Aubane Plouhinec (FRA) of the Rollerblade SPSPSK World Team and Manuel Taibo (ESP) of the SheaStokes World Team win the first stage of the WIC 2026

This year's WORLD INLINE CUP series began with a top-class field of stars in the capital city of Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Top athletes from 12 WIC teams representing more than 10 different countries lined up at the start line, with both men’s and women’s categories competing alongside the Masters. On the slightly shortened 3km circuit along the marina in the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira, 14 laps would determine who would lead the standings of this year’s WORLD INLINE CUP after the first of a total of six races.

In the men’s race, Carlos Tarazona (ESP) of the SheaStokes Team broke away from the pack very early on and extended his lead to 90 seconds with three laps to go. His team-mate Manuel Taibo (ESP) and Hugo Gerard (FRA) of the SPSPSK Team then caught up with him, setting up a thrilling finale that Taibo won ahead of Gerard and Tarazona.

In the women’s race, the high-calibre field stayed together in a tight group for a little longer. After several changes in the lead, a group comprising Aubane Plouhinec (FRA) of the Rollerblade SPSPSK Team, Keily Delgado (COL) of the Powerslide Vesmaco World Team and Dominika Gardi (HUN) of the Arena Geisingen Team broke away from the field. In a thrilling sprint finish, Plouhinec crossed the finish line first, ahead of Delgado and Gardi.

The individual and team ranking of the WORLD INLINE CUP after the first race of the season will be online shortly.

The next race of the highest international marathon series for inline speed skaters will take place on 31 May in Rennes (FRA).

Women's Podium:

1. Place     Aubane Plouhinec (FRA) ROLLERBLADE SPSPSK World Team               1:11:34.519
2. Place     Keily Delgado (COL) Powerslide Vesmaco World Team                              1:11:34.668
3. Place     Dominika Gardi (HUN) Arena Geisingen Team                                            1:11:35.052

Men's Podium:

1. Place     Manuel Taibo (ESP) SheaStokes World Team                                              1:01:52.674
2. Place     Hugo Gerard (FRA) ROLLERBLADE SPSPSK World Team                        1:02:15.333
3. Place     Carlos Tarazona (ESP) SheaStokes World Team                                         1:02:15.499

The WIC Team congratulates all the winners and participants on a successful start to the season. The next WIC marathon races will take place on 31 May in Rennes (FRA), 27 June in Einsiedeln(SUI), 13 September in Troyes (FRA),19 September in Duluth/North Shore (USA) and on26 September in Berlin (GER).