UCI Downhill World Cup: Höll And Bruni Claim Dominant Downhill Victories In Leogang
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Austria’s Vali Höll produced a masterclass to claim victory at the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup in Leogang as she finished seven seconds ahead of her nearest rival, while Frenchman Loïc Bruni carried on his incredible form to claim a second win of the season.
Having claimed victory in Leogang last year, Höll proved that she would be the rider to beat after securing victory in the semi-finals, finishing well clear of American Anna Newkirk.
When the finals got underway it was French rider Myriam Nicole who laid down an early marker as she set the time to beat. Lisa Baumann came close to taking the lead but a poor final sector meant she missed out on the hot seat.
A series of riders then slipped up with Nina Hoffman, Jess Blewitt and Tahnee Seagrave all falling foul of the slick conditions.
Nicole maintained the lead with just two riders remaining but Anna Newkirk produced an incredible run to move into first place. The only person who could deny the American was the home favourite and Höll duly delivered as she made light of the testing conditions to claim victory by 7.1 seconds.
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In the men’s race, Loïc Bruni set the standard in the semi-final as he finished 0.7 seconds ahead of US rider Luca Shaw.
When the finals got underway on Sunday, the greasy course caused plenty of problems for a host of riders before Canada’s Finn Iles produced a stunning run to storm into the lead.
Loris Vergier and Amaury Pierron threatened to take the lead but both made big errors that proved costly and with just two riders remaining it was Bruni who held the hot seat.
Shaw was next up but got caught up in the woods and could only claim sixth place after a fall. That left Bruni who was simply sensational as he demolished the time of Illes to claim victory by a massive margin of 2.394 seconds – meaning he is yet to finish outside the top two in finals in 2024.
Women’s DH result
1. Vali Höll AUT 3:40.141
2. Anna Newkirk USA +7.102
3. Myriam Nicole FRA +7.839
4. Lisa Baumann SUI +7.946
5. Marine Cabirou FRA +9.707
Men’s DH result
1. Loïc Bruni FRA 3:05.523
2. Finn Iles CAN +2.394
3. Lachlan Stevens-Mcnab NZL +3.115
4. Oisin O’Callaghan IRE +3.234
5. Benoit Coulanges FRA +3.261
2024 UCI MTB World Cup women’s DH standings
1. Valentina Höll AUT 960 points
2. Tahnée Seagrave GBR 670
3. Marine Cabirou FRA 647
4. Nina Hoffmann GER 580
5. Anna Newkirk USA 545
2024 UCI MTB World Cup men’s DH standings
1. Loïc Bruni FRA 997 points
2. Luca Shaw USA 677
3. Finn Illes CAN 647
4. Tory Brosnan AUS 621
5. Ronan Dunne IRE 605
