If UCI World Cup Downhill round one is any indication of how this season will go, then it’s going to be a wild ride. The season opener In Lenzerheide, Switzerland was unpredictable to say the least. When the dust settled, local hero and depending overall champion, Camille Balanche was standing on the podium with a second place finish in the final alongside the reigning World Champion Vali Höll. Adding to the success, Troy Brosnan and Benoît Coulanges both grabbed top ten finishes in elite men's with seventh and eighth results. 

"Thanks everyone for the support and the love the whole weekend! 0.5 second from the win at home, getting closer…" - Camille 

Balanche's statement after the final, It was clear she wasn't happy with second place in the final after clocking the fastest qualifying time and winning the semi-final. It's hard to hang your head after a 1-1-2 week. Camille sits second overall, just 10 points back from first. Vali Höll grabbed the third fastest qualifying time heading into race day. In the semi-final, Vali had a big crash in the rock garden that sent her over the bars. Luckily Vali was okay and was a protected rider that allowed her to race in the final where she went on to finish fourth to give TLD women a double podium.  

 

In Elite men's Canyon Factory's Troy Brosnan qualified 23rd, but moved in the right direction the rest of the week climbing to eleventh in the semi-final and seventh in the final. Brosnan also enjoyed some well deserved hot seat time in the final. Benoît Coulanges was fast all week taking fifth in qualifying and fifth in the semi-final. Benoît ended the day with an eighth place finish in the final right behind Brosnan. Another notable finish was Luca Shaw in eleventh. 

 

 

Be sure to tune in to UCI World Cup Downhill round two this weekend at Leogang, Austria.