At the World Cup opener in South Korea, the U19 juniors are ready to attack the elite class. The youngsters are now setting times that give the established field a run for their money.
This year's downhill season starts for the first time in Pyeongchang, South Korea (1 - 3 May). According to observers, the tough, fast course at the Yongpyong Ski Resort is likely to reveal what experts have been observing for months: The line between the U19 class and the world elite is becoming increasingly blurred. Driven by more professional junior programmes, fearlessness and progressive riding skills, the juniors are closing in on the elite. Top riders such as the American youngster Asa Vermette or the Alran brothers from France would have finished in the top ranks of the elite several times last year with their times. This year they have to prove themselves in the upper echelons of the pros.
But the supply is not long in coming. Even those who move up are racing at a level that allows a direct comparison with the fastest of the elite field. However, a 1:1 comparison of the track times is only possible to a limited extent. As the U19 riders go onto the racetrack earlier, they usually find a fresher track, at least as long as the weather conditions are constant. While the elite riders have to contend with deep braking bumps and rutted grooves, the young guns can often still use the racing line. Nevertheless, the speed of the youngsters is not purely a product of the track conditions. Asa Vermette recently demonstrated this at the Red Bull Hardline races in Wales and Tasmania, where he was fastest in a top-class professional field.
The who's who of the U19 favourites
Kasper Hickman (FIN) - The Flying Finn
From the far north comes Kasper Hickman, who works for Cube Factory Racing starts. At just 18 years old, he is Finland's great hope. Hickman made a name for himself with strong results in the European Downhill Cup (EDC) and made his breakthrough in 2025 with a 6th place in the overall World Cup rankings. He is a powerhouse: physically, he is one of the strongest riders in the field, which gives him a particular advantage on pedalling sections. His CV is characterised by hard work on the rocky, short routes in Scandinavia, which makes him a specialist for technical sections where you have to actively "push" the bike.
Lois Eller (GER) - The German hopeful
Lois Eller is the man of the hour from a German perspective. After his brilliant overall victory in the iXS European Downhill Cup 2025, he is now tackling his first World Cup season. Eller has cycling in his blood: his father Holger Meyer and his mother Karen Eller can both look back on successful racing careers. These genes and the intensive family support make him a candidate for surprise successes. Lois Eller is considered to be extremely fast, especially on technical tracks, even in wet, slippery conditions. And he is not only characterised by his talent, but also by his mental strength - a quality that he demonstrated in the tight final in Kranjska Gora. Although he first has to prove himself as a rookie in the World Cup hierarchy, experts believe he is capable of top results thanks to his EDC times, which were often only wafer-thin behind the elite.
Levin Klausmann (GER) - The legacy of the record champion
Levin Klausmann is the name that also raises hopes in Germany. As the son of downhill legend Marcus Klausmann - the 15-time German champion - he grew up in Mahlberg on the edge of the Black Forest, surrounded by suspension forks and World Cup stories. He proved that he had inherited the "Klausmann speed" in 2025 at the latest, when he raced straight to 16th place in his very first U19 World Cup in Poland. His strength lies in his extremely clean, almost clinical bike control. The friendly and passionate competition between him and Lois Eller is also exciting. While Eller entered the international stage a little louder last year with his overall victory in the European Cup (EDC), the two fought thrilling duels at national level. In the U17 class and at the German championships, it was often just tenths of a second that swung the pendulum in favour of Eller's aggressive "all-or-nothing" style and Klausmann's technical precision. This internal German duel has raised both of them to a level that now makes them competitive in the U19 world elite.
Tyler Waite (NZL) - New Zealand's natural talent
New Zealand produces world-class downhillers on an assembly line, and Tyler Waite is the latest product of this forge. Waite is known for his extremely calm upper body, even when things are going haywire underneath him. His career is classic: success at the Oceania Championships led him straight into the notebooks of the factory teams. He loves dusty, loose surfaces, as you will find in South Korea. His speed in open corners is legendary and is often used as a reference for young drivers.
Rafaël Pelletier (CAN) - The Canadian shredder
Rafaël Pelletier comes from the Mecca of mountain biking, British Columbia. He epitomises the typical Canadian style: playful, but damn fast. Pelletier has the advantage of being able to train on world-class routes all year round. His focus this season is clearly on the World Cup podiums. He has struggled with injuries in the past, but when he is fit, he is one of the few who can hold a candle to Asa Vermette in terms of line choice.
Luke Wayman (AUS) - The constant
Wayman is consistency personified. He rarely rides "over the limit", which makes him a points collector for the overall standings. He is highly regarded by the Australian national team for his meticulous preparation. He analyses routes for hours on video to find the most efficient line. This strategic approach pays off especially on new routes such as in South Korea, where there is no experience yet.
Bode Burke (USA) - The newcomer
Bode Burke is a team-mate of Vermette and benefits enormously from training together. While Vermette dominates the headlines, Burke is quietly and secretly working his way up. He has worked massively on his physique over the past year and has been able to significantly increase his speed in the lower sections of the course. Burke is considered an insider tip for the season opener in South Korea, as the layout of the track suits him very well according to initial reports.
Conclusion
In 2026, the U19 class will no longer be a "junior class" in the traditional sense, but a parallel elite. With Lois Eller, Germany has another hot iron in the fire after Levin Klausmann. Eller has the potential to break the dominance of the French and Americans. The World Cup in South Korea will show whether the "young guns" are already up to the pressure of the big stage.
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
