The 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series descended upon Loudenvielle, France this past weekend for the penultimate round of the UCI Downhill World Cup, and the action did not disappoint. With the championships on the line, the stakes were high as reigning champions Loïc Bruni and Valentina Höll sought to defend their titles in challenging conditions on the mountainous terrain of the Pyrenees.

Tahnee Seagrave performs at UCI DH World Cup in Loudenvielle, France on September 08, 2024 Photo By Bartek Wolinski for Red Bull Content Pool

Elite Women: Höll Secures Overall Title Despite Nicole’s Triumph

The Elite women’s race saw Austria’s Valentina Höll (YT Mob) clinch the overall UCI Downhill World Cup title for a second consecutive year. Despite finishing second in the race, her closest rival, Tahnee Seagrave (Canyon CLLCTV FMD), crashed out, sealing Höll’s victory with one round to spare.

Aaron Gwin performs at UCI DH World Cup in Loudenvielle, France on September 08, 2024 Photo By Bartek Wolinski for Red Bull Content Pool

Home favorite Myriam Nicole (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) delighted the French crowd with a commanding win, her first since 2022. Nicole stormed the course, finishing with a time of 4:05.440, edging out Höll by 1.145 seconds. Despite worsening conditions and driving rain, Nicole kept her composure and delivered a near-flawless performance to top the podium.

Vali Holl performs at UCI DH World Cup in Loudenvielle, France on September 08, 2024 Photo By Bartek Wolinski for Red Bull Content Pool

Phoebe Gale (Canyon CLLCTV FMD) led early in the day but ultimately finished third, clocking in at 4:10.242. The race was defined by harsh weather, with Seagrave’s unfortunate crash summing up the day’s challenges.

Elite Men: Coulanges Triumphs, Bruni Secures Overall Title

In the men’s Elite race, Frenchman Benoît Coulanges (Dorval AM Commencal) took advantage of the drying track and posted a winning time of 3:40.480. His solid run proved too strong for the competition, and the crowd erupted as he celebrated a well-earned victory on home soil.

Ronan Dunne performs at UCI DH World Cup in Loudenvielle, France on September 08, 2024 Photo By Bartek Wolinski for Red Bull Content Pool

Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity), the reigning overall champion, delivered a determined run but couldn’t match his compatriot. He finished fourth with a time of 3:43.613, but it was enough to seal his fifth UCI Downhill World Cup title. Bruni’s closest challenger, Amaury Pierron (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction), crashed out, finishing 10th, ensuring Bruni retained his crown with one round to go.

Finn Iles performs at UCI DH World Cup in Loudenvielle, France on September 08, 2024 Photo By Bartek Wolinski for Red Bull Content Pool

Reece Wilson (Trek Factory Racing Gravity) and Andreas Kolb (Continental Atherton) completed the podium, finishing second and third, respectively, with Wilson clocking in at 3:42.711 and Kolb at 3:43.223.

A Dramatic Day of Racing in the Pyrenees

The Loudenvielle-Peyragudes event was as much about survival as it was speed, with unpredictable weather and treacherous track conditions wreaking havoc on the field. Storms leading up to the race forced the cancellation of Saturday’s Elite semi-finals, limiting practice time, while fog and rain further complicated Sunday’s race.

Laurie Greenland performs at UCI DH World Cup in Loudenvielle, France on September 08, 2024 Photo By Bartek Wolinski for Red Bull Content Pool

In spite of the challenges, both Höll and Bruni proved their mettle, wrapping up the season’s titles ahead of the final race in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada.

Myriam Nicole performs at UCI DH World Cup in Loudenvielle, France on September 08, 2024 Photo By Bartek Wolinski for Red Bull Content Pool

With only one race remaining, all eyes turn to Mont-Sainte-Anne, where the final showdown of the UCI Downhill World Cup season will take place.

Nina Hoffmann, Vali Holl, Myriam Nicole, Phoebe Gale and Marine Cabirou celebrate at UCI DH World Cup in Loudenvielle, France on September 08, 2024 Photo By Bartek Wolinski for Red Bull Content Pool

Elite Women’s Top 10:

  1. Myriam Nicole – 4:05.440
  2. Valentina Höll – 4:06.585
  3. Phoebe Gale – 4:10.242
  4. Nina Hoffmann – 4:11.010
  5. Marine Cabirou – 4:11.466
  6. Monika Hrastnik – 4:13.291
  7. Elise Empey – 4:15.142
  8. Valentina Roa Sanchez – 4:15.445
  9. Veronika Widmann – 4:15.964
  10. Tahnee Seagrave – 4:32.053
Loic Bruni celebrates at UCI DH World Cup in Loudenvielle, France on September 08, 2024 Photo By Bartek Wolinski for Red Bull Content Pool

Elite Men’s Top 10:

  1. Benoît Coulanges – 3:40.480
  2. Reece Wilson – 3:42.711
  3. Andreas Kolb – 3:43.223
  4. Loïc Bruni – 3:43.613
  5. Ronan Dunne – 3:44.174
  6. Oisin O’Callaghan – 3:45.187
  7. Rémi Thirion – 3:45.870
  8. Thomas Estaque – 3:48.767
  9. Charlie Hatton – 3:48.820
  10. Amaury Pierron – 3:50.979

Kurhula David Ngobeni

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