Practice Photo Epic - Fort William DH World Cup 2022

May 21, 2022
by Nathan Hughes  


It s looking like one of those weekends. It wouldn t be Fort William without it.
Photo Epic
PRACTICE
2022 - World Cup 2 - Fort William - Scotland
Words & Photography by Ross Bell, Andy Vathis and Nathan Hughes


We've finally returned to the Scottish Highlands and the stuff-of-legend venue of Fort William after a couple of unfortunate years away. Not much changed during those years away; the unforgiving granite rocks still lay in wait, the woods are still muddy and slick, and there's still plenty of wet stuff falling from a rather grey looking sky. The track has traditionally been one of the roughest and toughest on the calendar on both bikes and bodies and so it proved to be once more with an abundance of punctures and ruined rims and more unfortunately the odd injury. The biggest news of the day was the reigning overall winner Loic Bruni seemingly crashing out after only a couple of runs - details are still quite scarce, but let's hope the injury isn't too serious for Loic. The other big story was a happier one and saw Rachel Atherton back between the World Cup tapes for a few runs in practice. She doesn't feel ready to race but it was still great to see Rach back in action.

The forecast for the remainder of the weekend looks changeable so the stage looks set for another wet and wild weekend of racing in Fort William. Who'll stake their claim to the throne in qualifying tomorrow and be last down the hill on Sunday?



Mercy from the skies was certainly limited.
Mercy from the skies was certainly limited.

Mark Wallace is on the hunt this weekend. The uncharacteristically high number plate does not suite him well.
Mark Wallace is on the hunt this weekend. The uncharacteristically high number plate does not suit him well.

Benoit Coulanges dispersing the gravel.
Benoit Coulanges dispersing the gravel.

Good to see the Legend herself Rachel Atherton back between the tape for a few laps.
Good to see the legend herself, Rachel Atherton, back between the tape for a few laps.

Gracie Hemstreet with a touch of steeze for your pleasure.
Gracie Hemstreet with a touch of steeze for your pleasure.

Kade Edwards was throwing a shape wherever he could and looking fast doing it.
Kade Edwards was throwing a shape wherever he could and looking fast doing it.

Melanie Chappaz gets stuck into those flat out top turns.
Melanie Chappaz gets stuck into those flat out top turns.

Taylor Vernon had cracking Lourdes and backed it up with a great result at the UK national here last week.
Taylor Vernon had a cracking Lourdes and backed it up with a great result at the UK national here last week.

Pinkbike Racing s junior Jackson Connelly having a moment .
Pinkbike Racing's junior Jackson Connelly having a "moment".

Jackson Goldstone has been the benchmark in the Junior category thus far but he s got his work cut out for him this weekend.
Jackson Goldstone has been the benchmark in the Junior category thus far but he's got his work cut out for him this weekend.

Camile Balanche s signature smoothness could well come in handy on the unrelenting Fort course.
Camile Balanche's signature smoothness could well come in handy on the unrelenting Fort course.

Dakotah Norton looking for hidden secrets in the rocks.
Dakotah Norton looking for hidden secrets in the rocks.

Fifth in timed for Bernard Kerr on a very moist track.
Fifth in timed training for Bernard Kerr on a very moist track.

Myriam Nicole on her way to a second fastest timed training effort.
Myriam Nicole on her way to a second fastest timed training effort.

Amaury Pierron looked strong as ever on the course he took the wins for 2018 and 19.
Amaury Pierron looked strong as ever on the course he took the wins for in 2018 and '19.

Sam Blenkinsop was missed in Lourdes but is now back and up to speed.
Sam Blenkinsop was missed in Lourdes but is now back and up to speed.

Nina Hoffman queen of the castle after taking the national race win here the other week.
Nina Hoffman, queen of the castle after taking the national race win here the other week.

Danny Hart is always a threat to the podium in Fort William.
Danny Hart is always a threat to the podium in Fort William.

A moment to breathe for rider and media squids alike.
A moment to breathe for rider and media squids alike.

Full aggression from Thibaut Daprela into the new old section.
Full aggression from Thibaut Daprela into the new/old section.

Conditions in the wood are soft and slippery.
Conditions in the wood are soft and slippery.

Charlie Harrison was another rider to hit the ground today. Heal up quick Chuck.
Charlie Harrison was another rider to hit the ground today. Heal up quick Chuck.

Vali Holl has the strength to win on this battered track. This also marks her first Elite Women s start here at the Fort.
Vali Holl has the strength to win on this battered track. This also marks her first Elite Women's start here at the Fort.

Greg Minnaar has won here a few times before in all sorts of conditions. Rain or shine he ll be ready to fire on Sunday.
Greg Minnaar has won here a few times before, in all sorts of conditions. Rain or shine, he'll be ready to fire on Sunday.

Reece Wilson studying the crucial woods section.
Reece Wilson studying the crucial woods section.

Loris Vergier hard on the anchors in one of the most challenging parts of the track.
Loris Vergier hard on the anchors in one of the most challenging parts of the track.

Mille Johnset heading up for her second practice run this morning.
Mille Johnset heading up for her second practice run this morning.

Ever stylish Ronan Dunne will be fighting back from outside the top 60 after a tough season start in Lourdes.
Ever stylish, Ronan Dunne, will be fighting back from outside the top 60 after a tough season start in Lourdes.

Loic Bruni only managed a couple of runs before crashing out. There are not many details at the moment but let s hope it s not too serious.
Loic Bruni only managed a couple of runs before crashing out. There are not many details at the moment but let's hope it's not too serious.

Henry no chill Kerr drifting dangerously into the pinball section.
Henry 'no chill' Kerr drifting dangerously into the pinball section.

