Marine Cabirou Wins First Place at 2025 UCI Downhill World Cup in Val Di Sole

Marine Cabirou Triumphs at the 2025 UCI Downhill World Cup in Val Di Sole

The excitement of the 2025 UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup reached a fever pitch this weekend in Val di Sole, Italy, as Monster Energy’s own Marine Cabirou claimed a stunning victory in the Elite Women’s division. Cabirou, a fierce competitor from Millau, France, showcased her skills and determination, surpassing her previous performances with a breathtaking finish time of 410.310 — a full 1.2 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.

This race marked the fourth round of the highly anticipated season, and the stakes were high as riders tackled the challenging course, renowned for its technical difficulties and rough terrain. The legendary Val di Sole track, a favorite among athletes, has been a fixture in downhill racing since hosting the UCI Downhill World Championships in 2008.

Cabirou’s journey in this race was not without its trials. After narrowly missing the podium in the previous round in Saalfelden, Austria, where she finished fourth, she returned to Val di Sole ready to reclaim her confidence. Despite placing fifth at the first split of the race, Cabirou exhibited exceptional grit and strategic racing as she methodically gained time with each segment of the course, ultimately carving her way to first place.

Reflecting on her victory, Cabirou expressed her joy: “I'm really happy to win today after struggling in the first races of the year. The track was really tough, the dry conditions were very tricky, and the dust made it almost impossible to see the lines. I wanted to push more after qualifying fifth, and it paid off. I was never comfortable on my bike with how the track was destroyed; I don't think anyone was, but I managed to relax and enjoy it anyway. I'm very happy to take my tenth World Cup win here in Val di Sole!”

The men’s competition also delivered thrilling performances, with 31-year-old Troy Brosnan from Adelaide, South Australia, finishing second in the Elite Men’s final. Brosnan tackled the demanding course with speed and precision, completing the track in 341.284 seconds. This marked his first podium finish of the 2025 season, a significant achievement that reflects his hard work and dedication. “That was a super hard track to go fast on,” Brosnan stated. “I've been really trying to get back up to speed ever since my win last season in Canada. It's been a hard road to get to this point. We’ve worked endlessly on the bike setup, and the team has done an amazing job.”

Following Brosnan on the podium was Thibaut Daprela, a 24-year-old young talent from France, who finished third with a time of 342.223 seconds. He too celebrated the return to form, after facing adversity during the race. “It’s been a while since I’ve been on the podium. This one feels really good,” Daprela shared. “I had my chain come off on the second corner, so I decided to just go for it and see what happens. It was all or nothing! It was pretty tough, but I knew my lines and was confident in how I’d been riding all weekend.”

Meanwhile, American rider Dylan Maples narrowly missed the podium, taking fourth place, followed closely by Loris Vergier, who secured fifth. Vergier currently stands in third place in the season rankings with 525 points, while Brosnan’s strong performance catapults him to seventh place with 465 points.

With the conclusion of the Val di Sole round, anticipation grows for the next race, set to take place from July 3 to 6 in La Thuile, Italy. Mountain biking enthusiasts around the world are eager to witness the ongoing battles between these elite athletes.

For continual updates and more on the achievements of Marine Cabirou, Troy Brosnan, Thibaut Daprela, and the entire Monster Energy mountain biking team, don’t forget to check out their official website and follow them on various social media platforms. The 2025 mountain bike season promises to be an exhilarating experience, filled with high-speed thrills and remarkable sportsmanship.