Vermette, Shaw, and Newkirk Earn Top 10 Finishes in…

Downhill racing took center stage Saturday at the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy, following Friday’s qualification runs. The Junior and Elite fields took on the legendary Black Snake track, a steep, rocky, and root-filled course known for its demanding terrain, requiring riders to manage fatigue throughout their runs.

Elite Men

The Elite Men’s Downhill final came down to razor-thin margins, with riders pushing for every fraction of a second on a course that became increasingly dusty and slippery throughout the day. Just 1.508 seconds separated the top four, leaving little room for even the smallest mistake.

Asa Vermette (Durango, Colo.; Frameworks Racing) delivered the top U.S. ride, attacking the course and moving into second by the first major split. He stayed in podium contention throughout his run and finished fourth, narrowly missing a medal after the final riders came down the mountain.

Luca Shaw (Pisgah Forest, N.C.; Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) was close behind, finding time through the upper and middle sections before a couple of small mistakes cost him valuable seconds. He crossed the line in sixth, giving Team USA two riders inside the top six.

Results:

1. Jackson Goldstone (CAN) – 3:28.785

2. Lachlan Stevens-McNab (NZL) – +0.695

3. Jordan Williams (GBR) – +0.702

4. Asa Vermette (USA) – +1.508

6. Luca Shaw (USA) – +3.142

25. Ryan Pinkerton (USA) – +8.266

26. Dylan Maples (USA) – +8.480

30. Richie Rude (USA) – +9.433

40. Evan Medcalf (USA) – +13.647

Elite Women

After becoming the first American woman in 23 years to win an Elite UCI Downhill World Cup earlier this summer, Anna Newkirk (Riehen, Switzerland; Frameworks Racing) continued her strong season in Val di Sole, crossing the line in 4:09.962 for 10th place. Maylei Leaneagh (Longmont, Colo.; ZFR Team) was close behind, finishing 13th in 4:15.120 to give Team USA two riders inside the top 15.

Results:

1. Valentina Höll (AUT) – 4:01.558

2. Lisa Baumann (SUI) – +1.728

3. Harriet Harnden (GBR) – +2.046

10. Anna Newkirk (USA) – +8.404

13. Maylei Leaneagh (USA) – +13.562

36. Matilda Melton (USA) – +57.585

Junior Men

Boston Bryant (Lehi, Utah; Outlaw Bike Team) led the way for the American junior men, moving up through the second half of the course to finish eighth in 3:50.867. Luke Mallen (Sandy, Utah; Outlaw Bike Team) followed closely behind, holding a strong position throughout much of his run and crossing the line 10th in 3:51.736.

Results:

1. Raoul Schneeberger (SUI) – 3:47.477

2. Felix Griffiths (GBR) – +0.450

3. Filippo Gilardino (ITA) – +1.180

8. Boston Bryant (USA) – +3.390

10. Luke Mallen (USA) – +4.259

44. Alexander Mallen (USA) – +20.847

Junior Women

As the final rider to drop in, U.S. Junior National Champion Aletha Ostgaard (Selah, Wash.; Canyon CLLCTV Factory Team) delivered a silver-medal ride in the Junior Women’s Downhill final, finishing in 4:20.959. The result moved her up one spot from last year’s bronze-medal finish in the category.

Winter Bush (Pagosa Springs, Colo.; Outlaw Bike Team) also had a strong ride, taking over the hot seat after her run and holding a podium position until the final riders came down the course. She ultimately finished fourth in 4:38.392.

Sisters Zanna and Raina Logar (Davis, W.Va.; Frameworks Racing) finished back-to-back, with Zanna crossing the line 11th in 4:45.989 and Raina following in 12th at 4:47.414.

Results:

1. Tilly Boadle (AUS) – 4:13.323

2. Aletha Ostgaard (USA) – +7.636

3. Indy Deavoll (NZL) – +16.895

4. Winter Bush (USA) – +25.069

11. Zanna Logar (USA) – +32.666

12. Raina Logar (USA) – +34.091

Next Up: The 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships conclude Sunday with the Under-23 and Elite XCO events.

USA Cycling’s participation in the World Championships is made possible through the support of dedicated donors and partners. Visit Bentonville and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism are key partners of our Mountain Bike program, both sharing our mission to elevate the sport of cycling.

To support the USA Cycling National Team, USA Cycling members and fans can donate to the USA Cycling Foundation here.