MTB Downhill: “The world championships were a disappointment” for Millavoise Marine Cabirou

Marine Cabirou termine 2e de la coupe du monde à l’issue de la saison. Midi libre – Maxime Cohen

Millavoise Marine Cabirou looks back on her season. Despite a 2nd place in the general ranking of the World Cup, she hoped to do better at the World Championships.

Mont Sainte-Anne will remain in the good memories of the season for Millavoise Marine Cabirou. Her second victory in this exercise which was not the easiest, according to her own admissions: “It's not the best season of my career. Of course it's long, there are ups and downs, but it's still a good year. My second place in the general ranking remains positive.”

Indeed, this latest success across the Atlantic allowed him to take in extremis second place in the general ranking of the downhill mountain bike world cup. An event she has already won masked, in 2020. The Millavoise was coming off a fifth place in Loudenvielle (stage won by Myriam Nicole) in September and a bitter 12th place in Les Gets. "Of course, we want as many victories as possible, like everyone else, she concedes. It's getting tighter and tighter. We are fighting for the first place and there are many of us who want it and it is therefore difficult to obtain it."

The World Championships "the disappointment"

Between the Pyrenees and Canada, the Millavoise also came up against the world championship race. They were held this year not far from home, in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. “The disappointment of the season”, according to the words of the Scott team rider. “I missed my race and it's a disappointment, she continues. It's the accumulation of several factors. We know that it's a one-day race and that anything can happen. Everyone wants to win and that's maybe what destabilized me. I think it was more the mental side that played, the entourage and the pressure of others." 

The race was a close one and the title was once again won by the Austrian Valentina Höll, Marine Cabirou 7th, just 3 seconds behind the title. Too much pressure put on by the team or by herself ? “There is a bit of both. It is the only title missing from my list of achievements and of course I felt pressure on race day. Everyone expected a lot from these world championships."

Marine Cabirou's results over the entire season. Source: UCI

“I couldn't have hoped for a better way to end the year”

The victory in Canada, at the end of the season, therefore came at the right time. “I win and I take second place on this last stage, I couldn't have hoped for better to end the year, she admits. It's reassuring for me and for the rest of the team for the future.”

The time has come for a little rest, to leave the bike in the garage for a while before getting back to serious things. “I'm going to cut a little (laughs). Afterwards we will look at what points to improve with my entourage to progress and do better next year." Time to take a step back, keep the good memories of the season to build the next one and try to conquer this world title that he lacks to fill his collection.

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