Early clinch sees Valentina Höll chase fifth world gold
Mountainbikerin Valentina Höll secured her fifth Gesamtweltcup after a third‑place finish in Les Gets, making her lead unassailable, and now looks to add a fifth WM‑Gold in Val di Sole next week. The 24‑year‑old Salzburgerin, who dominated the June Rennen in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, built a 605‑point Vorsprung over second‑placed Harriet Harnden, sealing the title with two races to spare.
Early clinch after Les Gets
At the Generalprobe on Samstag in the French resort Les Gets, the Downhill‑Ass Valentina Höll finished behind Britin Harriet Harnden and Französin Marine Cabirou, taking third place. The top three were separated by only 1,426 seconds, underscoring the tight competition. After Platz three in Les Gets´nicht, the result cemented her uncatchable position.
SCHMID reported that Höll expanded her Vorsprung to 605 Zähler over the now second‑placed Harnden in the Gesamtweltcup standings. The margin is mathematically impossible to erase in the remaining events. Reflecting on the achievement, Höll said, “Ich bin 24, das ist schon ziemlich crazy, dass man das schon zwei Rennen vor dem Ende abschließen kann.” The report was filed by APA on 22 August 2026.
Val di Sole showdown next week
The coming Woche in Val di Sole offers Höll the chance to claim her fifth WM‑Gold, matching her overall World Cup tally. As the reigning Weltmeisterin, she enters the race with confidence and aims to add the championship title to her résumé. The race will be held in the Italian venue Val di Sole.
Men's downhill and team news
In the men's downhill, Ex‑Vize‑Weltmeister Andreas Kolb finished behind Max Alran (FRA), who took second place. The result highlighted the depth of competition across both genders at the World Cup events. A Neues Team was announced as a birthday gift for the world champion (Weltmeister), celebrating her achievements.
SCHMID noted that “Besser kann man sich vor den Mountainbike‑Weltmeisterschaften nicht Selbstvertrauen holen,” emphasizing the confidence Höll draws from her dominant performances. Her early clinch of the Gesamt‑Weltcup exemplifies the level of preparation she brings to each race.