It’s hard to believe that any race could live up to the hype of 2019’s Snowshoe World Cup Finals. With that in mind, it seemed completely appropriate that this year’s World Cup Final once again took place in Snowshoe, West Virginia. Fans flocked to the venue, hoping that the race would match the excitement of 2019’s competition; they were not disappointed in the slightest.
Wednesday (9/15) kicked off the action with the first downhill race of the week. To account for an earlier downhill round being canceled, Snowshoe was a double-header for the gravity racers. The Snowshoe track presented many challenges for riders and bikes alike, and for once was running fast and dry. Maxxis athlete Vali Höll (Rockshox Trek) took her first win in the Elite Women category and put herself back into contention for the overall title. Meanwhile, Jordan Williams (Madison Saracen) placed first with Jackson Goldstone (Miranda Factory Team) right behind him in second in the Junior Men. Canyon Collective rider Mark Wallace had a great run and put himself in fifth for the day in Elite Men. Izabela Yankova (Trek Bikes) continued her Junior Women dominance once more, coming away with the win.
Friday (9/17) picked up where the racing left off with the short track race. Fans crowded around the course to cheer on the endurance athletes and show their enthusiasm for MTB racing in America. At the end of the day, Linda Indergand (Liv Cycling) picked up a fourth-place finish in Elite Women; a great result for her in a super-competitive field!
Saturday (9/18) brought the highly anticipated final downhill race of the season. With overall titles on the line, riders were feeling the pressure. Rowdy American fans cheered racers all the way down the track; athletes later commented that this was the best crowd of the year. In classic Snowshoe fashion, Vali Höll dramatically won the Elite Women’s race and series overall title after Myriam Nicole crashed in her finals run. Marine Cabirou (Scott DH Factory) almost caught Vali, only 0.25 seconds off the win and slotted into second. Troy Brosnan (Canyon Collective) was back on form and took second place in Elite Men, while American Luca Shaw (Santa Cruz Syndicate) placed fifth to the delight of the hometown crowd. Jordan Williams went first place in Junior Men, Jackson Goldstone, who took the overall series title, took second, and Oisin O Callaghan (YT Mob) took third. In Junior Women, Izabela Yankova completed her World Cup sweep and earned her well-deserved overall series title.
On Sunday (9/19), the World Cup season came to a close with the XC race. A tricky course filled with places to have a mechanical made this the perfect way to end the season. Rebecca McConnell (PMX Racing Team) charged into second place in the Elite Women’s race, with fellow Maxxis athlete Anne Terpstra (Ghost Factory Racing) coming in fifth. Nino Schurter (Scott SRAM MTB Racing) slid into fourth place in Elite Men, while Caroline Bohe (Ghost Factory Racing) and Savilia Blunk (Orange Seal Cycling) placed second and third in U23 Women. Nino and Rebecca ended up taking fourth overall in the series while Ghost Factory Racing captured the gold in the team overall category.
We’re stoked about the 2021 World Cup season and can’t wait for 2022!!