Finals Photo Epic: Earn Your Stripes - Mont-Sainte-Anne DH World Champs 2019

Sep 1, 2019
by Ross Bell  



Photo Epic presented by Five Ten
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The only rainbows on the horizon today were those of the coveted World Champion's jerseys. With not a drop of rain in sight and nothing but blue skies and hot sun baking the infamous Mont Saint Anne downhill track, the stage was set for an epic battle.

First up would be the junior women where, as predicted, Vali Holl dominated the field to take her second world title in as many years. Behind her, Mille Johnset would claim silver with Anna Newkirk in bronze. Proving once again that these three young women are a step above the rest of the field and will be forces to be reconned with next year when they move up to elites. For the Junior men, race favourite, Thibaut Daprela, would be denied gold for the second year in a row as Kye A'Hern had the run of his life to take the title. He was followed by EWS phenom Antoine Vidal. Third would go to the Kiwi racer, Tuhoto-Ariki Pene.

In the elite women's race, Myriam Nicole came down early in the field to set the fastest time with a 4:53.22. Tahnee Seagrave would be the first rider to pose a threat to Myriam's time, but would come up oh-so-short at just 1.2 seconds back. From there all eyes would turn to this year's dominant World Cup racers, Marine Cabirou and Tracey Hannah. Marine would up the tension as she was in touch at the first few splits before fading slightly at the bottom of the track, her time no threat to Myriam Nicole, but close enough to make Tahnee nervous about holding onto sliver. As she crossed the line in third the leaders definitely took a sigh of relief. Everyone held their breath as Tracey Hannah dropped in, but by the midpoint of the track it was beginning to become obvious that she was to be no threat to the top three, eventually finishing over 5 seconds back. And just like that the two captivating riders who have missed nearly the entire season came roaring back to the top right when it mattered most. Gold for Myriam Nicole, silver for Tahnee Seagrave, and bronze for this season's newest talent, Marine Cabirou. They were all within 1.8 seconds of each other in what will be remembered as another legendary race in Mont Sainte Anne.

In the men's race for the rainbow jersey it would be Canadian Finn Iles who would whip the home country crowd into a frenzy with the first podium-worthy time of the day at a blistering pace of 4:10.52. As rider after rider failed to top his time, the possibility of a Canadian medal only upped their enthusiasm and the noise level roared even higher... That is until Greg Minnaar took to the track and stormed into the lead with only 6 riders to go. Laurie Greenland and Danny Hart would come close, but it was Troy Brosnan who would blow the lid off of things with a time that looked unbeatable. Unbeatable by all but Super Bruni. As the last man on track, Loic kept the crowd on their feet as he worked his way down the track, up at every split by the slimmest of margins. Upon crossing the line he cemented his name in the record books and took home a remarkable third World Championship title in three years, and the fourth of his career.




Hashtag morning commute. The stroll from the golf course condos to the race track is a familiar one to the regular WC media types.
Hashtag 'morning commute'. The stroll from the Mont Sainte Anne golf course condos to the race track is a familiar one to the regular WC media types.

The morning of World Champs and gold is the color.
The morning of World Champs and gold is the color.

Steve Smith always along for the ride
Steve Smith always along for the ride

Finka bike prep and cleaning before the biggest race of the year
Final bike prep and cleaning before the biggest race of the year.

Charlie Harrison awaits the final morning practice session.
Charlie Harrison awaits the final morning practice session at the Trek Factory Racing pit.

Tracey Hannah prepping for the big day
Tracey Hannah prepping for the big day, but still with an overall title to chase.

Don t look back you re not going that way as the saying goes. Worlds is a head game of immense mental fortitude and those who have worn the stripes played it right.
Don't look back, you're not going that way... as the saying goes. World Champs is a head game of immense mental fortitude and those who have worn the stripes played it right.

Mille took a big slam but came back to take 2nd in juniors
Mille Johnset was one of so may riders to take a big slam here in MSA, but came back to take 2nd in juniors

Mille Johnset had a rough go in practice
It's a hard-knock life... Mille had a rough go in practice.

Green and gold but mainly the latter today for Australia s Kye A Hern.
Green and gold, but mainly the latter today for Australia's Kye A'Hern.

Anna Newkirk had to settle for the bronze medal today.
Team USA, Anna Newkirk, had to settle for the bronze medal today.

