Goldstone dominates again, Hoffmann back on the podium in La Thuile

Jackson Goldstone gewinnt das vierte Weltcup-Rennen in Folge.

Photo: Michal Cerveny / WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series

Jackson Goldstone and Nina Hoffmann rode the Santa Cruz Syndicate to the top of the UCI Downhill World Cup in La Thuile with double victories. The Italian winter sports resort's debut in the World Cup offered spectacular conditions with the steepest course in the history of the series - 2,000 kilometers long, 641 vertical meters, 28 percent gradient. Goldstone won ahead of Loris Vergier and Loic Bruni, Hoffmann ahead of Vali Höll and Gracey Hemstreet.

Goldstone equals Gwin's record

The 21-year-old Canadian Goldstone took his fourth win in a row with a flawless run, equaling Aaron Gwin's record from 2012. On the wet and technically demanding course, he finished in 3:27.1 minutes, 0.6 seconds ahead of French world champion Loris Vergier (Commencal/Muc-Off). Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) finished third, 0.4 seconds behind Vergier.

"I'm totally overwhelmed," said Goldstone. "That was my best race of the season." Despite difficult conditions, he remained calm, overcame slippery sections with ease and took the lead in the final section.

Former enduro specialist Martin Maes (Orbea/FMD) put in a strong performance in his first Downhill World Cup and finished seventh. Amaury Pierron, freshly operated on (collarbone fracture), made an incredible comeback with tenth place.

Results

Hoffmann makes a comeback

After injuries in Leogang, Nina Hoffmann (28) achieved her first World Cup victory since 2023 with a dominant run. With a time of 3:57.9 minutes, she was the only rider under four minutes. World champion Valentina Höll (YT Mob) finished second (+2.99 s), Gracey Hemstreet (Norco) rode to third place (+3.19 s) with consistent speed.

Hoffmann demonstrated tactical maturity and physical strength: "I just wanted a clean run - the fact that it was enough for first place is incredible." Höll lost crucial time in the lower section, while Tahnee Seagrave (Orbea/FMD) finished fourth after a strong start with a mistake in the steep middle section. Camille Balanche finished in fifth place. The Swiss rider really liked the course, but was hoping for more after her good qualifying run.

Results

Alran takes overall lead in the juniors

In the juniors, Frenchman Till Alran (Commencal/Muc-Off) took his second win in a row with a strong run in 3:28.2 minutes - and thus the overall lead. New Zealander Tyler Waite (Yeti/Fox) came second (+4.85 s), while Asa Vermette (USA/Frameworks), the reigning Junior World Champion, finished third, 1.56 s behind. Till's twin brother Max Alran crashed after a strong start.

Results

Ostgaard wins junior women's race for the first time

Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon CLLCTV) triumphed in the junior women's race for the first time after two second places. The Norwegian won with a powerful run in 4:08.15 minutes. The US American Matilda Melton (Commencal Schwalbe) finished second (+2.83 s), Rosa Zierl (Austria/Cube), still the overall leader, took third place (+2.45 s).

"I just wanted to ride clean," said Ostgaard. "This course demanded everything - technique, strength and focus."

Results