Photo Epic: The Long and Winding Road - Track Walk, DH World Championships 2015

Sep 3, 2015
by Nathan Hughes  
Riders of the World unite! Finally it is upon us; the 2015 DH World Championships have arrived. Today the fastest throttle-free, two-wheelers on the planet congregated in the deep forests of Andorra to size up one of the most demanding and punishing tracks on the circuit. While largely unchanged from last time around with its signature gentle introduction and fierce conclusion, the mid section has been modified significantly and riders are due to spend some hard time out under whatever weather the wild Pyrenees has in mind. The overall pace is potentially a shade faster than before and, at present, things appear relatively smooth and stable, something that we can say for certain is forecast for change. Who this race might belong to is too big of a question... Better get boots on the ground and some high caliber loam under the fingernails before the speculation gets too much. Let's take a walk.

Coming into the Pyrenees from the French side there were some pretty impressive bits of architecture to be seen hidden in the deep valleys.
  Coming into the Pyrenees from the French side, there were some pretty impressive bits of architecture to be seen hidden in the deep valleys.

The weather is becoming unstable lets hope for some warmth and rays of sunshine instead of the forecasted rain and snow.
  The weather is currently impressively unstable. Let's hope for some warmth and rays of sunshine instead of the forecasted rain and snow.

La Massana presents...
  La Massana, presents...

World Champs isn t the only race in town this week. The Vuelta came through La Massana today. Here s a look into one of the fancy tour buses one of the teams use. This was more interesting than the rest of the interior. It did have an espresso machine and a movie projector however.
  World Champs isn't the only race in town this week. The Vuelta came through La Massana today. Here's a look into one of the fancy tour buses one of the teams use. This was more interesting than the rest of the interior. It did have an espresso machine and a movie projector however.

As the pits started coming to life this morning new paint jobs started to sparkle behind rain streaked tent windows.
  As the pits started coming to life this morning, new paint jobs started to sparkle behind rain streaked tent windows.

Neko has a stunt double. Meet Rusty.
  Neko has a stunt double. Meet Rusty.

Danny Hard
  What it will take...

Destails details. Finishing touches happening in the Chain Reaction pit.
  Details, details. Finishing touches happening in the Chain Reaction pit.

Guess who s
  Guess whose?

Dougie Fresh building a fresh Skye Dye bike for Ratty this morning.
  Dougie Fresh building a fresh Skye Dye bike for Ratty this morning.

GT and the Athertons are flying the Union Jack.
  GT and the Athertons are flying the Union Jack.

This way to the World Cup Track this way.
  This way to the World Cup Track, this way.

Get ready to see racers shot out of the start tube at mach chicken. It s about to get real.
  Get ready to see racers shot out of the start tube at mach chicken. It's about to get real.

The start ramp has been elevated and steepened ready to tip racers into a 5 minute blur of exhaustion.
  The start ramp has been elevated and steepened ready to tip racers into a 5 minute + blur of adrenaline and exhaustion.

An end of season gift to all fans of DH MTB tied with a ribbon.... A World Championship match at a beautiful natural kind of track like Vallnord.
  An end of season gift to all fans of DH MTB, tied with a ribbon.... A World Championship match at a beautiful natural kind of track like Vallnord.

Troy was all smiles during track walk and his hand was feeling fine. He definitely is on the short list of winners.
  Troy was all smiles during track walk and his hand was feeling fine. He definitely is on the short list of winners.

Nuke proof were among the first to get a look at the track today. Best to get out early and avoid the traffic.
  Nukeproof were among the first to get a look at the track today. Best to get out early and avoid the traffic.

There is a long pedal in shortly after the start but things point straight down soon after.
  There is a long pedal in shortly after the start, but things point straight down soon after.

The first third of the track doesn t seem to provide many challenges but any complacency still won t be helping the numbers at the finish line.
  The first third of the track doesn't seem to provide many challenges, but any complacency still won't be helping the numbers at the finish line.

Matti Lehikoinen walks what can only be the most luxury bridge in mountain biking.
  Matti Lehikoinen walks what can only be the most luxury bridge in mountain biking.

The first section to really think about in the upper quarter is a bunch of jagged rocks following a root nest.
  The first section to really think about in the upper quarter is a bunch of jagged rocks following a root nest.

Tracey Hannah Claire Buchar and Miranda Miller have a laugh during track walk.
  Tracey Hannah, Claire Buchar, and Miranda Miller have a laugh during track walk.

Despite two days with decent thunderstorms the dirt is still fluffy and light.
  Despite two days with decent thunderstorms, the dirt is still fluffy and light.

Brook MacDonald checking the width.
  Brook MacDonald checking the width.

Ben Arnott has named this section Decapitation Station . Get off line here and your bike and body might be on the track and our head down the hill. Chain doesn t make good course tape.
  Ben Arnott has named this section "Decapitation Station". Get off line here and your bike and body might be on the track and our head down the hill. Chain doesn't make good course tape.

The last time we were in Andorra the track cut straight down here and into a rock garden. Now it follows some well built berms.
  The last time we were in Andorra the track cut straight down here and into a rock garden. Now it follows some well built berms.

