COMMENCAL NEWS DH-World-Cup-3-Val-di-Sole

DH World Cup #3 : Val di Sole

Val di Sole never disappoints! On the legendary Italian Black Snake track, this year slightly refreshed and refurbished, our riders once again showed their full commitment to racing.

With some 300 riders rattling down it an average of six times a day, this already gnarly track became harder to tame as the week progressed, roots and rocks hidden beneath thick piles of dust… This is the kind of track where riders are happy to be able to count on the versatility and adaptability of the SUPREME DH V5. Add changing weather conditions to the mix for a legendary race.

In the Elite Men’s competition, Thibaut Daprela had the best weekend out the COMMENCAL brigade. After a good sixth place in the semi-finals, he pulled out all the stops for the final. The COMMENCAL MUC-OFF rider let go, taking full advantage of the generous travel and stability of his SUPREME DH V5. Even with a deteriorating track, Thibaut was able to hold his lines to perfection, all the while on the edge. He was in the lead at the first three splits but then things got a bit complicated… He got caught up in a huge pile of dust, in a left hander at the start of the final wall. Bit of a scare but a good save nonetheless, although at the expense of some precious tenths. Coming down in first, he eventually finished in third place behind two Canadians, Finn Iles and young prodigy Jackson Goldstone, who won his first World Cup in style!

Behind, COMMENCAL DORVAL AM’s Benoit Coulanges (8th) had a solid weekend with another top 10 to his name. Special mention to COMMENCAL IC STUDIO team members, Thomas Estaque (16th) and Matteo Iniguez (18th), who had a great weekend achieving top 20 places for the first time this season. Baptiste Pierron closed out the top 20. Five French COMMENCAL riders in the top 20; a good omen for the upcoming French Championships? We also hope that reigning French Champ and COMMENCAL LES ORRES team member, Antoine Vidal will be able to defend his tricolour jersey after a crash in training that resulted in a sore wrist.

In the Elite Women's race, the COMMENCAL DORVAL AM ladies were strong. Camille Balanche once again proved her cool, calm and collected consistency. Second in the semi-finals, second in the final, she retained the lead in the overall series despite the perfect weekend for Vali Höll who won both races. Monika Hrastnik took sixth place and after her big crash in Leogang, Lisa Baumann was back in shape, hoisting the COMMENCAL LES ORRES team up into eighth place.

Among the Junior Women, Erice Van Leuven and Lisa Boudalou both had solid runs and placed second and third respectively. After his victory in Leogang in the Junior Men’s final, Leo Abella achieved another podium with fifth place, while Hugo Marini was more unlucky. He had an impressive fall close to the top and was unable to recover time.

Next up, National Championships and a short summer break. Then it’s back to business with a vengeance at the beginning of August, for the World Championships at Fort William in the Nevis Range, one of our bike park partners since the beginning of this year.

Photos : SvenMartin, Keno Derleyn