Phoenix 24
A mountain circuit turned precision into victory.
La Molina | June 2026. The Bike Show MTB La Molina closed with a powerful display of downhill racing as Britain’s Luke Williamson and France’s Isabeau Carrez Courdurier claimed victory in the European downhill event. The competition turned the Comella DH circuit into a test of control, speed and mental precision, confirming La Molina as one of the key venues in Europe’s mountain-bike calendar.
Williamson dominated the men’s race with a decisive run, becoming the only rider able to break the three-minute barrier on a 2.3-kilometer course with more than 400 meters of negative elevation. Behind him, the battle for the podium was decided by almost nothing: France’s John Garcin finished second, while Spain’s Dani Castellanos took third place by the narrowest of margins.
Castellanos’ result carried particular weight for the local crowd. His podium finish not only reinforced Spain’s presence in elite downhill racing, but also gave him valuable points in his fight to remain competitive within the international ranking. On a course mixing natural terrain, fast sections and demanding technical zones, consistency became as important as pure risk.
In the women’s race, Carrez Courdurier delivered a meaningful victory in her return to competition after becoming a mother last autumn. Her performance showed experience, rhythm and resilience on a circuit that rewarded riders capable of managing speed without losing control through forested and technical sections.
Catalan rider Maria Pomés also emerged strengthened from the event. Her fifth-place finish allowed her to leave La Molina as leader of the women’s European Cup standings, giving the Spanish delegation another reason to celebrate beyond the podium.
The event brought together several mountain-bike disciplines over three days, reinforcing the growing strength of La Molina as a competitive hub for European MTB. More than a race, the weekend confirmed a larger pattern: downhill cycling is becoming faster, more technical and increasingly international.
Facts that do not bend. / Hechos que no se doblan.