Bruni and MacDonald on the podium in Italy

Loic Bruni (FRA) has taken home second place at the last World Cup of the season in Val Di Sole, Italy. He was joined on the podium in 4th place by Brook Macdonald of New Zealand. Both SDG riders rode strong all weekend on what turned into one of the most physically demanding tracks of the year.

Val Di Sole has become one of the most technical and rowdy tracks in mountain biking and turned World Cup finals into a race of attrition. Rider after rider went down as the rock strewn track sent many of the world’s best through the tape. With a brand new upper half, the awkward first steep sections were replaced this year with high speed technical rock gardens that upped the speed, as well as the length of the track as riders no longer had to make their way a few minutes down to the start gate from the gondola.

Macdonald struggled through a dislocated knee in practice to race to a dopier finish, no easy task.

With the result, Bruni moved himself into second place in the overall standings and will be running a big #2 on his back next year.

Sadly, long time SDG rider Emmeline Ragot has announced her retirement. Following a spate of serious injuries, and a completed education, the young frenchwoman is stepping away from racing to begin her next career as a physiotherapist. SDG wishes her all the best in her new endeavour.

Everyone now heads to World Championships in Andorra in one weeks time.