The Downhill World Cup heads to La Thuile, Italy this weekend, this one is a nice change of pace after the faster, bike-park-style tracks we’ve seen recently.
Lenzerheide was fast, dusty, and full of classic World Cup energy. Leogang had roots, rain, and plenty of chaos. But La Thuile is a different kind of test: steep, technical, natural, and not very interested in letting riders relax.
In other words, sick.
La Thuile is still a pretty new stop on the Downhill World Cup calendar having debuted last year, but it already has the kind of track that feels like it belongs. It’s steep, rough, full of awkward line choices, and way more natural than some of the “smoother” venues. That makes it one of those races where the fastest rider might not be the one who looks the cleanest. Sometimes the winning run is the one that looks just barely under control the whole way down.
Why La Thuile should be a good one
La Thuile is not just another high-speed motorway track. The course has a lot of natural tech, steep sections, holes, awkward cambers, and plenty of places where riders have to make quick decisions.
Some World Cup tracks are about carrying speed and linking up perfect jumps. La Thuile feels more like it asks riders to actually solve the track. There are line choices, rough sections, and enough steep terrain that small mistakes can get big really quickly. I love the act of deciphering which line is fastest and putting the puzzle pieces together. Ben Cathro is huge in this department.
I love watching tracks like this because they reward real bike handling. You can’t just be strong. You have to read the ground, stay loose, and know when to push versus when to survive.
It also looks like one of those tracks where the bike is moving around underneath riders the whole time. That is usually a sign that we are in for good racing and at least a few “how did they save that?” moments.
Finn Iles has the momentum
Photo Cred: Pique
The biggest men’s storyline right now is Finn Iles.
After waiting a long time to get back on top, Finn won Leogang, then backed it up immediately with another win in Lenzerheide. (Should've had him on my fantasy team SMH) That is a massive statement. One win can be a breakthrough. Two in a row starts to feel like something much bigger.
Now he comes into La Thuile with the series lead and all the momentum in the world.
The interesting part is that La Thuile is a very different kind of test. Leogang and Lenzerheide both had their own challenges, but La Thuile’s steeper, more natural terrain could shake things up. If Finn can keep winning on different styles of tracks, then we are not just talking about a good run of form anymore. We are talking about a real title campaign.
Jackson Goldstone has history here
Jackson Goldstone is another rider I’m really watching this weekend.
He won La Thuile last year, and this feels like a good opportunity for him to punch back. He has been right there, but Finn has taken control of the last couple rounds. If there is a track where Jackson can remind everyone how dangerous he is, La Thuile seems like a pretty good place to do it.
Jackson is one of those riders who can make ugly sections look weirdly calm. That matters on a track like this. If the course gets rough, blown out, or hard to read, his ability to stay composed could be huge.
It also just feels like the season needs another Goldstone win at some point. He is too good not to be in this title conversation.
Asa Vermette keeps making things interesting
Asa Vermette continues to be one of the most fun storylines of the season.
He won the opener in South Korea, crashed while on a heater in Loudenvielle, had that huge crash in Leogang, then came back and landed on the podium in Lenzerheide. That is a lot for any rider, let alone a first-year elite.
The speed is obviously there. The confidence is there too. He was literally throwing backflips in Lenzerheide practice, which is still insane and also somehow not surprising at this point.
La Thuile could be a really interesting track for him. It is steep, technical, and rewards commitment, but it also punishes over-riding. That balance is what makes it fun. If Asa puts together a clean run, he absolutely has the speed to be in the conversation again.
Other men to watch
Amaury Pierron has to be high on the list. A steep, physical, technical track feels very Amaury if he is feeling good. When he is on, he can carry ridiculous speed through sections where most riders look like they are just trying to stay attached to the bike.
Loris Vergier is another obvious pick. He has the precision and smoothness for a track like La Thuile, and when the course gets technical, he is always dangerous.
Lachie Stevens-McNab is a really interesting one too. He has shown serious pace, and La Thuile feels like a track where a rider with confidence and commitment can make a big statement.
Dakotah Norton and Rónán Dunne are also worth watching. Both have the speed to make things exciting, especially if the track gets loose and riders have to start improvising.
Vali Höll is still the rider to beat
Photo Cred: 365mountain bikes
On the women’s side, Vali Höll still comes in as the series leader and the main rider everyone is chasing.
Lenzerheide finally broke her winning streak after a big mistake, which honestly just made things more interesting. Before that, she looked almost automatic. Now there is at least a little reminder that even Vali can get caught out when a track starts asking hard questions.
But that does not change the bigger picture. She is still incredibly fast, still consistent, and still the benchmark in elite women’s downhill.
La Thuile should be a good test because it is not just about raw speed. It is about staying composed on a steep, technical track where mistakes can happen fast. That is usually where Vali is so good. She knows how to manage pressure and still push hard.
Anna Newkirk is coming off a huge win
One of the coolest stories coming out of Lenzerheide was Anna Newkirk getting her first elite World Cup win.
That was a massive result, and now the question is what she does with it. Just like with Finn, one win can change a lot. It proves the speed is there. It changes the confidence. It also changes expectations.
La Thuile will be a very different test, but Anna now comes in knowing she can win at the highest level. That matters.
It will be really interesting to see if she can carry that momentum into another technical race weekend.
Other women to watch
Gracey Hemstreet feels like a strong pick for this track. She has the speed, the commitment, and the ability to ride aggressively when the terrain gets rough. La Thuile could suit her really well.
Marine Cabirou is always dangerous when a track is steep and fast. If she finds her rhythm early, she can absolutely be in the podium fight.
Nina Hoffmann is another rider I’d keep an eye on. She has the power and confidence for this kind of track, and La Thuile’s technical terrain could work in her favor.
Myriam Nicole can never be counted out on a proper downhill track. When things get steep and precise, experience matters.
Lisa Baumann and Gloria Scarsi have both been right there this season too, and either one could easily be in the mix if they put together a clean run.
What makes this weekend interesting
This is the kind of track where riders need to be smart. Push too hard and you can easily throw it away. Ride too safe and you probably lose too much time. The winning run will have to live somewhere in that uncomfortable middle ground: aggressive, but not reckless.
That is the good stuff.
It also feels like a key moment in the season. Finn Iles has momentum and the leader’s jersey. Jackson Goldstone has history at this venue. Asa Vermette keeps proving he is already a real threat. Luca Shaw needs a rebound. Amaury Pierron and Loris Vergier are always dangerous. The men’s field feels wide open, even with Finn starting to take control.
On the women’s side, Vali Höll is still the rider to beat, but Anna Newkirk’s Lenzerheide win made things more interesting. Gracey Hemstreet, Marine Cabirou, Nina Hoffmann, Myriam Nicole, Lisa Baumann, and Gloria Scarsi all have reasons to feel like they can fight for the podium.
Final thoughts
Photo Cred: Aosta Valley Freeride
I’m pretty excited for La Thuile.
It is steep, natural, technical, and still new enough to feel fresh on the World Cup calendar. It does not look like a track riders can just memorize and cruise through. It looks like one they have to fight the whole way down.
That usually makes for great racing.
The big questions are pretty simple: can Finn Iles make it three wins in a row? Can Jackson Goldstone repeat last year’s La Thuile magic? Can Asa Vermette keep building after his Lenzerheide podium? Can Luca Shaw get back on track? And can anyone stop Vali Höll from getting right back to winning?
La Thuile should give us some answers.
And probably a little chaos too.
