Race Report – World Cup #2: Loudenvielle, France
Dry, dusty, and bloody fast… the 2025 season heats up
After sliding around in the Polish slop at Round 1, the INTENSE Factory Racing crew landed in Loudenvielle to a completely different beast: scorching heat, bone-dry dirt, and a high-speed track that demanded laser focus and serious nerve.
This French Pyrenees stop has been on the calendar a few years now, but in 2025, it leveled up. The course was dry, raw, and rowdy—with sniper rocks, blown-out corners, and massive compressions that punished any hesitation. Riders had to get smart with lines and smarter with setup. Gone were the rain tires and mud guards—in came the tear-offs, hydration strategies, and a whole new approach to keeping bikes and bodies cool.
Dust, Grit, and Breakthrough Rides
This was one of those weekends where everything had to come together—and for a couple of our riders, it absolutely did.
Joe Breeden delivered another big performance, backing up a P9 in Quali with 11th in Finals, showing his consistency and comfort no matter the conditions.
“It was such an insane race—some of the rowdiest racing I’ve ever witnessed. I’m stoked with how things went and proud to be part of it!”-Joe Breeden
Not to be outdone, Lou Ferguson cracked into the Top 10 with a huge P9 result in Finals. After a crash in Q1, she regrouped, leaned on teammate Mille for support, and sent it.
“Honestly, it felt phenomenal to be in the main show. I’m so grateful for the whole team’s graft—what a week! P9!”-Lou Ferguson
Meanwhile, Mille Johnset took a big personal step forward. She didn’t make finals, but her P8 in Q2 and progress with bike setup showed she’s on the right track.
“It’s not the result I want yet, but this week felt like a big shift. We made changes to the bike and my approach, and I’m feeling more motivated than ever heading into Leogang.”-Mille Johnset
Oscar Griffiths continued to gain confidence and race experience. He was putting down a heater in Q2 when the run was red flagged—tough luck, but part of the game.
“The speeds were wild this week, but I felt like I was in it. Loads of positives and valuable lessons to take forward.”-Oscar Griffiths
And Juanfer Vélez showed real speed throughout the week but couldn’t quite hold it together for finals.
“I’m happy with my progress. The pace is there—I just need to build more consistency. The team’s amazing and the bike feels dialed. Time to regroup for Leogang!”-Juanfer Vélez
Progress Behind the Scenes
While the riders were battling it out on track, the team was evolving behind the tape too. With a packed qualifying schedule and intense heat, our mechanics—Jon Stout, KC Till, and Ivan Jimenez—were on it nonstop, keeping bikes cool and dialed. Team manager Olly Morris and crew (Tom Owens and Duran Van Eeden) fine-tuned the workflow, and the whole operation felt smoother, sharper, and more connected than ever.
Big thanks to @chaptstudios (James Leech) for the cinematic gold and @nathhughesphoto for capturing the dust, speed, and smiles all weekend long.
Next Stop: Leogang, Austria
With the heat of Loudenvielle behind us, we’re charging into Round 3 in Leogang—one of the most iconic stops on the World Cup calendar. The track’s steeper, faster, and demands full commitment. But with momentum building, and riders hungry for more, the INTENSE Factory Racing squad is ready.
The 2025 season is in full swing—and the M1 is more dialed than ever.
#INTENSEFactoryRacing #M1isBack #INTENSEforLife #UCIMTBWorldSeries
