Breil-sur-Roya Gears Up for the Exciting 2023 UCI E-Bike Cross Country World Cup

The season opener, the Monaco Round, presented by Département Alpes-Maritimes, is set to take place in Breil-sur Roya on May 20-21, marking the first time this event will be hosted in the picturesque French commune.

This year's UCI E-Bike Cross Country World Cup season promises a lineup of talented riders from various teams, each competing for the top spot in this exhilarating sport. Returning to Monaco for the fifth consecutive time, the ancient commune overlooking the stunning Monegasque Bay is ready to kick off the WES series debut.

Teams such as Lapierre Overvolt and Trek-Bosch have been meticulously fine-tuning their e-bikes to maximize performance. Lapierre Overvolt boasts the French sensation Justine Tonso, while the reigning World Champion and World Cup Winner, Jérôme Gilloux, leads the charge for UCI E-MTB XC Men. On the other hand, Trek-Bosch features the reigning Women's World Champ and World Cup Winner, the Swiss powerhouse Nicole Göldi, who engaged in a remarkable battle for 2022 glory against Tonso.

Josh Carlson of the Giant Factory Team returns to WES, determined to give his all for a coveted spot on the podium. Adding to the thrill, a new German team, Advanced E-Racing, enters the competition with high expectations and a drive to make their mark. The team includes Friederike Steuber, Antonia Daubermann, Heiko Hog, and Rico Libesch, and their arrival injects a fresh level of competition, hopefully igniting new rivalries on the track.

In an intriguing team swap, Loïc Noël of the Bergstrom Swiss Team and Joris Ryf of Specialized have exchanged seats for the 2023 season, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans. Moreover, the upcoming season will showcase an increased number of women riders compared to 2022, with up to 8 talented athletes, including Anna Spielmann and Solene Bouissou, ready to take the spotlight.

Looking at the race regulations, the double E-XC race format remains confirmed, featuring both men and women competing together, emphasizing gender diversity in each WES event. The starting grid will be determined by the Qualirace, adding an element of anticipation and strategy to the competition.

In terms of prizes, both male and female riders will receive substantial prize money, which will see a significant increase this season. Additionally, several prestigious sporting awards will be up for grabs, including the Raspini Pole Position Award, awarded to the fastest rider in the Qualirace, the Magneti Marelli Checkstar Power Lap, given to the rider with the fastest lap in race 2, and the WES Holeshot, recognizing the fastest rider at the start of each race after passing through the first corner.

The 2023 season will largely maintain the prize and award structure from the previous year, with no major changes in the rule book. The selected tracks for this season have been designed to push the limits of both riders and their e-bikes. With challenging terrains, sharp turns, and intense uphill sections, spectators can expect thrilling moments and unforgettable races. The combination of skill, fast-paced action, eco-friendly technology, and pure adrenaline guarantees that the upcoming 2023 WES UCI E-MTB XC World Cup

2023 UCI Calendar

1. 20-21 May, Monaco

2. 10-11 June, Bologna Montana (Italy)

3. 29-30 August, Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)

4. 22-23 September, Girona - Costa Brava (Spain)

5. 30 September-1 October, Charade - Clermont-Ferrand (France)

6. 21 October, Barcelona (Spain)