Anticipation was high for the first round of the DH World Cup and second round for XC in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. With a new DH broadcast and fresh DH race format, many questions would be answered after this weekend.  Friday would now include both the XCC race and the Junior DH race, which is finally being live streamed this year. Fans were excited for the gravity action to begin, and people tuned in all around the globe for what promised to be a memorable round of the World Cup.

First up was the short track race. Anne Tauber (Orbea Factory Team) had a solid race in Elite Women, landing in fifth. Ronja Blöchlinger (Liv Factory Racing) picked up her second win in a row in U23 Women on Maxxis’ new MaxxSpeed compound. The U23 Men’s race saw Carter Woods (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) take the third step on the podium.

Next, the Juniors took to the DH track, televised live for the first time ever. Valentina Roa Sanchez (Transition Factory Racing), the top qualifier in Junior Women, ended up in second place after a great run down the variable terrain of the Lenzerheide DH course. In Junior Men, Christian Hauser (UNION) took on his first World Cup race and shocked the rest of the field, taking the win as a rookie.

The Elite DH athletes faced a new format for their race day – a semi-final that would send the top 11 women and 30 men to the finals later in the day. Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) placed third in the Women’s semi-final, while Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Factory Team) followed closely behind in fourth. In the Men’s semi-final, Laurie Greenland (Santa Cruz Syndicate) laid down a good run, placing himself into fourth.

Later that same day, the Elite categories faced off in the DH finals. Nina Hoffmann ended up repeating her semi-finals placement and earned the third spot on the podium. Marine Cabirou (Scott Factory DH) started her 2023 season in excellent form, capturing fifth place. Laurie Greenland also copied and pasted his semi-finals run, landing in fourth in the Elite Men’s final.

The U23 riders were the first to tackle the Lenzerheide XCO course. Ronja Blöchlinger once again had a great race, this time taking a silver medal in U23 Women. Carter Woods placed on the podium again in second place, and Luca Martin (Orbea Factory Team) snagged the last podium position in U23 Men.

Finally, everyone’s focus turned to the Elite XCO race on Sunday. Anne Terpstra of Ghost Factory Racing rode to a silver medal finish in Elite Women, adding to her overall points total. Nino Schurter (Scott SRAM) had the ride of his life, making history at home by becoming the all-time XC World Cup wins record-holder. His status as XC GOAT is officially cemented. Nino rode Maxxis’ game-changing MaxxSpeed compound throughout the last few seasons, giving him that extra edge to claim this historic feat.

Another historic round of World Cup action has come to a close, and we’re right back after it next week in Leogang!