UCI DH World Cup Val di Sole: Goldstone delivers for the third time in a row.
Peter Nilges
· 23.06.2025
The infamous Black Snake course in Val di Sole once again challenged the world's best downhill athletes on Saturday 21 June. In the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series races, Jackson Goldstone and Marine Cabirou showed their class and secured the victories in the elite categories. Thousands of fans lined the route and created an electrifying atmosphere in the Italian bike mecca.
Goldstone dominates elite men's race
Canadian rider Jackson Goldstone seamlessly built on his previous successes in Val di Sole. After his Junior World Championship title in 2021 and his Elite victory last year, he was once again in a league of his own. With a time of 3:38.682 minutes, he clearly outpaced the competition. Goldstone once again demonstrated his exceptional feel for the technically demanding track. Despite the slippery conditions, he always found the optimum line and generated maximum speed in every section of the track.
Australian Troy Brosnan (Canyon CLLCTV) followed in second and third place, 2.422 seconds behind and Frenchman Thibaut Daprela (Rogue Racing) 3.361 seconds behind. Daprela, who already had a chain break in the upper part of the course, showed a strong ride until shortly before the finish, but a mistake in the last section of the course cost him valuable time and possibly even second place. The American Dylan Maples put in a surprisingly strong performance in fourth place, followed by the established stars Loris Vergier and Loïc Bruni.
After his third consecutive victory in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Goldstone now leads the overall standings with 874 points. He is followed by Loïc Bruni with 774 points and Loris Vergier with 525 points. Goldstone was highly satisfied after his triumph: "I had a really good race and was able to hit my lines perfectly, even though I had to click out at least three times. I felt confident, had great sensations and it worked. It was a really nice win at the end of a weekend where I was consistently at the front - both in qualifying and in the final."
Cabirou celebrates comeback victory in the women's race
Marine Cabirou made an impressive comeback in the women's competition. Six years after her first triumph on the Black Snake, the 28-year-old Frenchwoman regained her old strength. With a flawless run and perfect timing, she came out on top of the field in 4:10.310 minutes. Cabirou, who competes for Team Canyon CLLCTV, once again proved her special connection to the track in Val di Sole.
World champion Valentina Höll (YT Mob) had to settle for second place despite setting the fastest time in the upper sections of the course. In the technically demanding forest section, the Austrian lost 1.271 seconds to Cabirou and thus narrowly missed out on defending her title in Val di Sole. Two-time European champion Monika Hrastnik (AON Racing) from Slovenia completed the podium in third place. She was 1.881 seconds behind the winner.
Cabirou was relieved and happy after her success: "I didn't have a great start to the season, but I've worked really hard to be able to fight for the top positions again. I'm really happy to have won today after such a difficult weekend. Compared to yesterday's qualifying, I focussed on finding a better rhythm and making fewer mistakes. I managed to do that - I'm simply over the moon."
Fourth and fifth place went to two up-and-coming downhill talents, Gracey Hemstreet and Jess Blewitt. Valentina Höll continues to lead the overall World Cup standings with 874 points ahead of Hemstreet (825) and Tahnee Seagrave (672), who had to settle for 15th place after a line error.
Alran twins dominate junior race
The junior men's race turned into the expected family duel. Till Alran (Commencal-Muc-Off) narrowly beat his twin brother Max in 3:42.095 minutes. Only half a second separated the two Frenchmen at the finish. Max initially had his nose in front in the upper part of the track, but a slip in the middle section opened the door for Till. With the double victory, France once again underlined its supremacy in downhill sport.
The American Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing) finished third, 1.669 seconds behind. Max Alran leads the overall junior World Cup standings with 205 points ahead of Tyler Waite (175) and Till Alran (168).
Zierl repeats Leogang success in the juniors
The 16-year-old Austrian Rosa Zierl seamlessly followed on from her maiden victory at her home World Cup in Leogang. The Cube Factory rider also put in a commanding performance on the technically demanding Black Snake. With a time of 4:15.628 minutes, she relegated the American Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon CLLCTV) to second place by 0.612 seconds. New Zealander Kate Hastings completed the podium in third place, 2.780 seconds behind.
Zierl now leads the overall junior rankings with 205 points ahead of Germany's Eliana Hulsebosch, who finished seventh in Val di Sole and has 150 points in the overall rankings.
Elite Men Results:
- Jackson Goldstone (CAN): 3:38.682 minutes
- Troy Brosnan (AUS): +2.422 seconds
- Thibaut Daprela (FRA): +3.361 seconds
Elite Women Results:
- Marine Cabirou (FRA): 4:10.310 minutes
- Valentina Höll (AUT): +1.271 seconds
- Monika Hrastnik (SVN): +1.881 seconds
Junior Men Results:
- Till Alran (FRA): 3:42.095 minutes
- Max Alran (FRA): +0.5 seconds
- Asa Vermette (USA): +1.669 seconds
Junior Women Results:
- Rosa Zierl (AUT): 4:15.628 minutes
- Aletha Ostgaard (USA): +0.612 seconds
- Kate Hastings (NZL): +2.780 seconds
World Cup overall rankings:
- Elite men: 1st Jackson Goldstone (874 points), 2nd Loïc Bruni (774), 3rd Loris Vergier (525)
- Elite women: 1st Valentina Höll (874 points), 2nd Gracey Hemstreet (825), 3rd Tahnee Seagrave (672)
- Junior men: 1st Max Alran (205 points), 2nd Tyler Waite (175), 3rd Till Alran (168)
- Junior women: 1st Rosa Zierl (205 points), 2nd Eliana Hulsebosch (150)
