PEOPLE.

Side profile portrait of Vali Höll and an angled rear view of the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4, which we see equipped with a roof rack.

GRABBING THE CORNERS
WITH VALI HÖLL.

Not everyone can say they grew up with the Alps, the ultimate playground for thrill-seekers, in their back garden. That’s a privilege mostly reserved for, well, people who grew up in Austria. One of them being pro downhill mountain biker and five-time World Champion Valentina — Vali for short — Höll.

MINI JCW COUNTRYMAN ALL 4 Mandatory information according to German law ’Pkw-EnVKV’ based on WLTP: energy consumption combined: 8,3 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 187 g/km; CO2-class: G.

Headshot of Vali Höll looking into the distance and wearing a helmet in tones of red, white, and blue. Pull quote on the image: “You need to be dedicated and train” she adds with a cool smile. “But still, you should not forget about having fun.” and Vali Höll’s signature. Headshot of Vali Höll looking into the distance and wearing a helmet in tones of red, white, and blue. Pull quote on the image: “You need to be dedicated and train” she adds with a cool smile. “But still, you should not forget about having fun.” and Vali Höll’s signature.
Vali in full gear and protective helmet looks focused as she manoeuvres her bike, framed by lush green foliage. Vali in full gear and protective helmet looks focused as she manoeuvres her bike, framed by lush green foliage.

A STATE OF MIND.

And while it’s hard to pinpoint a precise moment when determining what puts a pioneer on the path to greatness, Vali is certain that permission to roam freely in the Austrian wilderness surrounding her family home was the cornerstone of a brilliant career. A winning formula that was further strengthened by parents who encouraged her passions in just the right measure. That, and of course, some corner-grabbing excitement.

The new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 with roof rack pictured driving around a corner on an unpaved mountain road, with a steep drop-off and misty mountain views in the background. The new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 with roof rack pictured driving around a corner on an unpaved mountain road, with a steep drop-off and misty mountain views in the background.

FORCE OF NATURE.

Fun aside, there’s no way to underplay the ambition and determination that ground Vali’s adrenaline-fueled world. When not travelling, socialising, or enjoying some downtime in her new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4, Vali is all business. Ultimately, hard work and dedication, paired with natural talent, is what brings us to the very moment that the Austrian athlete sits down to talk life, career, and the “grabbing the corners” mentality she shares with the JCW badge.

And yet, the journey to success is an individual one. Turning a hobby into a career poses a unique set of challenges: what you love suddenly becomes your livelihood and manoeuvring the new commitments and responsibilities can prove overwhelming for some.

Not Vali, though. She enjoys the yin and the yang; the cool of the forest as she trains, the ruckus of an Oktoberfest tent as she celebrates with a sponsor — an event to which she is headed straight after we speak:

“It also allows you to do great things and get to know other people. Talk to people you would never, ever get the chance to […] You always have the calm and the stress, but at the end of the week, it's a perfect balance.”

Wearing a grey fleece jumper and beige beanie, Vali Höll poses for a photo from the open passenger side of the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. Wearing a grey fleece jumper and beige beanie, Vali Höll poses for a photo from the open passenger side of the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman.

CONFIDENTLY EXPRESSIVE.

Without a doubt, the social aspect of the downhill biking scene has provided the opportunity for Vali, a self-confessed introvert, to grow and find her comfort zone.

“It's a funny thing because when I talk about my sport, it works out perfectly. But if you put me in a room or somewhere with strangers, I would never do small talk.”

Having dominated this world from age 16, it’s no wonder she is a household name amongst the competition despite being, in many cases, ten years their junior. In fact, Vali has created a strong personal brand, not only playing the part to perfection, but looking it, too. Blonde locks tucked under a beanie and wearing a casually cool sweatshirt, Vali has an air of understated confidence.

“We have a saying. A good-looking racer is a fast racer. So, if you feel good, you look good […] That also transfers to the racetrack and your performance on race day.”

WINNING SPIRIT.

Win, after win, after win. Whether the logo or the riding gear have anything to do with it, one thing is for sure: the accolades keep coming and they don’t stop coming.

Enthusiastic mountain bikers themselves, could Vali’s parents have predicted this level of achievement when Vali first started competing at 16? Initially her mechanic, line coach, and manager, dad has since been relegated to the sidelines, but still takes every opportunity to cheer Vali on as the stats continue racking up. Of course, by Vali’s own admission, the significance of winning has changed over the years. It’s a competitive streak and strong dislike of losing that keeps her pushing for more.

“It's different now because I already more or less ticked off all my goals I ever had as a little girl,” she explains. “It's not going to change anything anymore. I am world champion. That's amazing and I'm super stoked with it. If I win it, you know, a sixth time, I don't think it’s going to change how I look at life.”

Something that certainly will never change: winning on home turf. Yes, the pressure is higher, but so is the reward when you get to celebrate with those you love most.

“I'm not really emotional when I cross the finish line. The only time I really realise what I've achieved is when I see my friends crying” Vali admits. “It really moves them and they're so stoked. And then I realise, like, oh s***, this is pretty cool.” 

Overhead shot of Vali riding her bike through the dark green of the forest. Overhead shot of Vali riding her bike through the dark green of the forest.
Summary video depicting Vali Höll’s adventure up in the mountains driving the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and showing off her skills on the bike. Summary video depicting Vali Höll’s adventure up in the mountains driving the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and showing off her skills on the bike.

GET THE HEART
PUMPING.

Picture this: you’re flying down a mountain face, dirt spraying up behind you, the wind against your visor, your bike obeying your every move — and you’ve just crossed the finish line at Leogang a whopping 7 seconds in the lead.

The energized rush Vali feels is not something everyone will get to experience in their lifetime. But those who do will all agree: the adrenaline high is not just addictive; it changes the way you perceive your day-to-day.

