Aaron Gwin started the 2016 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup the same way he ended the last one: in first place. Gwin, the defending series champion, was tenth in qualifying but was able to post a strong 3:09.131 to nab first place in first event. Top qualifier Loic Bruni was racing even faster and was ahead of Gwin on time before crashing and ended up 14th.

It’s not embedable but here’s a video of Gwin’s ride.

Luca Shaw was the only other American in the top 25 at 21st while Neko Mulally (45th) and Luca Cometti (48th) did notch top 50s.

The next World Cup Downhill event is in Cairns, Australia on April 23rd and 24th. This was the first of seven events on the tour this year.