Antoine Vidal duly delivered on his potential today and took home silver just a second off the win.
Antoine Vidal duly delivered on his potential today and took home silver, just a second off the win.

Vali Holl took home her 2nd junior title
Vali Holl took home her 2nd junior title.

Tuhoto-Ariki Pene has come a long way this season and to now stand on the podium at Worlds is quite the highlight.
Tuhoto-Ariki Pene has come a long way this season and to now stand on the podium at Worlds is quite the highlight.

Vali Holl securing the rainbow stripes for yet another year. Bring on Elites.
Vali Holl securing the rainbow stripes for yet another year. Bring on Elites.

Kye A Hern grabbing gold in junior men
Kye A'Hern grabbing gold in junior men.

What a day for Kye A Hern.
What a day for Mr A'Hern.

Gold tastes better with rainbows.
Gold tastes better with rainbows.

Junior Men s podium.
Your Junior Men's podium. 1st Kye A'Hern, 2nd Antoine Vidal, 3rd Tuhoto-Ariki Pene.

Junior Women s podium.
Your Junior Women's podium. 1st Vali Holl, 2nd Mille Johnset, 3rd Anna Newkirk.

Leaves
Clear skies and the summer sun filtered down onto the 2019 World Champs competition uninterrupted.

Eleonora Farina rode to a none-too-shabby 6th place for team Italy.
Eleonora Farina rode to a none-too-shabby 6th place for team Italy in elite women.

Tracey Hannah was pushing hard in training and found the edge.
Tracey Hannah was pushing hard in training and found the edge.

Ben Zwar with a strong whip game for the crowds.
Ben Zwar with a strong whip game for the ever-expanding crowds.

Finn Iles set the first fast time of the day and gave Canada brief hope of a medal
Finn Iles set the first fast time of the day and gave Canada brief hope of a medal.

Fine weather all day over the straights and this legendary mountainside.
Fine weather all day over the straights and this legendary mountainside.

Aaron Gwin crushing rocks on his last practice run
Aaron Gwin crushing rocks on his last practice run.

Greg Minnaar hucking it deep in the lower woods. Minnaar took fifth.
Greg Minnaar hucking it deep on his signature gap in the lower woods.

Marine Cabirou on the gas in morning practice.
Marine Cabirou on the gas in morning practice.

There are few riders more deserving than Marine Cabirou of a medal this season.
There are few riders more deserving than Cabirou of a medal this season.

That s the best showing for Matt Walker on the downhill bike for some time. 11th place for the Kiwi.
That's the best showing for Matt Walker on the downhill bike for some time. 11th place for the Kiwi.

Fire in the hole. Myriam Nicole prepares to drop for her first run on the day she would go on to take gold in one of the greatest comebacks on women s DH history.
Fire in the hole. Myriam Nicole prepares to drop for her first run on the day she would go on to take gold in one of the greatest comebacks in women's DH history.

Myriam Nicole went down early and would have a lengthy wait in the hot seat as she watched rider try and fail to beat her time.
Myriam Nicole went down early and would have a lengthy wait in the hot seat as she watched rider try and fail to beat her time.

Seagrave in her GB glad-rags romping towards a silver medal after her time out with injury.
Seagrave in her GB glad-rags, romping towards a silver medal after her time out with injury.

Sian A Hern with her eyes firmly latched on the step up over the XC course tunnel. Sian put together a strong ride and slotted into 9th.
Sian A'Hern with her eyes firmly latched on the step-up over the XC course tunnel. Sian put together a strong ride and slotted into 9th.

That s got to be Melanie Chappaz s strongest ride to date She ended up 7th which will have to giver her a big confidence boost.
Melanie Chappaz's best ride to date; 7th place should give her a big confidence boost.

It wasn t to be for Tracey Hannah today. She s got to regroup quickly and refocus on clinching the World Cup overall next week.
It wasn't to be for Tracey Hannah today. Now she's got to regroup quickly and refocus on clinching the World Cup overall next week.

Marine Cabirou speeding into third place adding to the French podium presence.
Marine Cabirou speeding into third place adding to the French podium presence.

Fifth place for Emilie Siegenthaler after a rocky start to her season with one more to go.
Fifth place for Emilie Siegenthaler after a rocky start to her season with one more to go.

A winning run win her first race of the season for Myriam Nicole
A winning run on the first race of her season for Myriam Nicole

Myriam Nicole and Tahnee Seagrave are back. The rest of the women s field should be very worried
Myriam Nicole and Tahnee Seagrave are back. The rest of the women's field should be very worried.

