French lessons: France go 1-2 at home in Les Gets World Cup

Tracey Hannah continues her best year ever, Miranda Miller 10th in DH return

Terry McKall July 13, 2019

The French have been dominating the men’s downhill racing this season and, with the World Cup landing on French soil on Bastille Day weekend, there was no plan to let up.

On the Women’s side, Tracey Hannah added a second win to her 2019 World Cup campaign.

Amaury Pierron celebrates with the home crowd. Photo: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

National pride takes the day – elite men’s World Cup Les Gets.

Amaury Pierron led the charge. After winning last season’s World Cup, Pierron’s been quieter this year. He won the Fort William World Cup, and has been close many rounds. In Les Gets, with the wild wide open grass turns and big endless senders, Pierron was back on top.

Amaury Pierron on pointPhoto: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Close behind Pierron, Loic Bruni rode to second. Also repping the French tricolour on home soil, Bruni’s second extends his lead in the World Cup overall.

Breaking up the French sweep, Troy Brosnan landed in third. The Australian didn’t capture the win, but earned enough points to stay in touch with Bruni and Pierron in the race for the 2019 World Cup overall.

Loic Bruni extends his World Cup lead. Photo: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Mark Wallace was the top Canadian in Les Gets. The Vancouver Island rider continued his consistent season, finishing 12th in France.

Remi Gauvin was the next fastest Canadian. The Rocky Mountain Race Face enduro pro was 43rd in his return to World Cup downhill.

Finn Iles struggled in finals again in Les Gets. Photo: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Forrest Riesco was just a couple spots back in 45th. Finn Iles continued his battle with World Cup finals. After qualifying 9th, Iles was 52nd in Les Gets.

Pierron’s win brings him on par with Bruni, both iwht 885 points. With the most recent win, Pierron takes the number 2 plate leaving Les Gets. Bruni still leads, now with 965 points.

Tracey Hannah on top for a second time in 2019. Photo: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Hannah defends – elite women’s World Cup Les Gets

Tracey Hannah has had an incredible year. After beating Rachel Atherton, in Leogang, Hannah added a second win in Les Gets. The absence of Atherton and Tahnee Seagrave, both out due to injury, doesn’t seem to have lowered the level of competition in the women’s field.

Marine Cabirou was just 0.677 off Hannah’s winning time in Les Gets. In qualifying, Cabiro was 0.666 seconds behind the Australian. Despite her best efforts, Cabirou could only maintain her spot in finals.

Eleonora Farina, Marine Cabirou, Tracey Hannah, Mariana Salazar, Nina Hoffmann stand on the podium at UCI DH World Cup in Les Gets, France on July 13th, 2019 Photo: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Finishing third was Mariana Salazar of Spain. Salazar is one of several athletes that the absence of Seagrave and Atherton has brought more opportunity, and attention to this season.

Squamish, B.C.s world champion Miranda Miller took advantage of a break in the Enduro World Series calendar to make a brief return to her downhill roots. Miller was 10th in Les Gets.