli Morion |
| 5 | Florian Vogel | Focus O1E |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Linda Indergand | Focus Raven |
| 3 | Rebecca McConnell | Trek Procaliber |
| 4 | Catharine Pendrel | Orbea Oiz |
| 5 | Sabine Spitz | WiaWis Full-Suspension |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sam Gaze | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| 2 | Romain Seigle | Focus Raven |
| 3 | Titouan Carod | Scott Spark |
| 4 | Sebastian Carstensen Fini | Superior Bikes Team 29 |
| 5 | Gioele Bertolini | BMC Teamelite |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Catherine Fleury | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Olga Terentyeva | Unknown |
| 4 | Andrea Waldis | Orbea Alma |
| 5 | Holly Harris | Merida Big Nine |
| Albstadt, Germany 5/21 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Scale |
| 2 | Julien Absalon | BMC Teamelite |
| 3 | Maxime Marotte | Cannondale F-Si |
| 4 | Jaroslav Kulhavy | Specialized S-Works FS |
| 5 | Lars Forster | BMC Teamelite |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Era FS |
| 2 | Jenny Rissveds | Scott Scale |
| 3 | Catharine Pendrel | Orbea Alma |
| 4 | Sabine Spitz | WiaWis Hardtail |
| 5 | Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa | Merida Big Nine |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sam Gaze | Specialized S-Works HT |
| 2 | Titouan Carod | Scott Scale |
| 3 | Marcel Guerrini | Focus Raven |
| 4 | Simon Andreassen | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| 5 | Milan Vader | Canyon Exceed |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Felt Nine |
| 2 | Evie Richards | Felt Nine |
| 3 | Anne Tauber | Felt Nine |
| 4 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works FS |
| 5 | Chiara Teocchi | Bianchi Methanol |
| La Bresse, France 5/28 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Julien Absalon | BMC Four Stroke |
| 2 | Maxime Marotte | BH Ultimate 29 |
| 3 | Victor Koretzky | BH Ultimate 29 |
| 4 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 5 | Jaroslav Kulhavy | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Jolanda Neff | Stockli Beryll HT |
| 2 | Catharine Pendrel | Orbea Oiz |
| 3 | Emily Batty | Trek Procaliber |
| 4 | Katerina Nash | Orbea Alma |
| 5 | Maja Wloszczowska | Kross Level |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Titouan Carod | Scott Scale |
| 2 | Romain Seigle | Focus Rave |
| 3 | Sam Gaze | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| 4 | Marcel Guerrini | Focus Raven |
| 5 | Simon Andreassen | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Felt Nine |
| 2 | Evie Richards | Felt Nine |
| 3 | Anne Tauber | Felt Nine |
| 4 | Nicole Koller | Specialized S-Works HT |
| 5 | Jana Czeczinkarova | Trek Procaliber |
| World Champs, Nove Mesto na Morave, 6/28-7/3, 2016 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spar |
| 2 | Jaroslav Kulhavy | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Julien Absalon | BMC Four Stroke |
| 4 | Cink Ondrej | Merida Ninety Six |
| 5 | Stephan Tempier | Bianchi Methanol FS |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Lea Davison | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Emily Batty | Trek Top Fuel |
| 4 | Maja Wjoszczowska | Kross Level HT |
| 5 | Catherine Pendrel | Orbea Oiz |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sam Gaze | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 2 | Victor Koretzky | BH Lynx |
| 3 | Marcel Guerrini | Focus O1E |
| 4 | Georg Egger | Scott Spark |
| 5 | Arnis Petersons | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Jenny Rissveds | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Sina Frei | Felt Nine |
| 3 | Alessandra Keller | Stockli Trail2Rio |
| 4 | Evie Richards | Trek Top Fuel |
| 5 | Malene Degn | Canyon Exceed |
