In 2015 the UCI MTB World Cup kicked off a bit later than usual with the loss of the local leg from the World Series. But when the downhill action got underway in Lourdes, France on the 11th of April it was well worth the wait.
Expectations were high for the French riders to claim victories, but Loïc Bruni was kept off the top podium spot by the hard charging Aaron Gwin. Emmeline Ragot though did not disappoint the home crowd, she usurped the much discussed Manon Carpenter vs Rachel Atherton rivalry to claim the first victory in the first race of the series. For the South Africans it was a disappointing weekend, with Greg Minnaar racing through a hand injury to 22nd place and Andrew Neethling suffering a flat tyre which forced him to withdraw half way down the hill.
Next up on the series is the XCO only event at Nove Mesto na Morave in the Czech Republic on the 23rd and 24th of May.
Sus the 2015 UCI MTB World Cup Calendar
XCO #1 May 23-24 Nove Mesto na Morave (Czech Republic)
XCO #2 May 30-31 Albstadt (Germany)
DHI #2 June 6-7 Fort William (Great Britain)
DHI #3 June 13-14 Leogang (Austria)
XCO #3/ DHI #4 July 4-5 Lenzerheide (Switzerland)
XCO #4/ DHI #5 August 1-2 Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada)
XCO #5/ DHI #6 August 8-9 Windham (United States)
XCO #6/ DHI #7 August 22-23 Val di Sole (Italy)
World Champs 31 Aug – 6 Sep Vallnord (Andorra)
