Bruni repeats, Atherton back on top at Lenzerheide world championships

Three Canadians land top-20 finishes on Sunday in Switzerland

Terry McKall September 10, 2018

Loic Bruni holds on to his title as downhill world champion for another year. Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Capping off a year dominated by French riders, Loic Bruni repeated as world champion at 2018 UCI mountain bike world championships on Sunday.

While a French rider winning in Switzerland was not unexpected, many would have tipped World Cup winner Amaury Pierron as the pre-race favourite. Bruni’s win is his third worlds victory, adding to his 2015 and 2017 world championship titles.

Martin Maes LENZERHEIDE downhill world championships 2018 — Martin Maes continued his fast finish to 2018 adding world championship silver to pair of wins in EWS and World Cup. Image: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

The big surprise in Lenzerheide was Martin Maes scoring the Silver medal in the Men’s Elite Downhill race. The Belgian rider has been on a tear lately, winning the final World Cup Downhill in La Bresse just a week after topping the podium at the Whistler Enduro World Series round. Maes, primarily an enduro racer, showed his La Bresse victory was no fluke. His abilities across disciplines are quickly establishing GT Factory Racing’s Belgian as one of the most talented racers around.

Danny Hart rounded out the podium in Lenzerheide, claiming third.

Rachel Atherton is back on top, reclaiming the rainbow jersey in Lenzerheide Image: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

In the Women’s Elite Downhill race, Rachel Atherton cemented her return to the top of the Women’s field. The Great Britain rider reclaimed her rainbow jersey on Sunday in Lenzerheide, bringing her total five Elite world championship titles. After a 2017 season plagued by injury, Atherton narrowly won the 2018 World Cup overall in a tight race against fellow GB rider Tahnee Seagrave. Atherton’s dominant win in Lenzerheide – beating Seagrave by a full 9.983 seconds – cements her return to form this season.

Tahnee Seagrave LENZERHEIDE downhill world championships 2018 — Tahnee Seagrave was silver in Switzerland Image: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Seagrave’s silver in Switzerland adds more hardware to a 2018 season that saw the young Transition-FMD racing rider win three World Cup rounds. France’s Myriam Nicole rounded out the Elite Women’s podium in third. Nicole’s bronze in Lenzerheide marks an impressive return after spending much of the season sidelined by a serious back injury.

Finn Iles LENZERHEIDE downhill world championships 2018 — Finn Iles finished 14th, leading the Canadian crew in his first Elite Men’s downhill world championship. Image: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

First year Elite racer Finn Iles led the Canadian Elite racers in Lenzerheide. The former Junior world champion and Jr. World Cup winner finished 14th on Sunday. Iles has been impressive in his Elite debut season, netting a podium at the Vallnord World Cup round and multiple top-10 finishes.

Mark Wallace was the next Canadian across the line, finishing 18th in Switzerland. Just one spot behind, newly minted Canadian Downhill national champion Magnus Manson finished 19th. It’s the young Vancouver Islander’s best international result this season.

Finn Iles Loic Bruini LENZERHEIDE downhill world championships 2018 — Finn Iles congratulates teammate Loic Bruni on his world championship win in Lenzerheide. Image: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Miranda Miller ended her year in the rainbow jersey with an 18th place finish in Lenzerheide. The Squamish rider struggled with injury much of the 2018 after winning 2017 worlds in Cairns, Australia, but did land some top-10 finishes. Rachel Pageau raced to 25th in her first downhill world championships appearance.

Back in Elite Men, Henry Fitzgerald finished 45th, Forrest Riesco 49th, and Luke Stevens 70th. All in, it’s a strong showing from Canada’s downhill team. The Elite results follow three Canadian Juniors finishing in the top-15 earlier on Sunday, including a bronze medal from Elliot Jamieson. Jamieson’s result is especially impressive considering it was just his third downhill race this season.

LENZERHEIDE downhill world championships 2018 — Tahnee Seagrave, Rachel Atherton, Myriam Nicole stand on the podium at the UCI DH World Championships in Lenzerheide on September 9th, 2018 Image: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Elite Womens DH : 2018 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships – Lenzerheide, Switzerland by Matthew Pioro on Scribd

Men’s Results

Elite Mens DH : 2018 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships – Lenzerheide, Switzerland by Matthew Pioro on Scribd