Crowning The Champs: iXS European Downhill Cup 5, Leogang - Finals Photo Epic and Video
What a year it was. The 2017 iXS European Downhill Cup just came to an end with one of the wildest races to date. Against all predictions the rain held off on raceday what made the spectators smile but not implicitly the racers as the thick mud stick to their tires. It was another tough day on the wild mountainside of Leogang but with the off season in sight everyone was ready to send it.
In the elite men it was the Czech rider Ondrej Stephanek of the CTM Racing Team who finally put it all together and won his first ever European DH Cup race. Jure Zabjek who took the overall already with one round remaining seemed to take it easy but laid down another great race run getting him second place followed by the German, Joshua Barth made his first podium appearance, as well. In the overall Stephanek took advantage of Rastislav Baranek injury and got second behind Zabjek.
The European champ Eleonora Farina once again showed why she is wearing the white and blue jersey. She won the race by a solid margin in front of Sandra Ruebesam and Monika Hrastnik. Hrastnik played it safe and secured her first overall title. But the women of the day was without a doubt the young Austrian Vali Höll. With another spectacular run she won five out of five races, claiming the perfect season. She was even faster than Eleonora Farina what shows the great potential of the YT team rider.
It was another cold day on the mountain but at least it did not rain.
First turn action got pretty slippery.
It was, hands down, a tough day in the office.
Even though it was a cold and windy day the crowd appeared in the finish area to cheer for their favourites.
As the rain hold off the main line started to dry out with each run.
Alessia Missiaggia won the U19 female category.
Till Ulmschneider laid down a stellar run, passing the rider in front of him on the finish line taking the fastest time of the day in the U19 male.
Rudi Pintar struggled in the first split but got up to speed to secure himself a spot on the podium.
Jules Picod had the perfect weekend winning the seeding and taking the win in the U17 male category.
Dominik Dierich was fastest in the speed trap but struggled in the technical root section. He ended up in 4th in the masters category.
Anna Newkirk looked good on track but just could not match Vali Hoell's speed.
What can you say about this girl? She is fast! Vali Hoell was pinning it, winning the race and clinching the perfect season.
Monika Hrastnik did what she had to do. With a safe run she managed to take third and her first overall title.
Sandra Ruebesam tried and pushed hard finishing her season with a great second place.
Eleonora Farina kept it steady during practise building her speed slowly.
Farina crossed the line in first taking her second win of the season.
Janosch Klaus styling it up during practise. He took second place in the U17 male category.
Luca Henzi could not repeat his win from seeding and had to settle for second in the U19 male category.
Markus Pekoll took it easy knowing this would be his very last race as a professional athlete.
After being 13th in he first split Noel Niederberger improved one spot to finish in 12th
Markus Pekoll wheeling it into the finish area celebrating his last race on home soil.
Andreas Kolb was sending it all day long.
Erik Irmisch ended up in 16th.
Boris Tetzlaff finished his season with a solid 13th place.
Basil Weber had a strong run and held the fastest time for a long time.
Silas Grandy pedalling into the finish area finishing in 10th.
Loris Revelli was everyone's favourite for today's win but could not put it togehter as he ended up 5th.
The Austrian Andreas Kolb laid down a strong run but got pushed off the podium by just one spot.
Finally Joshua Barth was able to put it all on the line and to take his first european podium
Jure Zabjek went for it today and it seemed he could win the final round of the series but got beaten by Ondrej Stephanek
Ondrej Stephanek came out swinging. He went fastest b 2.8 seconds
With Loris Revelli crossing the line in fifth it was clear that Ondrej Stephanek just won his first ever european race.
Podium masters category with Dominik Dierich, Luis Ribeiro, Fabrizio Dragoni, Willi Luetzeler and Frank Hedwig
Podium U19 male with Marcel Merkeli, Luca Henzi, Till Ulmschneider and Rudi Pintar
Podium elite Women with Sandra Ruebesam, Eleonora Farina and Monika Hrastnik.
Podium elite men with Andreas Kolb, Jure Zabjek, Ondrej Stephanek, Joshua Barth and Loris Revelli.
Overall podium U17 female with Anna Newkirk, Vali Hoell and Ottilia Jones Johansson.
Overall podium elite women with Eleonora Farina, Monika Hrastnik and Sandra Ruebesam.
Overall podium elite men with Ondej Stephanek, Jure Zabjek and Rastislav Baranek.
It is a wrap. The 2017 iXS European DH Cup is in the books and it was another exciting year with great venues and even more greater battles.
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I Never Said That Vali is mit fast! She is f*cking quick especialliy in Leogang.