June 16, 2014 (Leogang, Austria) – Josh Bryceland (Gbr) Santa Cruz Syndicate took home his first World Cup victory this week in Leogang, Austria. Manon Carpenter (Gbr) Madison Saracen Factory Team continued her assault on the women’s series with yet another win.

The track in Leogang is known as a bike park style track — a wide, groomed trail with lots of jumps is interspersed with a few technical sections as it winds it’s way down the mountain. With high speeds, finishing times are always tight here and this year was no exception.  Modifications to the upper section removed a few of the technical turns the track did have, and added in yet more jumps and pedalling, much to many riders dismay. Luckily, despite one heavy shower before qualifying, the weather cooperated and the sun stayed out all week.

Bryceland was over the moon with this week’s result, as can be expected.  “I just wandered my way down and finished up in first! I’ve been riding well all week, so I just did what I’ve been doing. It was nothing mental. Loic [Bruni] was going faster than me, which was impressive, then he binned it and I took the win. I was pretty smooth. If I’d have won outright, I would be buzzin’, but he crashed, so it’s one of them.” Teammate Steve Peat (Gbr) Santa Cruz Syndicate chimed in to remind the young gun that “Loic was trying to ride as fast as you and just couldn’t keep it upright.”

The young Brit was joined on the podium by Greg Minnaar (RSA) Santa Cruz Syndicate in second and Australian Troy Brosnan (Aus) Specialized in third. Brosnan now takes over the World Cup lead with the result.

Carpenter’s win is solidifying her position in the overall as she continues to pull away. Rachel Atherton (Gbr) GT Factory Racing was second and Myriam Nicole (Fra) Commencal / Riding Addiction, also of France was 3rd.

For Canada, Steve Smith (Can) Devinci Global Racing was  11th as he continues to make his return from injury while Micayla Gatto (Can) Pivot Factory DH Team was also 11th. Casey Brown (Can) Bergamont Hayes World Team had a mechanical and Kyle Sangers (Can) PerformX/Commencal was 37th.

In the Junior Men’s DH Canada’s Jack Iles from Whistler, BC, claimed a strong 7th only 3.92 seconds behind winner Amaury Pierron from France. Iles is now a protected rider and this was his best result to date on the World Cup.

There is now a mid summer’s break in the World Cup tour and riders are heading home for a bit of training and relaxation before the series gets underway in about a month’s time at the legendary track in Mont-Ste-Anne, Canada.

Find full results here.