Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) and Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) held their nerve to qualify fastest in the UCI Downhill World Cup at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by FACOM.
After thriving in the previous day’s practice Williams showed his composure on the fast and dry course in the French Pyrenees to set the quickest time in qualifying of 3:28.467.
Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) missed his 100th career UCI Downhill World Cup start after crashing out and defending champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) also failed to progress from qualifying.
Meanwhile, Höll will bid to make it two wins in as many 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup rounds after dominating the Women’s Elite qualifying with a quickest time of 3:55.651. She is set to face a strong challenge from home favourite Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) and Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division).
Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) was also superior in the Women’s Junior qualifying, while Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) was fastest Men’s Junior.
Located within the French Pyrenees’ top riding spot, the Louron Valley, has been a popular UCI Downhill World Cup round of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series since 2023. Melding man-made features with the hillside’s natural contours, the result is one of the most exciting courses on the whole downhill circuit, measuring 2.5 kilometres in length.
WILLIAMS MASTERS TRACK TO POST QUICKEST TIME
British rider mastered the fast and dusty course at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes to qualify fastest for tomorrow’s Elite Men’s finals. The 21-year-old burst onto the UCI Downhill World Cup scene in 2023 with a victory at Lenzerheide (Switzerland).
Last year the Specialized Gravity rider finished a season’s best third at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes and the British Champion will bid to repeat his quickest qualifying run for victory tomorrow. Williams lost over a second to his rivals on the fast and exposed top section of the course, before regaining ground in the wooded technical section and snatching the quickest time.
After finishing third in the opening round at MONA YongPyong four weeks ago, Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) was edged into second place and just eight tenths of a second behind Williams. Pierron will carry the hopes of the French fans and has form at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes after finishing runner-up last year.
The later starters tomorrow will have a North American feel as Luca Shaw (Canyon DH Racing) finished third quickest, just four hundreds faster than fellow American rider Ryan Pinkerton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH).
Meanwhile, Canadian Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) and Dylan Maples (Pivot Factory Racing) were also inside the top six positions.
Jackson Goldstone reignited his season at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes last year with the first of a four-win streak which catapulted him towards overall honours. However, the young Canadian had a nightmare first qualifying session after riding out of the course markings, resulting in a disqualification. The UCI Downhill World Cup overall winner suffered the same mistake in Q2, ending his challenge.
Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/TRP) finished first in qualifying and finals to score maximum points in his first Elite UCI Downhill World Cup at MONA YongPyong. However, the American teenager was forced to battle through Q2, along with countryman Richard Rude Jr (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team).
Antoine Pierron (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) and Martin Maes (Orbea FMD Racing) also booked their finals spot through Q2.
IMPRESSIVE HÖLL STUNS WITH QUALIFICATION SHOWCASE
Valentina Höll showed her power and precision as she clocked a qualifying time which was four seconds faster than her nearest challenger. The reigning overall Elite Women’s UCI Downhill World Cup title holder has never finished lower than second in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes either (winning in 2023), so things look increasingly ominous for her rivals this weekend.
The UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Champion will be looking bidding for the 13th UCI World Cup win of her career in tomorrow’s finals.
Fellow experienced rider Myriam Nicole (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) showed her knowledge of the Pyrenees course to finish second quickest. Nicole will carry the French hopes after finishing third at the opening round in MONA YongPyong and won at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes two years ago.
After a disappointing ride in South Korea, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) re-focused for a third place in qualifying.
Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) was a non-starter as she continues to recover from an elbow injury, suffered during an incident in qualifying at MONA YongPyong.
Meanwhile, the British pair of Harriet Harnden (AON Racing) and Phoebe Gale (Orbea FMD Racing) saved their weekend by going through the second qualifying session, along with Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing/TRP).
OSTGAARD AND WILLIMSON REMAIN JUNIOR NAMES TO BEAT
After winning at the opening UCI Downhill World Cup round Aletha Ostgaard and Jonty Williamson posted the fastest qualifying times in the Women’s and Men’s Junior categories respectively.
Ostgaard failed to finish at Loudenvielle-Peyragudes last year and qualified in determined fashion with a time of 3:59.683. The Canyon DH Racing finished 5.5 seconds faster than Rosa Zierl (Cube Factory Racing), who also finished runner-up behind the American in MONA YongPyong.
Danish rider Rosa Marie Jensen (Specialized Gravity) will look to improve on her fifth place from the opening round, after qualifying in third.
After also winning his first Men’s Junior UCI Downhill World Cup earlier this month, Williamson will look to repeat the result tomorrow in the French Pyrenees. He finished in 3:37.921 which was over a second clear of his nearest opponent.
The podium could be a close battle as just four thousand of a second separated Raoul Schneeberger (Santa Cruz By Goodman) and Sacha Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) in second and third respectively.
The opening round’s runner-up Malik Boatwright (Continental Atherton) missed out on qualification for the finals after finishing 27th in qualifying.
The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, presented by FACOM, continues on Sunday with the UCI Downhill World Cup finals for the Elite and Junior competitors. Find out where to watch here.
