UCI World Cup: Downhill
Frenchman Amaury Pierron (Commencal) continues to dominate the men's downhill with four wins out of five World Cup race the field. Another favourite is the young Canadian Finn Iles. He consistently finishes on the podium, but it has not yet been enough for a triumph in the elite class. Perhaps the home advantage will help him to victory. The Austrian Andreas Kolb (Atherton Racing), who celebrated his absolute career highlight with third place in Snowshoe, will also be an interesting prospect. Kolb is in fifth place in the overall standings. Alongside Andreas Kolb, Frenchman Loic Bruni is also a hot candidate for victory. In 2019, he won the world championship on this track in Mont-Sainte-Anne.
Swiss rider Camille Balanche (Commencal) has already celebrated three victories in five races this year. This puts her at the top of the overall downhill rankings. And that's not all. In 2019, she rode to the world championship title in Mont-Sainte-Anne. But Snowshoe runner-up Myriam Nicole (Commencal) and third-placed Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz) will also be fighting for every UCI World Cup point and the top spot on the podium. Both riders are consistently on the podium and within striking distance of Balanche.
UCI World Cup: Cross Country
Inspired by the home crowd, both the American Gwendalyne Gibson (Norco) and her compatriot Christopher Blevins (Specialised) won the short track races on Friday in Snowshoe. Friday will show whether the two Americans can build on their performances in Canada.
Clash of the Titans
Nino Schurter (Scott) and Mathias Flückiger (Thömus) have fought fiercely for victory in every World Cup race in which they have both competed. For Schurter, the title of "Greatest of all times" is at stake, because with just one more World Cup victory he would have the most World Cup victories ever on his account. Will it finally work out in Mont-Sainte-Anne? But the last few races have also produced a few surprises. The Italian Luca Braidot (Santa Cruz) has already won two races and will also be in contention for victory in Canada. With the victory of Spaniard David Valero Serano (BH) last weekend, there is another cross-country rider whose form is first class. Despite missing the World Cup in Showshoe (due to his crash in the short track), Schurter continues to lead the overall World Cup standings. The top three: Nino Schurter (1342 points), the Romanian Vlad Dascălu (1227 points) and the South African Alan Hatherly with 1210 points.
There was a surprise in the women's race in Snowshoe. While the Swede Jenny Rissveds (Ibis) was riding towards her first victory, she was overtaken by the Swiss Alessandra Keller (Thömus) shortly before the end. Keller won the race in the end and took her first World Cup victory in cross country. However, top riders such as Loana Lecomte (FRA) and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (FRA) were absent last weekend. There is therefore no clear favourite for the UCI World Cup in Canada. The overall World Cup standings are tight at the top. Anne Terpstra (NED) leads with 1430 points, followed by Rebecca McConnell (AUS) with 1422 points and Alessandra Keller (1312 points).
All UCI Mountain Bike World Cup races in Mont-Sainte-Anne are organised by Red Bull TV broadcast live.
Schedule for the UCI World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne 2022:
Cross-Country Short Track (XCC)
Women's and men's elite final: Friday, 5 August at 23:20 (CEST)
Downhill (DH)
Women's elite final: Saturday, 6 August at 18:25 (CEST)
Elite final of the men: Saturday, 6 August at 19:45 (CEST)
Cross-Country Olympic (XCO)
Women's elite final: Sunday, 7 August at 18:00 (CEST)
Elite final of the men: Sunday, 7 August at 20:30 (CEST)
