UCI Downhill World Cup: Shaw and Höll Conquer Loudenvielle
The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series delivered another thrilling chapter in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes as Luca Shaw finally achieved a career-defining breakthrough, while Valentina Höll continued her remarkable dominance with a historic victory in the French Pyrenees.
Competing on a fast, dusty, and unforgiving downhill course, both riders showcased exceptional speed, control, and determination to claim top honours in the Elite categories.
Shaw Ends 14-Year Wait for World Cup Glory
For Luca Shaw, victory in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes was more than just another race win—it was the culmination of 14 years of perseverance.
The Canyon DH Racing rider produced a fearless run, reaching speeds of up to 81 km/h while maintaining composure through the course’s rough lower sections. His blistering performance stopped the clock at just enough to edge out French favourite Benoît Coulanges by a mere tenth of a second.
The result marked Shaw’s first-ever Elite UCI Downhill World Cup victory and elevated him to the top of the overall standings after two rounds.
Home crowd favourite Coulanges delivered a sensational run for Scott Downhill Factory, thrilling French fans with his precise cornering and aggressive pace. However, Shaw’s relentless speed proved impossible to match.
Quickest qualifier Jordan Williams completed the podium in third place after a determined effort that saw him recover time in the technical sections but ultimately fall short of challenging for the win.
Challenging Conditions Shake Up the Field
The Loudenvielle-Peyragudes track tested every rider throughout the weekend. Loose dirt, sandy corners, and rough terrain caused numerous crashes and costly mistakes.
Several big names struggled to make an impact. Previous round winner Loïc Bruni missed the race after a practice crash, while reigning overall champion Jackson Goldstone failed to qualify for the finals.
Young American Asa Vermette, fresh from his maiden Elite victory in South Korea, showed impressive pace but suffered a crash that ended his hopes of back-to-back wins.
Loris Vergier and Till Alran also fell victim to the demanding course conditions, while New Zealand’s Tyler Waite delivered a strong ride to secure a top-five finish.
Finn Iles mounted a serious challenge but faded in the final sector, ultimately finishing fourth.
Emotional Triumph for Shaw
Following the biggest victory of his career, an emotional Shaw reflected on the journey that led him to the top step of the podium.
The American rider admitted that years of near misses made the breakthrough even sweeter, describing the win as the final achievement he had been chasing throughout his professional career.
His performance also sends a strong message to the rest of the field as the championship battle begins to take shape.
Höll Makes History Once Again
In the Women’s Elite race, Valentina Höll continued to demonstrate why she remains one of the sport’s most dominant athletes.
The Austrian star delivered a commanding performance from start to finish, becoming the first Elite rider to win the UCI Downhill World Cup in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes twice.
After setting the fastest qualifying time, Höll backed it up with an unstoppable race run, clocking 3:51.920 and finishing an impressive 3.2 seconds ahead of nearest rival Gracey Hemstreet.
Her flawless ride combined aggression and efficiency, particularly through the steep and technical middle sections where she built a decisive advantage over the rest of the field.
Hemstreet and Baumann Complete the Podium
Canadian rider Gracey Hemstreet continued her excellent form with a strong second-place finish despite losing momentum after hitting a hole during her run.
European Champion Lisa Baumann delivered another consistent performance to secure third place and complete a successful weekend for Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres, which celebrated two riders on the podium.
French star Myriam Nicole briefly threatened to challenge for victory but lost time in the lower sections and eventually settled for fourth place.
Valentina Roa Sánchez also impressed with a solid ride that earned her fifth position.
Championship Momentum Builds
With victories in the opening two rounds of the season, Höll has established a significant advantage in the Women’s Elite standings.
The reigning Downhill World Champion appears to be carrying the same confidence and consistency that helped her dominate last season, making her the rider to beat heading into the next round.
Meanwhile, Shaw’s breakthrough victory places him at the summit of the Men’s Elite standings and positions him as a genuine title contender in 2026.
Eyes Turn to Austria
The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series now heads to Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland in Austria from 11-14 June.
The iconic venue is one of only two stops on the 2026 calendar to host four UCI World Cup disciplines in a single weekend, featuring Cross-Country Olympic, Short Track, Downhill, and Enduro competition.
With Shaw chasing more success and Höll looking unstoppable, the next chapter of the UCI Downhill World Cup season promises even more high-speed drama.
