The third round of the 2026 4X ProTour took place in Val Di Sole, Italy at the weekend. Held as part of the UCI World Championships weekend. This event attracts thousands of fans who flock to Val Di Sole to watch 4X ProTour and the World Cup disciplines of DH and XC.
The track in Val Di Sole is incredible. Built for the 4X World Championships in 2008 the track has stood the test of time, only receiving some minor updates in the last 18 years. It is one of the best tracks on the circuit and always provides entertainment. Huge corners, massive jumps and a big rock garden litter this 45 second long track to test the best in the world.
Thursday – Qualifying:
Practice was busy, as riders only had an hour to master this technical track. It was super dry and loose but riders were up to speed and qualifying was going to be tight. The sun was setting, and the track was ready for qualifying. The format for this year’s race was qualifying on Thursday night and finals on Friday night. With the schedule fitting around DH, it was great to see a few DH riders entered.
With just one lap to qualify into the main event, the pressure was on all the riders to have a smooth but aggressive lap.
In the elite women’s qualifying, it was an amazing ride from Zuri Acheson who crossed the finish line in a time of 53.259, a full two seconds ahead of Jessica Dove in 2nd and Josie McFall in 3rd.
In elite men’s qualifying, it was going to be tight. Every rider was looking for a perfect run but the fast track this year was tricky and catching a few riders out. Neko Mulally set the early pace along with Sam Blenkinsop and Bailey Mears.
Then the big guns started rolling in. Davide Cappello set a time that everyone was chasing – 45.185. Stefano Dolfin came close and slotted into second. Series leader Jachym Vanek finished third and defending champion – Tomas Slavik, on his return from injury finished 4th.
Friday – Race:
As normal the crowds flocked in their thousands to Val Di Sole for the 4X under floodlights. Thousands of fans with chainsaws, flares, fireworks, horns and old frames being beaten with metal. Anything that made noise was trackside. The atmosphere was electric. The best it has ever been. Huge crowds, possibly the biggest of the weekend were ready for 4X.
At 21.00 the gate dropped and the nights racing got underway. In the first round of racing, it was tight and there were a few of shocks. Series star Jan Baloun fought hard but didn’t transfer. Nicolas Mihaljevic also went out along with 12th place qualifier Alex Dusso and Marvin Schaupp.
In the quarter finals, the level was incredible. Bar to bar racing and the crowds were going wild. Series organiser and currently sat 3rd in the standings Scott Beaumont went out after some bumps left him trailing and unable to qualify. Wyn Masters, Sam Blenkinsop, Stefano Dolfin, Gustaw Dadela and Series leader Jachym Vanek all went out.
The downhillers who raced in the men’s were being whittled down, but in the semi finals they would come up against the experienced 4X riders. in Semi Final 1, we would see 4X legend Tomas Slavik, Bailey Mears and Kevin Miquel face off against fastest qualifier Davide Capello. The gate dropped and it was action right from the start. Bars banging all the way, but across the finish it was Slavik and Capello transferring to the final.
In semi final 2, Julian Stimpfl, Neko Mulally, Tomas Brozik and Samuele Cavina lined up. The gate dropped and Stimpfl had an amazing race, pulling away from the others to transfer to the final. Mulally worked hard and grabbed the last transfer spot in a photo finish.
Onto the final and the women stepped up to the gate. The times in qualifying had been tight and no one was sure which way this race would go. The gate dropped and Josie McFall took the holeshot. Jess Dove was fighting hard, but Zuri Acheson managed to sneak past her. Series leader Katherine Oldfield, settled into 4th after a practice crash had left her battered and bruised.
By the finish line, McFall took the win from Acheson, Dove and Oldfield.
Next it was the mens small final. The gate dropped and through the first 2 corners it was hectic. Bailey Mears had the lead but then crashed out, allowing Tomas Brozik through. He held on to the finish line ahead of Samuele Cavina, Kevin Miquel and Mears in 4th.
The last race of the day was the elite men’s final. Tomas Slavik took gate 1, Davide Capello took gate 2, Julian Stimpfl took 3 and Neko Mulally slotted into 4. The scene was set for a brilliant final.
As the gate dropped, it was Slavik with the initial jump out of the gate and he held the inside line in turn 1. Capello moved into 2nd and was hunting Slavik. Then, Mulally charged into turn 2 and moved into 2nd. It was an amazing move but then Capello cut back to re take the position. Stimpfl gained ground all the way down the track but in the rocks, Stimpfl rolled the dice and crashed out. Capello kept Slavik honest all the way but was not able to make a pass. Tomas Slavik took the win from Capello, Mulally and Stimpfl.
After the race an impressive podium was held and the awards were given out to the winners.
We just wanted to add that this was one of the best 4X races in the history of the sport. The track was the best it has ever been, the crowd was simply crazy and the riders put on an incredible show. Thank you Val Di Sole.
The final stop of the 2026 4X ProTour will take place this week, on September 12th at Szczawno Zdroj, home of, Gustaw Dadela. Gustaw has prepared this track perfectly and it is ready for the finals. We can’t wait to see that race unfold.
Results
Women:
1.Josie McFall (GBR)
2. Zuri Acheson (AUS)
3. Jessica Dove (GBR)
4. Katherine Oldfield (GBR)
Men:
1. Tomas Slavik (CZE)
2. Davide Capello (ITA)
3. Neko Mulally (USA)
4. Julian Stimpfl (ITA)
5. Tomas Brozik (CZE)
That’s it from Val Di Sole. Incredible racing and huge crowds. Thank you to the organising committee at Val Di Sole for another amazing 4X ProTour race. This venue has the heart of all 4X riders and fans. See you again in 2027.
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Photo Credits: Charles Robertson