New berms.
  New berms smoother than your average dolphin.

Not a bad view. For the riders it will all be a blur.
  Not a bad view. For the riders it will all be a blur.

Nothing like a good mountain vista to distract you from smashing berms at race speed.
  Nothing like a good mountain vista to distract you from smashing berms at race speed.

Big gaps. But what will the time gaps be like
  Big gaps. But what will the time gaps be like?

Andorran Airways ready to fly you and your loved one bike to far-off landing destinations.
  Andorran Airways ready to fly you and your loved one (bike) to far-off landing destinations.

Isak Leivsson approves so it s good to go.
  Isak Leivsson approves, so it's good to go.

2015 s grand master was impressed at the potential for mach 11 speeds out in the open.
  2015's grand master was impressed at the potential for mach 11 speeds out in the open.

Where there s smoke there s fire. Things will be hotting up real quick.
  Where there's smoke, there's fire. Things will be heating up real quick with or without good weather.

Final touches were being added as track walk was going on. The riders approved.
  Final touches were being added as track walk was going on. The riders approved.

We figure it s talking about the S turns. New section of track here. Flowy and fast.
  We figure it's talking about the S-turns. New section of track here. Flowy and fast.

A fresher section of track it will be interesting to see how it evolves.
  A fresher section of track, it will be interesting to see how it evolves.

Part man part metal. Great to see Needles will be right back in action as of tomorrow now equipped with a surely formidable Wolverine Terminator hand.
  Part man, part metal. Great to see Needles will be right back in action as of tomorrow, now equipped with a, surely formidable, Wolverine/Terminator hand.

No signs of damage from the Masters Worlds thanks to the busy Vallnord trail crews.
  No signs of damage from the Masters Worlds, thanks to the busy Vallnord trail crews.

The open section from 2013 has been extended in a big way and now represents perhaps almost a quarter of the course.
  The open section from 2013 has been extended in a big way and now represents perhaps almost a quarter of the course.

Birds flying high know how I feel...
  Birds flying high know how I feel...

The final open stretch before plunging into the steep forest is peppered with angry looking rocks to shave down your treads.
  The final open stretch before plunging into the steep forest is peppered with angry looking rocks to shave down your treads.

2015 s unluckiest man at the World Cup Connor Fearon is in town looking for some quality retribution amongst the Andorran dust. We can t wait to see Kona s number 1 come out swinging.
  2015's unluckiest man at the World Cup, Connor Fearon, is in town looking for some quality retribution amongst the Andorran dust.

Not much line choice just heaps of speed.
  Not much line choice, just heaps of speed.

Slate Andorra serves it up in big flakey chunks.
  Slate, Andorra serves it up in big flakey chunks.

Hopefully there is tape here tomorrow. At Speed it looks like the track goes straight and hardly anyone will notice the arrow.
  Hopefully, there is tape here tomorrow. At Speed it looks like the track goes straight and hardly anyone will notice the arrow.

 This is a great spot for a rest. It s soft and clean and comfortable.
  "This is a great spot for a rest. It's soft and clean and comfortable."

About the only patch of wet track. A small spring weeps through the dirt where Troy is pointing his umbrella. It s created it s own rut we suspect it s going to get deep.
  About the only patch of wet track. A small spring weeps through the dirt where Troy is pointing his umbrella. It's created it's own rut, we suspect it's going to get deep.

Casey Brown was getting a better feel for the soil.
  Casey Brown was getting a better feel for the soil.

Go fast and avoid the padded stump. That s the key here.
  Go fast and avoid the padded stump. That's the key here.

This is rock number five. We couldn t find the rest of the numbered rocks and aren t sure of it s significance as this was marshal station 23.
  This is rock number five. We couldn't find the rest of the numbered rocks and aren't sure of it's significance as this was marshal station 23.

Point and shoot. That s the name of the game here in Andorra.
  Point and shoot. That's the name of the game here in Andorra.

Plenty of earth to hold a bike in this chute.
  Plenty of earth to hold a bike in this chute.

Beautiful soft loam and savage tear-you-a-new-one slate tossed in between.
  Beautiful soft loam and savage, tear-you-a-new-one slate tossed in between.

Super steep with deep ruts. Andorra is a man s track to the tenth power.
  Super steep with deep ruts. Andorra is a man's track to the tenth power.

Build a bridge get over it...
  Build a bridge, get over it...

Easier said then done when it points you straight down the mountain into the rough stuff. Shaw Crimmins and Kerr discuss.
  Easier said than done when it points you straight down the mountain into the rough stuff. Shaw, Crimmins and Kerr discuss.

We can smell the potent mixture of brake pads and fear already.
  We can smell the potent mixture of brake pads and fear already.

Good times... that way.
  Good times... that way.

The super steep undulating and gnarly Wall section remains included and unchanged.
  The super steep, undulating and gnarly 'Wall' section remains included and unchanged.

Big grassy step-down to finish drop rider view.
  Big, scary, grassy, step-down to finish drop, rider view.

Big grassy step-down to finish drop spectator view.
  Big, scary, grassy, step-down to finish drop, spectator view.

