Cold. Windy. Muddy. Bring on World Cup Downhill final runs in Europe!
You could tell it wasn't about to be a normal day as riders made their way down to the gate for a 9:30 am start to practice. The gondolas were sitting at about 45 degrees on the lift line and the wind gusts were putting them past that. Not long after team managers and mechanics hit the paddock area, the lifts closed. Practice was delayed until buses were brought in to shuttle with and riders started to stress as the larger team vans were loaded up and headed to the top on the rally road, err shuttle road.Cold. Windy. Muddy. Bring on World Cup Downhill final runs in Europe!
You could tell it wasn't about to be a normal day as riders made their way down to the gate for a 9:30 am start to practice. The gondolas were sitting at about 45 degrees on the lift line and the wind gusts were putting them past that. Not long after team managers and mechanics hit the paddock area, the lifts closed. Practice was delayed until buses were brought in to shuttle with and riders started to stress as the larger team vans were loaded up and headed to the top on the rally road, err shuttle road.
It went from annoying to bizarre pretty quickly as a wedding was also taking place at the resort and a procession of minis had the shuttle road completely blocked for a few minutes.
 | Sabrina was freaking out, it was pretty relaxed and comical said Rachel Atherton after her win. |
The course, having been sloppy and slick the day before in the rain, was now quickly turning to peanut butter and turning bikes into 50lb blocks of Slovenian dirt. By the time the final 10 men got down, the track was a quagmire and the finish area was even worse.
Check out one final set of images as we roll out to the US Open in 2 weeks!
Rachel has a broken finger and smashed herself on the finish line double on Saturday, knocking herself out in the process. She is a trooper and took home the win on Sunday.
Greg Minnaar surprised no one more than himself taking home the win here in Maribor.
He just stayed smooth, gritted his teeth and pedaled his ass off.
To the victor goes the spoils!
Mud, what mud?
Sam qualified way out in front, but made a small error with a tear off and went down with one
hand on the bars. "I landed in the bushes on my head!" he said after. Fifth place.
This is why the World Cup loves Slovenia!
Crazy windstorms blew through Saturday night. Sunday morning, Bryn's tent had a second story. Mechanic Jason Marsh soldiers on as if nothing is wrong and with no regard for his own safety.
Some people get the Champagne and get to celebrate after the race. Some get back to work. After 2 spots on the finals podium and an overall leader's jersey, Monster Energy Specialized's Jacy Shumilak does what he does best. Get's the bikes cleaned up, tuned up and packed up for another set of long flights.
Here is a nice little Maribor DH edit from Northern Ireland filmer Andy Yoong:
Top 10 Men:
1 Greg Minnaar 3:23.42
2 Gee Atherton
3 Brendan Fairclough
4 Fabien Pedemanaud
5 Samuel Hill
6 Steve Smith
7 Aaron Gwin
8 Joseph Smith
9 Justin Leov
10 Cameron Cole
Top 10 Women: 1 Rachel Atherton 4:03.42
2 Sabrina Jonnier
3 Floriane Pugin
4 Myriam Nicole
5 Petra Bernhard
6 Mio Suemasa
7 Claire Buchar
8 Tracy Moseley
9 Emilie Siegenthaler
10 Emmeline Ragot
