A huge day for downhill in France led to some wild scenes in Les Gets on Saturday. Fans swarmed the finish line area as security and police were unable to stop them from celebrating an all-France podium in the men’s elite downhill.
ABSOLUTE SCENES 🤯 🤟#LesGets2022 pic.twitter.com/iHG0EhR4GM
— UCI MTB (@UCI_MTB) August 27, 2022
A trio of French riders gave the fans much to cheer about, too. While the home country’s top riders showed up in Les Gets nursing injuries from World Cup rounds in Mont-Sainte-Anne and Andorra, it didn’t slow them down at all.
Loic Bruni won the elite men’s race in dominating fashion. Despite twin shoulder injuries, “Super Bruni” won by a massive 2.581 seconds. It’s Bruni’s fifth elite world championship title. It’s also his first major win at home on French soil.
We’ve never seen this before 😮
SUPER BRUNI 🌈 #LesGets2022 pic.twitter.com/tq2RhPazQK
— UCI MTB (@UCI_MTB) August 27, 2022
Joining him on the podium, two more French riders. Amaury Pierron and Loris Vergier finish second and third. It’s an incredible podium sweep by the home country, and the French crowd responded in kind. Bruni was carried by the crowd as they set of smoke flares in the red, white and blue of France’s tricolour.
For Bruni, it redeems what has been, up to this point, a hard season filled with injury and frustration.
🗣 “For Les Gets, for Downhill, for France.”
The words of your 2022 UCI Men Elite DHI World Champion @LoicBruni 🌈🥇#LesGets2022 pic.twitter.com/RHUEuRF8Lw
— UCI MTB (@UCI_MTB) August 27, 2022
Troy Brosnan and Laurie Greenland bring home fourth and fifth for Australia and Great Britain. But Saturday was all about the the three French riders on the podium.
On-bord with @LoicBruni 🤩#LesGets2022 pic.twitter.com/6CNXfdtja1
— UCI MTB (@UCI_MTB) August 27, 2022
Canadians in Les Gets
Finn Iles was slated to start second last on Saturday. But a crash in practice sidelined the Canadian, just as he was carrying so much momentum into world championships weekend from his own World Cup win at home at Mont-Sainte-Anne. Its an unfortunate end to Iles world championships weekend. It could also spell trouble for his position in the World Cup overall when that season wraps up next week in Val di Sole, Italy.
That leaves Jakob Jewett to take the top Canadian finish in France. The Canyon Cllctv rider placed 33rd. Kirk McDowall followed close behind in 36th. Lucas Cruz followed in 40th and Jack…
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