“Adrenaline is like a drug. You know, there're all these high highs and then, obviously, the lows. Every time I'm home longer than three days and I don't do anything exciting. I actually get really grumpy because I'm missing that something cool,” Vali confesses. “You need to learn to compensate it somehow.”

Ever the daredevil, Vali has — when not driving her MINI JCW Countryman ALL4 — taken a helicopter ride to access certain training spots. And in true JCW spirit, she has never shied away from the riskier aspects of her job.

Vali explains how the skill to visualise the outcome and be 100% secure in your abilities is something that comes with age and experience, although it’s inevitable that injury remains in the back of the mind. 

Pull quote: “You have to trust your body. At the end of the day, you know you’re going to do it,” she says. “It’s a passion and you have the skills. I’ve never chickened out.” Pull quote: “You have to trust your body. At the end of the day, you know you’re going to do it,” she says. “It’s a passion and you have the skills. I’ve never chickened out.”
In warm clothing and a Redbull beanie, Vali holds a red cup and sits atop the step ladder leading into a roof tent on the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. In warm clothing and a Redbull beanie, Vali holds a red cup and sits atop the step ladder leading into a roof tent on the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman.

THE REBEL
WITHIN.

It’s plain to see the rebellious streak runs deep. But when it comes to following instincts and going against the grain, Vali’s tendencies to overthink can take their toll. Surrounding herself with people she can trust becomes essential. One such figure is Greg, Vali’s physiotherapist-turned-confidant:

“He’s my guy. He can read me perfectly. I don't need to say anything. He knows what’s up in my head, and these are the people you want in your corner.”

Take a recent World Championship race in Poland, which saw Vali crash and suffer a concussion just 20 seconds in. Sometimes, there’s nothing for it but to ride it out.

“Something you have to learn is that you don't define yourself through your results. Your friends are still going to love you, and your family is still going to like you.”

Close-up shot of Vali Höll’s neck tattoo and title of the athlete’s YouTube series, “It is what it is”.

PACK MENTALITY.

That’s why Vali keeps her team, friends, and family close — it’s the JCW Pack mentality. Like Greg, one friend who “gets” her is free ski champion Mathilde Gremaud. An Olympic Champion, like Vali, Mathilde has reached the highest echelon of her sport at a very young age. After meeting at partner events and connecting over their similar career trajectories as athletes, Vali and Mathilde have become fast friends.

“She was actually super into bike riding. And I'm super into skiing,” Vali enthuses with a grin. “I feel like we have the same thoughts about life. It’s, at the end of the day, just riding a bike. We don't save any people. We just ride our bikes or ski. Professional sport is quite selfish. […] Maybe sometimes you missed your best friend's birthday and it's like, oh, s***, sorry, I need to train.”

Akin to the community spirit shared by JCW drivers worldwide, the downhill scene provides Vali with support, entertainment, and companionship. The fact that it’s a young sport and guidelines are not yet so restrictive, allows athletes more freedom to express themselves.

“We live from having a personality. We have to build our brand, and fans love certain characters more than others,” she shares. “We are all pretty fierce competitors, but we still hang out. We ride our bikes in between races, and we have fun—we share the same problems and values.” 

First picture: Close up of the red and black John Cooper Works ALL4 badge on the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. Second picture: In personalised gear and heavy-duty helmet, we see Vali’s upper half as she stands holding up a poster of herself and surrounded by thick green foliage. Third picture: Close up of water droplets on the black MINI badge on the black car bonnet. First picture: Close up of the red and black John Cooper Works ALL4 badge on the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. Second picture: In personalised gear and heavy-duty helmet, we see Vali’s upper half as she stands holding up a poster of herself and surrounded by thick green foliage. Third picture: Close up of water droplets on the black MINI badge on the black car bonnet.
Black and white photograph of Vali Höll stroking a horse while wearing a hooded raincoat. Black and white photograph of Vali Höll stroking a horse while wearing a hooded raincoat.

YOUNG, WILD,
AND FREE.

When Vali says they have fun, she means it. We can’t help ourselves and ask about the tradition that sees bikers drink champagne from their shoes after a big win.

“We did it on the podium at Leogang. Two of my best friends were also able to get on the podium so I feel like that was the occasion to finally do a “shoey”. I’m not going to do it again because I think it’s disgusting.”

Playful antics included, it’s clear that Vali thrives when pursuing new adventures. She tells us about the places she’d love to go back and explore, this time off the bike. And yet, it’s not travelling to faraway places like New Zealand that give Vali the sense of freedom she craves — it’s knowing she can leave it all behind at a second’s notice if she so wanted to.

“I guess it sounds cheesy, but I can decide when I want to go home” states Vali. “I think that’s the most important thing. Even if you’re super far away at the end of the world, you know that your mum would always come and pick you up.”

Minimalist black mountain silhouette on a white background. Minimalist black mountain silhouette on a white background.

A LEGACY IN THE MAKING.

Never too successful to need her mum, Vali has already achieved more than she could ever have dreamed of. Five World Championships, four consecutive wins, and a superstar persona that has already inspired more interest in the — yet to become Olympic — sport is proof. So, what’s next for the 22-year-old?

“When I started racing, we were just two girls in our category. Now, there are so many girls who want to go ride their bikes. Who want to go racing […] It’s always tough to do competition, but they’re not scared of it. And I feel like I want to keep being the role model that inspires the youth.”

From bringing more recognition to the sport and encouraging young girls to follow their dreams to maybe even winning her sixth world title. Whatever Vali sets her sights on next, there’s no doubt she will succeed — and have fun doing it.

Because that’s how life goes when you’re bold enough to get in the driver’s seat and grab every corner as it comes.

Words: Camila Lucia O’Reilly