The Ultimate Off-Road Showdown: Who Will Claim the 2025 XTERRA World Championship Crown?
As the world's top off-road triathletes gather in the stunning Brenta Dolomites of Italy, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling XTERRA World Championship. This event marks the end of XTERRA's Italian chapter before it returns to the USA in 2026, making this a historic and emotional farewell. With a prize purse of €100,000 ($118,470 USD) on the line, the stakes are higher than ever.
Championship Overview: What Makes This Year Special
The Setting and Stakes
Trentino, Italy, with its breathtaking Brenta Dolomites, provides a picturesque backdrop for this championship finale. The €100,000 prize purse is one of the largest in off-road triathlon, underscoring the sport's growing prestige and the significance of this transitional year.
This championship carries extra weight as XTERRA prepares to return to American soil in 2026, not to its traditional Maui home, but to Ruidoso, New Mexico. This move adds intrigue to American performances, particularly Sullivan Middaugh's, as athletes position themselves for the altitude advantages that await.
The Unique XTERRA Format
For newcomers to XTERRA, this isn't your typical triathlon. While traditional triathlons feature road cycling, XTERRA substitutes mountain biking through technical terrain that demands superior bike-handling skills, tactical descending, and the mental toughness to navigate obstacles at speed.
The championship features two distinct races:
- Short Track (Thursday): A 40-minute super-sprint format that rewards pure speed and tactical positioning.
- Long Track (Saturday): The main event featuring roughly Olympic-distance racing across swimming, mountain biking, and trail running.
How to Watch: Complete Viewing Guide
Livestream Schedule
- Short Track: Thursday, September 25 at 2 p.m. GMT (9 a.m. EST / 6 a.m. PST)
- Long Track: Saturday, September 27 at 10 a.m. GMT (5 a.m. EST / 2 a.m. PST)
Both races stream live on the official XTERRA livestream platform, providing comprehensive coverage of the action from start to finish.
Additional Coverage
Follow @xterraeurope on Instagram throughout the week for behind-the-scenes content, morning swim sessions, community runs, pro interviews, and real-time updates from the athlete village.
Men's Championship: The Battle for Off-Road Supremacy
The Big Three: France vs. Denmark
Félix Forissier (France): The Consistency King
At 27, Forissier has emerged as 2025's most reliable performer, boasting an incredible record of 14 career wins, 13 runner-up finishes, and four third-place podiums. His 2025 season reads like a masterclass in dominance: victories in Greece, Weston Park, North American Championship, Quebec, and Czech Republic.
"Pound for pound, he has everything it takes – strength across all three disciplines and the ability to control races from the front," notes XTERRA communications. Even his recent third-place finish at the European Championship saw him locked in battle with his main rivals until the final meters.
Forissier's five-star ratings across swim, bike, and run make him the most complete athlete in the field. The question isn't about his physical capabilities – it's whether he can maintain mental dominance when the pressure peaks.
Arthur Serrières (France): Chasing History
Serrières arrives with the clearest possible motivation: a fourth consecutive XTERRA World Championship. At 31, he represents the veteran presence among the favorites, bringing championship experience that money can't buy.
An early-season stress fracture threatened to derail his campaign, but his return has been methodical and calculated. Third in Czech Republic's short track with a victory in the full distance, followed by second at the European Championship – the progression suggests perfect timing for worlds.
"Above all, Serrières knows how to peak when it matters most," the preview notes, "and his tenacity has carried him to the top on XTERRA's biggest stages before." His slightly lower swim rating compared to rivals means he'll need tactical excellence to position himself for his signature strong bike and run combination.
Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (Denmark): Momentum Meets Power
The newly crowned 2025 XTERRA European Champion brings something neither French rival possesses: recent victory momentum. At 27, Nielsen represents the perfect blend of experience and peak physical power.
"Nielsen's biggest weapon is his relentless power on the bike and run," with five-star ratings in both disciplines offsetting his three-star swim capability. His challenge remains consistent: emerging from the water within striking distance of the leaders.
When Nielsen stays close through the swim, his mountain biking and running splits rank among the field's best. His head-to-head battles with Forissier and Serrières throughout 2025 prove he belongs in championship conversation.
The American Wild Card: Sullivan Middaugh
At just 21, Sullivan Middaugh carries both the weight and advantage of championship pedigree. His father, Josiah, claimed the 2015 XTERRA World Championship and 15 XTERRA USA titles – genetics and environment that shaped Sullivan's racing DNA.
Despite racing just once in XTERRA during 2025, that single performance spoke volumes: second overall at the North American Championship while claiming both the top North American finish and the short track victory. He also enters as defending Short Track World Champion.
"With proven success in Short Track, growing endurance for the longer format, and the anticipation for 2026, where he carries the torch for the USA with an altitude advantage of racing at home in Ruidoso, he is a dangerous wildcard in 2025 that none of the favorites can afford to ignore."
Middaugh's balanced four-star ratings across all disciplines, combined with home soil advantage awaiting in 2026, make him the perfect dark horse candidate.
