Nina Hoffmann talks about the mental side of winning

Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) and Vali Höll (YT Mob) might have come away with all the spoils from the 2025 season, but the 10-round series was one of the most competitive in recent memory with one nail-biting conclusion that will live long in the memory.Downhill mountain biking is fast, furious, and extremely unpredictable, but two riders had bucked the trend in recent history, showing consistency where others had crumbled and cruising to back-to-back overall series in 2023 and 2024.All eyes were on Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) and Vali Höll (YT Mob) once more as the longest-ever season got underway in Bielsko-Biała, and whether any other athletes could end their dominance.As it turns out, they could. The men’s contest witnessed the rise of Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) – the 21-year-old Canadian returning to action after a year on the sidelines with injury – and a battle for the top spot with Bruni that wouldn’t be decided until the very last run of the series. While Höll still came out on top, her fourth overall series was the Austrian’s toughest test yet, with five different women standing on the top spot over the year. Goldstone’s record-equaling run and five wins enough to topple BruniWhen Loïc Bruni won qualifying and finals at the opening round in Bielsko-Biała (Poland), his competitors could have been forgiven for thinking that the series was already over. While there were still nine rounds to go, the Frenchman’s signature consistency would mean that his win in Poland probably wouldn’t be his last of the year, while only an uncharacteristic crash or injury would prevent him from winning his fifth overall title and third consecutive crown.Jackson Goldstone had other ideas though. Fresh from a season sat on the sidelines with injury, the Canadian had a point to prove after an impressive debut elite season in 2023 where he won his first two UCI Downhill World Cups and narrowly finished second behind Bruni in the overall. And although he could only manage a top-20 finish at the season opener, it was a warm-up for what was to come.From Loudenvielle-Peyragudes onwards, he was unstoppable, equaling Aaron Gwin’s (Gwin Racing) record for four wins in a row, while he had back-to-back perfect weekends in Val di Sole (Italy) and La Thuile (Italy). His results propelled him to the top of the standings, and at the midway point, he had a healthy 195-point lead over Bruni.His run would end in Pal Arinsal (Andorra), Bruni getting the better of Goldstone for his second win of the series, and the Frenchman would chip away at Goldstone’s lead with each round – the Canadian dropping points in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie (France) and Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide (Switzerland), while Bruni was his metronomic self with two top-five finishes.Neither made the podium in Lake Placid’s (USA) UCI Downhill World Cup debut, and things were poised tantalisingly with just Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada) – Bruni leading by 72 and able to take the series even if Goldstone won.On finals day, Goldstone did all he could in front of a partisan home crowd, putting in the first 3:30 of the day to sit in the hotseat with only Luca Shaw (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) and Bruni to go. The American could only go second fastest, and then all eyes were on the start hut awaiting Bruni’s drop in. But it never came – the Frenchman injured during training on finals day and knowing that he wouldn’t be able to compete, let alone beat, Goldstone’s time. The Canadian had done it, winning the UCI Downhill World Cup Overall series on home soil, completing a Hollywood ending to a redemption story that also included winning the UCI Downhill World Championship. Höll shows grit to complete hat-trick of overall and world championship doubleWhile the men’s contest was a two-horse race, the women’s was the most open it has been in years. After Vali Höll’s dominance since breaking through to the elite class in 2021, the Austrian had a fight on her hands from the off.It was Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea/FMD Racing) who started strongest – the experienced Brit back to her best to take the opening round in Bielsko-Biała (Poland) – before Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Race Division) took up the mantle, winning her first two UCI Downhill World Cups.Marine Cabirou (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) and Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) got in on the action in Val di Sole (Italy) and La Thuile (Italy), but at the halfway point, Höll still led the overall despite not winning a weekend.It was her consistency that had got her there – the 23-year-old using her experience to grind out podium finishes even if she didn’t take the win – but as her winless UCI World Cup streak extended beyond a year, many wondered if it would be enough to see her through to the end of the season.Seagrave and Hemstreet cleaned up at the next three rounds, but their inconsistency couldn’t shake Höll from the overall top spot, and when the Austrian had her first opportunity to mathematically secure her fourth title and third consecutive crown in Lake Placid (USA), she seized it with both hands while her rivals’ challenges wilted.Fresh off the back of winning her fourth consecutive UCI Downhill World Championship, Höll blitzed the field on the venue’s new downhill course, going fastest in each intermediate split to win by almost three seconds. Hemstreet meanwhile could only manage 10th, meaning the title wouldn’t go to the final round.A crash in her Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada) finals run saw Höll finish down in 14th, but she was still able to extend her lead – neither Hemstreet or Seagrave scoring a point over the weekend, meaning it was as you were for the top three spots in the overall. Alran edges Vermette and Rosa keeps it consistent in JuniorsWhile the Elite contests were the closest they’ve been in years, the Juniors were on another level.In the women’s field, Rosa Zierl (Cube Factory Racing) and Alehta Ostgaard (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) were the dominant forces – the pair claiming four wins each from the 10 rounds. It was Zierl who edged it though, beating Ostgaard by 45 points – the American’s failure to score anything in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes coming back to haunt her at the season’s end.The men’s contest meanwhile was an epic that featured two riders who often put down runs faster than the elites that followed. Max Alran (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) ultimately had the edge over Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/5Dev), but just 12 points separated the pair after 10 rounds of fierce and frenetic racing. It was Alran’s four wins to Vermette’s two that were the difference – the Frenchman outscoring his American rival despite the latter’s podium finishes.Next year the season kicks-off in South Korea.

Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) clinched the Men Elite UCI Downhill World Cup overall title in the most dramatic of circumstances in his home country at Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada), presented by Events.com. Meanwhile, Marine Cabirou (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) took her 11th career UCI World Cup victory following an enthralling end to the women’s Elite category. Coming into the weekend Goldstone was locked in a battle for overall honours with quickest qualifier Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity). However, a crash for Bruni in a training run resulted in the Frenchman suffering a thigh injury and not taking to the track for finals. In front of his home crowd Goldstone rose to the pressure and put down a winning run, putting Luca Shaw (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) into second and early starter Andreas Kolb (YT Mob) into third. The women’s Elite event was equally as dramatic after the top three riders overall all had issues on the Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada) course. Valentina Höll (YT Mob) suffered a flat tyre in the finals, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Race Division) crashed out, and Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea/FMD Racing) pulled out of qualifying with a back injury. Cabirou had no such problems narrowly beating Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) into second, while fastest qualifier Myriam Nicole (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) finished third. American riders Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/5DEV) and Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) replicated their quickest qualifying runs to win the men’s and women’s Junior categories respectively. Vermette also finished in the quickest time of the weekend of 3:29.7 – over three tenths quicker than Goldstone. Proving their consistency Max Alran (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) and Rosa Zierl (Cube Factory Racing) also held their nerves to seal the junior overall victories. GOLDSTONE RISKS EVERYTHING AND MASTERS HOME COURSE Youngster Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) completed the perfect season as he wrapped up the overall UCI Downhill World Cup series. The 21-year-old also matched the record of five Men Elite UCI Downhill World Cup wins in the same season of Aaron Gwin. The previous day Bruni set the quickest qualifying time of 3:33.5 and had to finish on the podium to seal the overall title. However, after Goldstone flew down the slope in 3:30 and took the lead. Bruni then opted not to start due to a thigh injury sustained in practice, stunning his rival and handing him the overall honours. After qualifying through Q2 the previous day, Ryan Pinkerton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) had a point to prove early in the field. The young American set a benchmark time of 3:33.05, which was quicker than Bruni’s quickest qualifying time the previous day and earned him a fifth placed finish. Andreas Kolb (YT Mob) crashed in the previous day’s Q1 and had to book his final spot through Q2. The Austrian showed no fear with huge jumps into the rock garden and was one second faster than Pinkerton in a new benchmark time of 3:32.3. The rock gardens caused havoc all weekend, with Martin Maes (Orbea/FMD Racing) suffering a flat tyre before Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Trek Factory Racing DH) crashed out. Kolb’s blistering time stood the test of time until Ronan Dunne (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) made his mark on the course. The Irish rider led by seven tenths before his tyre exploded on a rock following a heavy landing to end his run. American Dakotah Norton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) was next to challenge the time of Kolb, but despite gaining time on the final rock garden with his high-rise bars he finished just three tenths slower to finish fourth. All the pressure was on young UCI Downhill World Champion, Goldstone, who flew out of the starting gate on his home course and was in contention from the opening turns. Fighting through the trees Goldstone maintained his speed with huge jumps as he tripled over the difficult rock garden to maintain his speed. Goldstone mastered the final sector to finish two seconds faster than Kolb to go quickest and send the Mont-Sainte-Anne crowd wild. Penultimate starter Luca Shaw (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) showed his experience with a controlled performance and was a second slower than Goldstone in the top sectors. Shaw gained momentum and charged through the rock garden to finish runner-up just two seconds behind Goldstone. The drama then unfolded as all eyes were on the starting gate for the final competitor of this year’s series. However, Bruni did not appear, and his team later announced the earlier injury suffered in practice. The result gave Goldstone the overall series victory by 178 points ahead of Bruni in second and Shaw in third.  