Gwin and Thirion comparing notes.
Gwin and Thirion comparing notes.

Matt Walker was evidently hauling and it took him to 2nd place in timed training.
Matt Walker was evidently hauling and it took him to 2nd place in timed training.

Eddie Masters hiking for one more after nearly ending himself.
Eddie Masters hiking for one more after nearly ending himself.

Phil Atwil on the hunt.
Phil Atwill on the hunt.

Luke Meier Smith doesn t hang about much these days. 6th for TT.
Luke Meier Smith doesn't hang about much these days. 6th for TT.

From rock and gravel to the deepest of ruts this grueling track seems to have it all.
From rock and gravel to the deepest of ruts, this grueling track seems to have it all.

Junior rider Jordan Williams riding to a top 5 TT lap for elite men this afternoon.
Junior rider, Jordan Williams, riding to a top 5 TT lap for elite men this afternoon.

Connor Fearon bouncing about high over Fort William.
Connor Fearon bouncing about high over Fort William.

Loris Vergier looked dangerous as you d expect.
Loris Vergier looked dangerous as you'd expect.

The rain clouds were looming large all day and eventually opened for good towards the end of practice.
The rain clouds were looming large all day and eventually opened for good towards the end of practice.

AG goes to war on the turn on which he encountered a landmine back at the 2019 race.
AG goes to war on the turn on which he encountered a landmine back at the 2019 race.

Jamie Edmondson trying to manage the wet conditions. No easy task when the wind is howling in every direction.
Jamie Edmondson trying to manage the wet conditions. No easy task when the wind is howling in every direction.

Laurie Greenland is one of a whole host of UK racers dreaming of the top step of the podium in Fort William.
Laurie Greenland is one of a whole host of UK racers dreaming of the top step of the podium in Fort William.

Does riding faster mean you hit more rain drops than going slow and being out in it for longer Ele Farina says no.
Does riding faster mean you hit more rain drops than going slow and being out in it for longer? Ele Farina says no.

Groundhog day at Fort Bill with Andy Vathis.
Groundhog day at Fort Bill with Andy Vathis.

Marine Cabirou claimed the fastest female TT and some extra confidence for qualies to boot.
Marine Cabirou claimed the fastest female TT and some extra confidence for qualies to boot.

No bad days up at Fort William. Except when this kind of thing happens to you probably.
No bad days up at Fort William. Except probably when this kind of thing happens to you.

Just how high can local lad Reece Wilson climb the standings this weekend
Just how high can local lad Reece Wilson climb the standings this weekend?

Rolling mountains sprawling lochs and moody skies. It can only be the Scottish Highlands.
Rolling mountains, sprawling lochs and moody skies. It can only be the Scottish Highlands.

Onwards to qualies
Onwards to the further savagery of qualifying.


Posted In:
Racing and Events DH Racing Fort William World Cup Dh 2022


Author Info:
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Member since Jul 19, 2007
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31 Comments
  • 47 0
 Some terrific shots from @nathanhughes - especially that 3rd one of Coulanges. Awesome work.
  • 8 0
 Came here to say the same. Contenders for photo of the year in here.
  • 5 0
 What a shot that Benoit is
  • 2 0
 That's what I thought too. Captured so much in that photo.
  • 1 0
 I pooped myself on how good that shot was......
  • 21 0
 Unreal Photography! Sucky conditions & questionable light, nothing but bangers. Thanks
  • 8 0
 Great to see local lad Reece Wallace, but shame his kit doesn't match the new bike
  • 6 0
 Should my kit match my bike too?
  • 3 0
 @slayersxc17: depends if your world champ Canadian racer on trek or not?
  • 1 1
 @browner: You must mean Scottish, of course, right?
  • 1 0
 @JacobyDH: r/whoooosh
  • 1 0
 @bmxbackground69: my brain hurts
  • 6 0
 Cheers for the photo gold @nathanhughes @rossbellphoto missing it again this year but you guys provide the best angles
  • 5 2
 Shame the presentation of the photography is ruined by having to scroll up and down on a single image just to see the top & bottom of the frame. Any chance of putting a margin around each image so you can see them as intended?
  • 5 0
 Melanie Chappaz looks like still in her PJ's
  • 2 1
 direct link to timing site (otherwise wrapped on a uci site): prod.chronorace.be/angular/results.html#/uci/mtb?ll=165312994922 #servicePost
  • 7 5
 Does anyone else scroll back to the top, just to hit back?
  • 7 0
 no
  • 4 0
 no but why
  • 2 0
 Great photos. Where's Brendog? Is he broken?
  • 6 0
 Filming over in madeira
  • 4 0
 @theCBK: Wow, I guess he's done with racing. Sad times.
  • 1 0
 @chriss78: I had been wondering about that the last few days. I mean the schedule was out last year, he couldn't make arrangements to race? I was scanning the timed training, and today's results. Now I know.
  • 1 0
 @bostondonmtb: I guess hitting massive jumps & vlogging pays better than racing. Fair play to the lad.
  • 1 0
 Seems like the Vee tire development isn't going great if Gwin is running the E13 minion tire (still made by Vee)
  • 1 0
 Commencal Muc-off lads not running team sponser provided ENVE wheels?
  • 1 0
 prototype ENVE rims they started testing/developing last year... Would also venture a guess that the external spoke nipples were a must have request from a mechanics who constantly tweak spoke tension for various tracks and set ups
  • 1 0
 If I were daprela, I'd never touch an ENVE wheel again. But its probably just a new prototype
  • 1 0
 Great great photos!
  • 1 2
 Speed it up







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