Worlds MTB Stars Set for Explosive Start to 2026 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup in Costa BlancaThe 2026 HERO UCI Crosscountry Marathon World Cup roars into action on 21 February, with the opening roundthe HERO Costa Blanca presented by Millennium Luxury Propertiesbringing a worldclass field to the rugged trails between Calpe and Benissa.The event marks the second edition of the World Cup series after its successful launch in 2025, and anticipation is high: more than 180 Elite and Master riders from 26 nations across four continents will battle for the seasons first set of World Cup points on Costa Blancas technical, sunbaked terrain.A Brutal Opening TestRiders will face two demanding courses:82 km with 2,700 m of climbing50 km with 1,400 m of climbingBoth routes snake through the picturesque yet punishing hills of the Costa Blanca, combining steep climbs, rocky singletrack, and panoramic ridgeline sectionsa true earlyseason test of form and resilience.Elite Men: Seewald Returns as Target No. 1Reigning World Cup champion Andreas Seewald (Singer KTM Racing) is back to defend the title he secured just five months ago. But the German powerhouse will not have an easy ride.Among his main challengers:Wout Alleman (Belgium)Samuele Porro (Klimatiza Orbea Team, Italy)Gioele De Cosmo (Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing, Italy)Leo Paez (Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing, Colombia)One of the most exciting newcomers is David Valero (Klimatiza Orbea Team)tentime Spanish national champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallistwho will make his World Cup marathon debut and is expected to be a major factor on home soil.Elite Women: Van Doorn Faces Stacked OppositionIn the womens field, defending champion Rosa Van Doorn (Netherlands) aims to repeat last years triumph, but the depth of competition has grown significantly.Key rivals include:Adelheid Morath (Germany, Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing)Sandra Mairhofer (Italy, Lee Cougan Basso Factory Racing)Paula GoryckaKurmann (Poland)Lejla Njemevi (Bosnia)Claudia Peretti (Italy)Natalia Fischer (Extremadura Ecopilas, Spain)The womens field also welcomes rising star Anna Weinbeer (KTM Spada powered by Brenta Brakes), runnerup at the 2025 XCM World Championships.A Festival Atmosphere: HERO Village Opened 20 FebruaryBeyond the racing, the threeday HERO Village opened on 20 February, offering fans:Team presentations (15:30)The HERO Race Talk at 16:00 with major stars including Fischer, Valero, Hannah Otto (USA), and Leo PaezLive streaming via the events Instagram profileThe race will be broadcasted liveon the official World Cup website: www.heroucimarathonworldcup.com