From the smooth tarmac of road racing to the rocky lines of downhill, the 24-year-old Italian rider is carving her path to the top of the gravity scene. The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Val di Sole (June 20–22) is her next big target — alongside teammate and Downhill veteran Eleonora Farina. “I’m building my own road to victory,” she says
Gloria Scarsi was just six when she first got into road racing. A bike, a dream, and a straight path ahead — that’s all she needed. Her early career was a steady climb through the youth and Junior categories. But when she reached the Elite level, the path suddenly veered off course. At just 19, she stepped away from racing. “I was under so much pressure from the outside that I ended up hating the bike,” she reflects now with a clearer outlook.
That wasn’t the end of the story. After a year off, a friend reached out: “Come try downhill.” That invitation changed everything. Scarsi stepped into a completely new world — one built on adrenaline, commitment, jumps, berms and descents where there’s no room for error.
Today, less than a month from the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Val di Sole (June 20–22), she’s one of Italy’s most exciting Downhill prospects, alongside Trentino’s Eleonora Farina and South Tyrol’s Veronika Widmann.
Scarsi opened her season in Poland with a strong showing — fourth in qualifying and sixth in the final. Now, all eyes are on Val di Sole and its iconic Black Snake, the world’s most feared and revered downhill track.
“I’m forging my own path to success,” says Scarsi. “It took years of rebuilding — I had to strengthen my upper body, get familiar with the equipment, and learn the dynamics of racing all over again. I’ve reached a solid level now, but there’s still a lot I want to improve.”
Her debut on the Black Snake last year didn’t go to plan. “I felt good early on, but then I crashed during qualifying and missed the final. This year, I’m calmer and more prepared. I know the course and I’m coming in with a whole new mindset. My family and friends will be there — it’s going to be amazing.”
She now shares a team box at MS-Racing with one of the most experienced riders on the circuit, Eleonora Farina. “We have a great relationship. We talk a lot about line choices and setups, and we push each other. That exchange makes us both better.”
The Black Snake will be, as always, a brutal test. “It’s long and demanding — you need to be in peak condition and have your suspension perfectly dialled. There’s no rest on that track; it’s full throttle from top to bottom. I’m confident in how my bike is set up, but with a track like this, you never know until you’re racing.”
The Val di Sole program kicks off on Thursday, June 19 with practice, followed by qualifying on Friday, June 20, and the Women’s Elite final on Saturday, June 21 at 12:10 PM. Tickets are available at www.valdisolebikeland.com
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Scarsi knows her rivals well: “Tahnee Seagrave has won here several times and had an incredible run in Poland. Then there’s Vali Höll — she’s physically made for this kind of course.”
Gloria Scarsi’s trajectory hasn’t followed a straight line — and that’s what makes it special. From road cycling’s clean lines to the raw challenge of downhill, she has rediscovered the joy of racing, and her love for the sport. Now, the Black Snake isn’t a barrier — it’s the next descent waiting to be conquered at full speed.
