CONSISTENCY PAYS OFF IN LEOGANG

Troy Brosnan takes home gold at Leogang. Vali Höll takes second.

The famed downhill track in Leogang, Austria played host to the World Cup DH season opener, with a course known for both its gnarly stretches of roots and flat-out speed sections. Australia’s Troy Brosnan attacked the course, smoothly and tactfully, taking his consistent form to the top of the podium, on a crazy windy and dry course that changed dramatically from Friday’s wet qualifiers, where Brosnan also laid down the fastest time.

“I was at the limit of my traction at the top of the course. I knew how dry, loose and skatey it was going to be. When I got into the woods I said, ‘okay, let’s attack!’ It was as fast as I could go, but I also feel like I could recreate it now. It’s what we’ve been striving for. I’ve always been “Mr. Consistent” but 2nd, 3rd, 4th 5th… let’s get Mr. Consistent to first.”

-Troy Brosnan

Troy Brosnan’s winning Canyon Sender features a SRAM X01 DH drivetrain, Code RSC brakes, and RockShox front and rear suspension.

Returning to the track that dashed her hopes of becoming a World Champion as a first-year Elite last year, Austrian Vali Höll showed incredible confidence, winning qualifiers on Friday and mimicking that speed in her race run. With over three seconds between her and the field, an unfortunate and heartbreaking crash within sight of the finish line pushed Vali into second.

“It’s not going to happen to me again. If I would’ve won, it would have been too perfect. I guess that just keeps me on my toes. I did everything I could to be ready for the first race and karma planned that it wasn’t going to happen today. But I know it’s going to happen someday.”

-Vali Höll

Vali Höll’s custom-painted Trek Session is decked out with a SRAM X01 DH drivetrain, Code RSC brakes, RockShox front and rear suspension, and Descendant handlebar, stem, and seatpost.

While the downhill racers are already looking forward to their next stop in Les Gets, France in three weeks’ time, the cross-country crowd raced their third XCO on Sunday. Catch the action on redbull.tv and the latest updates from our teams and athletes on SRAM and RockShox.