Leogang, Austria hosted the third Downhill (DHI) stop of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano. Cloudless skies, hot temperatures, and a bone-dry high-speed track meant a welcome change for riders and teams after the first two World Cups of the season were heavily affected by the weather. Tahnée Seagrave (GBR) qualified in second behind World Cup Overall leader Tracey Hannah (AUS) but showed the fastest pace on race day to take her first ever World Cup win.
The men's race saw some insanely tight racing until Loris Vergier (FRA) blew away the crowd with a run that seemed unbeatable. Aaron Gwin however never got the memo and well and truly proved that Leogang is his territory and took his third straight win in Leogang. are the 5 things we have learned from the third DHI World Cup of the season:
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Aaron Gwin pinning it down the 'Speedster'
1. A Perfect Day for Racing Leogang greeted riders with cloudless skies, hot temperatures, and a bone-dry 2.6-kilometer-long high-speed track. After the first two UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cups of the season were heavily affected by the weather, the hot and dry conditions in Leogang provided a welcome change and equal conditions for all riders. The result was an awesome day of tight racing for the sports-mad Austrian fans and livestream viewers.
2. Seagrave Wins Her First World Cup After being in contention over the last couple of seasons and several podium finishes including two 2nd-place finishes in Leogang, British rider Tahnée Seagrave stormed to her first ever World Cup victory, celebrating the biggest win of her career just days before her 22nd birthday. Tracey Hannah and Myriam Nicole (FRA) took 2nd and 3rd respectively.
3. If Minnaar is Mr. Ft. William, Gwin Must Be Mr. Leogang In what can only be described as a heavyweight battle between the top riders in downhill Aaron Gwin smashed the competition for the third time in a row. The last rider of the day on course, Gwin bested a lights-out run by Loris Vergier that many thought was the ride of the day. The current World Cup Champion has now won his 17th World Cup and ended a nearly year-long dry spell with his victory over Vergier and Greg Minnaar (RSA).
4. Tight Competition for the World Cup Overall Standings The battle for the season-long overall World Cup title it's truly on but so far no one has managed to carve out a comfortable lead. One result off the podium could be the difference between leading the ranking and finding yourself outside of the top five on both the women’s and men’s side.
Having not finished off the podium this season, Tracey Hannah defends the number one plate with her 2nd place in Leogang, and is in the lead with 635 points. Tahnée Seagrave and Myriam Nicole round off the Top 3 and are only separated by four points, having 504 and 500 points respectively. Missing the races in Fort William and Leogang with a shoulder injury, defending World Cup Champion Rachel Atherton (GBR) has fallen to sixth place with 290 points.
On the men’s side of things, Gerg Minnaar (472 points) defends the number one plate but has Aaron Gwin (434) hot on his heels. The consistent performance by Australian Jack Moir this season sees him move into third with 349 points, just three points ahead of Marcelo Gutierrez (COL) who has 346 points.
5. The Crazy 2017 Season Continues The 2017 UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup is one of the most competitive seasons in recent history with 3 different winners in each of the 3 first stops in both the women and men’s races. Tahnée Seagrave, Tracey Hannah, and Rachel Atherton have all been on the top of the podium this year. On the men’s side Aaron Gwin, Greg Minnaar, and Alex Fayolle (FRA) each have won in a distinctive fashion. So far no rider has managed to truly separate him- or herself from the competition and the result is an exciting, close and very entertaining season still lying in front of us.
Myriam Nicole racing to third place in Leogang.
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Watch the 2017 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano – LIVE on Red Bull TV
April 30: Lourdes, France (DHI #1), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
May 20, 21: Nové Mesto, Czech Republic (XCO #1), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
May 28: Albstadt, Germany (XCO #2), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
June 4: Fort William, Scotland (DHI #2), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
June 11: Leogang, Austria (DHI #3), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
July 1, 2: Vallnord, Andorra (XCO #3/DHI #4), Live on Red Bull TV 11:00am/10:00am UTC
July 8, 9: Lenzerheide, Switzerland (XCO #4/DHI #5), Live on Red Bull TV 11:00am/10:00am UTC
August 5, 6: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada (XCO #5/DHI #6), Live on Red Bull TV 5:00pm/4:00pm UTC
August 26, 27: Val di Sole, Italy (XCO #6/DHI #7), Live on Red Bull TV 11:00am/10:00am UTC
AG
Then they jumped to 27,5 and kept winning.
Now on 29 guess what???
@ov3r1d3 Shoe size is an odd comparison, as shoe size is not really up for debate. Framesize however is, just look at how rapidly reach's have been changing - Gwin is now riding a frame almost the same size as Minnaar's despite being quite a bit shorter. As stated above Jack Moir was on a roll before switching wheelsize, he's young and full of confidence.
1. It was sunny.
2. Without main competition anyone can win.
3. If Minnaar is Mr. Ft. William and Gwin is Mr. Leogang, the author of this article is Cpt. Obvious
4. Duh.
5. Keep studying.
I love the guys like Brook, Brannigan, Conner ect ect... I feel like they approach racing in a manner that says, "I'm gonna win or crash out." Plus they seem like fun, genuine guys. I think it was in Canada (MSA) two years ago where Brook roached his knee and barrowed Peaty's carbon brace and had a terror of a run. He spent some time on the hot seat if I remember right. I just really respect guys with that attitude.
For Jesus shake.....
By far the most excitInc season of DH racing in recent history. So may good and well matched riders, and so many good bikes.
"What ever fits the rider best" will be best?
HTH
Makes sense - like Renée
Last year it was lengthening bikes (XXL frames, offset headsets etc), before that it was 'big' wheels again, before that air versus coil.
EWS has wheel size and trail bike vs enduro bike, and XC has dropper posts and previously had FS v hardtail.
and ignores the fact that yes, times were tight, racing was fast but.......... I would rather have watched a re-run of a race at Schladming just as much as most of the riders would have enjoyed racing there.
Just thank goodness that the course didn't follow "Flying Gangster" (that's what the trail seems to be called) all the way down otherwise I'd have needed stronger coffee......dull, dull, dull.
Plus, rear shifter, rear brake, same side. This is simple people, get with the program