We can all appreciate the advancements in modern mountain bike tech, but when the skies open up and the conditions change, all the dialed suspension and pre-planned tactics in the world won’t save you from a real mudder. All the carnage aside, the 2026 UCI DH World Cup in Leogang also marked a historic moment in the sport, with the Elite Women field dropping in last on the day, proving that, in the words of Vali Holl, “women’s sport is f*cking amazing”, and I can’t agree more.
When I woke up at the crack of dawn to tune in to what looked like an exciting day of racing, I had no idea I’d end the viewing party (me and my dog) with tears in my eyes, but holy smokes, was the third round of the 2026 UCI World Cup one for the history books.
Photo by Billy Ceusters/Getty Images
You can catch all the highlights of the Women’s and Men’s races here in the videos below.
Leogang UCI DH World Cup 2026 | Women’s Elite Highlights
Leogang UCI DH World Cup 2026 | Men’s Elite Highlights
Sleeper Shreddit | Leogang DH 2026
The team over at Sleeper just dropped their latest Shreddit, and it perfectly encapsulates the sheer brutality and absolute glory of Round 3 of the 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup.
Set to the unapologetic, chaotic energy of Pink’s “So What,” the video gets right into the trenches. Right from the jump, it’s a mudfest. Caked mud, unpredictable lines, and honestly, just chaos. The edit doesn’t shy away from the sheer brutality of the Leogang course. We’re treated to a relentless montage of riders getting bucked, sliding out, and losing it into the catch nets. It’s a stark reminder that despite running the absolute peak of suspension wizardry, the mountain and weather still dictate the terms.
But the real magic of this race isn’t just the chaotic crashes and ever-changing conditions; it’s the historic triumphs that emerge from the muck. The hometown hero herself, Vali Höll, cements her dominance with another elite victory on home soil, and also nabbing the elusive 3-in-a-row winning streak. The champagne spray on the podium and a boot chug were well deserved.
In the Elite Men category, we saw Finn Iles finally nab his second-ever elite win after a hard couple of years getting back to form. You can feel the energy as Finn Iles celebrates his massive win, throwing his arms up after putting down an absolutely wild run and finally tasting the glory of gold once again.
Photo by Billy Ceusters/Getty Images