| Lenzerheide, Sweden 7/9 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Julien Absalon | BMC Teamelite |
| 2 | Nino Schurter | Scott Spark |
| 3 | Maxime Marotte | BH Ultimate 29 |
| 4 | Victor Koretzky | BH Lynx |
| 5 | Mathias Fluckiger | Stockli Morion |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Jenny Rissveds | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Jolanda Neff | Stockli Beryll HT |
| 4 | Katerina Nash | Orbea Oiz |
| 5 | Maja Wloszczowksa | Kross Level HT |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Titouan Carod | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Simon Andreassen | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Sam Gaze | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 4 | Arnis Petersons | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| 5 | Georg Egger | Scott Spark |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Felt Nine |
| 2 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Anne Tauber | Felt Nine |
| 4 | Nicole Koller | Specialized S-Works Epic HT |
| 5 | Ramona Forchini | Unknown |
| Mont Sainte Anne, Canada 8/6 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Julien Absalon | BMC Four Stroke |
| 2 | Victor Koretzky | BH Ultimate 29 |
| 3 | Mathias Fluckiger | Stockli Morion |
| 4 | Mathias Stirnemann | Scott Spark |
| 5 | Jordan Sarrou | BH Ultimate 29 |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Catharine Pendrel | Orbea Oiz |
| 2 | Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa | Merida Big Nine |
| 3 | Emily Batty | Trek Procaliber |
| 4 | Annika Langvad | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 5 | Katerina Nash | Orbea Oiz |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Titoaun Carod | Scott Spark |
| 2 | Antoine Bouqueret | Scott Spark |
| 3 | Lukas Baum | Musing HT |
| 4 | Andri Frischknecht | Scott Spark |
| 5 | Ben Zwiehoff | Bergamont Fastlane Team 29er |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Felt Nine |
| 2 | Anne Tauber | Felt Nine |
| 3 | Chiara Teocchi | Bianchi Methanol CV |
| 4 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works FS |
| 5 | Ramona Forchini | Unknown |
| Vallnord, Andorra 9/3 | ||
| Men’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Julien Absalon | BMC Four Stroke |
| 2 | Ondrej Cink | Merida Ninety-Six |
| 3 | Pablo Rodriguez Guede | MMR Rakish 29 |
| 4 | Maxime Marotte | BH Ultimate 29 |
| 5 | Stephane Tempier | Bianchi Methanol |
| Women’s Elite | ||
| 1 | Jolanda Neff | Stockli Morion |
| 2 | Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja | Merida Big Nine |
| 3 | Catharine Pendrel | Orbea Oiz |
| 4 | Jenny Rissveds | Jenny Rissveds |
| 5 | Maja Wloszczowska | Kross Level |
| Men’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Marcel Guerrini | Focus O1E |
| 2 | Simon Andreassen | Specialized S-Works Epic FS |
| 3 | Titouan Carod | Scott Spark |
| 4 | Maximilian Brandl | Scott Spark |
| 5 | Antoine Bouqueret | Scott Spark |
| Women’s Juniors | ||
| 1 | Sina Frei | Felt Nine |
| 2 | Anne Tauber | Felt Nine |
| 3 | Nicole Koller | Unknown |
| 4 | Barbora Prudkova | Unknown |
| 5 | Kate Courtney | Specialized S-Works FS |
2016 season totals
- Specialized S-Works Epic FS: 19
- Scott Spark: 17
- Felt Nine: 13
- Specialized S-Works HT: 9
- BH Ultimate 29: 7
- Orbea Oiz: 7
- BMC Four Stroke: 5
- Focus Raven: 5
- Scott Scale: 4
- Bianchi Methanol: 4
- Merida Big Nine: 4
- Trek Procaliber: 4
- Kross Level: 4
- Orbea Alma: 3
- BMC Teamelite: 4
- Stockli Morion: 4
- Focus O1E: 3
- Stockli Beryll: 2
- Trek Top Fuel: 2
- Merida Ninety-Six: 2
- BH Lynx: 2
- Canyon Exceed: 2
- WiaWis FS: 1
- Stockli Trail2Rio: 1
- WiaWis HT: 1
- Cannondale F-Si: 1 Superior
- Bikes Team 29: 1
- MMR Rakish 29: 1
- Bergamont Fastlane Team 29er: 1
- Musing HT: 1
