This year has been a coming-out party for Elly Hoskin, who spent the last few months entrenching herself amidst the ranks of elite enduro riders. On May 16, she became the first woman outside of France and Great Britain to win an Enduro World Cup (EDR).
For the Squamish native, Monday, Sept. 1's UCI Mountain Bike World Championship was icing on an already-sweet cake.
Hoskin kept World Cup overall queen Ella Conolly and French veteran Mélanie Pugin at bay to lock down her first championship title in 35 minutes and 13.67 seconds. Conolly battled to silver (35:18.20) and Pugin nipped at her heels for bronze (35:20.51).
"Good day for a Monday," Hoskin quipped in an online interview with Cycles Devinci. "Started strong on the first two [stages]. I knew I had to capitalize on those because Stage 3 was not up my alley. We just laid it all out there on the last one and it was pretty hectic. It felt like my rear wheel was catching me at one point.
"I'm just taking it in and really enjoying all these kids coming up to me. It's just really special and I can't wait to see what this unlocks for me."
Few were shocked to witness Richie Rude don his own rainbow stripes after the men's contest (29:37.67). Even Slawomir Lukasik, the 2025 overall titleholder, was forced to settle for runner-up position (29:40.17). Elliot Jamieson made Canada proud by finishing third (29:58.15) ahead of last year's World Champion Alex Rudeau (30:05.22).
Having notched his inaugural Canadian Open Enduro victory in August, Jamieson was over the moon about this latest breakthrough.
"Speechless right now, and words can't explain how grateful and stoked I am to have achieved this with the most amazing people around me," he wrote on social media after the race. "This is the best sport ever. Thank you and much love to everyone."
All-out attack
Hoskin prevailed on her first two stages, but gave up more than a 30-second buffer as opponents clawed back time. Conolly and fellow Brit Harriet Harnden each won a section, while Pugin's day-long consistency kept her within range of the leaders.
Fans looked on to see if the 35-year-old Frenchwoman could overtake 26-year-old Conolly, or if 21-year-old Hoskin might rebound when it mattered most. Youth ultimately prevailed over experience: Hoskin surged to win the final stage as Harnden faded into fourth.
"I attacked as hard as I could on the last two [stages] and came away with it," explained Hoskin in a press release. "When I knew I was sitting in second, I knew it was more about holding that position than making up time… and it worked out."
Rude, meanwhile, found himself within 10 seconds of Lukasik and Rudeau with four stages completed. The American legend poured it on to wipe out Lukasik's edge and vault himself to a triumphant outcome.
"I only raced two other enduros this year after riding downhill," said Rude, who was golden in both the Garbanzo DH and Air DH last month at Crankworx Whistler. "To be on the top step is unreal right now. On Stage 5 I gave it my all, saw how close the gap was [0.2 seconds] and had to give it everything on Stage 6."
Decorated Whistlerite Jesse Melamed re-aggravated an injury and crashed hard in practice, but achieved sixth place nonetheless.
"Worlds really is special. There is something about the all or nothing, one-day championship event that brings out an extra gear. I showed up ready to race and lay it all on the line and I did that, but I couldn’t stay mistake-free. A stage win among some real bad ones. Sometimes it goes and sometimes it doesn’t, and we’re all racing for those good days," Melamed posted on Instagram.
"I didn’t have it today but so many people did that deserved it: [Richie] the GOAT doing what he does best, [Elly] taking the freaking World Champion title … and [Elliot] taking bronze in elite men’s. So proud of the Canadian squad representing enduro out here. I had so much fun racing today and I can’t wait for another shot at it next year."
For more World Championships results from Valais, Switzerland, go to valais2025.ch/results.
