The double World Cup weekend starts today in Leogang. The third stop for the world's best cross-country racers is the tranquil town of Leogang in Salzburger Land. For the downhillers, the Speedster piste in the Leogang Bike Park is the first course in the World Cup calendar. For the first time this season 600-700 spectators present everyone else can follow the races as usual via livestream: https://www.redbull.com/de-de/events/uci-mountain-bike-world-cup-leogang.
Without van der Poel and Pidcock
2021 looks set to be the year of upheaval. At least in the cross-country circuit, there were two surprise winners in Albstadt and Nove Mesto with Victor Koretzky (FRA) and Tom Pidcock (GBR). In the women's race, 21-year-old Loana Lecomte (FRA) dominated the competition in both Albstadt and Nove Mesto in the Czech Republic.
Things are likely to be similarly unpredictable on the challenging course in Leogang. This is because the current overall leader Mathieu Van der Poel will not be competing in Salzburger Land. He is currently competing in the Tour de Suisse. Tom Pidcock, who stood at the top of the podium in Nove Mesto, will be absent due to a broken collarbone. This could clear the way for the two Swiss riders Nino Schurter and Mathias Flückiger. The reigning world champion Jordan Sarrou is also lurking in attacking position.
Even though the Frenchwoman Loana Lacomte dominated the last two World Cup races, she has been preparing for the Olympics since Nove Mesto and has not competed in any races since then. American Haley Batten and world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot are hot on her heels. But Sina Frei and local hero Laura Stigger should also be on the list.
Short track race on Friday evening
The first decision will be made on Friday evening in the short track races. However, it is very difficult to name clear favourites. This is partly due to the exciting race format, but also because two hot favourites, Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock, will not be at the start. This clears the way for Swiss champion Mathias Flückiger, who is known as a strong climber. However, the top French riders such as Victor Koretzky, Maxime Marotte and Jordan Sarrou will also have their say. Loana Lacomte dominated the women's XC classification. However, Austria's Laura Stigger, Leogang World Champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and the winner of the short track race in Nove Mesto, Haley Batten from the USA, will also be fighting for victory.
Downhill
Everything is wide open in the downhill. As there have been no major downhill races this year, Leogang will be the first showdown between the top riders. Last year's surprise world champion was Reece Wilson and he will be doing everything he can to live up to the rainbow jersey at the World Cup opener. But the French downhillers are also stronger than ever. With Loic Bruni and Loris Vergier, France has two potential winners.
Vali Höll is the hot favourite in the women's elite for the opening race on her home track. At the World Championships last October, the Austrian crashed in a training run and had to watch the final from hospital. But now she is fit again and ready to attack, even if she is extremely nervous. "After all, it's my first Elite World Cup ever. I have extremely high expectations of myself. Theoretically, you have to go back to where you left off and I'm afraid that I might "only" finish fifth. But I have to learn to redefine my goals, I feel extremely comfortable on the new material and I'm already fast again in the upper part of the course," said Höll after the first training run. The two German riders Nina Hoffman and Raphaela Richter are also ready to compete at the front.
Schedule for the double World Cup Leogang 2021:
Friday 11 June
- 17:30: Short Track Women Elite
- 18:15: Short Track Men Elite
Saturday 12 June
- 9:45 am: Downhill juniors final
- 10:30 am: Downhill Junior Final
- 12:30 pm: Downhill women's elite final
- 13:30: Downhill men's elite final
Sunday 13 June
- 08:30 am: Cross Country U23 Women
- 10:15 am: Cross Country U23 Men
- 12:20 pm: Cross Country Women Elite
- 14:50: Cross Country Men Elite
Click here for the Livestream of the World Cup races in Leogang on Red Bull TV.
