Pinkbike Predictions: Who Could Win the DH World Cup Season Opener?

Jun 7, 2023
by Ed Spratt  
Jackson Goldstone continues to impress as the Junior now gets to show off his stripes.

After what feels like years it is finally time for the downhill World Cup season to begin as riders head to Lenzerheide for the opening round. With a flat-out course to kick things off, we are in for an incredible spectacle as riders will look to maximise the first weekend back between the tape. With the new semi-finals format and no timed training, it will be a very different race for riders, but it should be a great one to watch.

Before the racing begins we have given our best shot at predicting who we think could be the ones to watch this weekend.

Who Has Proven Form?


Back to back wins in the British National series at Fort William for Nina Hoffman

With the late season start it feels like many riders have decided to extend their off-season and have avoided getting between the tape in anticipation for the World Cup opener. While this means we could have some surprises this weekend it is hard to know where everyone is ahead of the race.

Vali Höll has been one of the busier riders and is coming off another Austrian national champs win and took 10th at the Maydena Enduro World Cup. British racer Jordan Williams has been another busy rider as he prepares to enter his first year of Elite racing. Jordan may be young, but his Junior race times often challenged the top Elite racers so he could be a real threat for the win. Going off his pre-season races, this becomes more evident as he picked up the win during the first British national race while also topping qualifying at the Lourdes test event.

While we are on the test event in finals it was another first-year Elite rider, Gracey Hemstreet, who bested the Elite Women's field by over three seconds to take the win. While this was the classic 'not a race' event and only six women turned up Gracey did manage to beat Nina Hoffmann which will certainly be a big confidence boost for her initial Elite race. In the Elite Men's race, we saw Thibaut Daprela come out on top, the French rider has been at the sharp end since he made the transition to Elites in 2020 and will be wanting 2023 to finally be his year where he can take the overall after coming very close before.

The second round of the British national series at Fort William showed that the Santa Cruz team is looking strong in 2023 as Nina Hoffmann and Laurie Greenland came out fighting to take both Elite wins. With a stacked field of top World Cup riders, this is one of our best examples of what to expect this weekend. If you want to take a look at the full results you can check them out here.



Who Could Win the Women's Racing?


Vali Holl exiting the bottom of the steep chute.

Our top pick for the Women's race this weekend is Vali Höll. Vali is coming into the 2023 season looking very strong after some great performances in smaller races and at the opening round of the EDR World Cup. Lenzerheide has always been a good venue for Vali as she won both Junior races here (including the 2018 World Champs) and never finished outside the top five in Elites. With past top performances and her current speed, it's tough to best against Vali Höll.

Camille Balanche couldn t backup her fastest qualifying time and slipped behind Myriam Nicole and into second.

The next pick for the win or a top result in Lenzerheide would be Camille Balanche. Coming into 2023 as the 2022 series champion she will be wanting to continue her great success and move on from her collar bone injury that almost ended her season. Looking at previous Lenzerheide races Camille is another rider who goes well here with no results apart from the 2018 World Champs outside the top five. Last year she crossed the line just over four seconds back from Myriam Nicole who is one of the top performers here alongside Rachel Atherton.

Nina Hoffmann back on the podium in 4th.

Nina Hoffmann is our final prediction for a good result at Lenzerheide as following some great pre-season results she is looking strong and ready to take on the 2023 season. Already this year she has picked up three wins at the second British National race and the first two iXS Cup rounds. Nina also took second place at the Australian national champs race at Thredbo in February.



Who Could Win the Men's Racing?


Greenland looked damn sharp as ever especially airborn.

First up is Laurie Greenland who has had a quieter start to the year in terms of racing but has already picked up a fifth place at the Lourdes test event and won the British national race at Fort William. Laurie has always been one of the fastest riders on the World Cup circuit but has yet to hold the consistency needed to take the overall title. We think he will be one to watch this year and coming off some great results in the off-season could be a real podium threat this weekend on the new Santa Cruz prototype.

Loic Bruni is returning from injury this week.

Loic Bruni is another rider in our picks for the win this weekend as he comes off a third place at the test event and a win in the downhill at Crankworx Rotorua. Loic is one of the riders who has historically always done well when the World Cup comes to Switzerland having been inside the top three during four of the six races at Lenzerheide. Loic's top results here include a win at the World Champs in 2018.

Does Amaury Pierron winning World Cups get old Watch his runs and you will know it does not. Today was another tour de force.

The third and final choice for the Elite Men's racing is Amaury Pierron who is coming off being the 2022 overall series winner after a dramatic 2022 season. Amaury laid down an incredible run in Lenzerheide last year on his way to the win and joined Greg Minnaar as the only Elite male riders to win here more than once. The past three times we have been to Lenzerheide Amaury has won twice and come fourth so it is impossible to write him off this weekend. We have included his winning run from last year below as it almost matches his legendary run from the 2019 Les Gets DH World Cup.




Honorable Mentions


While we have made our main predictions for potential winners above there were other riders who we should mention as potential top performers this weekend.

Rachel Atherton back between the World Cup race tapes.

