Relentless, yes, I think that this is probably one of the best words you could use to describe this track. Looking up at the line the chair lifts take was possibly the clearest indication of what gradient of this track was going to be like. A 1500ft drop from start to finish over the 1.5km track equates to around a 1.5ft drop every 3.3 feet you cover. No photos can really do this track any justice, its 4 minutes of near vertical switchbacks, flat out cornering and off camber. Even the worlds elite are saying that this track is nails, plus most people are struggling. The clipped have become the clipless, flat pedals and five ten rubber can be seen on 90% of the riders, Steve Peat is wearing Rennie signature fivetens and he is loving it. On some corners the top boys are pulling stoppies around them, they are that sharp and steep. Just moving around the course is so difficult due to the steepness! Living up to my DNF reputation, I had about 10 crashes just walking and pappin yesterday, not including stacking a 6ft drop off the Gondola, its usually covered in snow to walk off it. Its a common theme now to have lots of british riders out at a World Cup. Ancollotti UK are here in force, MTB-Direct currently sit in the top ten teams and most have made the trip after a good session in Vigo. Not bad considering how hard it is to be able to race in one of these events from the UK with no real opportunities for points.

Cedric Gracia - About a fifth of the way up the track, note the pits, yeah its that steep

The course will either phase you and break you, or you will pin it. There have been some casualties and some fliers. Tom Braithwaite dislocated his elbow luckily he has his "dishy bird" of a mum to look after him. Greg Minnaar had a final run yesterday and popped his shoulder without any medics on course; he is resting today seeing if he'll be able to race tomorrow. Matti is riding but had a crash yesterday causing some pain in his hand. Tom Power of the Irish contingent had to be airlifted out by helicopter, he is reported to be sore, but well.

Then the fliers. With so many corners this course should suit Sam Hill - and he is flying, pinning the corners. Brendan's hand isn't giving him too much of a problem it would seem, he is also on it with Bryceland. And one guy we talk about a lot, but for good reason has looked flat out ever since we arrived and could score a top result here is Adam Brayton, it helps when you enjoy what are riding and he is loving it out here. He is riding like he is dicing with death but looking totally mint and following Rennie. He says that Rennie wasn't pulling away?! Shocker. Haven't seen too much of the Athertons, but we all know Dan loves steep and insane courses, could this one favour him? Tomorrow will tell. Nico is looking quick and smooth, but not as fast as some of the others, could be deceptive though. Some bikes have been broken too, many wheels coming back smashed, and one Sunn Radical with completely sheared chainstays. Messy stuff.

Tom Power being airlifted out, must have been mint if he wasn't in pain.

Nico - Will the magic be back?

 

 

Adam Brayton - Flat out and totally pinned

 

Dan Atherton - Pinned around the Chairlift Corner

 

Weather-wise, we had one small shower last night during the four cross, but at present its hot and sunny and the course is drying out more and more, which should make it faster. But, if some of the corners become looser then its going to make racing pretty interesting. Racinf aside, alpine roads are awesome. Honda's and Alpine roads are even more awesome! If only they will put one of those other Honda's in my boot to take home with me, hmmmm doubt it. Qualifying happens in the morning. I'll post the results up in the forum as soon as I can for that, then racing follows shortly after so expect to see the reports here probably quicker than most.

Scott Beaumont - Riding his new Proto Rocky Mountain

I'm off for a press beer and a scout around the pits after being stuck on the chairlif for about an hour.

Keep it on the wheels. Yid.