Women's Championship: Defending Dominance vs. Rising Challengers
The Reigning Champion: Solenne Billouin (France)
Three-time defending champion Solenne Billouin enters with the pressure of expectation and the confidence of experience. At 28, her mountain biking and cyclocross background provides the technical foundation that has made her virtually unbeatable at world championships.
Billouin's 2025 season included ventures into 70.3 racing, demonstrating her versatility while potentially keeping her XTERRA competition guessing about her current form. "Her trademark toughness and ability to overcome adversity when it matters most keep her as the athlete everyone must beat."
Her five-star bike rating combined with strong swim and run capabilities create the complete package that has dominated worlds for three consecutive years.
The Swiss Challenge: Duvoisin and Siffert
Loanne Duvoisin: Experience Meets Determination
Last year's podium finisher brings both the confidence of previous world championship success and the hunger of someone who knows victory is within reach. The 2024 XTERRA European Champion demonstrated her current form by leading comfortably at this year's European Championship before a mechanical issue intervened.
"Her balanced skills and fearless racing style make her a threat from start to finish," with four-star ratings across all disciplines providing the consistency needed for championship contention.
Alanis Siffert: The Rising Star
At 23, Siffert represents XTERRA's future, but she's not waiting for tomorrow to make her mark. Her summer road racing campaign produced three consecutive victories, showcasing blistering swim and run speed that could translate to off-road success.
"One of the brightest young stars in XTERRA," Siffert earned victory at home in Switzerland, where her five-star swim and four-star run ratings overcame technical bike challenges. "If she can limit her losses in the tricky sections, her front-pack swim and trail-running ability could propel her into podium contention."
The Dark Horses: Home Soil and Olympic Pedigree
Marta Menditto (Italy): Racing for Home Glory
Menditto secured the 2025 XTERRA World Cup crown with a race to spare, demonstrating the consistency that has made her Italy's top podium hope. "That consistency, coupled with her ability to climb and descend with efficiency," positions her perfectly for a breakthrough performance on home soil.
Racing without pressure after already securing the World Cup title, Menditto "has the freedom to chase the biggest result of her career" in front of Italian fans.
Barbara Riveros (Chile): The Legend's Return
Perhaps no athlete in the field carries more prestigious credentials than Riveros: four-time Olympian, 2016 Olympic fifth-place finisher, former world number one, and six-time XTERRA World Championship runner-up. Her 2025 return to XTERRA competition began with a statement victory in Czech Republic.
"Her legendary pedigree, combined with her renewed energy, makes her a dangerous wild card. Even if she isn't racing a full season, her ability to rise to the moment and challenge for the podium remains unquestioned."
At 38, Riveros represents the perfect combination of experience and renewed motivation that can upset championship calculations.
Key Storylines to Watch
French Dominance Across Both Fields
France enters with defending champions in both divisions and multiple podium threats. The depth of French talent reflects the country's investment in off-road triathlon development and could result in historic championship sweeps.
Switzerland's Emerging Pipeline
With Duvoisin and Siffert both capable of podium finishes, Switzerland represents the sport's rising power. Their success could signal a shift in global off-road triathlon dynamics.
The American Transition
Middaugh's performance carries extra significance as XTERRA prepares for its American return. His success could energize domestic participation while establishing early momentum for the 2026 championship.
Veterans vs. Rising Stars
The contrast between experienced champions like Serrières, Billouin, and Riveros against emerging talents like Siffert and Middaugh creates compelling generational storylines across both races.
What Makes This Championship Must-Watch
This XTERRA World Championship combines multiple compelling elements: historic transitions, generational battles, international rivalries, and the unique spectacle of off-road triathlon at its highest level. The technical demands of mountain biking through Italian terrain add unpredictability that road racing can't match.
The substantial prize purse elevates stakes while the livestream accessibility ensures global audiences can witness every crucial moment, from Thursday's tactical short track racing to Saturday's endurance showcase.
For athletes looking to improve their own off-road performance, consider investing in quality swimming goggles for open water training, or upgrade your nutrition strategy with electrolyte supplements to maintain performance during long training sessions.
Your Championship Viewing Strategy
Thursday's Short Track serves as the perfect appetizer – 40 minutes of intense racing that reveals current form and tactical intentions. Watch for positioning battles and sprint finishes that could preview Saturday's dynamics.
Saturday's Long Track delivers the main event where technical skills, endurance, and mental toughness determine world champions. The varied terrain and longer duration create multiple opportunities for lead changes and tactical battles.
The championship represents more than individual victories – it's a celebration of off-road triathlon's growth, Italy's hosting excellence, and the sport's exciting future. Whether you're seeking inspiration for your own XTERRA journey or simply appreciating elite athletic performance, this championship delivers compelling viewing across both days.
For those inspired to start their own triathlon journey, proper equipment makes all the difference. Consider starting with essential gear like a quality cycling helmet for safety during bike training, or invest in magnesium supplements to support muscle recovery after intense training sessions.
Mark your calendars, set your alarms for the livestream, and prepare to witness off-road triathlon history in the making among Italy's spectacular Dolomites.
