The Austrian secured her third consecutive title with a flawless performance that left her rivals no chance on the Pal Arinsal course in Andorra. In the men's category, Vergier surprised the favourites and overcame a run of bad luck in recent years.

On the women's side, Holl entered the race as the 2024 UCI Women's Elite Downhill Ranking leader. She was also the reigning UCI World Champion. Her plan was to start last in the Pal Arinsal final, after Nina Hoffmann (GER) and Marine Cabirou (FRA), two of the top competitors.

The competition got off to a frenetic start. Myriam Nicole (FRA) was more than 3 seconds faster than her own qualifying time with almost half of the 40 riders still to go. Only two riders could match the pace of the 2019 and 2021 UCI World Champion.

Tahnee Seagrave (2nd overall in the 2024 UCI World Cup) came close to the French rider's time and moved into provisional silver medal position with three riders to go. Neither Hoffmann nor Cabirou could keep up with the pace.

That left Holl with a hat-trick in her sights. She did it. Holl became the first rider in more than 20 years to complete a hat-trick. (Anne-Caroline Chausson, FRA, UCI World Champion from 1996 to 2003, had done it before). She did it thanks to her aggressive style. The Austrian had a lead of 0.01 seconds at the last split. She then found more time in the final section.

"I had such a hard time getting up to speed after the long break that I really doubted myself. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do a bike race again. But to do it three times in a row, that's amazing," said Holl.

"Myriam [Nicole] is one of the best in the world. I don't really feel like I'm at her level, but somehow I am... The women's race is amazing right now," she added.

Then came the men's category, more open than ever and with no clear predictions. Two-time UCI World Champion (2011, 2016) Danny Hart (GBR) took the lead with a time of 2'38.944. Amaury Pierron (FRA) was close behind. It was the first benchmark in a race whose best moments were yet to come.

43-year-old Greg Minnaar's 28th appearance at a UCI World Championships ended with a standing ovation. The South African, a four-time UCI World Champion (2003, 2012, 2013, 2021), finished 23rd.

When 2023 UCI World Champion Charlie Hatton (GBR) crossed the line in provisional 14th place, the crowd knew the rainbow jersey was about to change hands. He was one of the favourites but had an off day. Ten of the 83 riders remained. Among them was five-time UCI world champion Loïc Bruni (FRA). 

France continued to assert its dominance in this discipline and in mountain biking in general. Before the final trio, Benoît Coulanges (FRA) was fastest by 0.135 seconds and Finn Iles (CAN) was provisionally second by +0.021. However, then came Andorra's Loris Vergier (FRA). He crossed the line 0.148 seconds ahead of his compatriot and was not to be beaten. Norton was half a second ahead when he crashed; Kolb was off the pace, leaving only 'Super' Bruni chasing a sixth UCI Elite World title and a full French podium, but he crashed. Vergier took the rainbow jersey.

"It's like I've been unlucky the last few years and this time I've been lucky. It was unreal. It's been a bad season and today I turned it around. Thanks to Loic [Bruni] for crashing. Otherwise it would have been so hard. However, I'm the UCI World Champion and wow! It's crazy," said Loris Vergier

Women's Category Results

Valentina Höll (AUT), 3:00.212

Myriam Nicole (FRA) +0.520

Tahnee Seagrave (GBR) +1.212

Men's Category Results

Loris Vergier (FRA), 2'38.661

Benoit Coulanges (FRA) +0.148

Finn Iles (CAN) +0.169