July 29, 2013 (Vallnord, Andorra) – Rémi Thirion (Fra) Commencal / Riding Addiction took home his first world cup win this weekend among a massive home crowd in Andorra.  The young Frenchman was over the moon with his win on a track that will go down as possiblly one of the best ever.

Thirion was almost not able to speak due to excitement following his run.”It’s incredible. it’s my first podium, and it’s in first position. My goal was top 10 and I get a podium, incredible. it couldn’t get any better,” he commented.

The newly cut track here in Andorra is steep, loose and dusty and had almost every single rider praising it for being a “real” World Cup downhill. Holes formed throughout the week, that were absolutely gigantic by race day, and corners and lines that had been there all week suddenly disappeared after a hundred junior men and women ripped down the track.

Gee Atherton (Gbr) GT Factory Racing was second and Samuel Hill (Aus) Chain Reaction Cycles.Com / Nukeproof. Canadian Steve Smith (Can) Devinci Global Racing made yet another podium appearance with a 4th place finish with Australian Troy Brosnan (Specialized Racing DH) finishing off the group of 5 on the final podium.

Smith was happy with his 4th place finish. “My run was good, it was 16 seconds faster than my qualifier I think so definitely happy to figure my shit out out. I didn’t make too many mistakes but it was still a tough one. There’s nowhere to let off, my forearms got pumped but I did what I could – 4th is a podium so I’ll just keep on working on it.”

For the women, it was Rachel Atherton (GBR) GT Factory Racing taking home her 3rd win of the season, a sweep so far.  “I knew it was going to be close this weekend, I was going ot have to push hard I was nervous because this was such a gnarly track.  I was happy just to get it out of the way. The track was mint, real. It was pretty gnarly how steep it was at the bottom and at the top you had to put down the horsepower.”

Joining Atherton on the podium was top qualifier Manon Carpenter (Gbr) Madison Saracen Downhill Team in second, with Myriam Nicole (Fra) Commencal / Riding Addiction also putting in a strong run for 3rd. No Canadian women competed.

The world cup takes a week off and then returns to racing on the legendary Mont Ste Anne track in Canada Aug. 8-11.

Junior Men full results here.
Elite Women full results here.
Elite Men full results here.