The 20-year-old Canadian rider delivers a dominant run in France for a long-awaited Elite Women’s win.
Words by Mia de Paula, and Red Bull Press Release
Canadian downhill phenom Gracey Hemstreet made her mark in Loudenvielle, France, this weekend—snagging her first-ever UCI Mountain Bike World Cup victory in the Elite Women’s category with a commanding ride that left even the sport’s biggest names chasing her split times.
A Long Time Coming
At just 20 years old, Hemstreet has already stacked up World Cup podiums and back-to-back wins at Red Bull Hardline Australia. But until now, the top step had eluded her—until she unleashed a near-perfect run on the steep, technical course in the French Pyrenees.
Qualifying third on Saturday, Hemstreet turned it up on race day, particularly on the lower half of the track. Her precision and power through the gnarliest sections of the course paid off, with none of her competitors able to match her blistering pace in sectors four and five. She crossed the line in 3:39.179—more than three seconds faster than reigning world champion Vali Höll.
“A Masterclass of Riding”
Hemstreet’s 3.169-second margin of victory wasn’t just impressive—it was a statement. Höll, who took second, secured her first podium of the season after a tough fifth-place finish in Poland. Meanwhile, opening-round winner Tahnée Seagrave claimed third, but couldn’t close the gap to Hemstreet’s pace, finishing 8.9 seconds off the lead.
France’s Myriam Nicole, fastest in qualifying, was on track to challenge Hemstreet until a crash ended her run and hopes of a home-country win.
Overall Standings Shakeup
Seagrave remains at the top of the Elite Women’s standings with 510 points, but Hemstreet’s win pushes her into the title conversation. She now sits in third overall with 370 points—just behind Höll at 394—with plenty of racing left on the calendar.
A Canadian Sweep
Adding to the celebration, fellow Canadian Jackson Goldstone won the Elite Men’s race, marking his first World Cup win since 2023. After missing all of last season due to injury, Goldstone’s victory made it a day of redemption and national pride for Canadian downhill.
Elite Women result
- Gracey Hemstreet (CAN) 3m 39.179s
- Vali Höll (AUT) 3m 42.348s
- Tahnée Seagrave (GBR) 3m 48.081s
- Camille Balanche (SUI) 3m 48.776s
- Anna Newkirk (USA) 3m 48.865s
Next Up: Leogang
The 2025 UCI MTB World Cup continues June 7–8 in Leogang, Austria, where downhill and cross-country athletes will both be in action. But for now, Loudenvielle belongs to Gracey Hemstreet—a rider who’s no longer chasing the top, but leading the charge.