Loic Bruni says he never thought about records.
“I didn’t think about the records,” he says in the new Red Bull Bike documentary. “I didn’t realize we were getting close.”
Close means this: if Bruni can win a fifth UCI Downhill World Cup overall, he will join
Nico Vouilloz, the five-time champion who defined downhill in the 1990s, is still the standard. “If he wasn’t there, there would be no crazy records to be beaten,” Bruni says.
Aaron Gwin also won five overall titles.
Goldstone, pressure and the most competitive era yet
Bruni entered the 2025 season with four overall titles and a new problem: Jackson Goldstone. The Canadian came back from a year off with injury and won four World Cups in a row.
“What I have that Jackson doesn’t have yet is experience,” Bruni says. He is 10 years older and knows how long a season can feel. “I’m only 137 points behind. If something happens to Jackson, I can straight away get back in the lead. It’s not over until it’s over.”
Bruni finally broke Goldstone’s streak in Andorra, winning by just over a second. The title fight was on. Every weekend became an episode in the same story: Jackson’s raw speed against Loic’s experience and obsession with the details.
From Vouilloz to Super Bruni
Bruni has been studying Vouilloz his whole life. He still laughs at the old footage. “Bikes in the ‘90s were the worst bikes you can think of,” he says. V-brakes, narrow bars, sketchy helmets, nothing trustworthy at race speed.
“What I took from Nico is compensating for my lack of talent compared to a Jackson,” he says. “Because my bike is more developed and more pushed than any bike on the circuit.”
LEDs on the fork. Electronic suspension. Endless testing. Bruni leans into every technical edge he can get, the way Vouilloz did before him.
A season, a baby and one more shot at history
Away from the tape, life was changing. Bruni was about to become a dad. The due date was one week after the final World Cup round.
“Hopefully I get to do my season, kick Jackson’s ass and go home,” he joked. But he also knew time was ticking. “We only have so many years to achieve our goals and our dreams,” he says. “I don’t know how many opportunities I’m going to get again to get more titles.”
We all know how the 2025 season ended.
Trying again in 2026?
When contemplating another attempt at the title in 2026, Bruni turns to his team manager. And the T.M. keeps it simple: “You…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…