A historic result with Ireland getting two riders onto the men’s podium, Bruni binned it and Vergier closes in on the overall, just 60 points adrift. In the Women’s Race, Marine wins again and a ‘safe’ 3rd on the day secures the overall for Vali Höll. Here are 31 rad shots from the weekend, kicking off with Mr Minn.
P16 on a tricky track for the GOAT Greg Minnaar. | *Click to enlarge Sven’s magicAfter hitting a tree Kade Edwards sat out the final. Gloria Scarsi set the early pace, bringing her enduro talents to the downhill stage as she set a time that was only 2.1 back from Höll’s winning semi-final run.Laurie Greenland – so much steeze but a rear flat dropped him to P31 in finals.Canadian style machine Gracey Hemstreet readies for the rally. | *Click to enlargeHöll was the last rider out of the gate and rode an intelligent “points race” to P3 and in the process secured the overall title. Fresh off the back of her victory in Les Gets, Marine Cabirou was once again in scintillating form and took another win by a tight 0.344 seconds. Bernard Kerr, full moto onto the podium. | *Click to enlargeFinn Iles tucks to the line.Enduro weapon Richard Rude dropped in for some World Cup racing. A flat in finals ruined any chances of a top result.It was a popular P3 for the homeboy Dakotah Norton. | *Click to enlargeClinical and precise as ever, Loris Vergier used the weekend to rally to within 60 points of the overall. Nina Hoffmann showed her class and produced an electric run to go into the lead by a massive 6.269 seconds but her time wouldn’t hold.Loic clipped a tree in finals and had a horrid crash. | *Click to enlargeA dejected Loic crossed the line and secured enough points to hang onto the overall lead.Valentina Holl railing that tricky rut that claimed so many riders.“It’s pretty amazing to wrap up the title one race before the season is even over. To be a world champion and win the overall World Cup is really just incredible.” – Vali | *Click to enlargeIreland’s Oisin O’Callaghan secured the first elite win of his career to make it seven different winners from seven downhill World Cup races this season.It was a brilliant run by Oisin O Callaghan. A true talent.From left: Tahnee, Nina, Marine, Vali and Gloria on the women’s podium. From left: Loris, Ronan, Oisin, Dakotah and Bernard enjoy the podium vibes.A shoey or two by them Irish pinners as they celebrate a historic Irish P1 and P2.Oisin O Callaghan. What a win!Marine is back at her best and was clearly ecstatic with the win.
Women’s downhill result
Marine Cabirou FRA 3:41.042
Nina Hoffmann GER +0.344
Vali Höll AUT +0.660
Tahnee Seagrave GBR +2.856
Gloria Scarsi ITA +6.613
Men’s downhill result
Oisin O’Callaghan IRE 3:07.624
Ronan Dunne IRE +0.496
Dakotah Norton USA +1.363
Loris Vergier FRA +1.761
Bernard Kerr GBR +1.798
2023 UCI MTB World Cup women’s DH standings
Valentina Höll AUT 2172 points
Nina Hoffman GER 1703
Camille Balanche FRA 1674
Marine Cabirou FRA 1126
Monika Hrastnik SLO 1020
2023 UCI MTB World Cup men’s DH standings
Loïc Bruni FRA 1518 points
Loris Vergier FRA 1458
Jackson Goldstone CAN 1366
Finn Iles FRA 1320
Andreas Kolb AUT 1262
| IMAGES: Sven Martin & Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull |