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The first round of the 2025 UCI Downhill World Cup kicked off in dramatic fashion at Szczyrk Mountain Resort in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, with challenging snowy conditions testing the mettle of elite riders. Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea / FMD Racing) and Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) emerged victorious, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Women’s Elite: Seagrave Dominates in Snowy Conditions
Tahnée Seagrave made a triumphant return to form, overcoming treacherous weather to claim her first World Cup victory in years. Despite the snowy and slippery course, Seagrave delivered a near-flawless run, clocking a time of 3:34.340, which proved unbeatable. Her aggressive yet controlled ride showcased her determination to reclaim her status as one of the sport’s top contenders.
The women’s race was marked by numerous crashes and challenges, with only a handful of riders managing to stay within ten seconds of the lead. Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing / SDEV) initially set a blistering pace, taking a 17-second lead early on, but Seagrave’s masterful run dethroned her. Veronika Widdmann (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) was the first to complete the course without mishaps, while reigning UCI Downhill World Cup champion Valentina Höll (YT MOB) struggled to match Seagrave’s aggression, finishing fifth.
Seagrave attributed her success to adapting to the conditions, particularly her brake management, which she described as crucial in the snowy terrain. Her victory marks a significant step in her comeback journey after enduring a series of injuries in recent years, and she expressed her ambition to contest for the overall title this season.
Men’s Elite: Bruni Edges Out O’Callaghan in Thrilling Finish
The men’s race delivered nail-biting drama as Loïc Bruni narrowly edged out Oisin O’Callaghan (YT MOB) by a mere 0.156 seconds. Bruni’s victory was a redemption of sorts after losing by an even slimmer margin to Ronan Dunne in the same venue the previous year. Despite battling a collarbone injury and adverse weather, Bruni delivered a near-perfect run to claim the win.
Amaury Pierron (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) set an early benchmark with a time of 3:05.675, which stood for over an hour as riders struggled to navigate the slippery course. Richie Rude (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team), transitioning from Enduro to Downhill, came close to Pierron’s time but ultimately finished third. O’Callaghan’s electrifying run briefly put him in the lead, but Bruni’s final descent secured the win.
Bruni’s podium finish marked his 44th career podium, tying him with his idol, Nicolas Vouilloz, though he remained humble about the achievement. O’Callaghan, despite missing out on the win, was pleased with his strong start to the season.
Juniors: Alran and Jensen Lead the Next Generation
In the Junior categories, Max Alran (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding) continued his dominance in the men’s division, narrowly defeating Tyler Waite (Yeti / Fox Factory Race Team) by just eight-tenths of a second. Alran’s consistency under pressure reaffirmed his status as a rising star.
The women’s Junior category saw Rosa Maria Jensen of Denmark claim her first World Cup victory, finishing five seconds ahead of Lina Frener and Eliana Hulsebosch. With defending champion Erice van Leuven absent due to injury, Jensen seized the opportunity to make her mark on the season.
Looking Ahead
The UCI Downhill World Cup now heads to Loudenvielle-Peyragudes in the French Pyrenees for the next round of action. Meanwhile, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will shift focus to Nové Město Na Moravě in the Czech Republic, where the Cross-country Olympic and Short Track competitions will take center stage.
Overall, the opening round in Bielsko-Biała set a high bar for the 2025 season, with thrilling performances, dramatic finishes, and impressive comebacks paving the way for an exciting year in mountain biking.
