Press releases World Championships

Matt Walker chasing rainbow: “The Black Snake would make it special”

05 luglio 2021 - 11:19

The Team Madison Saracen athletes came to Val di Sole for a training camp and recon of the upcoming Mountain Bike World Championships. Together with the 2020 Downhill World Cup winner, Italian Veronika Widmann and rising star Jordan Williams were also on track

Matt Walker

With less than two months until 2021 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole (Trentino, Northern Italy), from August 25th to 29th, the best riders in the World are already paying visits to the Black Snake, looking ahead to the final day of the World Champs with the Downhill competitions. 

Team Madison Saracen and its athletes, 2020 Downhill World Cup winner Matt Walker, Italian Veronika Widmann and rising star Jordan Williams, enjoyed a training camp in Val di Sole and took the chance to test the Black Snake, the most demanding track on any scale. 

Among the favorites for the rainbow stripes, Matt Walker knows what it takes to win the World Championships. "During World Cups, you have to be consistent, ride without taking any risks. At the World Championships, the approach is different, it's all-in".

"I came to Val di Sole to prepare the best setup for the bike, and to ease some pressure during World Championships' week – continued the Brit rider. - The Black Snake is different compared to the other races. It's restless, steep. The terrain is quite natural, and it will change a lot throughout the week. If you win on the Black Snake, it is a bigger achievement than a usual track. If you win here, none can take it away from you. For this reason, is good to have World Champs here, the best rider will win. It's a true race".

Widmann

Downhill races in Val di Sole represent a big highlight on the program. 4 minutes of pure adrenaline, win fans and chainsaws to cheer on, where the athletes will try to make history in the wake of the 2019 UCI World Cup round winners, Laurie Greenland and Marine Cabirou

Veronika Widmann knows it well, as she came fourth in the 2019 World Cup round in Val di Sole. The Italian rider aims for a medal taking advantage of home support. "I think I have more chances compared to the 2016 World Champs in Val di Sole. The pre-seasonal preparation went great. The World Cup season has just begun, but I already feel good. The Black Snake is one of my favorite tracks because it suits my riding style. The supporters make the difference in Val di Sole: I hope to find again the great show of the Italian fans".

Molloy

In Trentino, the Team Madison Saracen athletes had the opportunity to take a wider look to the Bikeland of Val di Sole. "Val di Sole is a great place to ride, the bike offer is growing," tells Harry Molloy, Team Madison Saracen's athlete and Manager Assistant. – "Here you can go for a spin on the cycling path, take an Enduro tour, ride in the Bike Parks and the landscapes is spectacular, immersed in a typical Italian atmosphere". 

Over the following weeks, the recons of Downhill athletes will continue with four-time World Champion Loïc Bruni, always a very popular presence in Val di Sole.

The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships 'Val di Sole 2021' will be officially presented on Monday, July 12th in Milan, in a vernissage dedicated to the top events of Trentino’s cycling summer, along with the Road European Championships Trentino 2021'.

Vitesse - Val di Sole Bike Land Press Office

Phone: +39 0658334211
E-mail: valdisolebikeland@vitesseonline.it
Website: www.vitesseonline.it

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