Brazil and Belgium strike first as 35th CISM World Military MTB Cycling Championship gets underway in Spain

 

 

QUESADA, JAÉN (ESP) – The 35th CISM World Military MTB Cycling Championship entered the heart of the competition on Friday, 2 October 2026, with the first titles decided on the demanding trails of the Sierra de Cazorla, one day after the official Opening Ceremony brought the CISM family together in Quesada.

 

Taking place from 30 September to 4 October in Quesada, Cazorla and La Iruela, in the province of Jaén, the championship brings military mountain bikers together for several days of high-level competition in one of southern Spain’s most spectacular natural settings.

 

The Opening Ceremony was held on Thursday, 1 October, in the presence of athletes, team officials, local authorities and distinguished guests. CISM was represented by Colonel (Ret.) Steven Rosso, CISM Board of Directors Member and Official CISM Representative (OCR) for the championship.

 

 

Addressing the delegations on behalf of CISM President Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho and CISM Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, Colonel Rosso highlighted Spain’s longstanding contribution to the development of military sport and to CISM. “Since joining in 1951, Spain has played a significant role in CISM’s growth and importance,” he stated, recalling the country’s active participation in CISM competitions as well as its long tradition of hosting military sporting events.

 

Colonel Rosso also paid tribute to the Spanish representatives who have contributed to CISM beyond the field of play, including through leadership positions within the CISM Sports Committees and Board of Directors. “On behalf of the CISM President, I sincerely thank and salute Spain’s important contributions to CISM,” he said, while congratulating the country on celebrating its 75th anniversary and diamond jubilee within the organization.

 

Turning to the athletes, the OCR encouraged them to embrace not only the sporting challenge ahead but also the international dimension of the championship. “I also hope that you will be enriched by meeting fellow soldier athletes and experiencing new cultures,” Colonel Rosso told the participants, emphasizing the friendships and memories created through international military sport.

 

 

He concluded by thanking all those involved in preparing the championship before officially declaring the 35th CISM World Military MTB Cycling Championship open on behalf of the CISM President.

 

Following Thursday’s ceremony, attention shifted entirely to competition on Friday as the XCM Individual Race delivered the first sporting highlights of the championship on the demanding terrain of the Sierra de Cazorla. Long climbs and considerable elevation gain made the opening competition a major endurance test, with the men facing approximately 55 kilometres and 2,200 metres of ascent, while the women tackled approximately 45 kilometres with 1,800 metres of climbing.

 

In the Elite Men’s race, Brazil’s Alex Junior Malacarne emerged as the first champion of the week after an impressive performance over the long-distance course. The Brazilian was already among the leading riders at the first intermediate checkpoint, reached the second checkpoint at the head of the race and maintained his advantage through to the finish, stopping the clock at 2:41:34.

 

Behind him, the battle for the remaining medals remained tight. Italy’s Gioele Bertolini moved strongly through the race and secured the silver medal in 2:46:38, just over five minutes behind the winner. Ukraine’s Dmytro Titarenko remained close to the Italian and crossed the line in 2:47:31 to take bronze, with only 53 seconds separating second and third places.

 

 

Germany’s Matthias Alberti finished just outside the medals in 2:48:27, meaning that less than seven minutes separated the first four Elite Men after almost three hours of racing.

 

The Masters Men’s race brought immediate success for the host nation. Alberto Ponce Caballero produced an excellent performance to take the category title in 2:49:20, finishing fifth overall among all male competitors. His Spanish teammate Jesus Angel Diaz Mediavilla followed in 2:52:43 to secure silver, while Ecuador’s Edwin Adrian Almeida Pozo completed the Masters podium in 2:59:47.

 

The scale of the challenge was reflected throughout the men’s field. Riders from across the participating delegations battled their way through the demanding course, while five competitors were forced to abandon, further illustrating the physical and technical demands of the opening championship race.

 

 

The women’s competition produced another outstanding performance, this time from Belgium’s Emeline Detilleux. The Belgian rider established herself at the front of the Elite Women’s race, reaching the intermediate checkpoint in 2:05:56 before completing the course in 2:28:46 to become CISM World Military Champion.

 

Behind Detilleux, the fight for silver and bronze was particularly close during the latter stages. Brazil’s Raiza Henrique Goulao and Italy’s Nicole Pesse were separated by virtually nothing at the intermediate checkpoint, both being recorded at 2:08:44. Goulao proved strongest over the closing kilometres, finishing in 2:31:08 to take silver, while Pesse crossed the line in 2:33:12 for bronze.

 

Italy also placed Giada Martinoli fourth in 2:40:03, with Germany’s Romy Kasper completing the top five in 2:42:36, illustrating the strong international competition at the front of the women’s field.

 

 

The Masters Women’s title went to the Netherlands through Wenda Zuiddam, who completed the course in 3:09:10. Spain again enjoyed a strong showing in the Masters category, with Gemma Raga Ruiz taking silver in 3:11:55 and Ana Ferrer Moreno earning bronze in 3:24:14.

 

With victories for Brazil and Belgium in the Elite categories, Spain and the Netherlands in the Masters competitions, the opening day of racing highlighted the international character of the championship and provided an intense start to the sporting programme.

 

Competition continues on Saturday, 3 October, with a programme combining Para-Cycling and the Team Relay.

 

 

The day will begin with a Para-Cycling MTB promotional event, with riders competing over eight laps of a 1.3-kilometre circuit, featuring 24 metres of ascent per lap. Following the athletes’ call-up at 09:30, the race is scheduled to start at 10:00.

 

Attention will then turn to the Team Relay, bringing the delegations together for a very different competitive challenge. Each relay team will be composed of one male competitor, one female competitor and one staff member, with each participant tackling a 3.93-kilometre course featuring 167 metres of ascent. The Team Relay call-up is scheduled for 11:00, with racing beginning at 11:30, followed by the Flower Ceremony.

 

After Friday’s demanding individual races rewarded endurance and consistency across the Sierra de Cazorla, Saturday will shift the focus towards teamwork and collective performance as the championship approaches its conclusion.

 

 

The sporting programme will give way later in the day to the Athletes’ Parade, beginning at 18:00 from Cazorla City Hall towards the ceremony area, before the Closing Ceremony at 19:00 in Quesada. The delegations will then gather for the Championship Dinner, bringing several days of competition and international exchange to a close in the spirit of CISM’s motto, “Friendship through Sport.”

 

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Spanish Delegation to CISM)