Fans are ready for the 2024 World Cup downhill racing in Loudenvielle this weekend.
After a summer hiatus following the chaotic and muddy races in Les Gets, the 2024 season resumed in Andorra with the World Championships, where Loris Vergier and Vali Höll narrowly claimed the coveted rainbow jerseys. The 2024 World Cup has delivered some unforgettable moments, with Vali Höll and Loic Bruni dominating the scene, and Amaury Pierron staging an impressive comeback, taking the top spot with nearly flawless runs in Val di Sole and Les Gets.
Women’s elite
In the women’s competition, after five World Cup rounds and the World Championships, two names have consistently been at the forefront. Vali Höll, the current overall leader, has claimed three victories out of six rounds but has had her share of challenges, dropping outside the top five due to crashes and illness. Tahnee Seagrave has also been a strong contender, consistently landing on the podium except for a crash in Leogang. Her standout moment came with a win in Val di Sole. Myriam Nicole finished the season on a high note, overcoming early injuries to end with strong results. Norco Race Division’s Canadian rider Gracey Hemstreet is currently sitting in the 21 spot overall.
Men’s elite
For the men, the season kicked off with Loic Bruni taking command, winning two of the first three rounds, though a 7th place finish in Les Gets was a rare stumble. The latter half of the season has seen a resurgence from Amaury Pierron, who secured consecutive wins in Val di Sole and Les Gets. As the season progressed, both riders showed impressive speed, though Bruni suffered a crash during the World Championships after leading in the first half of the course. With Bruni holding a comfortable lead in the standings, it remains to be seen if he can return to his winning form this weekend. Canadian favorite Finn Iles currently sits in fourth spot overall. Obviously Iles hopes to do better than last year in Loudnevielle where he was disqualified for missing a couple poles after bouncing off the track. But his third place podium run in Andorra should be a confidence booster.
Men’s junior
The Canadian contingent in the junior men’s group is…
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