Miracle-Gro race team waiting at the podium.
  Miracle-Gro race team waiting at the podium.

Some aggressive looking weather still appears to be thoroughly on the cards although the track seems to have already absorbed the latest downpours and may be able to take more before things turn to sludge.
  Some aggressive looking weather still appears to be thoroughly on the cards, although the track seems to have already absorbed the latest downpours and may be able to take more before things turn to sludge.

The seats are waiting and so are we. Who will be the next World Champ
  The seats are waiting, and so are we. Who will be the next World Champ?

One more sleep...
  One more sleep...

The the rainbow stripes chasing begin.
  Let the rainbow stripe chase begin.



Author Info:
nathanhughes avatar

Member since Jul 19, 2007
313 articles

52 Comments
  • 191 3
 I'm sorry but Connor is not the unluckiest rider in 2015... That title definitely goes to Loic
  • 34 10
 No way, definitely Gwin. His biggest winning margin this year was only 3 seconds. ugh.
  • 19 7
 there is no such thing as luck
  • 4 0
 What took lucks place then?
  • 1 0
 aah; shut the luck up!
  • 156 5
 Words cannot express the stoke level I have for this race.
  • 43 1
 I think you speak for everyone mate!!
  • 5 0
 Steeeeeeppppp !!!!!!!
  • 4 0
 Indeed! I've been checking for updates nonstop ! How am I going to sleep?!?!
  • 11 7
 Cocaine's a hell of a drug
  • 24 0
 "Hopefully, there is tape here tomorrow. At Speed it looks like the track goes straight and hardly anyone will notice the arrow."
it took me 30 seconds to find it Smile
  • 1 0
 Same - and green? It looked like moss. It'll get fixed....I hope because it'll be a mess if someone misses the turn.
  • 17 0
 Claudios track ride with CG gave you an idea, brutal track, and long............. proper DH ??? o yeh ! starting to organise for Sunday, kids to neighbours, beer in fridge, fortunately the girlfriend rides DH ;-) so we are going to be linking the comp to the widescreen and sitting back.......... BRING IT ON !!!!!!!!!!
  • 6 16
flag WAKIdesigns (Sep 3, 2015 at 6:46) (Below Threshold)
 When things get so long then this is when Downhill goes Enduro
  • 1 0
 You have a point, but it's like no enduro stage i've ever ridden though... and if it's wet ?
  • 4 1
 Endu... what??
  • 10 5
 In case people get a bit tight arsed about DH can you troll them with comparing it to Enduro?
  • 17 0
 Haha you guys! You remember how photos usually cannot capture the gnar of a track? Take a good look and think again. FML this is downright scary! Big Grin
  • 3 0
 man i would biol my brakes twice over fanging down that humpty dumpty!
  • 17 1
 i wanna go mach chicken
  • 5 0
 on the tail with mach duckling !
  • 21 0
 every time I go Mach Chicken I end up as scrambled egg.
  • 15 1
 After my brakes caught on fire, part of my corpse might actually beat the WC guys to the bottom...

#cadaverDH
  • 9 0
 It would be great to have kind of street view maps of the tracks. Google jump on a DH BIKE !
  • 8 0
 Stoked to see how Claire Buchar places compared to the other Canadian women.
  • 4 0
 If she gets down clean, she'll podium
  • 6 0
 I would like to see a trackwalk foto epic after the race showing us non racers the difference before/after.
  • 6 2
 Can't stand!! Tomorrow I'll be going to Andorra!!! This track is awesome, been there few times on the maxiavalanche, is gnarly as hell.
  • 6 0
 I hope Hill and Thirion is on their 100% this weekend.
  • 4 0
 so it could be...gwin, bruni, brosnan, thirion, atherton, hart, fearon, hill, minaar... f*cking anyone really!!...oh my days!!!
  • 6 2
 The more I look at it the more gnarly it is, Casey Brown's toes are strange as fuck.
  • 3 0
 that opening straightaway before it gets steep? I could totally shred that line.
  • 3 0
 Anyone know if the race is Saturday or Sunday?
  • 3 0
 Red bull TV is saying Sunday bud
  • 3 0
 Sunday mate!
  • 2 0
 cheers!
  • 4 0
 #wangit
  • 2 0
 The expression on Sam's face should be enough to give the top dogs something to think about...
  • 1 0
 Could this be the best track all year? How about best race? We will all see...cant wait, this is gonna get rowedy an wild!
  • 2 0
 If it only wasn't a season's ender... Frown
  • 2 1
 This steep... a little bit... SHIT ! o.O
  • 3 2
 Stoked for Claire to be there! She rips faster than you. ☺
  • 1 0
 That is a gnarly track. CANNOT WAIT!
  • 1 0
 Like always, great pics and article !
  • 1 0
 Go Gwin! Ya got thissssssssss!
  • 2 0
 oooh yeah looks brutal!
  • 1 0
 Wish I could make the shrubs in front of my house look that good
  • 1 0
 The French win
  • 1 0
 Chain?! CHAIN? wth?!
  • 1 0
 yeeesh
  • 1 0
 rock number 5 LOL







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