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What's the hardest DH World Cup track in history?
The pros give their verdict on the tracks only the bravest can triumph on.
UCI World Cup downhill races have taken place all around the world, on every continent (except Antarctica), with over 50 venues and resorts hosting races across 17 countries. Downhill racing has reached around the globe, but which tracks do riders fear or relish the most?
3rd place – Fort William, Scotland
Nestled in the Nevis range in the Scottish Highlands, Fort William has been a longstanding fixture on the UCI calendar. Famous for the phenomenal finish line atmosphere and unpredictable weather, the course itself offers plenty of challenges throughout a long, rough run.
It's "sheer brutality" according to Rachel Atherton, and has big slabs, huge jumps, a tight forest zone and the fan-favourite motorway section at the very end.
Gee Atherton, Trek Factory Racing DH
"Fort William! Particularly the first year (2002). I had actually ridden the Fort William track as a Youth when I won the NPS there in 2001 but it didn’t make any difference! I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous at a World Cup to this day – and I was right, it was a disaster! Fort William is just brutal; it’s long, it’s physical, and it’s technical. I’ve had some horrible crashes there, like in 2016 when I qualified first but effectively put an end to my season in my final race run – but that makes the wins more special."
Watch Claudio Caluori and Jack Moir ride the course in the video below.
7 min
Claudio Caluori's Fort William course preview 2017
Claudio Caluori's Fort William course preview 2017.
2nd place – Mont Sainte-Anne, Canada
The World Cup track offers riders absolutely no respite and is often described as brutal and savage – damaging just as many riders as it has bikes over the two and half decades it has been on the calendar. It's infamously long with a tricky mix of open track and treacherous woods. And the huge rock drop introduced a few years back has just added to the fun.
Greg Minnaar, Santa Cruz Syndicate
"The hardest DH track for me is probably Mont Sainte-Anne. It's a track that is always a brutal, tough struggle. It's really good fun to ride but it's a gnarly track just to be able to hold on down to the bottom. Champéry was another tough one – super tough track to race."
Watch Claudio Caluori and Mick Hannah ride the course in the video below.
7 min
Claudio's Mont-Sainte-Anne Run
Claudio and Mick Hannah ride Mont-Sainte-Anne 2017
And the winner for hardest DH track is...
1st place – Val di Sole, Italy
It really shows who's in shape who's got the technical skill and raw speed.
Taking the top spot is Val di Sole in the North East of Italy. The Black Snake course (an ominous name) is renown for being steep and very technical, more so than MSA. It's a track that riders really need to be able attack confidently – attack too hard however, and the track may just bite back. Lets see what the riders had to say about it...
Loïc Bruni, Specialized Gravity
"I think that Champéry and Val di Sole are the hardest. For me, because we go there every year, Val di Sole is the worst. It takes a lot of focus to stay on the bike, it's super technical and definitely not the one you want to crash on."
Brook Macdonald, GT Factory Racing
"In my time of racing I’d have to say Val di Sole would be one of the hardest World Cup tracks to race. It's so demanding and physical you basically don't get a break the whole three minutes of racing. I think this track separates everyone. It really shows who's in shape who's got the technical skill and raw speed. I think this track would really show what kind of rider you are if you win here."
Marcelo Gutierrez, Giant Factory Off-Road Team
"Without doubt – at least for me – Val di Sole in Italy. It can definitely get hard, narrow and scary!"
Watch Claudio Caluori, Rob Warner and Steve Peat ride the course in the video below.
7 min
Claudio's World Champs Course Preview
Claudio, Rob Warner and Steve Peat take on the World Champs track.
Watch live coverage of the racing from Val di Sole from August 26 on RedBull.com at 12pm BST.
