LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland, June 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The rookie takes the win! Monster Energy congratulates Jordan Williams on taking first place in the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, on Saturday. In his first race in the Elite Men division, the 18-year-old from Great Britain claimed an upset victory against the best riders on the circuit.
Williams finished 0.495 seconds ahead of his Monster Energy teammate, 27-year-old Monster Energy team rider Loris Vergier from Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, in second place.
In the Elite Women division, 33-year-old Camille Balanche from La Chaux-de-Fond, Switzerland, edged into second place. She was joined on the podium by 26-year-old Marine Cabirou from Millau, France, in fifth place.
For the start of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup season, the legendary track in Lenzerheide provided the perfect backdrop. At an altitude of 5577 feet, the course spans a total of 1.36 miles in length, challenging riders with technical and extremely fast-paced sections all the way to the finish line.
Williams made his debut in the Elite Men division as the reigning Downhill Junior World Champion with five Junior World Cup DH victories under his belt. Stepping into the “Big Leagues” at Lenzerheide, the rookie faced the best riders on the international circuit.
Holding his own against the competition, the British racing prodigy finished the semi-final in ninth place, far behind Loic Bruni in the lead. In the final, riders kept raising the bar with faster completion times. When it was time for Williams to drop in, the bar was set by Monster Energy’s Troy Brosnan, commanding the lead with a 2:42.0 finish time.
Blazing through the winding course with speed and finesse, Williams put down a final time of 2:39.222, leaving the rest of the field scrambling to catch up. Ultimately, the time proved unbeatable until the end, earning the young rookie an astonishing victory in his Elite Men division debut.
“It’s just incredible! For my first Elite Men World Cup and the first World Cup of the year, it’s just insane. I put down the best run I could. I’m extremely proud of my run and so thankful of the team,” said Monster Energy’s Williams upon taking the win in Lenzerheide. “Being on Monster is such a dream come true!”
Williams’ biggest competition in the final came from his teammate Vergier, aka “The Flying Frenchman.” When all was said and done, Vergier completed the course in a close time of 2:39.7, less than half a second behind Williams.
“I’m really happy after this weekend and was not expecting it. I wasn’t struggling, but just having difficulty finding my rhythm and trying to feel good was quite tough. So, I’m happy that we ended up having a weekend and even getting close to the win,” said Vergier, who faced an injury earlier this year. “It was quite hard to come back and feel confident again.”
The Monster Energy team’s podium run continued in the Elite Women division, where defending UCI Downhill World Champion Camille Balanche claimed second place. Battling Great Britain’s Rachel Atherton, Balanche finished the course at Lenzerheide in 3:08.048, taking second place only half a second behind the leader.
“I feel good. I’m happy with how the weekend went. I had a good qualifier and a good semi. Also, a good final run and nothing to be ashamed of… But when you’re so close to the win, it’s a bit harder to swallow the pill,” said Balanche in Lenzerheide.
Joining Balanche on the Elite Women podium, French rider Cabirou claimed a strong fifth-place finish with a final time of 3:11.118.
“I am happy to finish on the box in the top five; that was my goal. I built my week slowly but surely, and it paid off, so I’m really happy with it,” said Cabirou. “I had a good preparation this winter to start the season and worked a lot physically after my injury last season. I also worked on my mindset. So now I feel better the more I ride my bike.”
Congrats to all our riders on this successful UCI World Cup event! Stay tuned when the 2023 UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup season continues from June 15-18 in scenic Leogang, Austria. Don’t miss it!
For more on Jordan Williams, Loris Vergier, Camille Balanche, Marine Cabirou, and our team of mountain bike athletes visit http://www.monsterenergy.com. Also, follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok for exclusive updates from our mountain bike pros.
About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes, and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at http://www.monsterenergy.com.
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