CUBE Bikes

News 05.05.2026

Successful World Cup Season Opener in South Korea for the CUBE Factory Racing Team

The opening round of the new MTB World Cup season in South Korea had it all: new courses, changing conditions, and an extremely high level of competition across all categories. For our CUBE Factory Racing Team, it was an intense weekend that highlighted one thing above all – the strong potential across the board.

In Downhill, Rosa Zierl picked up right where she left off last season in the Junior Women’s category. After setting the fastest time in qualifying, she delivered a strong final run to secure an excellent 2nd place finish – narrowly missing out on the win. For Max Hartenstern, however, the weekend ended in qualifying, where he just missed out on a spot in the final.

The team also showed strong early-season form in the Short Track races. Finn Treudler made an immediate statement in his first Elite XCC appearance, leading the race for long stretches and finishing an impressive 6th. Kira Böhm secured 10th place, giving her a solid starting position for the XCO race. In the U23 categories, Maruša Tereza Serkezi (5th), Ella Maclean-Howell (15th), and Nikolaj Hougs (15th, despite a crash) underlined the team’s depth and consistency.

Sunday’s Cross-Country race was shaped by changing track conditions. Overnight rain created demanding sections with a lot of running. The U23 Women delivered particularly strong results, with Ella Maclean-Howell finishing 5th and Maruša Tereza Serkezi taking 7th. In the Elite race, Finn Treudler showcased his full potential: riding in podium position for much of the race and setting the fastest lap, he was ultimately held back by recurring technical issues and finished 13th – a result that does not reflect his performance. Ondrej Cink (42nd), Nikolaj Hougs (20th), and Kira Böhm (35th) also faced challenges under the tough conditions.