Snowboardcross World Cup 2024/2025 – The competition heated up this past Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the Erzurum Snowboardcross World Cup witnessed thrilling performances from top athletes. French rider Léa Casta secured the second position, behind the unbeatable Charlotte Bankes from Great Britain, who clinched yet another victory.
Held at the picturesque slopes of Erzurum, Turkey, Casta demonstrated her prowess by finishing strong, holding the lead during the early stretches of the race. Despite her strong start, she couldn’t keep pace with Bankes, who, once overtaken, became difficult to match—this being Bankes’s fourth consecutive win, pushing her closer to claiming the coveted globe for the season.
Casta, who had previously recorded the fastest time during qualifications, settled for the second place, showcasing exceptional skills throughout the event. Meanwhile, Julia Pereira de Sousa, Casta's fellow countrywoman, was competing fiercely but suffered a fall as she attempted to pass Australian rider, Josie Baff, leading to her fourth-place finish.
Commenting on her performance, Casta has made her presence felt on the circuit. This season has been particularly fruitful for her, as she has repeatedly landed on the podium. "Finishing second here again shows my consistency," she exclaimed.
On the men’s side, Julien Tomas stood out as the sole French competitor to advance to the finals but finished fourth, missing out on the podium behind Leon Ulbricht of Germany, who took home the gold, followed by Canada's Eliot Grondin and American veteran Nick Baumgartner.
Despite the strong competition, the 2025 Erzurum event marked another step forward for Tomas, who expressed satisfaction about his performance. "This is my best result of the season, and I am grateful for the opportunity to compete at this level," said the young French rider, who has been steadily climbing up the ranks.
The weekend's events were the fifth stage of the snowboardcross season and were met with anticipation as it had been seven years since the World Cup last visited Erzurum. Competitors from across the globe showcased their skills, and the event was particularly significant for the French team, which had high expectations coming off previous performances this season.
The event's excitement not only stemmed from the athletic performances but from the breathtaking backdrop of the Turkish mountain ranges, adding to the overall appeal for both competitors and spectators. This natural setting has become familiar to snowboardcross competitors, who appreciate the challenging conditions it offers.
Looking forward, the mixed team event scheduled for Sunday will feature strong French teams eager to capitalize on their recent successes. With Casta and Tomas leading the charge, fans and team officials alike are hopeful for another series of impressive showings.
The Erzurum Cup emphasizes the importance of teamwork and strategy, showcasing not just individual talent but also collaboration among team members. With several French riders—such as Aïdan Chollet, Merlin Surget, and Loan Bozzolo—competing, the French team is ready to take on the mixed events with optimism after showing strong individual performances this season.
The future looks bright for the French squad as they continue to fight for the top spots and strive for overall championship success throughout the remainder of the 2024/2025 season. With such performances under their belt and the snow-covered slopes of Erzurum as their stage, they are determined to carve out more victories.
This competition has not only invigorated the athletes but has also reignited the national pride for winter sports as France aims to secure its place among the world's elite nations in snowboarding.
Charlotte Bankes remains the figure to beat, but with rising stars like Léa Casta and Julien Tomas, it looks like the upcoming weeks may bring even more surprises on the snowboardcross circuit.