It's so amazing to see Rachel Atherton heading back to racing and after she took 6th place here last year after a last-minute decision we are looking forward to seeing what she has in store year.

Gracey Hemstreet takes her third win of the season.

Gracey Hemstreet was one of the Junior Women to beat last year and with a move up to Elite, she will have to compete with the World's best in 2023. A win at the Lourdes test event is a good sign she is ready for the challenge and we can't wait to see what she can do in finals.

Fastest qualifier Jordan Williams had to settle for third place today.

Last year's Junior World Champ Jordan Williams has proven he can keep up with the top Elite riders in the build-up to the World Cup season and we will be watching closely to see how he does when the pressure is on.

Greg Minnaar charging through some rough stuff.

You can never ignore Greg Minnaar when there's racing at Lenzerheide.



Who do you think can win this weekend?


Who Will Win the Elite Women's Race?



Who Will Win the Elite Men's Race?



We have included some of the top Juniors from 2022 moving up to Elites despite them not ranking inside the top 20.




Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
3,021 articles

103 Comments
  • 76 0
 I remade the fantasy so we can all still follow along! www.downhillmtbfantasy.com
  • 9 4
 Wait, there’s no PB Fantasy this year?…
  • 22 0
 @steviestokes: Because we're caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.
  • 13 0
 ... open your eyes, look up to the skies and See...
  • 11 1
 @Pipester: ... I'm just a poor boy, I get no Fantasy(DH)..
  • 5 1
 You are doing gods work. How many people have signed up?
  • 3 0
 @ogjew: Nearly 600 last I checked
  • 1 0
 After I was a little sad to find out that PB wouldn't continue the Fantasy Leagues, I am very happy to have your site! But what is Dan Atherton doing there as a WC rider ^^
  • 1 0
 @Mountainbob: The list of riders is pulled from the UCI site, and he is listed there as a rider! There may be some riders missing, I will update after the first round once I'm able to get the result sheet format.
  • 1 0
 It's cool, but you need to update some stuff. You shouldn't be able to switch riders kid qualifying
  • 1 0
 Mid*
  • 1 0
 @Xavier-dh25: I closed it 24 hours before qualifying but got many messages asking to re-open as there were many people signing up and wanting to make changes. When I woke up this morning (On pacific time), I took a snapshot of all teams and closed editing. For the racers later in the season I will be running a tighter ship...
  • 67 0
 “A rider ranked outside the top 20”
Meaning Jackson Goldstone
  • 74 0
 Should have added an appendix to this list
  • 2 5
 I think hes out with an injury
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez: where was this stated?
  • 1 0
 @danielfloyd: @edspratt said elsewhere: " As it was not clear what his plans were for this weekend we left Jackson out of the article. Jackson would definitely have been one of our main picks if we knew for sure he was racing."
  • 1 0
 While it was rude of mods to delete my first comment about Jackson, I love how the feedback has turned out.
  • 1 0
 @snomaster: Your comment wasn't deleted. It was downvoted into Below Threshold
  • 1 0
 He was doing the track walk.
  • 22 3
 Jackson Goldstone
  • 2 0
 100% Money in the Bank $$$
  • 1 0
 I picked Jordan....
  • 21 3
 Gwin for the win !
  • 16 0
 Bro, World Cup DH is back, we all win!
  • 16 0
 Richie Rude top 5!
  • 7 0
 Really interested to see how he does, along with Sam Hill.
  • 1 0
 Richie isn’t listed on the registered rider list
  • 9 0
 I'd love to see Rachel Atherton take a win - would she be the first downhill winner who is also a mom?
  • 9 0
 Has to be Finn it rhymes with win.
  • 8 1
 You can’t pick who’s going to win these things. That’s only a fantasy
  • 3 0
 Can't wait to see what Goldstone and Williams can deliver on the big day against French fleet, I would have put my money on Williams, but after seing the Pilot movie, and seing Pierron winning in Snowshoe with concusison, it is hard to see him not winning when he is on form
  • 9 3
 JACKSON GOLDSTONE!!!
  • 2 0
 I’m sure this has been explained elsewhere but what are the weird bollards on the track for? Is it just a branding exercise or are they deliberately trying to restrict line choice for some reason?
  • 7 0
 Check the Lourdes race on FullAttack. Everything is well explained... and it appears that it's a shitty idea.
  • 4 0
 @danstonQ: the whole arrow pad things are the worst idea ever. Obviously created by someone who doesn’t ride MTB
  • 3 0
 If its slick, and it does look like some rain throught he end of the week and into the weekend, Camille will be hard to beat.
  • 12 11
 How the heck did you not talk about Jackson Goldstone, or have him in the list? He did best Jordan Williams last year and also won Redbull Hardline against the elites in convincing fashion.
  • 5 1
 He might be injured. Spleen thing.
  • 3 1
 Apparently he's got some lingering health problems. I don't think he's even racing.
  • 8 16
flag HankHank (Jun 7, 2023 at 7:24) (Below Threshold)
 Jordan beat Jackson in the junior world champs last year, just in case you missed it
  • 10 0
 As it was not clear what his plans were for this weekend we left Jackson out of the article. Jackson would definitely have been one of our main picks if we knew for sure he was racing.
  • 2 0
 @HankHank: which doesn't diminish anything the OP said.
  • 1 1
 @mammal: it was only in response to the 'best' part, the jury's out on that until they both go racing.

