The medal wasn't the colour he wanted, but Finn Iles can still add another podium to his career.
Iles rode to bronze at the UCI Downhill World Cup's latest stop in Val di Sole, Italy with a time of 3:44.884. An ill-timed bobble cost the Whistlerite nearly 1.5 seconds, though he poured it on to stay in touch with the day's fastest riders. Fortunately, the result was enough to solidify Iles' runner-up spot in overall standings between Loic Bruni on top and Troy Brosnan in third.
Amaury Pierron would ultimately not be denied gold: his first since a major neck injury (3:39.004). Dakotah Norton of the United States pushed to silver behind the Frenchman (3:43.897).
"Frustrated but happy," Iles wrote on social media. "Back to back podiums feels good but I can’t help feel like I have more in the tank. Thank you to the team for this amazing weekend and I cannot wait for the next World Cup in Les Gets!"
Pierron, on the other hand, was ecstatic.
"It’s insane,” he told reporters. “This week marks the one year since surgery on my broken neck. I’ve been through so much this year. It was really bad, but I never gave up, kept dreaming.
"To win a World Cup on the toughest track is insane. This track was super technical. It was not much full gas, flat-out, it was more of a smart race with good lines. It was really hard mentally and physically. I couldn’t be more stoked.”
Women's results
Tahnée Seagrave marked her 29th birthday in style: with her first DH World Cup victory in three years on the intimidating Black Snake venue.
"I didn’t think it was possible today,” said the Brit, who finished in 4:31.471. “I was so far behind. I had so much work to do and I haven’t turned something like that around in a long time. I think today we saw Tahnée who used to race like this. I’m stoked.”
Marine Cabirou nearly overtook Seagrave, but the Frenchwoman settled for second (4:31.791) as Monika Hrastnik earned third for Slovenia (4:32.412).
Lone Canadian Emmy Lan laboured to a 16th-place result.
Seagrave now jumps into second amidst ladies' season rankings behind Valentina Holl, who was fifth in Val di Sole. Cabirou is not far behind in third.
Full results are available here.
