UCI Downhill World Cup – Men’s final live after Valentina Holl takes victory in women’s final

14:23 – Shaw second!

Luca Shaw (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) moves into second with a time of 3:01.04, Daprela moves to third, Kolb remains in first.

14:20 – Coulanges sixth

Benoit Coulanges (Dorval AM Commencal) with a time of 3:01.7.

14:16 – Vergier third!

Loris Vergier (Trek Factory Racing Gravity) moves into the top three with a time of 3:01.5! Kolb remains in first, Daprela second.

14:12 – Daprela second!

Thibaut Daprela (Commencal / Muc-Off By Riding Addiction) moves to second with a time of 3:01.0. Kolb remains in the hot seat, Dunne third.

14:09 – New leader!

Austrian rider Andreas Kolb (Continental Atherton) takes the hot seat in front of a home crowd with a massive time of 2:59.3! Dunne moves to second, Greenland to third.

14:06 – Walker third!

Matt Walker (Madison Saracen Factory Race Team) moves into third with a time of 3:01.9. Williams moves to fourth. Dunne still leading, Greenland second.

14:00 – Greenland second!

Laurie Greenland (Santa Cruz Syndicate) takes second after being in green for the first three time checks, he crosses the line with a time of 3:01.6. Dunne still leading, Williams down to third. Norton fourth.

13:57 – Clipped tree costs time

Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) just clipped a tree an stopped momentarily, putting him into 16th with 3:07.6.

13:54 – Levesque ninth

Dylan Levesque (Scott Downhill Factory) with a time of 3:04.4. Dunne still in the lead, Williams second, Norton third.

13:51 – Williams second!

Last weekend’s winner Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) moves into second place with a time of 3:02.2! Norton moves to third.

13:49 – New Leader!

Ronan Dunne (Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing) takes the lead with a time of 3:01.5! Norton second, Hartenstern third.

13:46 – Hartenstern second!

Max Hartenstern (Cube Factory Racing) with a time of 3:03.0. Hatton moves to third.

13:43 – New leader!

Dakotah Norton (Intense Factory Racing) goes into first with 3:02.4! Hatton second, O Callaghan third.

13:40 – New leader!

Charlie Hatton (Continental Atherton) moves to the hot seat and records a time with 3:03.3!

13:37 – Pene fifth

Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (MS Mondraker Team) moves to fifth with a time of 3:05.1.

13:33 – Meier-Smith third

Remy Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) knocks Vidal out of the top three. He sets a time of 3:04.1.

13:30 – Vidal third

Antoine Vidal (Commencal Les Orres) moves onto the podium with a time of 3:04.8.

13:27 – Meek seventh

Toby Meek (MS Mondraker Team) with a time of 3:07.9.

13:24 – New leader!

Oisin O Callaghan (YT Mob) takes the hot seat with a time of 3:03.41! Kerr second, Revelli third.

13:21 – Revelli second

Loris Revelli (Canyon CLLCTV Pirelli) with a time of 3:05.3 which puts him in second place.

13:18 – Silva to third

Dante Silva (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) sets a time of 3:06.6 to take him to third place.

13:15 – Hart off course!

Danny Hart (Cube Factory Racing) was on for a fast time there but he’s had a massive crash as his front wheel goes. He finishes in 4:56.1 but has been DSQd for leaving the course after crashing into the side netting.

13:12 – New leader!

Bernard Kerr (Pivot Factory Racing) into the lead with a time of 3:03.6!

13:09 – New leader!

Simon Chapelet (Cube Factory Racing) gets a half a second lead with a time of 3:06.1.

13:06 – Time for Piercy

Jack Piercy (Commencal Les Orres) crosses the line in 3:06.6 to take the lead.

13:03 – First time set

Breeden sets an opening time of 3:09.2.

13:00 – Men’s final starts!

It’s Joe Breeden (Intense Factory Racing) who’s the first rider to go!

12:39 – Höll takes the win!

The world champion takes a win on home soil after absolutely smashing every split time! Her time is an incredible 3:23.2! Balanche second, Atherton third.

12:35 – Crash for Hoffmann

Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) crashed on a corner after being in green, she finishes in seventh with 3:32.8. Austrian rider Valentina Höll (RockShox Trek Race Team) will be the final rider to go.

12:31 – New fastest time!

Camille Balanche (Dorval AM Commencal) takes the hot seat from Atherton with a three second lead of 3:27.5! Two riders left to go.

12:27 – Hrastnik second

Monika Hrastnik (Dorval AM Commencal) into second with her time of 3:30.8, so close to Atherton! Gale moves to third.

12:23 – New fastest time!

Atherton takes the hot seat with a time of 3:30.5! It’s a British top two as she displaces Gale from the top spot.

12:20 – Atherton is away!

Last week’s winner Rachel Atherton (Continental Atherton) leaves the start hut.

12:19 – Cabirou into second!

She sets a time of 3:31.6.

12:16 – Next rider goes

Marine Cabirou (SCOTT DH Factory) sets off her final.

12:15 – New fastest time!