Don't get me wrong, I think Jackson is incredible, it's just worrying watching the hype machine... Just look what it did to Finn for so many seasons
  • 1 0
 @edspratt: @edspratt: It's confirmed now that he is, should he be added?
  • 2 0
 @HankHank: "best Jordan Williams", as in, Jackson won the Jr season overall. He's not wrong, and you don't need to defend Jordan.

TBH, I'd say they both have equal pressure on them going into Elite Season 1.
  • 2 0
 @mammal: in a break from internet norms, I accept your sensible comment and stand down. Can't wait for it to start!
  • 1 2
 @mammal: Not really, Jordan put down better time margins when he did do well, he's faster and those bigger margins are going to put him further ahead in the men's pack this year. Jackson was already on the Syndicate too. I'd be very surprised if neither of them win a world cup this year though.
  • 3 0
 @bikes-arent-real: This is some galaxy-brain logic. He lost the overall, but the times he did win, he won by a bit more time, therefore he's the better rider? Has this ever been applied to any other rider rivalry ever, in any sport?
  • 1 0
 @jayacheess: How you doing man? My logic was sound. When he won by more time, that means that when it came to elite men's he was going to be higher up in the rankings. And I was correct...
  • 1 0
 @bikes-arent-real: ? The season isn't over, friend.
  • 1 0
 @bikes-arent-real: Jackson is also only a couple months out from major abdominal surgery, so his showing was pretty impressive given the circumstances.
  • 5 1
 Praying Finn Iles takes this one home
  • 4 0
 Com’n Gracey and Finn!!!
  • 12 8
 HEY EVERYONE! JACKSON GOLDSTONE ISNT RACING!!
  • 1 1
 Do you know why?
  • 4 0
 @ranchitup: Maybe he was just gassy?
  • 21 0
 He’s racing.
  • 2 0
 I see you trying to get me to change my fantasy team so you can be the only one who picked him to win....
  • 3 0
 Discovery plus is free to sky subscribers in the UK. FYI. If anyone didn't already know.
  • 1 1
 Jordan was also well up going into pinball and looked on another pace compared to anyone else through the rocks before a flat out pay to his 2nd nationals race. If he can keep off the deck and air in the tyres a betting man would go for Jordan. Shame Jackson is out for the first round but Laurie has been flying and smoked everyone at a non published wee local race at Dyfi when we were there.
  • 2 0
 Greg Minnaar knows and loves this track, time for the goat to do goaty things and show the young whipper snappers a thing or two...
  • 3 2
 Would love to see wins from danny Hart, Bernard kerr and Laurie Greenland this year, they all deserve it but that's assuming I can actually watch it somewhere.
  • 1 0
 Has anyone figure out if Discovery+ in Canada will have sports? It doesn't say anything about sports on the website. I'd rather sign up for Disco+ than GCN+
  • 2 0
 I believe it’s just Gcn+
  • 2 0
 Feels like there are a legit 10 (more?) guys that could win any race this year. So stacked.
  • 2 0
 I feel Bernard Kerr is due for a win. Maybe not this weekend but he's due.
  • 3 0
 SAM HILL
  • 1 0
 Fuck yeah brother !!!
  • 3 0
 Sam Hill
  • 1 0
 The Current/New New Zealand National Champ Toby Meek is on form and beat Loris at the last two races.
  • 2 0
 I world cup track is a whole different beast to NZ DH tracks, they're basically single track in comparison.
  • 1 0
 Will Jackson Goldstone podium or win a race in his opening season in the the Elite Class?
  • 6 4
 I cant watch it so don't give a shit mean while the TT is Rocking.
  • 3 0
 Erzberg is on redbull tv too
  • 1 0
 @kingdick: You are up for a surprise this weekend.
  • 1 0
 I agree the SC Syndicate could be on for a good season this year. Especially when Jackson is back.
  • 1 0
 Can the winner of the final have less points than someone for the whole weekend?
  • 1 0
 As far as I know, yes.
  • 3 0
 Angel Suarez the best!
  • 3 0
 Finn and Gracie.
  • 2 0
 Sam Hill, Greg Minnaar, Camila Sanchez or Aaron Gwin
  • 1 0
 Jackson Goldstone - Angel Suarezzzz
  • 2 1
 Let's see PBR on the podium!
  • 7 0
 Personally, I think they should stick with champagne
  • 2 0
 Maybe at Snowshoe
  • 2 0
 Dak attack for the win!
  • 2 0
 Samuel Hill
  • 1 0
 I'll take the wild card Sam Hill
  • 1 0
 Done
What do we win?
  • 2 1
 My money is on Jordan!
  • 1 0
 Just came back here to say: I told you so Smile
  • 1 0
 a french guy!!!
  • 1 0
 Jackson is my fav.
  • 1 0
 Redbull oooh sorry!
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