Race Recap: Leogang World Cup DH

17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network

Flawless laps by Austrians Vali Höll and Andreas Kolb secure home victories.

17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
Vali Höll produced a perfect lap on home soil.

The Women’s Race

Having struggled to find her best form in her home race since moving to the Elite class, Höll laid down a marker and won the semi-finals with a seriously fast time. As the finals got underway it was 18-year-old Gracey Hemstreet who held the hot seat early. In turn, it was Phoebe Gale, Rachel Atherton then Swiss star Camille Balanche who posted the fastest times but all eyes were on the last rider down the hill, Vali Höll. Riding with a high level of commitment and aggression, the Austrian dominated her bike and the track, to win her home race by over four seconds and the crowd went bezerk.

17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
It’s her first Elite season yet Phoebe Gale is already on the podium.
17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
P4 for Monika Hrastnik.
17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
P3 for Rachel Atherton but she is the fastest Mom in the world.
17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
Camille Balanche, P2 on the day and she inherits the series lead.
17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
Absolutely incredible riding by Vali Höll to take the win. She is truly ‘one with the bike’.

Höll, 21, said: “Leogang is such a hard race for me. Last year was a disaster, I’ve never been so down and doubted myself. Then, after Lenzerheide, I was so lost, I didn’t know what to do but it all just clicked this week. To finally win here feels so good.”

17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
Chapeau to all!

The Men’s Race

In the men’s race, Canada’s Finn Iles won the semi-final and was hoping to improve on his fifth-place finish at Lenzerheide. Once the finals got underway, it was home favorite Andreas Kolb who set the pace as he became the first rider to go under three minutes and claimed the lead by a huge 2.3 seconds. At this stage, there were still six riders remaining but neither Thibaut Daprela or Luca Shaw were able to threaten the Austrian’s time. Canada’s Jackson Goldstone was on fire and threatened to take the lead before pushing wide in the final turn, which cost him time. Bruni was the second to last rider out of the gate and the Frenchman made a fast start before also falling back in the final sector and having to settle for second place. The last rider to start, Iles knew he would have to push hard, but a few small errors cost him and he crossed the line in fourth. An on-pace Greg Minnaar was in touch for a podium before clipping a tree in the final woods section and stalling. Greg finished P27.

17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
P5 and a welcomed return to the podium for American star, Luca Shaw.
17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
Finn Iles, P4, with the meanest scrubs in the business.

First-year elite and already so classy, Goldstone was but one drift off the win. | *Click to enlarge

17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
P2 for Super Bruni and a healthy lead in the overall.
17 june 2023, leogang austria | results of the 2023 leogang downhill mountain bike world cup with greg minnaar as published on bike network
Andreas Kolb carried speed everywhere in what appeared to be a flawless lap.

Results & overall standings

Women’s Race
1. Vali Höll: AUT 3:23.222
2. Camille Balanche SUI +4.303
3. Rachel Atherton GBR +7.334
4. Monika Hrastnik SLO +7.603
5. Phoebe Gale GBR +7.852

Men’s Race
1. Andreas Kolb AUT 2:59.335
2. Loïc Bruni FRA +0.680
3. Jackson Goldstone CAN +0.911
4. Finn Iles CAN +1.451
5. Luca Shaw USA +1.713

2023 UCI MTB World Cup women’s DH standings
1. Camille Balanche SUI 680 points
2. Rachel Atherton GBR 616
3. Valentina Höll AUT 592
4. Nina Hofman GER 430
5. Monika Hrastnik SLO 380

2023 UCI MTB World Cup men’s DH standings
1. Loïc Bruni FRA 595 points
2. Finn Illes CAN 494
3. Loris Vergier FRA 486
4. Andreas Kolb AUT 476
5. Jackson Goldstone CAN 44


RELATED Lenzerheide DH World Cup recap