Cycling Canada is thrilled to celebrate our Canadian Mountain Bike athletes, who concluded an exceptional week at the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, delivering a series of world-class performances across downhill, cross-country Olympic (XCO), cross-country short track (XCC), and team relay competition. From a rainbow jersey in elite downhill to multiple top-ten finishes and a podium appearance, Canadian athletes showcased the talent of the nation’s mountain bike strength on the world stage.
The Championships began with a strong showing in the Team Relay, where Canada battled to an impressive fourth-place finish. Representing a mix of junior, U23, and elite athletes, Maxime St-Onge, Ethan Wood, Isabella Holmgren, Eliane Blais, Marin Lowe, and Cole Punchard combined for a competitive effort against the world’s best.
In the Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) events, Canada’s riders continued to make their mark. Isabella Holmgren delivered a strong performance, charging from the back row of the field to finish seventh in the Elite Women’s race. Meanwhile, Ian Ackert and Rafaëlle Carrier each secured sixth-place finishes in their respective U23 XCC races.
The Championships continued on Saturday with downhill racing. In the Junior Women’s Downhill, Jenna Foreman raced to an impressive fifth-place finish, while Tayte Proulx-Royds secured seventh. Capping off an unforgettable week, Jackson Goldstone put down a historic run in the Elite Men’s Downhill, claiming the World Championship title and the coveted rainbow jersey for a second consecutive year.
The momentum carried into the Cross-Country Olympic races, where Rafaëlle Carrier added another standout result with an impressive fifth-place finish in the U23 Women’s XCO, reinforcing her place among the world’s best up-and-coming cross-country athletes. In the elite ranks, Cole Punchard put together one of the most memorable rides of the Championships. Racing in his first World Championships as an elite athlete, he led the pack early, battled through a challenging mid-race stretch, and fought his way back into the top three to claim bronze in the Elite Men’s XCO, capping off a remarkable breakthrough ride.
Cycling Canada congratulates all athletes who represented Canada at the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. A special shoutout goes to the athletes clubs, coaches, provincial/ territorial sport organizations, and professional teams across the country whose dedication and commitment play a vital role in helping these riders succeed on the world stage. From world-class performances and podium finishes to breakthrough rides and career-best results, the team demonstrated exceptional determination throughout the week. For full results please visit the UCI website.
