Crankworx Les 2 Alpes 2012 - Slopestyle Practice
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 Sam Pilgrim isn't known for his big mountain or trail prowess. He proved many doubters wrong last weekend with a stellar showing at Chatel Mountain Style. 7th place and a backflip on the 50 footer. Could he be a dark horse at Rampage? |
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| Tall and small, two of Red Bull's hired guns - Martin Soderstrom and Anthony Messere. |
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| It's too bad Cam McCaul is injured but at least he'll be putting his energy and humour into announcing. He's knowledgeable and entertaining, that's key for an announcer (Rob Warner anyone?) |
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| Yannick Granieri built the course and has the added stress of dealing with issues related to it. |
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| Red Bull pilot, course builder, and bad-ass rider - Yannick is the man |
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| Sam Reynolds went down hard on a double flip and cracked two vertebrae in his back. With an attitude like this - thumb's up in a bad situation - we know he'll be back in no time |
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| Seeing a friend go down hard is one of the most sickening possible sights. Yannick and Andreu Laceondguy offer their support. |
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| Reynold's crash effectively ended the Best Trick competition. It was windy initially but riders toughed it out. This was the final straw |
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| Soderstrom looking pensive |
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| We've seen some great coverage from the event already and we're sure to see more videos and photos over the coming week |
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| Beer and cameras. Two things that go hand in hand? |
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| It's not the size of your camera, it's how you use it |
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| Wonder if she'll get POD? |
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| Ale di Lullo has been bringing us great photos this week, he deserves a little relaxation now and again |
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| Backflips and autographs, just an average day in the life for Sam Pilgrim |
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| Start em off young. Wonder if this kid will be the next Pilgrim? |
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| Self serve ice cream is a dangerous and delicious temptation |
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| Anthony crushing the ice cream and Facebook at the same time |
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| Looks like he's got the prototype Cannondale 'Righty' fork. Great shirt too! |
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| ''I'll do a backflip for a cookie'' |
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| Greg Watts has had bad luck with injuries as of late, he's playing it safe with a full face for the competition |
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| Two of the best in the game, Cam McCaul and Andreu Lacondeguy. We can't wait to see them in 'Where the Trail Ends' |
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| Greg Watts: Game face engaged |
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| Cam McCaul has 485.34% more energy than you. It's a scientific fact, the man never stops |
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| Riders were ready to go but unfortunately the wind had other plans. Best trick will go during the slopestyle finals |
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| The media was out in force. These cameras aren't cheap |
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| Soderstrom is a great ambassador to the sport, and his sponsors |
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| Crashing is never fun. Is falling on wood or dirt better? McGarry tests the whale tail |
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| Kelly McGarry dropping off the skinny. We're confident McGazza will be throwing down his signature backflip table this weekend |
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| Sam Pilgrim with a 360 table so flat you could eat off of. |
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| Martin Soderstrom spinning over top of the village |
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| Soderstrom epitomizes bike control. Seat grab nacnac with style to spare |
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| Szymon Godziek is a rider who isn't that well known in North America. That could change after this weekend. |
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| Endless gondolas in this region. France doesn't lack mountains... and the riding is pretty darn good too |
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| Anthony Messere no foot can off the skinny. Wonder if he's got anything new in his bag of tricks? He recently was seen landing 720's, wonder when he'll debut that? |
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| Soderstrom with a HUGE 360 table out of the whale tail. Can't get enough of his style |
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| Yannick tucking off the boner log. He wanted to make the Canadians feel more at home. No doubt Darren Berrecloth would have been stoked about it |
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| Tomas Genon mimicking Yannick with a tuck no hander of his own |
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| Greg Watts with a suicide no hander. No doubt he's saving the double truckdriver for later. |
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| Sam Reynolds with a dramatic save. Sadly he would go down hard on a double backflip later in the day, fracturing two vertebrae in his back. Stay strong Sam! |
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| Yannick's 360's are insane! |
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| Tomas Genon, the Belgian local, is looking good going into the finals. He's not super well known but he's got great results - he won 26TRIX and the Dakine Air Strike earlier this year. |
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| Sam Pilgrim with a rare backflip. It's rare because he's not throwing an additional trick in there. He's got more combos than a fast food restaurant. |
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| Kurt Sorge getting sideways on the stepdown. Can't wait to see him in 'Where the Trail Ends' |
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| Cam Zink knows every trick he'll use in his run. Visualization is key |
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| Anthony Messere spins to win, even in practice |
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| Sam Reynolds with a perfect backflip |
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| Genon with a tailwhip. What will we see from him today? |
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| Andrew Taylor with style off the stepdown. Those bars are bright! |
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| Pilgrim with a textbook backflip. Barring disaster there's a good chance he'll maintain his lead in the FMB overall after this contest is done |
Photos by: Lunatyk
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I'm not into those voyeristic rear view pics of the shielas. Get a pair and take shots of their faces in future please! How old are you?