Unbelievable day for Pompon.
Unbelievable day for Pompon.

Finish line celebrations for Myriam Tahnee and Marine
Finish line celebrations for Myriam, Tahnee and Marine.

Conditions were pretty prime for race day.
After a more than sketchy qualifying, conditions were pretty prime for race day.

Luca Shaw keeps it low into the finish area on his way to 10th.
Luca Shaw keeps it low into the finish area on his way to 10th.

Canadian Magnus Manson flies the red white and blue into the finish area
Canadian, Magnus Manson, flies the red, white and blue into the finish area.

The finish area was packed with a great crowd making for one hell of an atmosphere.
The finish area was packed with a great crowd making for one hell of an atmosphere.

No decimation of the DH field this time and the non-enduros breathe a collective sigh of relief.
No decimation of the DH field this time and all the non-enduro racers breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Not Aaron Gwin s day at World Champs. He will be looking for redemption in West Virginia next week
Not Aaron Gwin's day at World Champs. He will be looking for redemption in West Virginia next week.

Damn Dean. First at the top split and on pace for the top 10 at the very least. He d taste the dirt in the second last split.
Damn, Dean. First at the top split and on pace for the top 10 at the very least. He'd taste the dirt in the second last split.

Laurie Greenland on the Rampage down through the finsih arena.
Laurie Greenland on the Rampage down through the finish arena.

Laurie Greenland s medal hopes were ruined by a flat towards the bottom of the course.
Greenland's medal hopes were ruined by a flat towards the bottom of the course, but somehow his splits were still faster than most.

Just another of DH racing s what could have beens .
File it under just another of DH racing's 'what could have beens'.

Dakotah Norton Had a fantastic run to slide into the top 10
Dakotah Norton Had a fantastic run to slide into the top 10

Loris Vergier throws down some style after some mishaps up top in his run.
Loris Vergier throws down some style after some mishaps up top in his run.

Finn Iles was the fist to really send the times tumbling and occupied the hot seat until Minnaar came down.
Finn Iles was the first to really send the times tumbling and occupied the hot seat until Minnaar came down.

Iles roaring into the hotseat to the delight of the swathes of Canadian DH fans.
Iles roaring into the hotseat to the delight of the swathes of Canadian DH fans.

For a minute it looked like the Goat might be well into the medals again. He was absolutely charging on course on his final training lap.
For a minute it looked like the Goat might be well into the medals again. He was absolutely charging on course on his final training lap.

Greg Minnaar charging towards the line at World Champs with green split times how many times have we seen that before
Minnaar charging towards the line at World Champs with green split times, how many times have we seen that before?

Amaury Pierron was disappointed in his run after making two big mistakes and being so close to the win
Amaury Pierron was disappointed in his run after making two big mistakes and being so close to the win.

It wasn t the win but Amaury Pierron still took home his first World Championship medal.
It wasn't the big 'W', but Pierron still took home his first World Championship medal.

Things looked good for Danny Hart until the last split where he d slip behind Pierron missing out on a World Champs medal as a result.
Things looked good for Danny Hart until the last split where he'd slip behind Pierron, missing out on a World Champs medal as a result.

Danny Hart close but just off the podium
Danny Hart close, but just off the podium.

Sportsman-deluxe Pierron consoling Hart on a fine effort just shy of the medals.
Sportsman-deluxe, Pierron, consoling Hart on a fine effort, just shy of the medals.

Troy smashed the previous times and looked to be unbeatable with only two riders to go
Troy smashed the previous times and looked to be unbeatable with only two riders to go.

photo
Troy Brosnan's time looked ominous for the others and he looked rather chuffed with his run.

Nervous moments on the hot seat for Troy Brosnan after he laid down one hell of a storming run.
Nervous moments on the hot seat for Troy Brosnan after he laid down one hell of a storming run.

Here comes Supoer Bruni the last rider on the mountain
Here comes Super Bruni, the last rider on the mountain

Loic Bruni into the finish on his gold medal run
Loic Bruni into the finish on his gold medal run.

Loic makes it a three-peat. Warping into the finish line.
Loic makes it a three-peat. Warping into the finish line.

Loic Bruni thunders across the line to take the win by just 0.5 of a second.
Bruni thunders across the line to take the win by just 0.5 of a second.

