2016 was a good year for British downhill, with Danny Hart on a hot streak and Rachel Atherton, well, being Rachel Atherton. World Champs continued that trend.
In the Elite ranks, two riders flying the British flag would come out on top in emphatic style with almost identical winning margins in the dust of Val di Sole.
Rachel Atherton
2016 would see Rachel Atherton win every single race she turned up at. World Champs in Val di Sole was no different. She’d put just over three seconds into silver medallist and 2019 World Champion, Myriam Nicole. Third place Tracey Hannah would be a further six seconds back on Nicole.
Atherton’s time would have put her in 40th in Elite Men.
Danny Hart
The Redcar Rocket would tame the madness seen from his previous winning runs to be full sniper when it mattered, and delivering full commitment in the lower sections on some inside lines that floored some other riders.
Laurie Greenland had put down a wild, heater of a run to pip bronze medal finisher Flo Payet, but Hart, with two riders left behind him on the hill, made it count, with a winning margin just shy of three seconds.
