All eyes were on Leogang over the weekend – or at least those eyes interested in some rather awesome MTB race action – as both the UCI 4X World Championships and the final UCI DH World Cup descended on the Austrian town.
Despite earlier worries of wet weather, and indeed snow, the weather over the weekend held up for the races.
1. UCI MTB 4X World Championships
Katy Curd has been dominating the 4X Pro-Tour. Placing first in all but one of the six rounds, she came into the world champs looking strong.
With a course consisting of rollers, jumps, and rock gardens, plus an optional and much faster pro-line with some massive jumps.
Making it through to the final round were Katy Curd (UK), reigning World Champion Anneke Beerten (Netherlands), Caroline Buchanan (Australia) and Celine Gros (France).
Buchanan, also BMX World Champion, took the lead in the first corner, followed by Beerten and Curd, all of whom took the pro-line. Buchanan extended her lead, while Curd fought hard to draw level with Beerten taking the inside line. In a do-or-die move, both Curd and Beerten went hard at the massive double jump, which featured in the lower half of the course. Curd cleared it; Beerten slammed down hard on the upslope, snapping her front wheel in the process.
Buchanan wheeled to first place, followed by Curd, Gros taking the third place spot in her last ever World Championship race, and Beerten placing fourth – luckily walking away from the crash.
- Caroline Buchanan
- Katy Curd
- Celine Gros
- Anneke Beerten
For the full results, visit the UCI results page.
Missed it? Watch again on Red Bull TV.
2. UCI MTB DH – Round 6, Leogang
The bike park-based course at Leogang is known for being fast, with a long section of pedalling along the middle top and tailed with steep sections. The addition of a man-made rock garden slowed things down a little, and large holes and ruts amongst the roots and rocks kept things interest.
Rachel Atherton’s point lead meant that clinching the World Cup series overall was extremely likely – in the event that Ragot won, she would need to place 12th or higher, so needed to make it down safely.
Myriam Nicole came down with a clean run, fastest rider in until being knocked from the top spot by Manon Carpenter. Jill Kinter was next up, running just over a second back at the first split, increasing to 2.74 seconds by the end, putting her behind Carpenter. This guaranteed Carpenter a spot on the podium.
Emmeline Ragot, running second in the overall series ranking, put in an amazing run. 3.9 seconds up at the first split, she then extended her lead to 4.8 seconds putting her well in the lead.
Rachel Atherton was last down the mountain, and started strongly with a close but distinct 0.39 seconds up at the first split. The smooth run wasn’t quite fast enough, and she placed 0.5 seconds back, meaning an ecstatic Ragot took the win.
- Emmeline Ragot
- Rachel Atherton
- Manon Carpenter
- Jill Kintner
- Myriam Nicole
Missed it? Watch again courtesy of Red Bull TV.
Get the full results from the UCI website.
As the last race of the season, the overall series positions were determined here. Atherton, despite her second place, clinched the overall series win. Emmeline Ragot took the second place in the rankings, and Manon Carpenter third.
