Kiwi teenager claims UCI junior men's World Cup Mountain Bike Downhill title
New Zealand teenager Jonty Williamson has secured the overall UCI junior men's Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup title after a dominant season. His victory marks a significant achievement for New Zealand in the sport of downhill racing.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing success of New Zealand athletes in international extreme sports, contributing to the country's sporting reputation.
*Correction: This story has been updated to clarify other past winners of the same series.
Palmerston North rider Jonty Williamson has joined an elite trio of Kiwis to win a UCI junior Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup Series, after claiming the overall title in France.
Williamson wrapped up the series with two rounds to spare, securing his sixth win of the season at the UCI MTB World Cup at Les Gets.
Few sports combine speed and danger quite like downhill racing, an event in which Kiwis have enjoyed considerable success.
Erice van Leuven won the Junior Women's UCI MTB Downhill World Championship in 2023, and Eliana Hulsebosch won the Junior Women's UCI MTB World Cup overall series title in 2024.
WIlliamson, 17, who rides for the Yeti Fox Factory team, has been in a class of his own this season, recording six wins and one defeat.
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