The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has decided to abruptly halt one of the newest formats on the international calendar. The E-Mountain Bike Cross-country World Cup will not be held in 2026 after an internal review concluded that the competition has not evolved as expected since its launch.
The decision comes after analyzing the development of the series, managed by WES Management, and finding that it has not achieved the objectives set in terms of global expansion. The UCI acknowledges that the format has not managed to consolidate itself within the international mountain bike ecosystem, at a time when other disciplines continue to grow strongly.
The international governing body explains that this pause is due to the need to open a period of reflection with teams, brands, and organizers. The goal is to redefine the role of e-MTB within the calendar and find a formula that allows for its real development at a competitive level.
This move does not mean the complete disappearance of the discipline. e-MTB cross-country will remain part of the official Mountain Bike World Championships program. The next edition will be held in Val di Sole between August 26 and 30, 2026, guaranteeing that the discipline maintains its recognition within the UCI structure.
The e-MTB World Cup was launched in 2021 with the intention of becoming the international showcase for this modality. Over the years, it has brought together specialists in the discipline and served as a platform for brands to display their electric bikes in a competitive environment.
It has also played a significant role for organizers, who have used these events as a tool for promoting their regions, linked to active tourism and mountain biking.
However, this growth has not been enough. The UCI believes that the format needs a thorough review to adapt to the current context of mountain biking, where increasingly specialized disciplines with growing followings coexist.
Source: www.brujulabike.com