Leogang, Austria, nestled in the picturesque Austrian Alps, hosted the third round of the Downhill and Enduro World Cup from June 7th to 9th. This stunning mountain town is a familiar battleground for many riders, providing a challenging and exhilarating backdrop for world-class racing.
The week kicked off with the Enduro event on Friday, featuring six grueling stages that tested the rider's endurance and skill. Track conditions were particularly demanding due to wet weather, with riders struggling against mud, slippery rocks, and exposed roots.
Matthew Walker thrived in these tough conditions, demonstrating a consistent performance across all stages. His resilience paid off with a commendable 10th place finish, which also boosted him to 11th in the overall standings.
Edward Masters faced early challenges, laying it over a couple of times during the first stage. Despite these setbacks and a knock to his confidence, he battled through to recover some time, finishing the day in 43rd position.
Morgane Charre showcased her remarkable consistency once again, delivering strong times throughout the day. Her efforts earned her a 3rd place finish, marking another impressive result for her this season.
Sunday's Downhill race promised tight competition in the dry, but continuous nightly storms ensured the track remained challenging. The conditions resulted in large ruts, changing lines, and more exposed slippery roots, particularly in the wooded sections.
Ryan Griffith delivered a solid run, navigating the tough conditions to finish in 9th position, a strong result in the competitive junior field.
Dane Jewett achieved a back-to-back World Cup podium with a 2nd place finish in the junior men category, just 0.5 seconds shy of first place. This stellar performance propelled him to the top of the overall standings, earning him the leader's jersey heading into the next World Cup.
Jacob Jewett once again looked smooth throughout the weekend. A minor mistake on the motorway section in his final run cost him precious time, but he still managed an impressive 23rd place finish.
Bernard Kerr, who posted the fastest time in timed training, gained a good bit of confidence leading into race day. Despite a near crash in finals when he lost both feet off the pedals in the final corners, he managed to hold on and finish in 8th place, just one second shy of a podium spot—a tough pill to swallow given the promising start.
Jenna Hastings and Teagan Heap unfortunately did not make the qualifying cut but are more than ready for the next round in Val di Sole.
With the challenging but rewarding weekend in Leogang behind them, the Pivot Factory Racing team now sets their sights on the 4th round of the Downhill World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy. The team is determined to build on their performances and continue their pursuit of excellence in the upcoming races.
