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 Photographers are usually the first ones on the lift on qualifying day. This morning's lift ride was entertaining with some of the higher triple digits already smashing out runs as the sun slowly crept into the woods. |
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| Last race before worlds means that the juniors are out in force. Most national federations have brought their entire squads out to get them experience. New Zealand has a full compliment of junior girls on track earning their world cup knocks. |
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| Another one of the Junior girls. This one got more than a bit off line and almost took out a couple of photographers, yours truly included. |
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| Track side tomahawk debris. I can't recall who ate it here, but she needs a new brake. |
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| Tomahawk warning... Photographer Sebastian Schieck missed getting flattened by Emmeline Ragot's flying bike by mere centimeters. |
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| Off the bike here is serious business. There were 3 heli flights out yesterday during training. Filip Polc of MS-Evil was able to walk away from his encounter with a tree, but course medics opted to play it safe and haul him out on a backboard for a complete evaluation. So far reports are that Polc will be ok. |
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| The woods were nice and cool compared to any area in the sun, expect a lot of these shots from this week. |
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| Not so great light means today was a day to play. Sometimes, playing pays off. |
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| Clawing his way back into contention, despite a blown season. Brendan Fairclough in 20th today. |
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| Fabien Barel is injured--broken ribs--and will miss this race in an effort to heal up for Worlds, leaving Damien Spagnolo and Patrick Thome to wave the Mondraker flag. |
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| Sam Blenkinsop had a big off in qualifying today. 1/20th of a second is all this shot took to take, and may determine first through third here tomorrow. |
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| The track surface is impeccable: loamy duff at its finest. |
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| The dust hangs in the air here in Italy. A few clouds rolled though, some thunder rolled... no rain fell. |
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| Emanuel Pombo with the duff trail in qualies. |
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| Practice makes perfect. Aaron Gwin was mighty relaxed today, sussing out lines and generally taking it very easy. Until Qualie time. |
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| Aaron Gwin is absolutely flying here today. Another first place qualifier for the stars and stripes...while wearing a mini US flag cape. |
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| Notice the cape. UCI approved--as long as Gwin wears it for his Finals run. |
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| Dark woods. Bright open doubletrack to rest the hands... good luck. |
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| The porcinis are everywhere right now in Italy. The downhillers aren't the only people hiking up and down the track. |
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| Greg Minnaar was flying in practice this morning, trying to chase down another win. Young guns filled the top qualifying spots though today. No points for Greg. |
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| Protection is a premium. The Bell lid Justin Leov was wearing in yesterday's training has officially been binned; but Leov got a complete work up in the hospital and has been cleared to qualify. As a protected rider, he opted to cruise his qualie and save the big risks for race day. |
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| One of the few with a clean run--Steve Smith was blazing fast--a mere +1.27 behind Aaron Gwin. |
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| Apologies--a lot of my post is from the rock garden. But with sick light like this, and riders like Troy Brosnan killing it, it was hard to move around much. |
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| Aussie Will Rischbeith has had a rough season. Multiple major injuries, stolen bikes in La Bresse and an ongoing back issue. He qualified mid pack today and is ready to go for Sunday. Get some, Will! |
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| Jill Kintner does not like rocks. Val di Sole is not her style. And an off the bike in qualifying was definitely unsettling. But she's got skills and is a complete pro. Despite the scare, she was back on the track during the men's race, looking for lost seconds. |
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| Full tilt boogy: Floriane Pugin qualified first, giving Tracy Moseley a bit of a chill for the World Cup Overall. Moseley has the lead, but Pugin is not out of the running, and anything can happen. |
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| The last corner that took out Sam Hill at worlds here is even tighter than before, but just as fast. There could be a few squirrels getting thrown to the dirt on Sunday, it's as loose as ever in the marbles. |
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| Yes, an empty gondola. This was the situation with 30 minutes of top rider training left. Not a one was on the track. Lines were dialed and riders were just taking time to wrap their heads around qualifying on this brutal track. |
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| Ben Reid musing over his run, or the hot pie "to go"? Given how skinny this Irishman is, it's the pizza. |
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| Boxxer Worlds is more than an athletic endeavor. There is an adult component. One that requires a tolerance of distilled spirits. Evan Warner has his eye on the win that got away last season. Training, training, training. |
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