Despite a rocky course that caused problems for every rider who competed, Luca Shaw, Dean Lucas, and Dakotah Norton each earned a spot in the top five at UCI World Cup DH #1, while their fellow Maxxis-sponsored riders took every remaining spot in the top ten. The event, Round 1 of the UCI Downhill World Cup, was held April 19-22 on Losinj, an island off the coast of Croatia.

Good weather was among the few factors in riders’ favor, as the shorter-than-average track, strewn with rocks, caused multiple injuries and mechanical problems. Santa Cruz Syndicate’s Shaw started the weekend strong, qualifying in sixth place. His time of 2:19.991 in the finals was just .798 seconds off that of winner Aaron Gwin. Lucas, of Intense Factory Racing, was third, with a final time of 2:20.328, and Unior/Devinci Factory Racing’s Norton took the final podium spot with a 2:21.821 run in finals.

The other top-ten riders: Lucas’ Intense Factory teammate Jack Moir took sixth place; the MS Mondraker Team’s Laurie Greenland was seventh; Shaw’s Santa Cruz teammate Loris Vergier was eighth; Canyon Factory Downhill Team’s Troy Brosnan was ninth; and Danny Hart of the Madison Saracen Factory Team was tenth.

UCI Downhill World Cup #2 is scheduled for June 2-3 in Fort William, Scotland. Maxxis congratulates all of these riders on their fine performances and looks forward to cheering them on throughout the season.