Maples, Shaw, Norton, and Newkirk Score Top 10 Finishes in Elite Downhill at 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships

The downhill races took center stage this weekend at the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. Junior riders kicked things off on Saturday, with the Elite races following on Sunday, making for an unforgettable weekend on Champéry’s legendary course.

Coming back strong from injury, Dylan Maples (Orangevale, Calif.; Commencal Muc-Off) threw down a blistering run, even spending time in the hot seat. He was the only American to break the three-minute mark, clocking a 2:59.219. The margins were razor-thin, with riders from 7th through 15th all finishing on the same second, including three Americans –  Dakotah Norton (Clinton, Tenn.; Mondraker Factory Racing), Luca Shaw (Pisgah Forest, N.C.; Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team), and Ryan Pinkerton (Alisa Viejo, Calif.; Mondraker Factory Racing).

1. Jackson Goldstone (CAN) – 2:54.15

2. Henri Kiefer (GER) – +1.946

3. Ronan Dunne (IRE) – +1.993

6. Dylan Maples (USA) – +5.066

8. Luca Shaw (USA) – +5.955

9. Dakotah Norton (USA) – +6.145

11. Ryan Pinkerton (USA) – +6.218

35. Aaron Gwin (USA) – +11.469

39. Richie Rude (USA) – +12.653

67. Austin Dooley (USA) – +23.319

Anna Newkirk (Riehen, Switzerland; Frameworks Racing 5DEV) led the way for the American women. After opening strong with top-five times through the first two splits, she stopped the clock at 3:34.399 to secure an impressive eighth-place finish.

1. Valetina Holl (AUT) – 3:27.13

2. Myriam Nicole (FRA) – +0.667

3. Marine Cabirou (FRA) – +1.091

8. Anna Newkirk (USA) – +7.097

20. Abby Hogie (USA) – +16.639

26. Maylei Leaneagh (USA) – +25.538

35. Taylor Ostgaard (USA) – +39.535

37. Julia Lofqvist-Traum (USA) – +50.908

Reigning World Champion Asa Vermette (Durango, Colo.; Frameworks Racing 5DEV) looked strong all weekend. He was second-fastest at the first split and hit nearly 50 kph at the speed trap, just behind France’s Max Alran. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be Vermette’s day, as a puncture during his race run slowed him down. He ultimately crossed the line in 3:07.823, still good enough for seventh place in the Juniors. Bode Burke (Rhododendron, Ore.; Commencal-Schwalbe By Les Orres), who finished third in this event previously, was the next top American, taking 12th with a 3:12.515.

1. Max Alran (FRA) – 3:00.87

2. Tyler Waite (NZL) – +2.916

3. Till Alran (FRA) – +3.379

7. Asa Vermette (USA) – +6.945

12. Bode Burke (USA) – +11.637

18. Alex Mallen (USA) – +15.103

21. Lucas Dedora (USA) – +15.695

31. Luke Mallen (USA) – +21.247

In her first World Championships appearance, Aletha Ostgaard (Selah, Wash.; Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) qualified third and backed it up in the finals, earning the bronze with a time of 3:38.278, just two seconds off the win. Matilda Melton (Bellingham, Wash.; Commencal-Schwalbe By Les Orres) was the next fastest American, stopping the clock at 3:52.246 to take sixth place. 

1. Rosa Zierl (AUT) – 3:35.96

2. Eliana Hulsebosch (NZL) – +1.864

3. Aletha Ostgaard (USA) – +2.316

6. Matilda Melton (USA) – +16.284

15. Zanna Logar (USA) – +32.807

USA Cycling’s participation in the World Championships is made possible through the support of dedicated donors and partners. To support the USA Cycling National Team, members can donate to the USA Cycling Foundation here. Our supporting partners who have a shared mission to elevate the sport of cycling include, HOVERAir, Visit Bentonville, and Visit Arkansas.