Cycling: Saalfelden Leogang, June 14, 2015 – What a ride! Chainless, Aaron Gwin (USA) blasted down the Speedster track at the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup in Leogang and still clinched victory. In the women's category, Rachel Atherton (GBR) did what was long overdue: after three silver medals in recent years, she finally landed at the top of the Leogang podium. The 2015 Out of Bounds Festival came to an end with the nerve-wracking races, which once again attracted around 16.000 spectators with its captivating programme.
All the downhill action was opened by Red Bull Air Race pilot Hannes Arch with a spectacular air show high above the Leogang Bike Park. Just in time for the start of the race, the wind got stronger and, in addition to the new Speedster Track, posed another challenge for the drivers. However, Women Elite winner Rachel Atherton saw her chance in the weather conditions: "I've been trying to win here for so long. And when it started raining today I thought to myself 'this day has come'... I'm really happy – and exhausted.”
The women's race was thrilling to the end. Only at the very end did the Brit replace her compatriot Tahnee Seagrave, who impressed with a rapid run, from the hot seat. France's Emmeline Ragot was also strong, finishing just 0,153s behind Seagrave. Last year's winner Manon Carpenter was disqualified after going slightly off the track and missing a goal.
After the women, there was a seamless transition to the 80 fastest men's elite riders. What followed was a thriller that couldn't have been more exciting for the spectators who lined the course and the finish area in droves. The Frenchman Loic Bruni made himself comfortable on the hot seat for a long time until the top ten drivers gradually flew over the track and took turns on the coveted spot. But once again none other than Aaron Gwin managed to keep the audience in suspense. His tireless ride from 2014 is unforgettable. This year he went one step further: at the start he lost his chain and opened his brakes.
The game worked out: Gold for the American! “A week ago I got a great result in Fort William, but it was quite a tough weekend. Leogang ran much better, I felt really fit all weekend. The track is good, you don't have to pedal much so I attacked.” One thing is clear: after this run at the latest, Aaron made it into the history books.
21-year-old Connor Fearon (AUS) achieved his best World Cup result to date with second place. His run was peppered with high and low lines, allowing the Australian to pick up speed quickly. Remi Thirion (FRA) also briefly took over the hot seat, but ultimately had to settle for a respectable third place. Troy Brosnan (AUS), Greg Minnaar (RSA) and Gee Atherton (GBR) finished 4th to 6th and will certainly do everything to improve on this result at the next stop in Lenzerheide on July 5th