It was another huge day for Canadian downhill on Saturday in Switzerland. Finn Iles stormed to a second place finish – matching his career-best result from earlier this season.
Only Amaury Pierron could best the Canadian, continuing the French riders stellar 2022 season. Myriam Nicole and Camille Balanche once again went head-to-head to fight it out for dominance in the women’s field.
Elite men: Iles versus Pierron (Part 2)
Finn Iles had some problems in his qualifier but the Specialized Gravity rider was absolutely on one on his prototype Specialized Demo in finals. The Canadian national champ was absolutely flying, scrubbing jumps so hard he was almost bar-dragging, Iles stormed into a huge 2-second advantage over early leader, Aaron Gwin (Intense Factory)
“I’m really happy with my run. I had a couple mistakes at the top, the lower part was really good,” Iles said in the finish area. “It’s a hard track to have a perfect run on.”
Greg Minnaar was next up and, after leading most of the way down the track, the world champ crossed the line just 0.303 sseconds behind Iles.
Mark Wallace looked fast and consistent, pulling back time on the top riders through Lenzerheide’s steepest sections. It’s enough for 14th on the line.
Dakotah Norton (Intense Factory) was a full second up on Iles time before sliding out and nearly crashing off of the wooden ramp for a mid-course road gap. The U.S. national champ walked back up to send the jump and continue his run, but was far down the standings.
Amaury Pierron (Commencal Muc-Off) has two wins already this year, and appears almost unstoppable when he’s on a good run. The French rider was hauling through the steep woods, cutting his lines so close he was brushing against the safety padding on trees.
Amaury Pierron takes the win in Lenzerheide by a big 1.402-second margin. Just as in Lourdes, he pushes Iles into second.
Finn Iles takes second place on his prototype Specialized, matching his career-best result from Lourdes earlier this season. With those two results, the Canadian is sitting fourth in the overall points race, even after sitting out Fort William.
Greg Minnaar takes third, just 0.007 seconds ahead of Andreas Kolb in fourth. Benoit Coulanges (Dorval AM Commencal) rounds out the podium in fifth.
Canadians in Lenzerheide
Just three Canadians started Saturday’s final in Switzerland. Iles finished second and Wallace 14th. Lucas Cruz (Norco Factory Team) rolled into 51st to round out…
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