The overall leader of the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Series recently visited Daolasa di Commezzadura and the Black Snake course, a track he has yet to conquer. The French star will be aiming for his first win in Val di Sole on Saturday, June 15. "The Black Snake is unique and special; it embodies the true essence of downhill”
Listening to Loïc Bruni, you wouldn't guess that Val di Sole has brought him more disappointment than joy. Yet, the secret to great champions lies in their relentless pursuit of improvement, despite their many trophies.
On Saturday, June 15, at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Val di Sole, Bruni hopes to break his unlucky streak on the Black Snake, an iconic track in international downhill racing. The Black Snake is a challenging, wild, and tough old-school course, perfect for showcasing the skills of the 30-year-old from Nice. However, Bruni has never managed to find the right rhythm with this Italian race. That's why he was in Val di Sole early, performing an on-foot inspection on the course, currently closed to bikes ahead of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series event. He was there to scout the best lines to ride.
"Val di Sole is one of those tracks where I've never found the right feeling," admits Bruni. "I have to manage the race differently. Last year, I struggled with arm pump a lot, and I'm working on that now. This track suits my style, but I just wasn't good enough at being wild. It's a mix of many things I haven't been able to put together. I'm feeling more positive now, and I hope that helps break the Val di Sole spell."
"In my opinion, the Red Bull section is very nice. I need to find the right line between the rocks. It's the part of the track where I usually start to get exhausted. I'm happy it has been changed."
"Val di Sole is special," continued Bruni. "It's a beautiful forest, so natural, with big rocks and roots. This track is the best you can get. The Black Snake is the perfect example of what downhill is all about. This discipline has evolved towards easier and less natural tracks, but it's crucial to keep this natural vibe in Val di Sole without making it too much like the modern tracks."
Earlier this season, Bruni claimed a win in Fort William and leads the World Cup overall standings. "I'm trying to keep this trend up. We've had some good results in the World Cup. I am trying to stay healthy and avoid crashes. My training is adjusted according to each track, and I want to achieve top positions in Val di Sole. Most of all, I want to feel satisfied when leaving the racing fields."
"There are at least five to eight guys who can win the World Cup stages: Finn Iles and Jordan Williams were super strong in Val di Sole in recent years, as well as Loris Vergier and Troy Brosnan. The junior riders are also on par with us in terms of pace, speed, and skills. It's very challenging for us, especially now that I'm 30, to keep up with how quickly they reach top speed. It's a big challenge for me to stay as fast as they are," Bruni concluded.
