Cole Punchard of Novar, Ontario won the bronze medal on Sunday in the men’s cross country race at the 2026 World Mountain Biking Championships in Val di Sole, Italy. It was one of two medals won by Canadians at the 2026 World Mountain Biking Championships. Jackson Goldstone of Squamish, British Columbia won the gold medal in the men’s downhill. Punchard’s bronze medal has significance because the men’s cross country mountain biking race is an event at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Punchard posted a third place time of one hour, 25 minutes and 57 seconds. Thomas Pidcock of Great Britain won the gold medal with a time of one hour, 25 minutes and 26 seconds. Charlie Aldridge of Great Britain won the silver medal with a time of one hour, 25 minutes and 43 seconds. Punchard reached the podium by 28 seconds. Martin Vidaurre Kossmann of Chile finished in fourth place with a time of one hour, 26 minutes and 25 seconds.
What will best be remembered from Punchard’s performance on Sunday was his comeback. He began the race in 27th place, and then moved up 24 spots. In fact, Punchard had the lead heading into lap five.
Punchard is the first Canadian to win a medal in the men’s cross country mountain biking event at the World Mountain Biking Championships in 23 years. At the 2003 World Mountain Biking Championships in Lugano, Switzerland, Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria, British Columbia won the silver medal.