Gale moves into the hot seat with a time of 3:31.0!

12:11 – Gale gets going

Phoebe Gale (Canyon CLLCTV FM) gets started.

12:11 – New fastest time!

Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Factory Team) sets an impressive time of 3:31.9!

12:07 – Blewitt crosses the line

Her time is 3:36.3.

12:04 – Next rider away

Jess Blewitt (GT Continental Factory Racing) has started her final.

12:04 – First time recorded

Widmann sets the first time of 3:41.5.

12:00 – Women’s final begins!

Veronika Widmann (Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing) starts the women’s final!

11:41 – Final results

It’s Iles who takes the win, followed by Bruni, and Brosnan. A huge crash puts fastest finisher yesterday Davide Palazzari (Rogue Racing – After Skull Team) at 60th.

11:39 – Walker tenth

Matt Walker (Madison Saracen Factory Team) sets a time of 3:05.7.

11:33 – Top three

The top three is currently Iles, Bruni, Brosnan.

11:31 – New fastest time!

Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) into the hot seat with 3:03.0.

11:29 – Kolb eighth

Austrian rider Andreas Kolb (Continental Atherton) with a time of 3:05.6.

11:26 – Brosnan into second

Troy Brosnan (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) moves himself into second with a time of 3:04.3

11:23 – Hart 20th

Danny Hart (Cube Factory Racing) sets a time of 3:08.4.

11:17 – Daprela sixth

Thibaut Daprela (Commencal / Muc-Off By Riding Addiction) with a time of 3:05.3. An important time given he’s not a protected rider.

11:16 – Shaw third

Luca Shaw (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) into the top three with his time of 3:04.5.

11:15 – Goldstone second

Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) into second with 3:04.4.

11:14 – Bruni in the lead!

World Champion Loic Bruni (Specialized Gravity) into the hot seat with 3:04.0.

11:13 – Vergier second

Loris Vergier (Trek Factory Racing Gravity) takes second place with 3:05.3

11:12 – Williams 11th

Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) with a time of 3:07.7.

11:11 – Coulanges into the hot seat!

Benoit Coulanges (Dorval AM Commencal) in the lead with a time of 3:05.0.

10:10 – New fastest time!

British rider Laurie Greenland (Santa Cruz Syndicate) takes the hot seat with 3:06.1. It’s so close at the top!

10:08 – Hatton fourth

Charlie Hatton (Continental Atherton) fourth with a time of 3:06.5.

10:07 – New fastest time!

South African Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) sets a leading time of 3:06.2 and moves into the hot seat. He was unlucky last weekend with punctures in the semi-finals and finals disrupting his chances.

10:03 – Silva into eighth

Dante Silva (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) into the top ten with his time of 3:08.3.

11:00 – Half way

We’re now into the top 30 from qualifying. For the finals, the top 30 plus any protected riders will progress from the semi-final.

10:55 – Atwill 11th

Phil Atwill (Propain Positive) just outside the top ten with his time of 3:09.9.

10:53 – Piercy eighth

Jack Piercy (Commencal / Les Orres) with a time of 3:09.0.

10:52 – Change in sixth

Toby Meek (MS Mondraker Team) with a finish time of 3:08.0.

10:51 – O Callaghan sixth

Oisin O Callaghan (YT Mob) sets a time of 3:08.2.

10:50 – Hartenstern into second

Max Hartenstern (Cube Factory Racing) with a time of 3:06.5.

10:47 – Vidal fourth

Change in fourth as Antoine Vidal (Commencal Les Orres) sets a time of 3:07.3.

10:45 – Breeden fourth

Joe Breeden (Intense Factory Racing) into fourth with a time of 3:09.7.

10:41 – Meier-Smith third

Remi Meier-Smith (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) into third with a time of 3:06.9.

10:39 – Dooley’s time

Austin Dooley (Commencal/Schwalbe) with a time of 3:11.1, putting him into eighth.

10:37 – Zwar into fourth

Oliver Zwar (Canyon CLLCTV FMD) with a time of 3:10.1.

10:32 – Second place

Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (MS Mondraker Team) into second with 3:06.7

10:31 – Williamson’s time

British national champion Greg Williamson (Madison Saracen Factory Race Team) sets a time of 3:10.4.

10:30 – Dunne into the hot seat

Irish rider Ronan Dunne (Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing) into the lead with a time of 3:06.3.

10:29 – Brannigan’s time

George Brannigan (NS Bikes UR Team ) with a time of 3:12.6.

10:28 – Mumford’s time

British rider Luke Mumford sets a time of 3:13.8.

10:27 – Molloy crosses the line

Harry Molloy (Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing) with a time of 3:13.0.

10:26 – New fastest time

Pau Menoyo Busquets (Commencal/Schwalbe) sets a time of 3:09.9!

10:25 – Brayton’s time

He takes the lead with a time of 3:10.3.

10:24 – Next time

Pierron with a time of 3:10.4.

10:23 – First time set

It’s a time of 3:15.0 for Rainio.

10:22 – Brayton starts

British rider Adam Brayton is away.

