Jackson Goldstone wins second straight downhill World Championship in Italy
The Squamish mountain biker defended his title at Val di Sole on Saturday, navigating the Black Snake track in 3:28.785.
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Jackson Goldstone claimed his second consecutive UCI World Championship downhill title on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Val di Sole in Italy, successfully defending last year's crown on one of mountain biking's most demanding tracks.
The Squamish racer navigated the renowned Black Snake course in three minutes and 28.785 seconds, a time that held off New Zealand's Lachlan Stevens-McNab by 0.695 seconds. Stevens-McNab's silver medal marks his emergence as a force among the sport's elite, while Jordan Williams of the United States took bronze, just 0.702 seconds back.
"I have no words. Winning the UCI World Championships twice in a row is a dream come true," Goldstone said. "I am still trying to recover from an incredible run. I had the feeling I could do it, and I simply tried to draw my own lines without mistakes. Val di Sole is the place of my dreams, this track suits my characteristics perfectly and the conditions were perfect."
Goldstone has built a dominant record at Val di Sole, now claiming four career victories there: the 2021 Junior World Championships and multiple World Cup events prior to his back-to-back elite titles. Despite his success, he described Saturday's performance as some of the most fun he's ever had on a mountain bike.
On the women's side, Austria's Valentina Höll extended her reign with a fifth consecutive World Championship victory—a streak unmatched in the modern era. Höll crossed in 4:01.558, finishing 1.728 seconds ahead of runner-up Lisa Baumann, with a margin that underscores her dominance even as two potential challengers, Gracey Hemstreet and Myriam Nicole, withdrew before the race.
The facts
Who won the men's downhill World Championship on August 29, 2026?
Jackson Goldstone of Squamish won the men's downhill World Championship on August 29, 2026, at Val di Sole in Italy, claiming his second consecutive title.
What time did Jackson Goldstone record on the Black Snake course?
Jackson Goldstone completed the Black Snake course at Val di Sole in 3 minutes and 28.785 seconds.
How many consecutive World Championship titles has Valentina Höll won?
Valentina Höll of Austria won her fifth consecutive World Championship title, a streak unmatched in the modern era of the sport.
By how many seconds did Jackson Goldstone beat the silver medalist?
Jackson Goldstone finished 0.695 seconds ahead of Lachlan Stevens-McNab of New Zealand, who took the silver medal.
