World Championships Bronze for Hattie
Hattie Harnden won bronze medal on the UCI MTB World Championships in Val di Sole, with that writing the new chapter in the history of AON Racing and British Cycling! Fantastic result from queen of mountain biking, which was close to be complemented by the male side of our team.
Pal-Arinsal, Les Gets and now Val di Sole – three races in a row, three podiums in a row! Unreal streak of World Cup and now World Champs podiums continue on the race that many consider as THE race of the season. The Black Snake, the infamous track in Val di Sole, that has treated us well in the past (Monika was 3rd last year on the World Cup), has again proved to be a one of the hardest on the circuit. But one that AON Racing riders can tame!
Sessions leading towards qualies and eventually Saturday finals were full of ups and downs, with our riders showing their best in their last runs. Stan was attacking the podium finish but crashed in the bottom of the track. Same fate happened to Reece that was also on the podium pace, until second crash finally put him out of contention. We’re not hiding the disappointed as they were both so good out there on this slope.
Henry showed one of the best riding in the season and finished in 27th place, proving that he has the speed and the skills to race against the best.
All great efforts and confidence builders, but it was Hattie who made history! After setting 2nd time of the qualies she did another fast run in the finals, going straight to the top of the hot seat. It was immediately obvious that this is a podium time, eventually only beaten by Valentina Höll and Lisa Baumann.
Hattie won her first World Champs medal back in 2018 in Lenzerheide, riding cross-country junior race. After series of fourth place finishes she has another well-deserved bronze around her neck!
“Unreal! Left it all out there on the track and grateful to survive the black snake for another year, after a few close calls,” said Hattie after the race.
Big congrats to all riders and the team, another race weekend to be proud of! And thanks to all partners that are helping us get here and show our best!
Full results:
https://www.tissottiming.com/2026/mtbwch/schedule
Photos by Grega Stopar, Andrea Cavazzoni & Max Rendall