HIGH AND DRY: ANDORRA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Words Mike Rose
Photos by Nathan Hughes
Downhill World Champs, you should know the score by now. One day, do or die, all or nothing. The gold medal and rainbow stripes for life. Steeped in history, elusive, exclusive and highly sort after. There’s something very special about the World Championships. It has seen some of the greatest race runs, classic moments in the sport of downhill.
For 2024 we were in the rarified air at high altitude in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. The small tax haven nestled between France and Spain, and a home-from-home for many of the worlds top downhill racers. The track was similar to previous years, dry (apart from a mini storm on Wednesday late afternoon), dusty, blown out, loose and frighteningly fast. It was flat out from top to bottom, with barely a pedal stroke needed all the way down.
It was great news pre-race for both of the INTENSE Factory Racing (IFR) and MS INTENSE Racing (MS) teams, as all eight riders were selected by their national federations. Everyone was in.
The schedule is a little different at World Champs, with the week being spread out more than usual and, slightly oddly, with the Junior race on the Thursday rather than the more traditional Saturday. Both Ryder Lawerence (IFR) and Oscar Griffiths (IFR) made the qualification cut of 60 riders, all was looking good. But it was not to be. Ryder (58th) had a mechanical issue and Oscar (30th), recovering from injury, was off the pace.
“Pretty bummed about finals. I was feeling really good on the bike all week and was really confident coming into the race. About 30 seconds in I had a mechanical causing me to go off track.” Ryder Lawrence
“I’m really happy with my effort, I gave it my all but I’m still building my pace back. I’m really happy with how I bounced back from injury and I’m looking forward to making the last few races count.” Oscar Griffiths
Qualification went well for the rest fo the INTENSE riders, with everyone making it through to the senior finals on Saturday. In the women’s race Eleonora Farina (MS) was still on a high after her victory at the last round of the World Cup in Les Gets. But again it was not to be. Both Eleonora and Lou Ferguson (IFR) couldn’t match the pace of the top elite women, and like their qualification rounds their times were almost inseparable. Just over six seconds back Lou finished in 15th and Eleonora in 16th.
In the men’s race with Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (MS) in 31st +5.396, Jacob Dickson (MS) 42nd +7.591, Joe Breeden (IFR) 46th +7.967 and (back from injury) David Trummer in 69th +15.301 it was also not to be.
“It was a pretty good run, I just stalled in a few critical places. I was very fatigued by the bottom. The times are so tight, you have to have a pretty perfect run if you want to be at the top.” Joe Breeden
Such is the talent and speed of the world’s top racers that it is so difficult to break into the top 10, never mind a podium position. The final top five men’s times were insanely close, possibly the closest it has ever been. With just +0.148 between first and second, and less than 0.5 seconds between first and fifth… well, that’s just crazy.
Congratulations to Vali Holl on her third tittle in a row, and to Loris Vergier on his first senior World Champs title. There’s no let up as racers head to Loudenvielle in France for the penultimate round of this years World Cup this coming weekend (Sept 7-8).
