A Team Manager’s Take on The 2023 Downhill World Cup Season
The 2023 UCI Downhill World Cup season is up and running, with the first race in Lenzerheide already under our riders’ belts.
Hugo Marini led the charge to a third place finish in the Junior category, his first podium. Thibaut Daprela crossed the line in 15th in a stacked field, while Amaury Pierron sat out of a finals run after a crash in practice.
The next three stops are on back to back weekends, keeping the teams busy for the whole month of June.
We asked Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction Team Manager Thibaut Ruffain for his take on each race this year. He gave us a quick look into what makes each location unique, challenging, or special for their team. We hope it gives you some insight into what’s happening while following all the action.
June 9 – 11 – Lenzerheide
Thibaut: “It’s always good to race in this beautiful scenery in Lenzerheide. This year’s world cup opening makes us even more excited to be back!”
- Myriam Nicole – 1st Place 2022, 2021
June 15 – 18 – Leogang
We still have unfinished business in Leogang. The technicality of the 2nd low half isn’t the easiest to manage, combined with mixed weather conditions, it always makes it a challenge!
June 30 – July 2 – Val di Sole
We left Val Di Sole with a kind of bittersweet feeling last year. It’s definitely one of the most technical tracks in the world where we had some great success in the past.
- Myriam Nicole – 1st Place 2022, 2021
August 23 – 27 – Pal Arinsal
COMMENCAL home town, always an extra pressure there! We won our first elite men’s world cup there 10 years ago. It’d be a great birthday present to celebrate it with a win!?
September 1 – 3 – Loudenvielle
New French venue, it’s quite unknown for us. Let’s see what it brings, no doubt that the French crowd will be on fire as always!
September 7 -17 – Les Gets, Chatel, Morzine
Another almost home town race, since Riding Addiction is based in the Alps. Last year was tough on us despite one of the most amazing world champs in history (bike race!?). Let’s get our revenge!
- Amaury Pierron – World Championships 2nd place 2022
- Myriam Nicole – World Championships 2nd place 2022
September 28 – October 1 – Snowshoe
We knew all kinds of feelings in Snowshoe over the years. It’s always a special venue we like to come to and where we like to perform. It’s also always great to catch up with the wild American fans!
- Amaury Pierron – 1st Place 2022
- Myriam Nicole – 1st Place 2022
October 6 – 8 – Monte-Sainte-Anne
Quite risky to race in MSA at that time of the year but we’ll do our best to bring the heat and finish off the season on a high!
- Myriam Nicole – 1st Place 2019
- Amaury gets within one point of clinching World Cup Overall in 2022, then wins overall at next race
Follow along with the Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction team on Instagram.
