BIELSKO-BIAŁA, Poland — The 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup kicked off under extreme winter conditions this weekend, as top riders from across the globe braved snow-covered trails, icy bridges, and unpredictable terrain in southern Poland. The season opener brought high drama, surprising crashes, and standout performances in both downhill and enduro disciplines.
British rider Tahnée Seagrave and France’s Loïc Bruni emerged victorious in the elite downhill finals at Szczyrk Mountain Resort, battling through snow-laden tracks typically used in summer competitions. Local favorite Slawomir Lukasik delivered a memorable win in the enduro event, thrilling the home crowd on the rugged trails of nearby Bielsko-Biała.
Treacherous Conditions Test Riders
Heavy snow transformed the downhill course into a slippery challenge. Riders struggled to maintain control over steep wooden bridges and muddy switchbacks, with multiple crashes and inconsistent race times caused by sudden shifts in weather.
Seagrave, returning from recent injury setbacks, put down a fearless run in the women’s elite final. Despite a near-fall near the bottom section, she posted a winning time of 3 minutes, 34.340 seconds, finishing several seconds ahead of American-born Anna Newkirk.
Defending champion Valentina Höll of Austria opted for caution and finished fifth. British enduro rider Harriet Harnden, making her transition to downhill, suffered a hard crash midway through the course. Adding to the chaos, a race marshall accidentally crossed the track during her run, an incident caught on video that quickly went viral. Fortunately, it did not affect the final standings.
Home Hero Shines in Enduro
Poland’s Slawomir Lukasik dominated the men’s elite enduro event, riding with confidence and control to secure a popular home victory.
“It was crazy. I still can’t believe it,” Lukasik said. “The home crowd was so crazy. I am so stoked.”
In the women’s enduro race, Canadian Elly Hoskin captured her first World Cup win after Germany’s Raphaela Richter, who had been leading, crashed out with a suspected shoulder injury in the final stage. Hoskin maintained consistent pace throughout the day and finished more than 45 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.
Junior Riders Deliver Strong Performances
The junior events were equally eventful. Rosa Maria Jensen of Denmark claimed victory in the women’s junior downhill, describing it as the best day of her life. On the men’s side, France’s Max Alran repeated as champion, narrowly holding off New Zealand’s Tyler Waite.
In the junior enduro races, Tommy Bougon of France and Nezka Libnik of Slovenia topped the podiums.
Fans Brave Cold to Support Riders
Despite the wintry weather, hundreds of fans and volunteers turned out for the opening round. The weekend also included an Enduro Open event, allowing amateur and electric mountain bike riders to race on the same trails as the pros.
The UCI Mountain Bike World Series resumes May 23–25 in Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic, with Olympic-style cross-country races. Downhill and enduro riders will return to action later this month in Loudenvielle, France, for the next gravity-focused round.