USA’s Aaron Gwin is the great protagonist on technical tracks where class, courage and speed make the difference. As a true champion, last year USA’s rider dominated for the third time down the steep Black Snake track (3:31.922) in Daolasa, located in Val di Sole and clinched his third Downhill World Cup in front of 15,000 spectators.
And once again the comparison with Bode Miller holds true, recalling the crowds watching his downhill performances. When at the prize giving a journalist told him that Bode used to train in Trentino, the American rider smiled happily.
For sure the battle for the world title will be really tough. Last year in Val di Sole his rivals, starting from France’s Loic Bruni, protagonist of a great race with clear lines and energy but unable to finish first. The gap was 1”589. He was then able to win in Vallnord. And over the last days, Bruni has trained down the Black Snake on bicycles with telemetry devices similar to those used by MotoGP Teams. He is dreaming to take revenge.
Third Australia’s Troy Brosnan (+1”854), best result in the timed tests but unable to keep the pace of Gwin and Bruni during the race. Lagging behind (54th at 16”449) South Africa’s Greg Minnaar, the man with the largest number of victories in the history of downhill, but he made a mistake on the most technical section (the Wall) of the Black Snake. Italy’s Gianluca Vernassa finished in an honourable 27th place with a time of 10”831.
But in Val di Sole the Italian hero is Loris Ravelli with his victory in the Juniors event. The first for Italy after seven years. The 17-year-old athlete from San Remo is more than only a promise in Italian Downhill. Italian champion and seventh in the World Cup ranking, in the Juniors event, on the Black Snake does the best race in his career. “This is my best result – he said – and winning at home is always very nice. I have been racing for seven years and this victory is a dream come true. Now I feel positive for 2016 World Champs”.
Among the women, the queen of the Val di Sole is UK’s Rachel Atherton (4:08.636) with the 4th victory on the Black Snake (25th overall) and with the fourth Cup overall clinched dominating in all six stages. Second in Val di Sole 2015 final came French Myriam Nicole (+2”239) and third the other UK athlete, current world champion Manon Carpenter (+6”444). Italian girls did wonderful performances, especially Veronika Widmann. The rider from Alto Adige finished seventh with an all-out attack strategy. Eleonora Farina (11th) and Carina Cappellari (13th) did a good job too. The Italian girls are ready to battle it out with their rivals after the good results at the beginning of the season. It’s going to be a very exciting competition.
Alberto Penasa - Azienda Turismo Val di Sole
Viale Marconi, 7 - 3827 - Malè - (TN)
Tel. +39.0463.900863 - Fax +39.0463.901563
www.valdisole.net - penasa.a@valdisole.net
