The Downhill World Championship race in Hafjell, Norway, is charged with excitement and drama like no other race before it. US American Neko Mulally provides the first exclamation mark. Shortly after the start, his chain breaks. With no drive, Mulally rides through the finish line with the new best time, to the amazement of the spectators and commentators. This was only shaken when Australian Sam Hill roared down the varied downhill course with clearly the best split times. However, a heavy fall takes Hill out of contention for the title.

Although close, the next two riders were also unable to match the top time. Only the defending champion from South Africa, Greg Minnaar, leads at the first intermediate time. However, a broken rim in the top section of the track caused Minnaar's tire to go flat in the bottom section, causing the South African to fall. Gee Atherton also does not get through without making any mistakes. However, the Brit hardly loses any time with his slip and sets a new fastest time at the front. The focus is therefore entirely on his compatriot Josh Bryceland, who is the last rider who can still become world champion after the failure of Samuel Blenkinsop (NZL) and Troy Brosnan (AUS).

Bryceland gets off to a good start and sets a record at the first intermediate time. By the second, his time cushion had even increased. On the last big jump before the finish, however, Bryceland comes in too fast and overshoots the landing. Although the landing does not lead to a fall, it is so hard that Byceland breaks his front foot. The Briton loses almost two seconds to Atherton by the finish, but still comes second. Troy Brosnan finishes in third place.

Beer improves towards the end of the season
After a difficult World Cup year, Nick Beer is getting back on track. Better late than never, the man from Bern put in a solid run and finished 13th. I made a few small mistakes in the middle section of the course and was a little stiff afterwards," says Beer. Despite these small mistakes, he only lost a little time on the leaders and finished 13th.

Triple triumph for Great Britain
There is a change at the top in the women's event. Having already won the overall World Cup, Manon Carpenter takes the downhill world title ahead of defending champion Rachel Atherton and Tahnee Seagrave.

Emilie Siegenthaler rides to ninth place in her first international race after her injury. Carina Cappellari is doing well in the upper part of the race, but then suffers a puncture and the race is over. Cappellari finishes 24th in the end.

Juniors without an exploit
The two Swiss downhill juniors Mike Schär and Myles Weber do not come close to their best performances on this day and finish in midfield in 31st and 34th place respectively.

Tegan Molloy (AUS) is the superior winner of the junior women's race. However, only three female athletes are competing in the junior category.

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