MTB News: The first MTB Downhill Worldcup points of the season have been awarded! In the men's race, Frenchman Loic Bruni was able to assert himself ahead of Danny Hart from Great Britain and Australian Troy Brosnan. Rachel Atherton and Tahnee Seagrave continue their British fight for the fastest time apparently in 2019.
It couldn't be any closer: The four best-placed men were separated by less than 1 second at the World Cup opener in Maribor. This is pure racing! The quartet of winners Loic Bruni (Specialized Gravity), Danny Hart (Madison Saracen Factory Team) and Troy Brosnan (Canyon Factory Downhill Team) was completed by the American Charlie Harrison (Trek Factory Racing DH). Briton Matt Walker (Madison Saracen Factory Team) was fifth, 1,6 seconds behind Bruni.
In the women's race in Maribor, Tahnee Seagrave (Transition Bikes / Muc-Off ) prevailed over the 2018 overall World Cup winner Rachel Atherton. It looks to be an exciting year! The German fans were also happy. Nina Hoffmann came in an excellent sixth place. The Austrian Vali Höll (Sram TLD Racing) showed in the Junior Women category that there will probably be no way around her in 2019 either. The distance to second-placed Anna Newkirk (Sram Young Guns Racing) from the USA was just under 10 seconds, a blatant announcement.
MTB Downhill Worldcup Maribor: The top 5 rankings
Elite Men
- Loic Bruni, FRA, Specialized Gravity (2:58.839)
- Danny Hart, GBR, Madison Saracen Factory Team (+0.404)
- Troy Brosnan, AUS, Canyon Factory Downhill Team (+0.764)
- Charlie Harrison, USA, Trek Factory Racing DH (+0.928)
- Matt Walker, GBR, Madison Saracen Factory Team (+1.610)
Elite Women
- Tahnee Seagrave, GBR, Transition Bikes / Muc-Off (3:25.888)
- Rachel Atherton, GBR, Atherton Bikes (+0.855)
- Tracey Hannah, AUS, Polygon UR, (+2.638)
- Marine Cabirou, FRA, Scott Downhill Factory (+3.542)
- Monika Hrastnik, SLO, Dorval AM (+4.325)
Junior Men
- Thibaut Daprela, FRA, Commencal / Vallnord (3:05.557)
- Ethan Shandro, CAN, Trek Factory Racing DH (+3.041)
- Kye A'Hern, AUS, Canyon Factory Downhill Team (+4.266)
- Lucas Cruz, CAN, Sram TLD Racing (+6.254)
- Goncalo Bandeira, POR, Miranda Factory Racing (+8.289)
Junior Women
- Vali Hoell, AUT, Sram TLD Racing (3:35.775)
- Anna Newkirk, USA, Sram Young Guns Racing (+9.943)
- Mille Johnset, NOR, Atherton Bikes (+10.110)
- Lauryne Chappaz, FRA (+34.350)
- Ottilia Johansson Jones, SWE (+39.631)