SCOTT DH Factory back on the Podium !

One Tenth Away from Victory: SCOTT DH Factory Shines in Loudenvielle
Loudenvielle, France, May 31st, 2026. What a fantastic location for the 2nd stop of the 2026 UCI MTB World Series.SCOTT DH Factory leaves Loudenvielle with a World Cup podium finish, plenty of positives to take away, and confirmation that the speed is there. Led by Benoît Coulanges’ outstanding second place finish, the team showcased its full potential on the demanding Pyrenean track, despite a few setbacks that prevented some riders from capitalizing on their pace.

Coulanges Comes Agonizingly Close to Victory

Benoît Coulanges (FRA) delivered an exceptional performance throughout the weekend. After an aggressive and perfectly executed race run, he secured a superb second place finish, missing victory by just one tenth of a second. A world-class result that rewards the hard work of the entire team and marks SCOTT’s return to a UCI Downhill World Cup podium.

“So stoked to get that near win here in France, track was pretty demanding, dry and dusty but we found the perfect balance on the bike. We had a good start in South Korea (11th), so stoked to also reach second rank in the World Cup overall, many thanks to my team, lets pursue the good work!” Benoît Coulanges SCOTT DH Factory

Ethan Craik Shows Impressive Speed

Ethan Craik (GBR) once again demonstrated his raw pace on the Loudenvielle course. Fast from the very first split, he even recorded the fastest time in sector three, proving he has the speed to compete with the very best in the world. Unfortunately, a crash ended his hopes of a strong result while he was putting together a highly competitive run. He ultimately finished 23rd, a result that does not reflect the level of performance he showed throughout the weekend.


“Disappointed by my race run, I was on a proper pace, I lost a hand and almost crashed! I have a lot more to show, i’m fast, bike is wonderfull… Many thanks to my mechanic Rich and all the team staff” Ethan Craik SCOTT DH Factory

Jess Blewitt Forced Out After Good Qualifying

In the women’s field, Jess Blewitt (NZ) started her weekend on a positive note by securing her place in the final. Unfortunately, a crash during training prevented her from fully challenging on race day. Despite the disappointment, her qualification performance highlighted her progression and her growing ability to consistently compete among the top riders.

Dakotah Norton: All the Right Signs Before an Unfortunate Incident

Dakotah Norton’s (USA) weekend also came to an early end. Following a harmless off-track incident during qualifying, he was unable to advance to the final. A frustrating outcome, especially considering the strong pace he had shown throughout the event. All weekend long, Dakotah looked fast on the track, with every indication pointing toward a strong result before the incident.

Successful Debut for the New Team Truck

The Loudenvielle round also marked the first official outing for SCOTT DH Factory’s brand-new race trailer. Serving as the team’s operational hub throughout the event, it immediately proved to be an outstanding workspace, providing optimal conditions for both riders and staff.


A Strong Weekend for the Entire Team Beyond the individual results, Loudenvielle will be remembered as a very positive weekend for the entire SCOTT DH Factory team. The speed was there across all categories, every team member played their part, and Benoît Coulanges’ podium finish was a fitting reward for the work accomplished since the beginning of the year.