Sunshine and pleasant temperatures awaited the world's best downhillers in the Bikepark Leogang on the final day. The conditions proved to be somewhat easier than on the training day. The upper part of the course was dry, while the decisive forest section was not quite as slippery, but still challenging.
The elite women's race remained exciting until the last second. Downhill youngsters Vali Höll (AUT) was the last woman on the mountain after a confident qualification the day before. The young Austrian skied in a controlled manner and was in the lead for a long time until she crashed on the last bend. Despite her crash, Höll finished second on her home course.
The Swiss woman Camille Balanche was thus able to celebrate her first World Cup victory. Balanche, who has been wearing the world champion jersey since last October, showed with a flawless run that she can also master the technically demanding course in dry conditions. This victory is the first DH World Cup win for Switzerland since 2007. Third place went to the Slovenian Monika Hrastnikwho once again put in a very strong performance here in Pinzgau after winning bronze at the World Championships.
Marine Cabirou (FRA), last year's overall World Cup winner, struggled to stay on her bike in the forest and was unhappy with her final fourth place. Tahnee Seagrave felt the same way, as she was also unable to deliver her usual performance in her run. She finished fifth. German downhill hopeful Nina Hoffmann was unfortunately unable to take part in the final race as she suffered a concussion in a crash during training.
Ladies Elite DH Top 3:
- Camille Balanche (SUI) - 4:07.850
- Valentina Höll (AUT) - 4:09.262 (+1.412)
- Monika Hrastnik (SLO) - 4:09.321 (+1.471)
Troy Brosnan dominates the forest section
Troy Brosnan (AUS)the fastest qualifier on Friday, put in an incredible performance to win his third World Cup victory ever and his first in four years. The 27-year-old was still behind in the first section of the course. However, he decided the race in his favour in the forest section. Second place in the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup went to the young Frenchman Thibaut Daprela. He took extreme risks, skied aggressively and even had a short stopper in the key section. Nevertheless, he was extremely satisfied with his best World Cup result to date in only his second elite season.
Daprela's team colleague Amaury Pierron (FRA) lined up behind him in third place. Pierron was completely ruled out last year due to a serious injury and was able to enjoy the hot seat for a very long time in Leogang. Reigning world champion Reece Wilson (GBR) finished the World Cup race in Leogang in fourth place, ahead of French champion Benoit Coulanges.
Men Elite DH Top 3:
- Troy Brosnan (AUS) - 3:26.019
- Thibaut Daprela (FRA) - 3:27.254 (+1.235)
- Amaury Pierron (FRA) - 3:27.497 (+1.478)
Surprise in the juniors
In the downhill juniors, all eyes were on the reigning world champion Oisin O'Callaghan (IRL). He fell short of his World Championship performance and finished the race in eighth place. The fastest junior in the first World Cup race of the season was Spanish champion Pau Menoyo Busquets. Second place went to downhill young gun Jackson Goldstone (CAN), closely followed by Dennis Luffman (GBR).
Local hero Sophie Gutöhrle impressed in the junior category with an extremely good performance, especially in the forest section, and ultimately secured first place in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Leogang with a lead of 11 seconds. No big surprise after the runner-up world champion already had the fastest time in yesterday's seeding run. Second place went to Leona Pierrini from France, followed by Izabela Yankova from Bulgaria.
