With one week to go, the wait is growing for the only Italian round with a double Enduro formula –Downhill of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, scheduled in La Thuile from 3 to 6 July.
Source: press release
The program is tight: free practice for both disciplines on Friday, Enduro race and qualifying Downhill Saturday, finals Downhill on Sunday. With the return of Enduro to La Thuile after four years and the absolute debut in the Downhill, there is no doubt: the main protagonists of this weekend will be the race tracks.
Today the official announcement: on one hand the EDR enduro special stages are finally revealed; on the other, the official map of the track is published in preview downhill DH, eagerly awaited by athletes and the public, with points of interest, access and technical details.
For the enduro, La Thuile will be the sixth seasonal stage of the circuit, scheduled immediately after Val di Fassa, for the downhill instead it is the fifth event of the season, which also follows a stage in Trentino, that of Val di Sole.
Details on the event village will be online soon, with all the activities, services and areas accessible during the World Cup weekend.
The official website remains the point of reference constantly updated with all the useful information: lathuileworldcupmtb.com
We can finally get to the heart of the Aosta Valley stage, analyze the main data and begin to guess what kind of race awaits us.
Enduro: four specials between crests, history and the adrenaline rush of the night
The La Thuile Enduro competition takes place over a single day of racing, divided into four special stages: three spectacular, authentic Alpine tracks that are deeply linked to the identity of the location, plus a special night stage, which will make Saturday night an unmissable event with an unprecedented finale for the world of enduro.
The overall route measures 48 km, 1.300 m of altitude difference pedaled uphill, 1.750 covered with ski lifts and over 2.700 m of altitude difference in special sections.
Who thought that in La Thuile the enduro would be just a side dish compared to the downhill will have to think again: the first three special stages alone add up to over 13,5 km of timed route and 2.520 m of negative altitude difference.
Athletes will use the Bosco Express and Chalet Express ski lifts to reach PS1 and PS3, while access to PS2 will be via a transfer entirely pedalled, 14 km long with 880 metres of elevation gain, through Alpine singletrack and high-altitude landscapes.
Here are the details of the tracks:
PS1 – Path K
The trail where it all began in 2013, one of the symbols of the resort and of the “natural” philosophy of La Thuile. 3,5 km long and 660 m of negative difference in altitude.
PS2 – With the Cross
One of the most beloved trails by riders returns to the race, reached via a spectacular singletrack transfer that goes up the Lago d'Arpy valley to the 2.400th century fortifications located at 4 m. 940 km long and XNUMX m of negative difference in altitude.
PS3 – Cresta Chaz Dura Express (new entry)
A true monster stage: almost 6 km and 920 m of negative altitude difference, with a panoramic start at over 2.500 m above sea level on Mount Chaz Dura with a view of Mont Blanc and the peaks of the Aosta Valley. The trail begins on a long, technical and spectacular ridge and then dives towards the valley, intersecting the historic Mulino trail up to Pont Serrand.
PS4 – Night Special The NightFall
550 m long and fully illuminated with luminous balloons. A concentration of energy and atmosphere, with arrival directly in the final stadium of the race in front of the public.
Il Downhill: a new, technical and spectacular track
In La Thuile the UCI Downhill World Cup makes its debut on a completely new track, designed and built between 2024 and 2025 specifically for the occasion. The track measures 2,3 km with 641 meters of negative difference in altitude and perfectly interprets the spirit of the location: slope, alternation between natural stretches and worked sections, free lines and technical variety.
The newly constructed track is set to evolve visibly over the weekend: the natural sections will change quickly with roots and rocks emerging run after run, offering multiple line choices. The ability to interpret the terrain will be crucial. No run will be predictable: an open, technical and unpredictable race is expected.
Athletes will reach the start via the DMC cable car, while the public will be able to take the Bosco Express chairlift to the start of the course.
The entire track is bordered by a convenient dirt road (Comino), which allows spectators to follow its entire development from top to bottom, crossing the route in 11 points and accessing numerous variants in the woods. Here it will be possible to get close to the action and observe spectacular passages such as: the Road Gap, an imposing jump above the road; the Off Camber Section, a technical and challenging counter-slope section; the famous Shangai curve sequence, to be tackled at great speed.
The public will also be able to count on four refreshment points located along the route: one in the starting area, one at the Pool Jump, one near the first large Road Gap, and one at the finish, near the stands and the lawn area.
There are several ways to watch the DH race: grandstand, grass area and access at altitude via ski lifts, to follow the most spectacular passages from the edge of the track.
