WBD Sports Limited World Cup Team Rankings
The overall mountain bike World Cup standings now exclude teams that lack official World Series status.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Cycling
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WBD Sports has updated the 2026 World Cup team standings to include only the top 20 squads with World Series status. This change resulted in the removal of six teams from the official rankings following the La Thuile round.
Why it matters
The move narrows the focus of the official season standings to elite-tier programs, distinguishing them from the broader UCI MTB team rankings that continue to track all registered participants. This restructuring highlights a push to elevate the profile and exclusive status of top-tier World Series teams.
Only 20 teams with World Series status currently appear in the overall rankings following the adjustment. This shift removes six teams, including Pivot Factory Racing, Stoic Racing, Outlaw Intense Racing, Team High Country, Crestline Speed Shop, and The Alliance.
The players
WBD Sports
This organization manages the broadcasting and commercial rights for major cycling events including the Mountain Bike World Cup.
UCI
The Union Cycliste Internationale serves as the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees competitive cycling events globally.
The details
Following the La Thuile round, WBD Sports restricted the overall team standings to squads holding World Series status. While UCI rulebook article 4.11.019 permits riders from both standard UCI MTB teams and World Series teams to contribute points, the official series standings now solely feature the top 20 teams within the elite status category.
Timeline
January 2026: World Series status teams were officially announced.
2026 season: All registered teams were included in standings for the first four rounds.
September 24, 2026: News emerged regarding the updated series ranking methodology.
2027: Ten teams are currently guaranteed World Series status.
Season Trajectory
This move narrows the field of competitive contention, potentially impacting how teams prioritize race attendance and investment for the remainder of the 2026 season. It creates a clearer separation between elite-status programs and standard registered teams within the global mountain bike landscape.
The change removes six teams from the final season standings, altering the visibility of those squads in official series reporting. Fans and analysts should note that while these teams still compete, they will no longer appear in the top-ranked lists managed by WBD Sports.
The takeaway
The move toward a more exclusive ranking system emphasizes the growing professionalization of top-tier mountain bike squads. Teams aiming for higher visibility in future seasons will likely need to prioritize attaining World Series status to remain relevant in the official series standings.
Further reading
For more information on current series developments, visit the Cycling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pinkbike.
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