Hoffmann began her sporting career as a javelin thrower in athletics. After an injury, she switched to mountain biking in 2015 and took part in several amateur downhill races. In 2016, she completed her first full elite season and secured overall victory in the iXS German Downhill Cup. Her World Cup debut followed soon after. In 2022, Nina became a member of Team Santa Cruz Syndicate.
FREERIDE: What are you looking forward to in 2024?
Nina Hoffmann: I'm looking forward to the World Cup season. We have tested a lot, tried out new things. It will be exciting to try it all out under real conditions soon.
There is a new stop on the UCI calendar. What do you know about the course in Poland?
Not much, I've heard that it still needs to be built. I'm a bit sceptical, but also excited. It's nice that there's a race in the east. It's a shame that the UCI is only organising seven races, as many more were promised.
What is your favourite route? What is your favourite track?
Fort William, that's where I feel at home. I don't have a favourite track, but Leogang doesn't suit me. Maybe because I haven't been successful here for four years. There was always something wrong. Who knows, maybe I'll make peace with Leogang this year.
All racers love Schladming, do you?
Yes, especially because of the bends. Is that enough for a World Cup course? Probably not. It's not challenging enough for that.
What, Schladming isn't challenging enough?
Yes, the upper part only has bends, the lower part too. But you could of course make it suitable for the World Cup, for example by leading the track into the forest in some places.
What are the World Cup riders talking about at the moment?
Safety is a big issue. The tracks are getting faster and faster, so it is important that there are enough run-off areas. In other words, crash zones for tricky sections.
Emilie Siegenthaler is the spokesperson for the Riders' Council, does the UCI listen to her?
Conditional. I'll give you an example: hardly any riders like the semi-finals, and the UCI was informed of this. Nothing happened, but at least there is now a compromise that the semi-finals will take place on qualifying day and not on race day.
UCI World Cup and World Championship calendar 2024
Only seven World Cup stops for the downhillers.
- 3-5 May: Fort William, Scotland (DH)
- 17-19 May: Bielsko Biala, Poland (DH/EDR)
- 7-9 June: Leogang, Austria (DH/EDR)
- 14-16 June: Val di Sole, Italy (DH/XCO/XCC)
- 25 June - 17 July: Haute-Savoie, France (DH/EDR/XCO/XCC)
- 28 August-1 September: UCI Mountain Bike World Championships - Pal Arinsal/Vallnord, Andorra (DH/XCO/XCC)
- 6-8 September: Loudenvielle, France (DH/EDR)
- 4-6 October: Mont-Saint-Anne, Canada (DH/XCO/XCC)
More about Nina Hoffmann
Laurin Lehner
Editor
