As the first Canadian to win at Mont-Sainte-Anne since Steve Smith in 2013, Finn Iles is aiming to climb to the top of the podium again in the spectacular downhill race taking place on Saturday.
After a Junior World Championship title in 2016 and multiple World Cup victories in 2016 and 2017, the former skier, who was born in Banff but grew up in Whistler where he discovered cycling, really hit the ground running in the elite class last year, reaching four Podium finishes, including his win at Mont-Sainte-Anne, and finished 3rd overall.
“It would be complete madness if I could win at Mont-Sainte-Anne again,” said the 24-year-old downhiller, who was the last to start when he won in 2022. The route suits my bike and my running style very well. The excellent sections have been improved and the less interesting sections removed, making the course even more fun.
Even though he hasn’t felt the thrill of victory yet this year, Iles sits 4th in the standings. The champion will be crowned in Mont-Sainte-Anne as it is the final stop of the season.
“The priority is to win and not to think about the overall standings,” emphasized the former skier, whose father is a ski coach. It will be very difficult to get first place in the overall standings. My opponents would have to be unlucky for me to sneak past. Mathematically speaking, my chances aren’t great, but you never know what can happen downhill.
Known on the international stage since 2014, when he took part in a competition in Whistler, despite being four years too young, which he actually won, Iles caught the attention of Red Bull, who signed to his stable.
Canadian Jackson Goldstone is 3rd overall, 46 points ahead of Iles.
Irish doubles
Oisin O’Callaghan, who won the Snowshoe in Virginia last weekend, is still on cloud nine. “It’s still crazy to think I got my first career win,” he said. When I crossed the finish line, I didn’t know I had won. My teammate came to me and told me to look at the board.”
“It was an incredible weekend for Irish mountain biking as we achieved the first double in our country’s history,” O’Callaghan continued. Our compatriots were completely hysterical.” Ronan Dunne deserved the silver.
O’Callaghan will have his baptism at Mont-Sainte-Anne. “I got injured last year and didn’t compete in the Mont Sainte Anne event my junior year.”