Finn Iles was the first to run in and congratulate Loic Bruni on another historic Worlds run.
Finn Iles was the first to run in and congratulate Loic on another historic Worlds run.

One box ticked. Now focus turns to the World Cup overall at the final round in Snowshoe this coming weekend.
One box ticked. Now focus turns to the World Cup overall at the final round in Snowshoe this coming weekend.

Loic Bruni and Trot Brosnan after taking gold and silver
Loic Bruni and Troy Brosnan after taking gold and silver

That s gotta hurt. 0.5 off gold at World Champs. Troy Brosnan adds a silver medal to his collection.
That's gotta hurt. 0.5 off gold at World Champs. Troy Brosnan adds a silver medal to his collection.

The winning steeed parked up after one hell of a hot lap.
The winning steed parked up after one hell of a hot lap.

Amaury Pierron gets animated as he describes his race run antics to team mates Gatean Ruffin and Myriam Nicole.
Amaury Pierron gets animated as he describes his race run antics to team mates Gatean Ruffin and Myriam Nicole.

Myriam Nicole pops of the champagne to celebrate her return to racing and a World title
Myriam Nicole pops of the champagne to celebrate her return to racing and a World title

Myriam Nicole Tahnee Seagrave and Marine Cabirou taking home the hardware
Myriam Nicole, Tahnee Seagrave and Marine Cabirou taking home the hardware

 Til the last drop.
'Til the last drop.

It s all falling into place for Loic Bruni in 2019.
It's all falling into place for Loic Bruni in 2019.

Loic Bruni Troy Brosnan and Amaury Pierron taking home the medals at World Champs
Loic Bruni, Troy Brosnan, and Amaury Pierron taking home the medals at World Champs.

Loic enjoying the spoils of victory
Loic enjoying the spoils of victory.

The golden boy Loic Bruni
The golden boy, Loic Bruni.

photo
That's all from World Champs.


MENTIONS: @natedh9 @andy9 @rossbellphoto @davetrumpore @mdelorme



Regions in Article
Mont-Sainte-Anne DH Park

Author Info:
rossbellphoto avatar

Member since Apr 25, 2010
145 articles

46 Comments
  • 75 0
 Is there anything more dramatic than World Champs? What a race! Congrats to all the competitors for making it down such a brutal track. Heal up quick Bulldog and Kate!
  • 6 18
flag zoobab2 (Sep 2, 2019 at 2:56) (Below Threshold)
 It seems the helicopter took 4 hours to get him to the hospital, unacceptable for an event like this:

www.vojomag.com/news/worlds-2019-brook-macdonald-blesse-a-la-colonne-les-secours-en-question
  • 19 0
 @zoobab2: mate, there is a 400-comment article about this. Get on it and fill your boots.
Super Bruni!!!!
  • 15 0
 Also, is there anything more dramatic than the last racer down the hill taking the win by less than a second?! I've never been so excited (for Bruni continuing his World Champs dominance) and so bummed (for Troy's 'always the bridesmaid' result again) at the same time. What a race, indeed.
  • 56 0
 Troy Brosnan must know La Marseillaise as good as the french riders now
  • 21 0
 I love this sport !!!Gutted for Troy,such a good lad,his run was just crazy,but Bruni...Again!!Comment tu fais mec?!
Never saw Amaury so disappointed!What a face when Loic passed the line...
Hope Bulldog will be back soon,Kate too!
  • 2 0
 Yep Amaury can't hide his feeling on this one for sure! Flower ceremony was tough for him!
  • 26 4
 You can see Laurie Greenland's dented rear rim, that's probably the reason of his flat tire. Those Mavic wheels really suck, Payet's wheel also exploded during his race run and Laurie got a dnf in qualies for the same reason
  • 14 0
 I was gutted for Greenland, his run was insane!
  • 7 0
 Mavic used to make good rims and crappy hubs. It seems they don't do anything good anymore ? What's going on
  • 6 4
 Wasn't it Laurie that had a major off-line excursion in the lower woods. I think that';s where he got his flat. I wouldn't bales the rim for that.
  • 2 0
 @swassskier: But what's the excuse for Payet? Too heavy? lol His rear wheel exploded in the Stevie Smith drop!
  • 9 0
 Someone knows why Denimdetroyers run wasn't fully covered?
I'd really like to know what happened to him, because he rode fist pumping down the hill.

