Monster Energy's Marine Cabirou Takes Third Place at 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Valais, Switzerland

28-Year-Old Cabirou from Millau, France, Takes Bronze Medal in Elite Women Division Race

VALAIS, Switzerland, Sept. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The world championships are a wrap! Monster Energy congratulates team rider Marine Cabirou on taking third place in Downhill racing at the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships this weekend. In the high-profile competition at iconic Champéry bike park, the 28-year-old from Millau, France, took the bronze medal in the Elite Women division.

From August 30 to September 14, the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships attract the world's best mountain bike riders to Switzerland's mountainous Valais region for two weeks of competitions. For the first time in event history, a total of eight disciplines are contested at several iconic locations across the mountain range.

The World Championships in the Downhill discipline found their perfect venue at Champéry bike park from September 6-7. The legendary track, notorious for steep drops and harsh turns, had not hosted a world-class race in over a decade, and riders welcomed the test of skills. Rain and inclement weather conditions added to the challenge in this first World Cup race at Champéry in 14 years.

In Sunday's Elite Women Downhill final, Marine Cabirou entered as a podium favorite after taking second place in the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup in Les Gets, France, the previous weekend. Previously, Cabirou's season was overshadowed by a serious injury at the World Cup race in Andorra, but she returned to competition as soon as possible.

Maintaining her push for the podium, Cabirou attacked the course with confidence but faced difficulty in the upper sections. After losing time in the first two splits, she pushed hard in the lower steep sections of the course to climb back onto the podium. Posting a total time of 3:28.227, Cabirou finished the tricky Champéry course merely 1.091 seconds behind the winner for the bronze medal.

"Third at Worlds! I'm pretty stoked on that," said Monster Energy's Cabirou upon claiming third place in Valais.

Speaking on her experience, Cabirou said: "The weekend was not easy with all the rain we got Thursday overnight and Friday during practice. The course was almost unrideable, but I decided to do enough practice runs to learn the course. So when it dried eventually for [qualifiers] and finals, I could put down more speed with confidence. I gave it my all, and the times were so close! Very happy to come away on the podium on this legendary track! Thank you to everyone who is backing me!"

Also in Sunday's Elite Women race, 35-year-old Camille Balanche from Le Locle, Switzerland claimed sixth place by completing the course in 3:31.199. This marks the final Mountain Bike World Championship for Balanche, who announced her retirement at the end of the 2025 season to conclude a storied career.

"Champéry this weekend will be my last DH World Championship. At the end of this season, I'll step away from racing at the World Cup level. I feel incredibly lucky to finish my last Worlds at home, and I hope we can all celebrate together there," said Balanche.

Balanche made her professional mountain bike debut in 2017 after successful stints in fencing as well as ice hockey as a junior. After claiming the 2019 European Championship title, she took first place in the 2020 Downhill World Championship at Leogang. In 2022, she won the UCI Downhill World Cup overall title and earned 13 podium finishes in World Cup events, including four times national champion. Balanche has cemented her legacy. 

"I've had an amazing career and I'm really proud of everything I've achieved. I'm so grateful for all the people that I've met along the way, and I can't thank everyone enough for the support I've received," said Balanche.

In the Elite Men Downhill final on Sunday, 21-year-old Jordan Williams from Great Britain, landed just off the podium in fourth place with a total time of 2:58.293, and 28-year-old Loris Vergier from Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, took fifth place with a total time of 2:58.930.

Next up on the schedule, the 2025 UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup returns for the eighth round of the season at Bike Kingdom Park in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, from September 18-21. Don't miss it!

For more on Marine Cabirou, Jordan Williams, Loris Vergier, Camille Balanche, and our team of mountain bike athletes, visit www.monsterenergy.com. Follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok for updates from the 2025 mountain bike season.

For interview or photo requests, contact Kim Dresser.

About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com.

CONTACT: Kim Dresser C: (949) 300-5546 E: [email protected]

SOURCE Monster Energy