Overnight rain did little to dampen the dust on course and even less to the spirit of the spectators who turned out in their droves to see hometown heroes Vali Holl (RockShox Trek Race Team) and Andreas Kolb (Continental Atherton).
And they were richly rewarded for their support as the Austrian took first place in qualification, first place in the semi-final and turned the clock green at every split on her way to a historic win in front of her friends and family.
Camille Balanche (Dorval AM Commencal) came in second place while Rachel Atherton (Continental Atherton) backed up her Lenzerheide win on the third step of the podium.
Anticipation was running high in the Austrian crowd when Kolb put down a heater of a run and was duly rewarded with the hot seat. However, with another eight riders yet to drop, the tension was palpable - but as Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) crossed the line the crowd erupted as it became clear Kolb had done it - taking the win on home soil.
Reigning UCI World Champ Loic Bruni (Specialized) took second, while Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) took third.
So after two rounds, it’s Camille Balanche who now leads the standings ahead of Rachel Atherton in second, with Vali Holl in third place.
Kolb from nearby Schladming wins his first World Cup In the men’s standings, it’s Loic Bruni who’s out front, Finn Iles in second and Loris Vergier (Trek Factory Racing Gravity) in third.
The racing continues in Leogang on Sunday with the third round of the UCI Cross-Country World Cup. Watch live on GCN+ globally, on the Eurosport App and discovery+ across Europe.
Missed any of the action? Full replays from today’s race are available on GCN+.
The UCI Downhill World Cup returns in two weeks time when it will be back in action in Val di Sole, Italy on June 29 - July 2.
