The 2024 UCI Downhill World Cup delivered a nail-biting spectacle as riders battled for the coveted elite titles in Loudenvielle. The stakes couldn’t have been higher for both Valentina Höll (YT Mob) and Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity), who stormed to overall victories in the penultimate round.
Harsh conditions, epic performances
Riders faced brutal conditions as the weather wreaked havoc on the Pyrenean slopes. High winds and heavy rain left the track treacherous, with thick fog limiting visibility at the higher sections. Semi-finals were canceled and riders got limited practice round on the track. Despite these challenges, both Höll and Bruni emerged victorious, securing their overall titles with one round to spare.
Höll secures UCI downhill World Cup victory
In the women’s Elite race, Valentina Höll put on a commanding performance to secure her second consecutive UCI Downhill World Cup overall title. Despite finishing second in Loudenvielle, the Austrian star did enough to claim the series after her closest rival, Tahnee Seagrave (Canyon CLLCTV FMD), crashed out in the final stage.
The race was an emotional rollercoaster for Höll, who had been trailing early in the day due to poor visibility. But her speed and precision improved as the race progressed. French rider Myriam Nicole (Commencal/Muc-Off) clinched the day’s win, thrilling the home crowd, but it was Höll’s second-place finish that sealed the series win.
Bruni claims fourth UCI downhill World Cup title
Loïc Bruni added another accolade to his illustrious career by clinching his fourth UCI downhill World Cup title. The French rider battled tough conditions but managed a fourth-place finish, which was enough to secure the overall victory. Although he missed out on a podium finish, Bruni’s consistent season and incredible skill carried him to the top.
Benoît Coulanges (Dorval AM Commencal) thrilled the home crowd by taking first place in the men’s elite race, while Reece Wilson (Trek Factory Racing Gravity) and Andreas Kolb (Continental Atherton) rounded out the podium.
Canadian favourite Finn Iles was looking strong until not one, but two crashes during his run, placed him 28th in a field of 30. This result puts Iles in fourth place overall, only seven points behind Ronan Dunne.
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