Anything is possible at the UCI MTB World Cup in Snowshoe

Tim Folchert

· 28.07.2022

Anything is possible at the UCI MTB World Cup in Snowshoe

Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content Pool

Home victory: American Christopher Blevins won the UCI World Cup in the USA last year. He wants to build on this victory this year.

On the other side of the Atlantic, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup enters the next round. From 29 to 31 July, the fastest riders in the world will be making a guest appearance in Snowshoe, West Virginia. Snowshoe is the first of the two North American stops. The US riders in particular now have the chance to shine in front of their home crowd.

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Cross country women: There is no clear favourite in Snowoshoe. Alongside McConnell (AUS), Terpstra (NED) and Lecomte (FRA), US runner-up Kate Courtney is also hotly tipped for a challenging place.

Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content PoolCross country women: There is no clear favourite in Snowoshoe. Alongside McConnell (AUS), Terpstra (NED) and Lecomte (FRA), US runner-up Kate Courtney is also hotly tipped for a challenging place.

No clear favourite at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Snowshoe

After Loana Lecomte did not compete in Andorra, Australian Rebecca McConnell regained the overall World Cup lead. Andorra winner Anne Terpstra (NED) also overtook Lecomte and is currently in third place in the overall standings. Both are thus within reach of their first overall World Cup victory. The newly crowned US runner-up Kate Courtney is also returning to the World Cup in Snowshoe after having cancelled Vallnord due to the national championships. With her 7th place in Lenzerheide, she showed that the Scott-Sram rider should also be taken into account at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Snowshoe. Mona Mitterwallner should also be taken into account, as she is getting to grips with the women's competition better and better following her promotion to the elite class and rode a strong World Cup race in Andorra.

The Italian Luca Braidot won the last two UCI Mountain Bike World Cup races and wants to be on top of the podium in Snowshoe as well.

Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content PoolThe Italian Luca Braidot won the last two UCI Mountain Bike World Cup races and wants to be on top of the podium in Snowshoe as well.

In the elite men's race, Italy's Luca Braidot (Santa Cruz) rode to victory for the second time in a row and is looking to continue his winning streak in Snowshoe. After a spectacular chase and a third place, Swiss rider Nino Schurter (Scott-Sram) was able to extend his lead in the overall standings. Romania's Vlad Dascălu (Trek) is in second place in the overall standings and he probably has something to prove in Snowshoe. After all, a faulty gear system spoilt his first World Cup victory in Vallnord. But with South African Alan Hatherly (Cannondale) in third and Swiss Mathias Flückiger (Thömus) in fourth, Dascălu has dangerous pursuers.

Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content PoolThe young Austrian Vali Höll surprisingly won the US World Cup Downhill race last year.

Several comebacks in the Downhill World Cup

After her surprising victory in Andorra, Austria's Vali Höll (Trek) has proven that she is capable of taking on the superior Camille Balanche (SUI) at any time. Last year, Höll secured her overall World Cup victory with a last-minute win in Snowshoe. The French world champion Myriam Nicole (Commencal) is currently in second place in the overall standings and thus within striking distance of the leader Balanche. Alongside Balanche and Höll, the German Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz) is in top form this year and can regularly be seen on the podium.

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Frenchman Loic Bruni on his way to victory in Snowshoe 2021. Will he be able to build on his victory last year after overcoming his collarbone fracture?

Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content PoolFrenchman Loic Bruni on his way to victory in Snowshoe 2021. Will he be able to build on his victory last year after overcoming his collarbone fracture?

Frenchman Loris Vergier (Trek) celebrated his comeback with his victory at the World Cup in Vallnord and showed that he is also a force to be reckoned with in Snowshoe. Downhill superstar Loic Bruni (Specialized) also made a comeback, finishing on the podium in his first race after breaking his collarbone. Home advantage: American Aaron Gwin (Intense) showed this season that he is still dangerous and finished fourth in Vallnord. The four-time World Champion is a force to be reckoned with in his home World Cup race. The young Canadian Finn Iles (Specialized) has also consistently finished in the top 5 in the last few races and is only one win away. The Austrian Andreas Kolb (Atherton) is showing what he's made of this season and is consistently riding close to the podium. But everyone has to get past the French supremacy of Amaury Pierron (Commencal).

All races of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2022 in Snowshoe are available live and in the media centre on Red Bull TV to pursue.

Schedule of the World Cup races in Snowshoe 2022

Cross-Country Short Track (XCC)

The men's and women's elite finals: Friday, 29 July, 23:20 (CEST)

Downhill (DHI)

The women's elite final: Saturday, 30 July, 18:25 (CEST)

The men's elite final: Saturday, 30 July, 19:45 (CEST)

Cross-country Olympic distance (XCO)

The women's elite final: Sunday, 31 July, 18:00 (CEST)

The men's elite final: Sunday, 31 July, 20:30 (CEST)

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