Ghost Factory Racing Team shines in Val die Sole
The fifth round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup brought us back to Val di Sole, Italy – this time true to its name with summer sun and dry trails. After a challenging race weekend here last year, the team returned with new motivation and a strong will to rewrite the story.
Back to sunny Val di Sole
The Val di Sole round is one of the most iconic stops on the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup calendar. Known for its demanding natural terrain, high-speed descents, and enthusiastic Italian crowds, it always brings drama and excitement. This year’s edition didn’t disappoint – dry weather made for fast conditions, and the technical XCO course pushed riders to their limits. For the Ghost Factory Racing Team, the weekend marked a turning point, with strong performances showing depth and resilience across the board.
Unfortunately, Finja Lipp was still unable to join the team as she continues recovering from pneumonia. Anne Terpstra also struggled again this weekend – she had to pull out of the XCO race in the first lap. After unclear symptoms in Leogang, her condition now points toward something more specific. Further examinations will follow this week, and we hope to see her back strong soon.
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Sara Cortinovis on the Podium Again
Sara Cortinovis delivered one of her best performances of the season – and on a course that doesn’t exactly suit her profile. She secured 5th place in the XCC with a powerful sprint and showed her intentions early in the XCO race, staying in the lead group for multiple laps. She eventually dropped a bit but still claimed another podium finish, following up her strong result from Nove Mesto. A huge step in fulfilling the goals she set at the start of the season.
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Caroline Bohé: Progress and Focus
Caroline Bohé returned to Val di Sole with a clear mission after a frustrating race in Leogang. Staying calm and focused throughout the XCO, she showed grit and determination, battling hard until the very end. She missed out on P18 by a sprint, but the race showed she’s back on the right track and progressing towards her goals.
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Nicole Koller: Smart, Strong, Consistent
Nicole Koller stood out again in both disciplines. In the XCC, she was part of the lead group from start to finish and ended in a strong 4th place, securing a front-row start for the XCO. She then delivered another impressive performance on Sunday, staying in the battle for P2–P6 the entire race. Just missing the podium by a few seconds, she once again proved that she’s in the form of her career so far – consistent, tactical, and always up there. A strong base to build on for the next block of races in Andorra and the European Championships in Portugal.
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Up Next...
... the next stop will be the UCI World Cup in Pal Arinsal, Andorra from the 7th until the 9th of July. Make sure to tune in to see the Ghost Factory Racing Team attack again!