Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) and Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) will start last in tomorrow’s UCI Downhill World Cup finals after mastering the difficult downhill course in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta. Šimun Juras topped Men’s Junior qualification for the first time, while Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) is a familiar name at the top of the Women’s Junior leaderboard.
The LTHell - La Thuile Hell downhill course was created especially for the UCI Downhill World Cup last year by track manager Enrico Martello and Swiss specialists Trailworks (whose work includes Bike Kingdom, Lenzerheide, Switzerland) and was tweaked slightly for the second edition.
The longest course of the 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup season is a steep, technical challenge that puts riders’ skills to the test from start to finish. Stretching 2.3 kilometres and plunging 641 metres in elevation with an average gradient of -27%, the track descends into the high-altitude alpine resort town of La Thuile–Valle d’Aosta, framed by some of the most breathtaking scenery on the circuit.
WILLIAMS GOES QUICKEST IN SEARCH OF LONG-AWAITED WIN
Jordan Williams (Specialized Gravity) secured the fastest time for the second time this season on the formidable LTHell – La Thuile Hell track. Having already led qualifying in Loudenvielle–Peyragudes (France) earlier this year before claiming third place in the final, the Briton stopped the clock at 3:30.765, a mark that remained untouched throughout the remainder of the session. Remarkably, Williams believed he had left time on the mountain, underlining both his confidence and pace on one of the toughest tracks of the year. He will be searching for the second UCI Downhill World Cup victory of his career in tomorrow’s finals – his last coming on his elite debut at Lenzerheide in 2023.
Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) stood on the top step 12 months ago in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta and hoped to be back on form this weekend. The UCI Downhill World Champion felt more himself and comfortable on the bike as he sailed through Q1 in third position.
Surprise of the session came from privateer Angel Suárez Alonso who was a second quicker than Williams through the second sector. The 30-year-old lost time in the bottom sector to finish second in Q1, just two hundredths of a second behind Williams.
Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) is bidding for a third consecutive UCI Downhill World Cup victory at La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta. However, the Canadian will have a long wait in finals after edging through Q1 in 17th position.
Overall series contenders Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing / TRP) and Amaury Pierron (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) also have time to find in finals after progressing through Q1 in fifth and 13th position respectively.
Michael Delesalle (Frameworks Racing/TRP) won Q2 in 3:31.614, ahead of Tyler Waite (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) and Bode Burke (Crestline Speed Shop).
Max Alran (COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by Riding Addiction) also had to take the long route to the finals, booking his place through Q2 after failing to progress at the first attempt. The Frenchman was one of the high-profile riders caught up in a fiercely contested qualifying session, but others were less fortunate. Dylan Maples (Pivot Factory Racing), Oliver Davis (Trek – Unbroken DH) and Aaron Gwin (Frameworks Racing / TRP) were among the notable names to miss out on a place in tomorrow’s finals.
HÖLL CONQUERS QUALIFYING AS RIVALS FAULTER
Valentina Höll (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orress) won qualifying for the second time this season and will start last for tomorrow’s finals. The Austrian suffered a small crash two weeks ago in Lenzerheide resulting in a 10th place finish, putting to an end her perfect start to the season.
Despite leaving some time on the top section of the course, Höll flew down the steep wooded section and pulled over a second out on her rivals. The UCI Downhill World Champion had time to be cautious in the bottom section as she posted the fastest time in Q1 of 4:03.270.
It was a great Women’s Elite Q1 session for Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres as Swiss rider Lisa Baumann pushed her team-mate close for top spot. She finished a career-best runner-up two weeks ago in Lenzerheide and will be dreaming of her first UCI Downhill World Cup win tomorrow after finishing just six tenths of a second behind her teammate.
Last year’s La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta winner Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) finished third fastest in Q1 but could have more to give in tomorrow’s finals.
After failing to make finals two weeks ago, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco X adidas Race Division) made no mistake on the difficult course and placed fourth in qualification. Gloria Scarsi (MS Racing) continued her consistent season by placing sixth, while Harriet Harnden (AON Racing) was also amongst the Q1 qualifiers.
Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / TRP), who claimed her maiden UCI World Cup victory in Lenzerheide two weeks ago, will not feature in tomorrow’s finals after a disappointing qualifying day. The American failed to finish her Q1 run and was unable to recover in Q2, where she finished outside the top five required to progress. Newkirk was not the only high-profile casualty, with Phoebe Gale (Orbea FMD Racing) and Marine Cabirou (Canyon DH Racing) also missing out on a place in the finals after falling short in Q2.
Meanwhile, Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea FMD Racing) was missing from the course in La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta after announcing that she is taking time to recover from the injuries which have impacted her season so far.
JURAS AND OSTGAARD MASTER COURSE IN JUNIOR QUALIFICATION
Šimun Juras showed his technical ability on the steep lower slopes of La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta to qualify fastest during an intense Men’s Junior qualifying session. The Croatian rider has yet to finish inside the top 10 during his debut season in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. However, he flew down the rutted slopes of LTHell - La Thuile Hell in a time of 3:39.436 to qualify quickest.
Sacha Gabriel Brizin (Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres) was quickest of the overall contenders and qualified second fastest just two tenths of a second behind. Meanwhile, Thomas Bruno (MS-Racing) will have Italian hopes on his shoulders after placing third – just one second behind.
After winning the opening four UCI Downhill World Cup rounds this season Jonty Williamson (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) struggled on the testing course but squeezed through qualification in 17th. His overall rival Felix Griffiths (Santa Cruz Syndicate) was not so fortunate and his 27th position was not good enough to make finals.
Meanwhile, overall Women’s Junior leader Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon DH Racing) was fastest in qualification with an impressive time of 4:08.888. Rival Lina Frener (Norco x adidas Race Division) was three seconds back in second and Cassandre Peizerat finished third.
Rosa Marie Jensen (Specialized Gravity) will also be amongst the Women Junior favourites in tomorrow’s finals after qualifying fourth.
The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues at La Thuile - Valle d’Aosta tomorrow (Saturday) when gravity riders are in action with the UCI Downhill World Cup finals and the UCI Enduro World Cup culminating in a unique final night time stage.
