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Meet the young guns hoping to light up the DH World Cup series in 2019
This is your guide on the need to know names of the planet's fastest young downhill talent set to light up the 2019 Mercedes-Benz UCI World Cup.
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The 2019 Mercedes-Benz UCI MTB World Cup season is so close that we can almost hear the buzz of the turbo trainers and the beeps of the start hut. The opening round of the season kicks-off on April 27 in Maribor, Slovenia, and whilst the household names are putting the finishing touches to their final preparations, we decided that it was time to check in on the next generation.
Last year, a host of young talent broke through on to the big stage, and it was felt by many to have been long overdue. So who's next? Here's our picks.
Vali Höll (YT/SRAM)
Valentina Höll
© Philip Platzer/Red Bull Content Pool
It's hardly a grand feat of crystal ball-gazing to predict that a rider who won seven of seven races and a Junior Worlds title in her debut year is one to watch. But that said, we can't wait to continue witnessing Vali Höll's rise to stardom.
The Austrian is a superstar in the making, and her race run times were only seconds away from the Elite podiums during her debut season last summer. We predict in 2019 that margin will shrink even further – watch this space.
Tribault Dapréla (Commencal/Vallnord)
Perhaps another relatively straightforward pick is the winner of the Junior Men's titles i 2018, Frenchman Thibault Dapréla.
Keen observers of the sport may have spotted a certain, let's just say similarity, between the new Commencal/Vallnord team kit and the once proud colours of the Sunn squad. The French outfit ruled over mid-'90s downhill with Nico Vouilloz and Anne-Caroline Chausson on the bikes, and with Max Commencal with a firm hand on the tiller.
For 2019, it looks as though we're seeing the second coming of that French power house, with Dapréla pitting alongside 2018 World Cup champion Amaury Pierron, Myriam Nicole and a resurgent Remi Thirion.
Kade Edwards (Trek Factory DH)
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Sound of Speed: Kade Edwards and Kaos Seagrave in Whistler
Young pretenders Kade Edwards and Kaos Seagrave go huge on the legendary Dirt Merchant trail at Whistler Bike Park.
Watched the video above? Yep, Kade Edwards really is one of the biggest talents we've seen in a while. His speed is wild, raw and occasionally just over the ragged edge, but that's something which often tempers with experience.
Edwards's energy levels are the stuff of legend, and he's sure to embrace the challenge of the newly restructured Trek team complete with its plethora of young talents. A Junior world champ in Lenzerheide last year, keeping it rubber side down in World Cup race runs should be enough for Edwards to guarantee even more podiums in 2019.
Reece Wilson (Trek Factory DH)
A best ever World Cup result – Reece Wilson did Scotland proud
© Nathan Hughes
Another Trek rider who's capable of big things is Scotsman Reece Wilson. A cousin of 2007 Junior world champ turned Enduro World Series racer, Ruaridh Cunningham, and with a background in motocross, Wilson has colossal speed. He finished last season 18th in the overall standings.
Crucial to his successes will be his adaptation to the new Trek set-up. All the tools will be at his disposal, having the wisdom to put them to use correctly will be key.
Matt Walker (Madison Saracen)
Matt Walker at Vallnord in 2018
© Bartek Woliński
Quietly, one of the big success story's of 2018 was Britain's Matt Walker. The 2017 Junior world champion transitioned almost faultlessly into the Elite Men ranks.
Walker's not the flash or brash type, he much prefers the low-key professional approach, and it pays off. He finished the 2018 UCI World Cup season 21st, fifth British rider in the world. Walker simply does 'fast', being far more likely to post social media videos of driving his Lotus Exige at track days than attending late night parties.
Another year on the superbly fast Madison Saracen squad, with advice coming from team manager Will Longden and sharing space with world number two Danny Hart, will only bolster his claims to being the next big thing.
Get ready for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz UCI World Cup with these stories:
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