Two riders that have both experienced massive injuries in the last years overcame all their demons to take the top steps on the podium with inspired riding in Val di Sole.
The Black Snake put on a show over the weekend with some of the best racing this year. Almost a given as it is by far the most gnarly and unforgiving track on the series. With rain, mud and mayhem in the lead up, the womens race was a big one.
Jess Blewitt of New Zealand looked as though she would be the rider to beat in Italy after claiming victory in Friday’s semi-finals, finishing more than three seconds ahead of Myraim Nicole in second and Vali Höll in third. However, before the finals could even get underway on Saturday, Blewitt was forced to withdraw from the event after injuring herself during practice.
Once the racing started it was Monika Hrastnik who secured the lead as she got the better of the early riders by a mammoth 14 seconds. Seagrave then grabbed the lead thanks to a blisteringly fast upper section that allowed her to be cautious in the lower part of the course. Neither Anna Newkirk or Marine Cabirou were able to take the lead as it came down to the final two riders. Höll, who was victorious last weekend in Leogang, was next out of the gate but a big crash derailed her run.
Myriam Nicole was the only person who could deny Seagrave victory but the experienced French rider was off the pace from the start and was only able to finish in fourth.
In the men’s race, Amaury Pierron set the standard in the semi-final as he finished more than a second ahead of Iles in second and a very on form Troy Brosnan in third.
When the finals got underway, the rain arrived and the slick track caused plenty of issues, with numerous riders struggling to stay upright. American rider Dakotah Norton was one of the few to excel as he set the time to beat. Having emerged victorious last week in Leogang, Loïc Bruni was one of the favourites to claim a third victory of the season but the Frenchman was unable to get near the time set by Norton.
For almost an hour no one got near Norton’s time before Iles pushed him close. The Canadian led heading into the final two sectors but a few slips cost him as he had to settle for second with Troy Brosnan absolutely railing the track had to settle for fourth.
The final rider out of the gate was Amaury Pierron and the Frenchman produced a scintillating run to secure victory by close to five seconds, pushing Norton into second and Iles into third.
Women’s DH result
1. Tahnee Seagrave GBR 4:31.471
2. Marine Cabirou FRA +0.320
3. Monika Hrastnik SLO +0.941
4. Myriam Nicole FRA +3.956
5. Vali Höll AUT +6.721
Men’s DH result
1. Amaury Pierron FRA 3:39.004
2. Dakotah Norton USA +4.893
3. Finn Iles CAN +5.880
4. Troy Brosnan AUS +6.631
5. Loïc Bruni FRA +8.236
2024 UCI MTB World Cup women’s DH standings
1. Valentina Höll AUT 1175 points
2. Tahnée Seagrave GBR 946
3. Marine Cabirou FRA 947
4. Nina Hoffmann GER 680
5. Anna Newkirk USA 640
2024 UCI MTB World Cup men’s DH standings
1. Loïc Bruni FRA 1223 points
2. Finn Illes CAN 947
3. Troy Brosnan AUS 873
4. Amaury Pierron FRA 841
5. Luca Shaw USA 827