Good Deals French MTB Championship from 53€ /pers – Les Menuires, France, 3 ValleysThe 2026 French National Downhill Championships unfolded from July 22 to 25 in the alpine resort of Les Menuires, drawing a competitive field of riders from across the nation. The event showcased the prowess of Nathan Pontvianne and Marine Cabirou, who clinched the Elite Men’s and Women’s titles, respectively.
Elite Men’s Category
In the men’s competition, 21-year-old Nathan Pontvianne, representing Santa Cruz Burgtec by Goodman, delivered a commanding performance. He secured the national title with a time of 3 minutes and 12.18 seconds, finishing 1.26 seconds ahead of his closest rival, Till Alran of Commencal/Muc-Off by Riding Addiction. Alran, aged 19, clocked a time of 3:13.44. The battle for third place was particularly intense, with Loris Vergier edging out Amaury Pierron by a mere 0.03 seconds. Vergier completed the course in 3:15.95, while Pierron followed closely at 3:15.98. (pinkbike.com)
Elite Women’s Category
On the women’s side, 29-year-old Marine Cabirou from Canyon DH Racing reaffirmed her dominance in the sport. She clinched her second national title with a time of 3 minutes and 39.42 seconds, finishing 3.98 seconds ahead of Lisa Bouladou of Santa Cruz Burgtec. Bouladou recorded a time of 3:43.40. Lais Bonnaure secured third place with a time of 3:46.36, followed by Elise Porta and Soline Besson, who completed the top five. (pinkbike.com)
Junior Categories
The junior categories also featured remarkable performances. In the Junior Women’s race, Ava Chaumet Lagrange emerged victorious with a time of 3:43.04, narrowly surpassing Cassandre Peizerat by 1.59 seconds. In the Junior Men’s race, Sacha Gabriel Brizin claimed the title with a time of 3:24.31, edging out Jules Perfillon by 1.64 seconds. (pinkbike.com)
Notable Absences
The championships were notably marked by the absence of Myriam Nicole, a prominent figure in the downhill racing scene. Nicole, who has been a consistent performer in previous seasons, was sidelined due to an injury sustained prior to the event. (ledauphine.com)
Conclusion
The 2026 French National Downhill Championships in Les Menuires not only highlighted the exceptional talents of riders like Nathan Pontvianne and Marine Cabirou but also underscored the competitive depth present in French downhill racing. As the season progresses, these athletes are poised to make significant impacts on the international circuit, carrying the momentum from their national successes.