In an exhilarating display of fortitude and skill, Tahnee Seagrave from Orbea / FMD Racing and Loic Bruni of Specialized Gravity triumphed over treacherous weather conditions at the Szczyrk Mountain Resort in Poland, clinching victory in the opening round of the UCI Downhill World Cup. The setting, fraught with peril due to its unforgiving terrain, proved to be a formidable backdrop for an intense competition that was as gripping as it was dangerous.
Loic Bruni’s win was particularly thrilling, as he crossed the finish line a mere 0.156 seconds ahead of Oisin O’Callaghan from YT MOB, marking a significant redemption for the French racer. Just a year prior, Bruni faced heartbreak when he lost the title by an even closer margin in Bielsko-Biala to his fellow countryman Ronan Dunne of Mondraker Factory Racing DH. In a remarkable comeback story, Bruni returned to competitive racing after recovering from a collarbone injury, showcasing his resilience and determination through the challenging conditions in Poland. Facing a slippery track, he was the last rider to descend the course, demonstrating remarkable precision and control throughout his run.
Tahnee Seagrave’s performance in the women’s elite category was equally noteworthy. She sent a clear message to her competitors that she is vying for the overall title after overcoming severe injury issues over recent seasons. Only Anna Newkirk of Frameworks Racing / 5DEV managed to keep pace with her, indicating the level of competition within the women’s field was fierce yet dominated by Seagrave’s incredible skill.
### Seagrave Conquers Snow and the Field
The challenging weather conditions profoundly impacted the event, with Veronika Widmann from Mondraker Factory Racing DH being the first woman to complete the track without incident. The precarious state of the course took its toll on other riders, including Lisa Bouladou from Goodman Santa Cruz, who encountered difficulties just before the flat section, and Phoebe Gale from Orbea / FMD Racing, who lost traction on a boardwalk bridge early in the run.
Utah-native Anna Newkirk quickly set the standard, clocking a blistering time that was 17 seconds ahead of Widmann, making her a strong contender for her first UCI World Cup victory. However, her chances faltered when Seagrave took to the course. Riding as if the weather had no bearing on her performance, Seagrave posted impressive times at the first three checkpoints despite battling against slippery course conditions. Although she struggled slightly at the end of her run, her final time was a stunning 3:34.340, solidifying her lead. The reigning champion, Valentina Holl, failed to match Seagrave’s pace, ultimately finishing in fifth place, a significant seven seconds behind.
In reflecting on her performance, Seagrave acknowledged the role of the weather on her racing, saying, “Because of the conditions, my brakes weren’t working very well, so I think that helped.” She conveyed her exhilaration at feeling healthy after a string of injuries, expressing optimism for the season ahead: “I’ve had a couple of years to get back into it, and I’m ready to give it my all again.”
### Bruni Edges Out O’Callaghan
As for the men’s race, the neck-and-neck competition came down to the wire between Bruni and O’Callaghan. Bruni lost time between the last two intermediate checkpoints but managed to hold onto his narrow lead, avoiding a repeat of last year’s disappointment. The competition was fierce, with several top riders falling victim to the demanding conditions that plagued the course.
The first competitive time of the day was set by Danny Hart of Norco Race Division, but it was Amaury Pierron of Commencal/Muc-Off who stunned the spectators with a time of 3:05.675, maintaining a strong hold on third place until Bruni ultimately claimed the lead. Evidently, numerous racers, including Benoit Coulanges of Scott Downhill Factory, struggled to maintain control, further emphasizing the course’s challenge.
Lachlan Stevens-McNab of Trek Factory Racing DH faced a dramatic turn of events when he was thrown off his bike, mirroring previous struggles in the competition. The American speedster Richie Rude of Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team demonstrated significant capability while transitioning from Enduro to downhill racing, finishing closely behind Pierron. The day culminated in O’Callaghan’s spectacular run that briefly had him in the lead, only for Bruni to pull off a remarkable finale.
Bruni humbly acknowledged his victory, recognizing the challenges he overcame, stating, “I didn’t think I had it in me,” but credited his sheer determination in riding through tough conditions. His achievement of matching the legendary Nicolas Vouilloz’s career podium trips further solidified his place in downhill racing lore