Following his victory Goldstone said: “I’m completely speechless. That was the run of my life. I knew I had to give it absolutely everything, it wasn’t pretty, I was making so many mistakes and getting super sketchy. The crowd were so amazing and cheered me on every step of the way. It didn’t feel quite right not battling with Loïc (Bruni) and I have no clue what happened. It’s not the way I wanted to win. I was hoping it to be a good fight right to the bottom, but we got it done at the end of the day. “I hardly got any sleep last night, it was staring at the roof for two hours as my mind was racing. I just had to try and focus on myself. It was quite testing for me. “I hope Loïc (Bruni) is alright. It was such a good battle with him this year, he’s someone I’ve looked up to my whole career and what an amazing rival to compete with. “It’s such a cool and friendly rivalry we’ve got and we’ll be battling again next year.” CABIROU FINISHES SEASON IN STYLE WITH VICTORY Marine Cabirou (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) repeated her win at Mont-Sainte-Anne from 12 months earlier by building her speed through the lower sections of the Canadian course and finishing her season in style. Young New Zealander Sacha Earnest (Trek Factory Racing Downhill) has overcome several injuries this season. The youngster showed her talent to set a blistering opening two sections and posted an early benchmark time of 4:08.8 which was good enough for fifth overall. Last weekend, UCI Downhill World Champion, Valentina Höll (YT Mob) won her first UCI World Cup of the season and with it, the overall series. Höll looked determined for more success and put down an impressive top two sections which were four seconds faster than Earnest. The Austrian continued to build her speed down the track and led by 6.5 seconds, until suffering a punctured front wheel and had to walk the remainder of the track. Meanwhile, Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Race Division) was looking for her first victory in Mont-Sainte-Anne after finishing runner-up last year. The Canadian started on the front foot and was 2.4 seconds faster than the quickest time before crashing out at the bottom. Like 12 months earlier Cabirou mastered the Canadian course and built speed throughout her run to post a winning time of 4:01.6. Nina Hoffmann (Santa Cruz Syndicate) won in La Thuile - Valle d'Aosta (Italy) earlier this season and was also bidding to sign off the campaign in style. The German competitor matched the time of Cabirou through the opening sections before finishing just seven tenths of a second slower. Meanwhile, Camille Balanche (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) was in the thick of the podium battle in the final ride of her career, before crashing. Final starter Myriam Nicole (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) was quickest qualifier and was hoping to end an indifferent season with victory. The French woman showed aggression through the technical section as she looked to repeat her UCI World Cup win at the same venue in 2019. Nicole was four tenths behind after the second sector and had everything to do in the second rock garden. However, the Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction rider finished 2.2 seconds behind in third. Following her victory Cabirou said: “I’m happy to take the win today, it’s incredible. “I tried my best the whole week to have a good result today, as last week was not very good for me. I have had some good races today and some really bad. “I’m happy to take the win. I couldn’t have hoped for a better race to end the season. I made some mistakes during my qualification run and I wasn’t too happy with my qualification.  “Today I knew I had more in the bag so I just focused on myself and tried to give the best I could. I’m really happy to get my 11th win here, I love this track and this crowd.” Höll topped the UCI World Cup overall standings followed by Hemstreet in second and Seagrave in third.  VERMETTE SIGNS OFF JUNIOR RANKS WITH VICTORY, WHILE ALRAN CLINCHES OVERALL  Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/5DEV) clinched the North American victory he desired and won the men’s junior category by over four seconds. The 18-year-old, who also took victory in Bike Kingdom – Lenzerheide (Switzerland), will move up to the Elite ranks next season and his winning time of 3:29.7 was faster than all the men. After finishing runner-up in Lake Placid Olympic Region, New York last weekend the American was fired up to go one better in Canada. Jonty Williamson (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) set a benchmark time but left time on in the bottom two sections as he eventually finished third. Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team teammate Tyler Waite then put pressure on the later starters by going three seconds faster, and was runner-up. The precarious nature of the course was evident when Till Alran (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) crashed on the last section and placed 14th. Before the finals session, Max Alran (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) had suffered a crash in the rock garden during his last practice. However, the Frenchman had the overall title at stake and needed a top five finish to secure it. Max Alran held his nerve and despite placing fourth his time was enough to secure the overall series title. Final starter Vermette was not to be denied and posted an impressive winning time. Following his win Vermette said: “I didn’t think it was going to be a that good of a run, I didn’t feel any quicker than yesterday (in qualifying). “I was off-line in a few bits. I’ll have to watch my GoPro back, but it felt pretty good. I really wanted to get the win after not getting it last weekend at basically home in Lake Placid. “It felt great. In the start gate my mindset was just to win. I wasn’t that worried about the overall as I knew it was going to be hard. “I just tried to put down my best run. I’m stoked to go and battle with the elites next year.” Max Alran took the overall series, finishing 12 points ahead of Vermette, while Waite placed third. After winning the overall series Alran said: “This morning was pretty bad. “On the last run of practice I crashed in the rock garden and dislocated my finger on the left hand, but it was not the worst. “My wrist was already sore after crashing in Lenzerheide and it was just feeling better at Lake Placid and all the week. I crashed again and it hurt. “I’m super stoked to make it to the bottom. We did it pretty good with fourth and to keep the overall. I just had to keep riding as I know and try to be safe.” OSTGAARD FINISHES WITH DOUBLE AS ZIERL SEALS CROWN Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) secured back-to-back victories in North America to finish the season on a high. Quickest qualifier Ostgaard also took victory in Lake Placid Olympic Region, New York, last weekend and was again triumphant following a well-paced run. Meanwhile, Rosa Zierl (Cube Factory Racing) did enough to secure the overall series title with a third placed finish. Zierl qualified fourth quickest and knew that a top eight finish world secure the UCI Downhill World Champion the UCI World Cup series overall. The title was never in doubt for the 16-year-old who was quicker than those before her at every split and her time was enough for another podium finish. Penultimate starter Eliana Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz Syndicate) threw down the gauntlet to her rivals with an aggressive top section in a search for her first UCI World Cup win of the campaign. The New Zealander held on to her early advantage and finished one second quicker than Zierl. Final starter Ostgaard was in touch with Hulsebosch on the first two sections before building pace throughout her run. The American carried her speed and finished over a second clear of Hulsebosch in a winning time of 4:04.2. Following her victory Ostgaard said: “I just gave it everything I had.  “This course is easy to make mistakes, but there is a lot of time to make it up. I just gave it everything, even though I had a scary moment.  “I kept pushing as hard I could. It was about pacing myself and not killing myself on the top section. Ellie (Hulsebosch) is so strong on the top section and she could muscle her way through it, that was really impressive. “I know I can’t do that quite yet, I’m going to try. I just had to pace myself at the beginning and get faster during the run.” With eight podium finishes in 10 rounds the consistency of Zierl was enough for her to clinch the overall UCI World Cup by 35 points, ahead of Ostgaard in second and Hulsebosch in third. Women Junior UCI Downhill World Champion, Zierl said: “I just enjoyed riding my bike so much this season. “With the wins, I was quite often on the podium. It was perfect. It’s even more of a confidence boost to know that I’m fast, but I still have to work a lot to get even faster. “I’ll enjoy the first few weeks of the off-season before we start training again. It’s good to know how consistent I was. “Also, for the World Championships that I could deliver on that one race too. I’m just super happy.” The 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series concludes on Sunday in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada) with Cross-country Olympic action.

Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity) and Myriam Nicole (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) will start the final downhill of this season last off the ramp after qualifying quickest in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada), presented by Events.com. Super Bruni is bidding for his fifth overall series victory in Canada on Saturday and needs to finish on the podium to secure the crown. The Frenchman sent a huge message to series rival Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) by setting a time which was three seconds quicker than the Canadian.  The legendary Canadian bike park at Mont-Sainte-Anne welcomed downhill athletes for a record 30th UCI World Cup and the final round of this year’s 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. Meanwhile, Nicole will be bidding for her first Women Elite UCI Downhill World Cup win of the season after qualifying quickest. However, she faces a tough battle after the top five qualifier were separated by just three tenths of a second. The Mont-Sainte-Anne course provided drama in women’s qualifying as series winner Valentina Höll (YT Mob) finished seventh. Aletha Ostgaard (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) showed her talent again in women’s Junior category by qualifying quickest and she was also faster than any Elite woman. Meanwhile, fellow American rider Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/5DEV) was the quickest qualifier in the men’s Junior category. BRUNI LANDS PSYCHOLOGICAL BLOW ON RIVALS Jackson Goldstone’s dream of sealing a home overall victory this weekend was dealt an early blow in qualifying by Loïc Bruni. Newly crowned UCI World Champion, Goldstone, has to win and hope Bruni finishes off the podium in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada) to leapfrog his rival and take the crown. However, the experienced Bruni responded in style by setting the quickest qualifying time of the day (3:33.5). Luca Shaw (Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) is up for the battle for third overall and also landed a psychological blow on his challengers by finishing second in qualifying, while Goldstone was third. Shaw's rivals for third place overall Amaury Pierron (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) and Loris Vergier (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) qualified in fourth and seventh respectively.  Meanwhile, Antoine Pierron (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) failed to finish the first qualifying session and did not start Q2 as a result. Youngster Ryan Pinkerton (Mondraker Factory Racing DH) and Andreas Kolb (YT Mob) were amongst those who had to book their finals spot through Q2. Oisin O’Callaghan (YT Mob) and Richard Rude (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) were some of those competitors who missed out on a Q2 qualifying spot through to the finals.  NICOLE SNATCHES POLL BY NARROWEST OF MARGINS The experienced Myriam Nicole (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) will be the last women’s elite starter in the finals after qualifying fastest by just seven hundredths of a second. The 35-year-old has had an illustrious career in downhill with two UCI World Championship titles and 10 UCI World Cup wins. After finishing a season’s best runner-up at Lake Placid Olympic Region, New York, last weekend Nicole will look to go one better in Mont-Sainte-Anne on Saturday. Camille Balanche (Yeti/Fox Factory Race Team) came into the final round in fourth position overall following a consistent season. The Swiss rider looks set for another good weekend of racing after qualifying second just seventh hundredths of a second further back. Fellow Swiss competitor Lisa Baumann completed an excellent qualifying session for Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction by finishing third in Q1 and just two tenths slower than the quickest time. UCI World Champion Valentina Höll (YT Mob) recorded the perfect weekend in Lake Placid Olympic Region, New York, last week. The Austrian completed a solid Q1 run to place seventh just 1.79 off the quickest pace. In the battle for second overall Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Race Division) qualified in sixth fastest in her home country. Her challenger for second Tahnée Seagrave (Orbea/FMD Racing) struggled in Q1 to finish 13th and did not start Q2, marking an end to her weekend. Meanwhile, youngster Sacha Earnest (Trek Factory Racing DH) qualified in eighth, despite finishing with a flat tyre. AMERICANS OSTGAARD AND VERMETTE TOP JUNIOR QUALIFIERS Aletha Ostgaard took a home victory in the women Junior category at Lake Placid Olympic Region, New York, last weekend and looks just as comfortable on the Canadian course. The American has an outside chance of overall victory if she wins a fourth UCI World Cup win of the season and Rosa Zierl (Cube Factory Racing) fails to finish in the top-eight. However, Zierl showed the credentials she has shown all season and placed fourth in qualifying. Eliana Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz Syndicate) and Lina Frener (Norco Race Division) qualified second and third quickest. The men’s Junior overall series is going down to the wire with quickest qualifier Asa Vermette (Frameworks Racing/5DEV) throwing down the gauntlet to his rivals. Vermette came into the weekend just 32 points behind Max Alran (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) and they qualified first and second respectively. Frenchman Alran is also looking for a fifth UCI World Cup win of the season and was just eight tenths off the pace in qualifying, while Till Alran (Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction) qualified third quickest.  The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series continues in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada) on Saturday with the downhill finals.