The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has officially locked in the 2026 calendar for the iXS European Downhill Cup, with one of its most anticipated stops confirmed: Les Orres, France, on July 11-12, 2026. This Class 1 mountain biking event—just below the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup tier—will see riders tackle the steep, rocky descents of the French Alps, drawing top talent from across Europe. The announcement, made via the official ixsdownhillcup.com and partner platform Racement.com, signals the start of what organizers call a "truly impressive" season running from April to September.
Why Les Orres Matters
Les Orres isn’t just another stop on the calendar—it’s a legacy venue. The French resort hosted the iXS European Downhill Cup in 2025 on July 25-27, and now returns for 2026 with the same date window, suggesting a growing partnership. The terrain there is brutal: narrow switchbacks, rock gardens that chew up tires, and drops that test nerve as much as skill. Riders who shine here often move up to the World Cup circuit. Local organizers in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region have spent years refining the course, adding new technical features while preserving the natural challenge that makes this event a fan favorite.
Simultaneous Races, One Weekend
Here’s the twist: on the same weekend—July 11-12, 2026—Lienz, Austria, will host the "Ride Free Downhill Race + iXS Downhill Cup." It’s not a duplicate. It’s a strategic overlap. The UCI allows multiple Class 1 events to run concurrently, giving riders flexibility to choose where to compete based on travel, form, or sponsor obligations. Lienz, a traditional stronghold for European downhill racing, hosted a DHC event in 2025 and now steps into a hybrid format. This dual-event weekend creates a fascinating dynamic: two continents, two courses, one calendar. Who wins where? Who skips one to rest? It adds drama before the season even begins.
How the Series Works
The iXS European Downhill Cup is run under UCI sanctioning but funded and branded by iXS, the German apparel company known for high-end protective gear. They don’t just slap their name on it—they invest in rider development, course safety, and broadcast quality. The series splits into two streams: the European Downhill Cup (EDC) for elite riders and the Downhill Cup (DHC) for emerging talent. In 2025, the EDC events carried more ranking points. Expect the same structure in 2026, with six to eight stops total. Based on past years, we can anticipate stops in Fort William (Scotland), Semmering (Austria), Aprica (Italy), and Ilmenau (Germany), with possible new additions in Eastern Europe.
Why This Matters Beyond the Podium
For young riders, this series is the launchpad. Many current World Cup athletes—like 2024 UCI Under-23 champion Léa Curinier—cut their teeth here. It’s not just about winning. It’s about exposure, sponsorship, and proving you can handle pressure on unfamiliar tracks. Local economies benefit too. In 2025, the Les Orres event drew over 12,000 spectators, generating an estimated €1.8 million in regional spending. Hotels filled, restaurants stayed open late, and local bike shops sold out of spare parts. This isn’t just sport—it’s economic fuel for mountain communities.
What’s Missing—and What’s Coming
So far, only the Les Orres and Lienz dates are confirmed. The full 2026 calendar remains under wraps. That’s intentional. Organizers want to build suspense. But insiders say there’s talk of a debut in Slovenia and a return to the Czech Republic after a one-year hiatus. The UCI’s competition ID (77943) for Les Orres suggests the full schedule will drop by late February 2026. Until then, teams are already scouting courses, testing tire compounds, and planning travel routes. The 2025 season saw 17 different nations represented among competitors. Expect even more in 2026.
Historical Context: The Rise of the iXS Cup
The series began in 2018 as a regional effort to fill the gap between national races and the World Cup. Back then, it had three events and barely 200 riders. Now, it’s a six-country circuit with over 500 competitors annually. The UCI’s Class 1 designation, granted in 2021, was a game-changer. Suddenly, results counted toward UCI rankings. Sponsorship doubled. TV coverage expanded. What was once a grassroots series is now a professional stepping stone—with jerseys, mechanics, and media crews following every descent.
What’s Next?
The next milestone? The official 2026 calendar release, expected in early 2026. Riders will start entering entries in March. Teams will finalize sponsorships. And fans? They’ll start booking hotels in Les Orres and Lienz—long before the gates open. The real race isn’t just on the trail. It’s for who gets the best spot on the start line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the iXS European Downhill Cup different from the UCI World Cup?
The iXS European Downhill Cup is a Class 1 event under UCI rules—meaning it’s one tier below the World Cup. It offers fewer ranking points and smaller prize purses, but it’s far more accessible. Riders don’t need elite UCI licenses to enter, and many World Cup athletes use it to stay sharp between major events. It’s where future champions are discovered.
Why are there two events on the same weekend in France and Austria?
The UCI allows concurrent Class 1 events to give riders options. Some prefer the technical trails of Les Orres; others favor Lienz’s fast, flowy tracks. Travel costs and sponsor obligations often dictate choices. This overlap creates strategic depth—rider performance across both events can influence overall standings and selection for higher-tier competitions.
Who sponsors the iXS European Downhill Cup, and why?
The series is named after iXS, a German company that makes mountain bike armor, helmets, and protective gear. They sponsor it because it’s the perfect platform to showcase product durability under extreme conditions. Riders wear their gear during races, and the visibility among Europe’s most passionate MTB fans delivers strong ROI—far better than traditional advertising.
How do riders qualify for the iXS European Downhill Cup?
There’s no formal qualification. Riders register through their national cycling federations, pay an entry fee (typically €80–€120), and show up. The series is open to UCI-licensed riders aged 16 and up. Many competitors are amateurs or semi-pros. That’s the beauty of it: it’s not just for elites. It’s a proving ground where anyone with grit can compete on the same track as the pros.
What’s the economic impact of the Les Orres event?
The 2025 event brought over 12,000 spectators and generated an estimated €1.8 million in local spending—hotels, restaurants, bike shops, and transport. Local businesses report 40% of their summer revenue comes from race weekends. The town of Les Orres now markets itself as "France’s Downhill Capital," a branding shift directly tied to the cup’s success.
Will the 2026 calendar include new countries?
While not confirmed, insiders suggest Slovenia is in talks to host its first EDC event in 2026, possibly replacing a venue from 2025. The Czech Republic is also expected to return after a one-year break. The series has expanded steadily since 2018, and organizers are actively seeking new partners in Eastern Europe to broaden the talent pool and fan base.
