Scott DH Factory Continues to Deliver at Round 5 in La Thuile
Round 5 of the 2026 UCI Downhill World Cup took the Scott DH Factory to La Thuile, Italy, where riders faced one of the fastest and most demanding tracks of the season. Steep, dry and incredibly dusty, the course offered very little room for error, with only fractions of a second separating the world’s best riders.
Once again, the team proved the strength and consistency of its line-up, with all four Scott DH Factory riders qualifying for Saturday’s finals—an achievement shared by only a handful of teams this weekend.
Jess Blewitt Knocks on the Podium Door
Jess Blewitt delivered another outstanding performance, finishing 4th after one of her strongest runs of the season. Perfectly at home on La Thuile’s steep and technical terrain, the New Zealander attacked from start to finish, committing fully on every section of the course. Missing the podium by only a few tenths of a second is naturally frustrating, but her ride once again confirmed she belongs among the fastest women in the world.
Week after week, Jess continues to build momentum and establish herself as a genuine podium contender.
“Pretty happy to be back at the top, after my injury in Loudenvielle and missing Leogang, stocked to be consistent, 6th in Lenzerheide, now 4th in La Thuile… Many thanks to our staff, they rocks !”
Jess Blewitt Scott DH Factory
Experience Pays Off in the Men’s Field
All three Scott DH Factory Elite men secured their place in the final despite the increasingly demanding qualifying format. Benoît Coulanges put together a solid race run to finish 17th. Extensive line work with the coaching staff throughout the week paid off on a track that doesn’t naturally suit his riding style. In the dry, dusty conditions, precision was everything, and Benoît delivered a composed performance despite the challenging circumstances. Dakotah Norton also battled his way into the final after progressing through Q2, adding extra pressure to an already demanding week under the intense Italian heat. His 19th-place finish reflects a rider steadily rediscovering his race pace, with confidence continuing to grow as the season progresses.
For Ethan Craik, the final result certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Charging at the front of the field and setting competitive split times, Ethan was well on pace for a major result before a small mistake sent him straight into the safety net. Losing valuable time getting back on course, he eventually crossed the line in 29th, but his outright speed continues to impress everyone. No doubt, the breakthrough result is only a matter of time.
A Strong Team Performance
As the new World Cup format raises the level of competition and tracks become ever faster and more physically demanding, simply placing four riders into the finals has become a significant achievement. Beyond the individual results, the team once again demonstrated outstanding unity throughout the weekend. Riders, coaches and staff worked closely together to analyse lines, adapt to the changing track conditions and maximise every opportunity. That collective effort paid off, allowing Scott DH Factory to climb two places in the overall team standings.
It’s another encouraging step in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive and exciting season.
Next Stop: Andorra
There is little time to rest, as the World Cup caravan heads straight to the high mountains of Andorra for the next round.
Another spectacular venue, another challenging track, and another opportunity for Scott DH Factory to continue building on the momentum generated throughout the opening half of the season.
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