World Cup Preview #1 – Lourdes
The first World Cup of 2017 kicks off at last and after a Winter of new teams, rider changes , new kit and new sponsors we will finally see who has been putting the work in and will stand on the top step of the podium come Sunday afternoon. Lourdes is kicking things off as it has done for the past two years and we can’t wait.
Where, When and What Time?
• Round 1: Lourdes, France: Sunday 30 April, live from 13:00 CEST // 12:00 BST // 04:00 PDT // 07:00 EDT
• Round 2: Fort William, UK: Sunday 4 June, live from 14:00 CEST // 13:00 BST // 05:00 PDT // 08:00 EDT
• Round 3: Leogang, Austria: Sunday 11 June, live from 13:00 CEST // 12:00 BST // 04:00 PDT // 07:00 EDT
• Round 4: Vallnord, Andorra: Saturday 1 July, live from 13:00 CEST // 12:00 BST // 04:00 PDT // 07:00 EDT
• Round 5: Lenzerheide, Switzerland: Saturday 8 July, live from 13:00 CEST // 12:00 BST // 04:00 PDT // 07:00 EDT
• Round 6: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada: Saturday 5 August, live from 19:00 CEST // 18:00 BST // 10:00 PDT // 13:00 EDT
• Round 7: Val di Sole, Italy: Saturday 26 August, live from 13:00 CEST // 12:00 BST // 04:00 PDT // 07:00 EDT
The first of seven downhill races across two continents in the world’s premier mountain bike series, the historic pilgrimage site of Lourdes has become a shrine for the mountain bike faithful, drawing large crowds and passionate riders. While 2015 UCI World Champion Bruni will have the backing of the local crowd, it’s the USA’s Gwin – a multiple UCI World Cup winner and current title-holder – who has won the previous two editions in Lourdes, and he’ll be on the hunt for a hat-trick on the make-or-break lines. He’ll also be looking to slow down the roll of Great Britain’s Danny Hart, who was third in Lourdes last year but finished the season on fire with three consecutive end-of-season wins and the 2016 UCI World Championship title.
And there’s no question about the athlete to beat on the women’s side: Great Britain’s Rachel Atherton has completely dominated Downhill for the past two seasons. The five-time UCI World Cup overall winner swept every race on her way to the UCI World Championship last year – the first athlete ever to do so. Lourdes was the last race she lost (second place) in the last two years. However, after finishing third on the Lourdes track the last two seasons, Atherton’s compatriot Manon Carpenter will be aiming to make her move, along with the woman who claimed second place in the British podium sweep in France last year, Tahnée Seagrave. In addition, France’s hopes for a win at Lourdes will rest on the shoulders of the home country’s favorite rider Myriam Nicole.
Rule Changes?
A few. The UCI in all their wisdom have reduced the rider pool. Some liked it, some didn’t. The rule changes for 2017 are –
• You need at least 40 UCI points (previously 30) to compete
• Elite Men now have a training session on the morning of race day
• The numbers of Elite Women and Junior Men have been reduced for race day
• Junior Women now compete in a separate event.
Where Can I Watch It?
As usual Red Bull TV will be screening every round live completely free – www.redbull.tv/uci
