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First Time Without a Podium in Val di Sole

Jun 25, 2025 | News | 0 comments

After eight consecutive podium finishes, Nino Schurter finished the XCO race in Val di Sole off the podium for the first time. Filippo Colombo, who was leading the race, ended up 10th after suffering a flat tire.

Val di Sole, Italy. That wasn’t how we planned to debut the new look. After a disappointing XCC on Friday – where Nino Schurter crashed hard in the second-to-last corner – we were looking forward to making up for it on Sunday. Filippo Colombo had a strong start, leading from the first lap, but a flat tire dropped him back and he finished 10th.

In the XCC, Filippo Colombo and Nino Schurter – who was having his best race of the season – rode at the front for most of the race before both dropped back. Colombo finished 23rd, and Schurter crashed while fighting for a podium spot. Emilly Johnston finished 27th.

Once again in Val di Sole, the cross-country race was marked by high temperatures and dusty conditions. After a slightly disappointing XCC on Friday, all riders started Sunday’s race from the fourth row or further back – which didn’t make things any easier in the Italian dust.

Filippo Colombo, starting from 23rd position, had a brilliant start and quickly moved into the front group. Nino Schurter got tangled up on the first lap and had to fight his way forward, lap by lap. He didn’t give up and managed to climb up the rankings to finish 14th.

After a disappointing XCC on Friday, Filippo Colombo had an excellent day and took the lead at the end of the first lap. Meanwhile, Nino Schurter found himself in 41st position, as the pace at the front was extremely high from the very beginning. Colombo was setting a brutal pace and managed to split the lead group already in the second lap – unfortunately, he suffered a rear-wheel flat in the fifth.

While Colombo managed to secure a 10th-place finish, Schurter finished off the podium in Val di Sole for the first time in his entire career. After experiencing breathing problems over the past few weeks, he again struggled with the dust during the opening two laps. The race was won by Martin Vidaurre, ahead of Mathis Azzaro and Fabio Püntener.
“The eight times I won this race, I always started up front – and never experienced the chaos in the dust behind. The dust on this loose track is wild – it kills visibility, makes breathing tough, and turns overtaking into a real fight. Big respect to all the warriors battling through the field. I gave it everything I could, given my recent challenges. But I’m not giving up yet.”

Nino Schurter
10x World Champion, 9x World Cup Champion
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

Canadian Emilly Johnston secured a 31st-place finish
The Canadian Emilly Johnston, starting from 33rd position, had a difficult first lap with a crash and dropped to 48th after hitting the only nail on the entire track, which forced her to change a wheel. She paced herself well and moved forward lap by lap, eventually crossing the line in 31st place.
Andri Frischknecht and Bjorn Riley had a disappointing day. US Champion Riley suffered a flat tire on the first lap and had to withdraw with back problems after the second lap. Andri Frischknecht crossed the finish line in 43rd place.
The next round of the World Cup takes place from July 11 to 13 in Pal Arinsal, Andorra.