The World Cup Saturday in the Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide was all about the "Straightline" piste: The downhill races with World Cup leaders Myriam Nicole (FRA) and Thibaut Dapréla (FRA) as well as local hero Camille Balanche (SUI) and surprise world champion Greg Minnaar (RSA) were on the programme. While the South African was unable to build on the previous World Championship weekend, Myriam Nicole demonstrated in impressive fashion that she is the measure of all things at the moment. In the men's race, Frenchman Loris Vergier celebrated victory by a wafer-thin margin ahead of his compatriot Loic Bruni.
Myriam Nicole, reigning World Champion and World Cup leader, had already set the fastest time in qualifying and showed that she will also live up to her new rainbow jersey in Lenzerheide. Second place went to Tahnée Seagrave (GBR), 2.6 seconds behind, with Vali Höll (AUT) in third. German downhill hopeful Nina Hoffmann is also back on the extended podium: Hoffmann finished 8.4 seconds behind in fourth place.
Result DH Elite Women
- 1 Myriam Nicole
- 2. Tahnée Seagrave +2.662
- 3rd Valentina Höll +6,115
- 4th Nina Hoffmann +8.449
- 5th Camille Balanche +8.561
Vive la France
In the men's race, the main question before the start of the race was whether the French festival from the qualification would continue. Firstly, Thibaut Dapréla (FRA) outdid the Brit Laurie Greenland with an aggressive and compact run. Loic Bruni then did even better. The four-time downhill world champion literally raced to the top. After Danny Hart (GBR) dropped further back following a weak start and a lack of aggression, Amaury Pierron (FRA) was also unable to get past Bruni. Now it was up to Loris Vergier, the last rider on the course, to get the French downhill party off to a flying start. After a flawless run in the upper section and an impeccable finish, he overtook Bruni by a few tenths of a second. The best German was Max Hartenstern in 21st place.
Result DH Elite Men
- 1st Loris Vergier
- 2nd Loic Bruni +0.197
- 3rd Thibaut Daprela +0.370
- 4th Amaury Pierron +0.628
- 5th Laurie Greenland +1.268
