Finn Iles opened his UCI World Cup season on June 10 with a respectable fifth-place finish in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The Whistler native crossed the line in a time of two minutes, 40.232 seconds, just ahead of Squamolian Jackson Goldstone in sixth (2:41.428).
Despite being just 18 years old, Great Britain's Jordan Williams rose above the field (2:39.222), taking the year's first downhill win ahead of France’s Loris Vergier (2:39.717) and current UCI World Champion Loïc Bruni (2:39.907).
It was Williams’ first career race in the Elite category.
"Insane first race of the season! Lenzerheide did not disappoint with a really fast track and some super tight racing," said Iles on his Instagram account. "Top 5 to start the season feels pretty good! Only a second back with some things to work on heading into Leogang next week. Highlight of the weekend [was] watching Jordan Williams win his first World Cup on his first go, as well as Specialized Gravity being team of the day! Can’t wait for round 2."
Williams likewise praised his Specialized Gravity teammate Iles and the overall quality of competition.
"This is just insane. Lenzerheide isn't one of my favourite tracks so I just rode as good as I could," he said in a press release. "I don't know where I found the speed. Certainly having fast riders in juniors helped push me along before heading into elite. I didn't focus on trying to win or sending it hard, I just tried to put down the best run I could and see where I ended up.
"Finn and Loïc are great. Loïc's a machine and I was sure he would beat me today."
Results roundup
Gracey Hemstreet was the top Canadian in the women's elite event, placing sixth (3:11.461).
"What a day! Had the best time, nerves were definitely high but I’m so stoked on P6 in my first elite race!" said the Sechelt product on social media. "Just gonna keep building from here."
Rachel Atherton distinguished herself to claim victory (3:07.514). The Brit edged out Switzerland’s Camille Balanche (3:08.048), with German overall champion Nina Hoffman having to settle for third (3:08.301).
"A crazy day, I just can't believe it. It's a surprise for sure," Atherton told reporters. "Sometimes I think and know I can win but today I had no idea. I just wanted to stay safe and have a good run. It's the most relaxed I've felt at a race because I did not think I could win. A top three would have been amazing but this is so cool. Lenzerheide is a really short, intense track and it gets rougher every year. It's the best track in the best location though.
"I have no plans for a comeback. Leogang is next week and I am exhausted. I have only trained for two months and everything hurts. I don't think I could race again next weekend. I just want to get to World Champs in Fort William."
Over in the men's junior race, Bodhi Kuhn of Rossland, B.C. landed on a podium in second (2:50.396) between Italian victor Christian Hauser (2:48.776) and French bronze medallist Hugo Marini (2:51.775). Dane Jewett was the fastest-finishing Sea to Sky athlete in seventh (2:54.804), while Dylan Marino ended up 19th (3:05.002).
No Canadian women qualified for the women's junior final.
Full results and additional coverage is available on the UCI website.
