Round two brought us to the heart of the French Pyrenees, one of the most iconic venues on the calendar. Racing in front of a home crowd always adds something extra, and the atmosphere throughout the weekend was incredible.

Loudenvielle marked a big milestone for the team, as it was the first World Cup weekend with Big Red, our brand-new race truck.

Having the truck and full structure in the paddock has completely changed the way we operate. With much more space to work, prepare the bikes, and welcome partners, everything feels more professional and efficient throughout the race weekend.

It really feels like we’ve taken a step forward as a team. Beyond the practical benefits, the new setup gives us a much stronger presence in the paddock and offers even better visibility for all the sponsors who support this project.

What a weekend for Raoul in Loudenvielle! From the very first runs, he showed he was one of the fastest riders in the Junior category, putting together an impressive and consistent performance all weekend long.

P2 in Time Training, P2 in Qualifying, and finally P2 in the Final — that’s the definition of a solid weekend. And the most exciting part? He finished less than a second away from the win. We truly believed right until the finish line that his first World Cup victory was possible.

On race day, Raoul delivered exactly what was needed: a clean, controlled run from top to bottom. No mistakes, no panic, just smart and fast riding when it mattered most. Watching him cross the line and secure another World Cup podium was a special moment for the whole team.

We’re incredibly proud of what Raoul achieved this weekend. Since his very first Junior World Cup, we’ve trusted the process, supported his development, and believed in his potential. Seeing him standing on the podium makes all that work worthwhile.

The first World Cup win is getting closer and closer. But for now, we’ll happily take this podium and the confidence that comes with it.

“I’m really happy with the weekend. I felt good on the bike from the first day and managed to stay consistent through every stage of the race. Of course, being less than a second from the win hurts a little, but at the same time I’m proud of what I delivered. A podium at a World Cup is always special, and it gives me even more motivation for the next rounds. The goal now is to keep working and keep pushing for that first win.” – Raoul

This weekend’s result truly reflects Lisa’s speed and what she’s capable of achieving. With a strong P7 finish in Loudenvielle, she’s getting closer and closer to that first World Cup podium, and it’s clear she has the pace to be fighting for it.

What makes this result even more impressive is the way she handled the challenges throughout the weekend. After a heavy crash during morning practice, it would have been easy to lose confidence or play it safe. Instead, Lisa stayed focused, trusted herself, and delivered a clean, controlled run when it mattered most.

From top to bottom, she looked composed, fast, and in control. The speed is there, the confidence is growing, and each race she’s proving she belongs further and further up the results sheet.

If you’ve been following Lisa’s journey, you’ll know she became famous for fighting her way through Q2. But not anymore. This season, she’s doing business the easy way and qualifying directly through Q1 into the finals. It’s another sign of the progress she’s made and the level she’s now riding at.

P7 in Loudenvielle is a huge step forward, but it feels like there’s even more to come. The podium is getting closer.

After an incredible P5 at the opening World Cup in South Korea, all eyes were on Nathan heading into Loudenvielle. Expectations were naturally high, especially considering what happened here last year when he put together an amazing run to finish P4, just missing out on the podium.

Throughout the weekend, Nathan showed great speed once again and looked ready to fight for another strong result. But race day had other plans.

By the time the Elite Men finals rolled around, the track was completely destroyed. Deep braking bumps, massive dust clouds, blown-out corners, and incredibly slippery conditions made every section of the track a challenge. It became a race of survival as much as speed.

Unfortunately, Nathan’s run came to an end with a crash in one of the most difficult corners on the track. It’s frustrating because the pace was there, and without that mistake, a strong result was definitely within reach.

The good news? The speed is still there, the confidence is still there, and we know exactly what Nathan is capable of.

Mylann continues to get closer and closer to securing a place in the finals. After spending his first Elite season learning the ropes and gaining experience, we’re seeing real progress every time he lines up at a World Cup.

Ever since his breakthrough final appearance in La Thuile last year, where he finished an impressive P17, his confidence and speed have continued to grow. You can see it on the track. He’s riding with more commitment, more consistency, and carrying more speed than ever before.

This time, he missed out on the finals by just a few tenths of a second. Which is frustrating but more importantly, it’s a clear sign that he’s right there knocking on the door. The gap keeps shrinking, and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before everything comes together again.

For Thomas, things are a little more complicated at the moment. Sometimes in racing, confidence can be just as important as physical speed, and right now he’s going through a difficult period where things aren’t clicking the way he would like.

We all know the talent Thomas has, and we’ve seen what he’s capable of when he’s riding freely and with confidence. These moments are part of every athlete’s journey, and while results aren’t coming easily right now, we’re confident he’ll find his way through this challenging phase.

None of this would be possible without our team of five staff members — mechanics and team managers — working tirelessly behind the scenes every single day.

Loudenvielle was a perfect example of their commitment. After a long drive to the venue, they were still building the pit and setting up the entire structure until 1 a.m. on the very first night. And that was just the beginning.

Throughout the race weekend, their days start around 6 a.m. and often don’t finish until 10 or 11 p.m. Bike prep, suspension changes, logistics, rider support, sponsor hospitality, truck management… the list never ends. No matter how long the day is, they’re always focused, always precise, and always dedicated to giving the riders the best possible tools to perform. Results are often measured by what happens on track, but so much of that success is built behind the scenes.

So this one is for the crew. Thank you for the hard work, the long hours, and the passion you bring to this project every day. We’re incredibly lucky to have you.

Santa Cruz/Burgtec by Goodman  @santacruz_burgtec

Nathan Pontvianne  @nathan.pontvianne  Thomas Estaque  @thomasestaque

Lisa Bouladou  @lisa_bouladou  Mylann Falquet  @mylannfalquet

Thibault Laly  @tibolaly  Raoul Schneeberger  @raoul_schneedberger