Congrats to the winners and...

... also healing vibes to all victims of this gnarly track.

#LongLiveChainsaw
  • 6 0
 I think he flatted, did a relax run for the fans...
  • 2 0
 I have to add: is this possibly the biggest crowd ever besides the DH course?
I mean MSA is a host since how long? 20 Years or even more?
  • 2 0
 @Nusterloo: closer to 30 years.
  • 1 0
 He had a flat, he went down slowly and stopped to let the other riders pass a couple times.
  • 9 0
 only sport in the world were you cheer on an wish for every rider as the come down there is no favourite among fans as much as we love Bruni.we all wanted brosnan.greg loris danny perron to win.its just a matter on the day.bruni is just on his own man when the pressure is on.minnar 21 world champs and still cutting it with the kids
  • 7 0
 This is so true. My son asked me who I'd like to see win. I said "I'd love to see Troy win, but then if Laurie won with a wild ride that would be epic, if Greg Minnaar got it that would be absolutely superb too, although it would be great to see all the hard work Danny Hart has put in pay off..." and on I went - listing about 6 riders. In fact I think only Amaury and Loic missed the list because they've won enough recently - they're still great to watch bomb down Smile
  • 9 0
 I was shouting like mad the whole way down Troy's run, that was wild for him. Definitely thought it couldn't get any better than that, then Loic came down.....unreal racing! Would have loved Troy to win, but also chuffed for Bruni to get it again Smile
  • 1 0
 Me too!!! Oh, I really wanted him to win!
  • 7 0
 If there's one racing situation you'd never want to be in, it's got to be sitting in the hot seat at World Champs after a scorcher of a run with only one rider left to go... and that rider is Loic Bruni.
  • 8 0
 Troy's run was his best ever.
  • 5 1
 Thanks for the great coverage Pinkbike and photogs. Truly gorgeous gallery. Unfortunately for many in the US and a few other countries, it replaces actually being able to watch the event. I, along with many others are not going to shell out $60 for a NBC Cycling pass to watch one race and the UCI should take note because that means that actual title sponsors are not getting nearly as many eyes on their brands.
  • 1 0
 Pretty frustrating to say the least.
  • 1 0
 @ATXZJ: I thought I was the only one getting the Geo Restricted. So I can watch replays from Italy and France but not a race 9 hours north of me? How can I watch the replay
  • 1 0
 I was lucky, my cable provider carries the Olympic channel. I never had any idea it even existed until this whole debacle and going to search for it, let alone that I actually had the channel.
  • 6 1
 Great shots, great race!

Maybe check the caption: "...Troy smashed the previous times and looked to be unbeatable with only two riders to go..."
It was only Loic after Troy Wink
  • 9 1
 I'm just happy that everybody know now what's VPN and how to use it
  • 2 0
 Somebody know what happened to Sam Blenkinsop? Mechanical?

Several racer's seem to have been stopped (one Australian just after the restaraunt), then the camera showed another rider letting another ride pass in a rock garden (was it Irmisch?). Anyone know what happened?
  • 3 0
 He got a front puncture somewhere before the Stevie Smith rock.
  • 2 0
 While I was back to the restaurant buying a beer, my friend took a snapchat video of a german guy doing an OTB in a little rock garden so maybe it was him?! Red bike if I remember... He stayed there like 5-10min and wanted to see his video as he didn't understand what he did wrong. He went down the mountain by himself.
  • 2 0
 @Timo82: Thank you both.
  • 5 0
 There could be an entire blog called ‘Loic and Amaury on the podium’ (again)..
  • 4 0
 looked more like Lucas tasted rocks rather than dirt
  • 2 0
 Some runs were absolutely on next level. Sat on edge on my sofa with sweaty palms Big Grin
  • 3 0
 MTB World Champs, the greatest one day sporting event-ever.
  • 2 1
 So, why did Red Bull block the live stream and replays? I got two error messages: 404 page cannot be found and Geo Restricted. I have always been able to watch them before.
  • 2 0
 Whoo! that photo of Pierron, enough to scare the crap outta ya!
  • 2 0
 Word. He looks like he's auditioning for "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", or really any Tim Burton movie.
  • 1 1
 Anyone have a link to video - redbull have stuffed it up again... no video available in NZ Geo!!!
  • 1 0
 it was on sky tv, don't know if we'll get to see it on redbull
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