top of page

Valentina Höll - sending it!

Writer's picture: Mountain Bike MagMountain Bike Mag

Vali Höll has always been ahead of the curve. She took part in her first race as a three-year-old and signed her first pro contract (with YT Industries) at the age of 13.



In 2018 she streaked onto the World Cup circuit, winning every single Junior DH World Cup race to be crowned overall champion, as well as claim Junior World Championships victory.


In 2021, after a difficult start to her rookie season among the elites, she finished strongly with two thrilling race wins at the doubleheader finale in Snowshoe, USA, to take the overall World Cup title at her first attempt.


In 2022 she was crowned the first Austrian downhill world champion in Les Gets.


At just 21 years old, there’s no telling just how high she can go.


IN HER OWN WORDS:

On learning to ride at 3:

“My parents went biking in Whistler in 2005 and a love for mountain biking was born. My dad built a trail right in front of our house in Saalbach when they returned. Regardless of what we did as a family in terms of leisure, whether it was an afternoon together or a vacation, it always had something to do with biking.”


On bonding with her team:

“I think it’s my age that I care a bit too much what other people think about me. But as soon as I opened up to people my season and my performance got way better, and I enjoyed being at the races.”


On her future:

“Hopefully less slipping away in the last turn and less self-imposed pressure – that would make my life a lot easier.”


On finding her form in 2022:

“I stopped worrying about where I’d finish and rode with more abandon. I found I was so over wanting to do well, that suddenly I was riding really well. I guess what I learned is that you never give up. And even if you crash four times in a row every single race weekend, it will pay off someday. Even if it takes four World Cups.”



PERSONAL DATA:

Date of birth: 11 December 2001

Age: 21

Born: Saalbach, Austria

Discipline: Downhill

Turned pro: 2013

Catchphrase: “Send it like a UPS package”

Likes: Puppies, gelato, gin

Team: RockShox-Trek


CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

1st 2022 UCI MTB DH World Championships

3rd 2022 UCI MTB DH World Cup Overall

1st Vallnord Andorra

1st Mont-Sainte-Anne

1st 2021 UCI MTB DH World Cup Overall

1st 2020 & 2021 Crankworx Downhill

1st 2019 UCI MTB DH Junior World Championships

1st 2019 UCI MTB DH Junior World Cup Overall

1st 2018 UCI MTB DH Junior World Championships

1st 2018 UCI MTB DH Junior World Cup Overall



WEAPON:

Vali rides the Trek Session, which features a new high-pivot frame design, 200mm of travel and top suspension tech. Her World Champs gig included a RockShox BlackBox Boxxer fork (with RockShox’s new Charger 3 damper and DebonAir+ air spring) and the Rock- Shox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate shock.





TRENDING

bottom of page