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WORLD CUP CHAMPION JUNIORS

The transition factory racing team is a platform for upcoming youth talent to develop their racing and competitive skills, while not losing focus on what matters: having fun. Without any doubt, we are stoked to join this journey and support a group of talented young guns with our award-winning protection and bikewear.

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THE ATHLETES

Get in the pits of 2023 UCI Downhill racing

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Lenzerheide (CH)

Speed, setbacks, and debuts


The first WC and the course was fast and dusty. Irregular rain showers kept changing conditions which made setup and line spotting challenging for riders and mechanics. But Tristan, Valentina, and Taylor were looking really fast in practice and kept the vibes to the roof.  

Unfortunately, Tristan had a gnarly crash in practice that put him out of the race. He miraculously walked away with just a small fracture in his hand so he is already back home in Quebec working with the best doctors and will be back in time for WC #4 in Andorra. While he is still young he brings a massive amount of experience and leadership to the team so we can’t wait to see him back with the team.  

 The girls did nothing less than shred hard! It was a show with Vale qualifying 1st and Taylor 10th (her very first World Cup). 

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LEOGANG (AT)

Courage, crashes, and close calls


The anticipation leading up to Leogang is always a tough one. This track puts fear into almost every racer in the circuit, as it's known for its ever changing track conditions and unpredictable weather patterns. This year, the track was faster and more wide open than previous years, which lead to tight times. The track stayed super fast and dry through junior finals as they finished prior to the downpour. 

On Thursday, Valentina and Taylor both qualified for finals again, placing P2 and P10 in qualifying runs, respectively. On Friday, both girls were looking fast and poised in practice and ready to put down scorchers in their race runs. Valentina ended up going off track at the start of the race, and ended P4 in finals. Taylor had some amazing split times, but ended up crashing in Vali Höll's corner in sight of the finish line, putting her in P8 in finals.  

 

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VAL DI SOLE (IT)   

Challenging the black snake


The notorious Black Snake is one to handle with speed but also precision. This year they revamped Vale Di Sole Track, which proved to be a big job. Freshly packed sections had turned into dust exposing all the rocks that hid under the surface.  

Nevertheless, Valentina and Taylor did nothing less than attack the track with focus and speed. Unfortunately, Valentina suffered a huge crash taking her out of practice and possibly have a torn ligament in her hand. She taped up and went to work the following morning and qualified 6th on the day. Taylor has been really getting into her World Cup grove and steadily working her way up the top ten.  

In finals the girls showed their talent and Valentina went through the finish line as P4 and Taylor very close on P6.   

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Crankworx Whistler (CA)

taking all the wins 

Crankworx Whistler is not part of the UCI DH tour, but it is must-do stop for all racers, freeriders, slopestyle riders or any MTB enthusiast. 
The crew came in swinging and took a massive list of medals home, showing their talent in speed and technique, before hitting the World Champs in Fort William. Across all the madness, Matilda slayed each podium of each discipline. 

  • Aletha Ostgard (U17); P1 at DH, P1 at Air-DH 

  • Matilda Melton (U17); P2 at DH, P2 at Air-DH, P1 at Pumptrack, P1 at Enduro 

  • Taylor Ostgard (U19) ; P2 at Air-DH

 

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Fort William (UK)

racing for the rainbow at the World Championship


A tough track with tough conditions. Taylor dropped in at the top with confidence, but unfortunately had a big crash in the top section! Luckily, she walked away unscathed and was able to brush it off and came through the finish line in 17th. Valentina had her eyes set on rainbow stripes and left everything out on that track. In the end P5 on the day for Valentina on the longest track of the season. The juniors are showing that the level of racing is going through the roof!    

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Loudonville (FR)

Rainy setback and Tristan's comeback

A very first and damn what a venue, and what a track! Loudenvielle was new but straight away voted by many one of the best tracks of the circuit. Unfortunately, the weather played a huge role and the Junior Downhill Finals race got cancelled due to safety conditions. The girls were looking smooth and in Quali Valentina took P3 and Taylor took P8. Heavy overnight rain on the fresh track created slippery conditions that ultimately led to a cancellation of the Junior Downhill Finals race the following day. Official qualifying results were used to determine the final result for the juniors. 

Tristan is back between the tapes! Slowly but surely, he is finding back his confidence on the gnarly World Cup tracks after his injury. He felt strong in his Qualifying race but was just off the pace to make it into Semi-Finals. On to the next one!

 

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Les Gets (FR)

First year and first World Cup Win! 


The European stretch of racing this year ends with a well-deserved and very first World Cup win!  Both girls were fired up in Les Gets for another chance at racing. Valentina and Taylor qualified P5 and P8, both taking a strategic runs and feeling confident for finals. Valentina was hungry for the win after Loudonville and she came in with authority. She landed P1 in finals, putting down a killer time that was 10 seconds faster than her qualifying run. She is now leading in the individual standings, so she is taking on the leader jersey for the last 2 races! 

Taylor placed her highest all season landing P6 in finals - she put down a solid run shaving 12 seconds off her qualifying time. Moreover, she was only within 5 seconds of a podium so she keeps pushing and showing she is a killer on the bike. Tristan is back on racing and currently finding his way back to where we know he can be, after his gnarly injury from the beginning of the season.

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Snowshoe (US)

Podium power and progress

The girls have been building and gaining speed all season, and this race surely showed that their hard work has paid off! Coming into finals with Taylor at P3 and Valentina at P4 in qualifying, they BOTH landed podiums together for the first time! Taylor shaved almost 15 seconds off of her qualifying time and landed P2 and Valentina was right behind in P3 in finals. We couldn't be prouder of this monumental weekend. Valentina is still holding the leader's jersey for junior women as we enter into the last race.

Tristan put down a solid run in qualifying landing P62, just 2 spots off from semi-finals. He is stoked and slowly showing the progression of returning from his injury.

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MONT-SAINTE-ANNE (CA)

Another win to seal the deal


Mont-Sainte-Anne (MSA) is the venue with the longest MTB World Cup history and while the track is known as one of the most demanding runs on the circuit Valentina didn't hold back at all and ended up with the third win in a row. More than enough to secure her place as the 2023 World CUP Junior Champion!

While Taylor faced a challenging setback with a significant femur injury, we are delighted to report that she is back on her feet and recovering well. Her resilience is a testament to the incredible spirit of the Transition Factory Racing Team.

2023 was a stellar of a season, and for it being the first. We are stoked to have been able to partner up with Transition, all the other partners and such an epic team. We can't wait for the coming seasons.