Downhill legend Rachel Atherton is back on the top step of the podium. In Leogang, home of the third stage of the UCI Mercedes-Benz World Cup dedicated to DH, the English champion won the women's race, while Amaury Pierron was the best among the men. Yesterday among the high peaks of the Austrian Alps, in one of the times of international speed, it was a great show for lovers of the most reckless two wheels.
Source: Giulia De Maio press release
In qualifying both the defending champion, Myriam Nicole, and the queen of the downhill, Rachel Atherton, had both had problems. Tahnée Seagrave, winner of the last round at Fort William, had qualified with the fastest time. The final heat was an exciting battle, which recorded the disqualification of Seagrave due to a "cut" of the course found by the jury and a mistake in the final by Nicole, who had to settle for second place behind Atherton who was not celebrating since April 2017, when he won in Lourdes.
«Returning to raise your arms to heaven means a lot to me. After the injury last season, I was afraid I had forgotten how to do it. It was a difficult, exhausting weekend. I am happy to have completed it in its entirety. I never thought I'd win after the crash in qualifying »commented the English champion.
In view of the men's test, all the pre-race speeches revolved around a rider who over the years has become synonymous with Leogang Bike Park: Aaron Gwin. The American, who ran with a sprained thumb, played for the chance to become the first ever rider capable of obtaining four consecutive victories on the same track, but he had to bow to the Frenchman Amaury Pierron, who had tasted the taste of triumph for the first time last Sunday in Scotland. Not even Luca Shaw, the best in qualifying, was able to put a spoke in his wheel due to a fall in the most insidious part. The only difference from last weekend is that Pierron, who beat his rivals by distancing them in the stretch of wood, pulled the jersey of the general classification of the Mercedes-Benz UCI World Cup off Gwin's shoulders.
“I just had to give it my all and so I did. It was anything but a walk for the body, I was already on the cross halfway down. Winning two World Cup stages in a row is more than fantastic. It's crazy, it's a dream, "said the revelation of the first part of the season after crossing the finish line.
The next stage of the MTB World Cup will be held in Val di Sole on 7 and 8 July. The numerous Italian off-road enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a double show, on stage both the champions of the cross country that those of the downhill. While waiting to see them live, the replay of the Leogang races is available on Red Bull TV.
