The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will bring together the very best riders from cycling’s different disciplines in Glasgow and across Scotland in August. Defending mountain bike downhill (DHI) Elite UCI World Champions Valentina Höll (AUT) and Loïc Bruni (FRA) are gearing up to defend their titles in Fort William…
How is your form and preparation?
Valentina Höll (VH): I thought I should try Enduro because I needed a little challenge, mid off-season, and it was pretty cool, and also meant training a little differently. It was pretty sick to see that I could compete with the Enduro girls even though it’s not my main discipline.
Now back on a downhill bike and feeling good!
Loïc Bruni (LB): We had some time to prepare this season, so I feel well trained, we have a new bike that we’ve tried to make ready too. It’s been fun – I was a little bit more loose in the off season and it feels refreshing. I’m in a good spot.
How does the UCI World Cup prepare you for a UCI World Championships?
VH: It’s a bit scary that there are only three UCI World Cup events before the UCI World Championships where I can wear my jersey because I’m a bit scared to lose it! Definitely Leogang [2nd round of 2023 UCI DHI World Cup] will be a special one for me, although it hasn’t seemed to work out that well for the last three years. With a bit of a confidence boost wearing the stripes hopefully it will be good! At the UCI World Cup events it’s not that bad if you don’t win but can make the top five and think about the overall. In the UCI World Championships it doesn’t matter what you did in the training run, or what you did in qualification, it’s just that one special run and everybody’s gonna remember it! When I won the overall there was not that much attention, but when I won that one run, it’s insane!
LB: The same competitors, same really high level run required but with an extra something to make it happen in the UCI World Championships. The vibe is more intense, the goal is more precise and everything feels stronger.
Is every rainbow jersey equally special?
VH: They all look the same so it looks sick with the Junior and Elite jerseys all together in my living room… It looks like three ‘big ones’! But definitely the first Elite one is special. I’m stoked that I already ticked it off at just 20 years old! I’m super keen to get more in the future.
LB: All my titles have a special taste and I love each one of them and their story behind them. But I have to admit, Les Gets 2022 was another level, I couldn’t believe it. What a day for me, the Frenchies and the sport. Unreal.
How about defending the title?
VH: I’m gonna focus on the UCI World Cup events first, and by August I will have full focus on the UCI World Championships.
LB: I have less pressure than the others, I want it and put a lot of heart into it but I’ve done it before, so if I don’t succeed, I can move on quicker than someone who has never won. I love some pressure though, it’s what I need to ride at my best.
What do this year’s UCI Cycling World Championships mean for downhill?
VH: Maybe in the future it could be like the Olympic Games where there is a whole Athletes’ Village together. We [downhill] are not in the Olympic Games… but who knows, maybe in the future!
LB: It’s so rad to have all the disciplines in one spot even though I’m sad downhill is so far away… I like to share and watch other people doing what they love, especially in cycling. This is gonna be epic for us athletes but also spectators!
Fort William is such a great venue – but not always your happiest hunting ground…
VH: Fort William is great, I'm always amazed at how many people make it up there!
LB: Yeah, unfinished business in Fort William, I have some background with that mountain but I’m working on it and this year when I raced the national round on it, I felt like I could turn it around. It’s me against this track, and I’m ready for the fight!!
VH: Come and cheer for us! And don’t bring the rain!
Who should we watch out for in the downhill?
VH: The girls who have just stepped up into the Women Elite, like Phoebe Gale, a UK rider, who is really strong and will want to perform at home. The women’s field is stronger than ever this year, it’s super stacked!
LB: I think both my teammates have equal chances to win: Loris [Vergier], Amaury [Pierron]. And Laurie [Greenland, GBR] seems to be on fire too. Let’s not forget all the other fast guys able to take the win. It’s stacked!
Which other events would you like to see?
VH: Definitely the BMX Racing!
LB: For sure, I love BMX Racing, and maybe some road stuff!