New Zealand’s Matt Walker has scored his first elite victory in the Enduro MTB World Cup in Italy.

The Pivot Factory rider, who was on the podium once last season, earned the win in the fifth round of the UCI MTB Enduro World Cup at Val di Fassa in the Trentino region.

The stage race was held in scorching conditions in the Italian Dolomites, which proved a sapping test of endurance and skill on a difficult course.

Walker cemented the overall victory with fastest times in the final two stages to finish 16 seconds ahead of Alex Rudeau (FRA, Commencal Enduro) and American Richie Rude (Yeti/Fox Factory), with fellow kiwi Charles Murray (Specialized) in fourth.

Rude retains the overall lead on 1862 points from Canadians Rhys Verner on 1689 and Jesse Melamed 1610, with New Zealand Champion Murray fifth overall on 1388, with Walker on 1265.

Nelson’s Rae Morrison (Liv Racing), the New Zealand champion, is the leading kiwi in the women’s rankings in eighth while Hutt Valley’s Erice van Leuven, who won an Enduro round in Tasmania as well as her World Cup victory in downhill, is third in the junior women.

The next round of the UCI Enduro World Series is on September 1 in France at Loudenvielle Peyragudes.

The UCI MTB World Cup returns this week also in the Trentino region at Val di Sole, with downhill and cross-country races.

There are over 180 elite teams and 900 elite riders competing in the 2023 UCI Mountain Bike World Series across all formats of racing.