10:21 – Next rider away

Baptiste Pierron (Dorval AM Commencal) is the next to go.

10:20 – Men’s race starts

Onni Rainio gets the men’s semi final started in Leogang!

10:11 – Top ten

Here’s what the top ten looks like: Höll, Hoffmann, Balanche, Hrastnik, Atherton, Cabirou, Gale, Hrastnik, Blewitt, Widmann.

10:10 – Höll takes the win!

Austrian rider Valentina Höll (RockShox Trek Race Team) takes the semi-final win on home soil with a time of 3:26.7. She won in the qualifier as well, can she make it three wins in Austria? Hoffmann takes second, Balanche third.

10:09 – Balanche into second.

Camille Balanche (Dorval AM Commencal) moves into second place with a time of 3:32.4, Hrastnik third, Atherton fourth.

10:08 – Hoffmann into the hot seat

Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) brings the speed and even after a crash towards the end secures a time of 3:32.3!

10:05 – New fastest time!

Monika Hrastnik (Dorval AM Commencal) sets a time of 3:36.2, a narrow lead on Atherton moves her into first.

10:03 – Time for Seagrave

Looks like she’s had a crash at some point, Tahnée Seagrave (Canyon CLLCTV FM) crosses with a time of 3:46.5. She’s not a protected rider, and is currently in eighth.

10:01 – Atherton into the hot seat!

Last weekend’s winner sets a brilliant time of 3:36.2, 2.4 seconds ahead of Cabirou.

10:00 – Fast time for Gale

Phoebe Gale (Canyon CLLCTV FM) crosses in 3:38.9 which puts her into second.

09:58 – New fastest time

Marine Cabirou (SCOTT DH Factory) with a time of 3:38.7

09:54 – Change in the hot seat

Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Fa.ctory Team) takes the lead with a time of 3:39.9.

09:53 – Widmann into the hot seat

Veronika Widmann (Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing) with a new fastest time of 3:45.4.

09:52 – Parton crosses the line

Mikayla Parton (Resolute Racing) with a time of 3:48.2.

09:51 – Time for Newkirk

Anna Newkirk (Beyond Racing) sets a time of 3:45.9, she takes the lead!

09:50 – Next time in

Frida Helena Rønning (Union – Forged By Steel City Media) into the hot seat with a time of 3:48.8.

09:49 – First time set

3:48.9 is the time set by Ferguson.

09:45 – Here we go!

Louise-Anna Ferguson (Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing) gets the semi-final underway!

What happened last time?

Welcome

Good morning and welcome to day two of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Leogang. It’s all about downhill today as the riders will take turns to tackle a challenging descent to set the fastest time. There are four races today, starting with the semi-final for the women, followed by the men, and then it will be the finals! Lots of thrilling racing taking place today, make sure you don’t miss it!

What to expect from Downhill

The UCI Downhill World Cup returns for 2023 with a new format that brings with it greater demands for all the riders taking part.

The addition of a semi-final race will determine which riders make the final, with the top 30 men and top 10 women all progressing.

That all makes for a more intense weekend of action, and Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) was on hand to tell Eurosport’s Josh Carlson all about what we can expect with the races live on discovery+.

“I would say downhill racing, there’s a set course, you go from the top to the bottom, you have to beat everybody else. There’s lots of preparation that goes into it but that’s the easiest way to describe it,” Iles said.

“It’s pretty hectic, a lot of crashes. It’s dirty, it’s fast, it’s a lot of fun.

“It’s changed things a little bit, it’s more of a mental prep for me. Being prepared to do two full speed runs in a day has been a big change for me, but I like the changes a lot.

“This is going to allow for a lot of different people to come to the top of the standings, a lot of different riders on the podium.

“The finals is everything. It’s still the most points, but I think being consistent through the whole weekend is a lot more important this year, so you’re getting maximum points in qualifying, semi-finals and then the finals. You have to be switched on the entire time.”

WELCOME

Hello and welcome to Eurosport’s LIVE text commentary of the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup. We’re set for non-stop racing action in Leogang, Austria.

ATHERTON AND WILLIAMS SUCCESS REALLY COOL TO SEE – SCHURTER

Nino Schurter said it was “really cool” to see British riders Rachel Atherton and Jordan Williams claim stunning UCI Mountain Bike World Cup wins.

Schurter created history last weekend with his 34th UCI MTB Cross-country Olympic World Cup victory, going past Julien Absalon’s record that he had equalled last year.

At the same event, Atherton, 35, won in only her second race since 2019, having given birth to her daughter Arna in 2021.

And 18-year-old Williams claimed victory on his debut in the men’s elite competition.

“It’s really cool to see who can win a World Cup,” said Schurter. “You can be a kid coming up from juniors, or a mum, or a 37-year-old old guy like me.

“Or [Greg] Minnaar, he is four years older than me and he is doing a sport that is all about explosivity. To see him still at the sharp end gives me a lot of motivation.

“That’s mountain biking, you can bring in a young kid with explosivity, going all in, and the older ones can also play their cards in different ways and that’s pretty cool to see.”