Photo Epic: XCO Practice - Val di Sole World Cup 2018
The laps are over, homework has been done. Here in Val di Sole the riders are eating a sensible supper and settling in for a good night's rest. Four races tomorrow. Plenty of hurt to go around. Will Nino take another win, or will Mathieu van der Poel finally take his win? This one is going to be tough to call as Mathieu is peaking right now and showed top form in Short Track. But you never know, the king doesn't give up his throne all that easily.
Niklas Schehl
Vlad Dascalu is looking strong - can he take another win in U23?
Jolanda Neff
Emily Batty is looking to follow up her strong Nove Mesto result
Lea Davison finding the terrain a bit like home in Vermont.
Kate Courtney amongst the pines of Val di Sole.
Mathieu van der Poel having fun
Reto Indergand
Mathieu Van der Poel
Keegan Wright still healing putting a lap or two in.
The Scott SRAM squad out on a burner.
Sloooooowcomotion.
BMC team checking out the lines
Reto Indergand riding with Lars Forster
Manuel Fumic
Malene Degn finds her flow in the punchy terrain.
Nino gives the onlookers a master class.
Sina Frei will be wanting to keep that number one plate.
Anne Tauber
Anne Terpstra pushing up yet again to practice a rocky downhill section
Sebastian Carstensen Fini
Yana Belamoina is always a threat.
Chloe Woodruff takes a roller coaster ride.
The lines are burning in nicely.
Anne Tauber having a relaxed ride
Anne Tauber
Anton Cooper wants another run at the podium and this could be his track.
Final checks before the big day tomorrow.
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18 Comments
- 25 1
WAKIdesigns
(Jul 7, 2018 at 15:05)
So many pics of XCers checking lines. Exciting times. It may not be obvious but if these guys and gals inspire XC Jerrys Joeys and Wandas to try technical riding, the level of riding if the whole sport will improve. That also includes you, you moto meat head in a tank top, moto pants and cheap ass helmet with Monster Energy logo on it. You may want to stop burning rotors on Super Morzine since some dude on XC bike can pass you in a rock garden. So again, exciting times!
- 4 1
fercho25
(Jul 7, 2018 at 17:08)
Wow no comment on your latest crusade against xc geo?
- 1 6
Rainozeros
(Jul 8, 2018 at 0:42)
(Below Threshold)
Yeah, but they still need to work on their asthetics...ditch lycra for the sake of matching their riding style!
- 2 1
brodoyouevenbike
(Jul 8, 2018 at 6:52)
@Rainozeros: Lycra is aero as f*ck, evev DH/enduro guys wear clothes as tight as the UCI allows.
- 1 0
Rainozeros
(Jul 11, 2018 at 12:15)
@brodoyouevenbike: yeah, Go wear your hot pants... uargh!
- 4 0
Lookinforit
FL (Jul 7, 2018 at 15:01)
Those descents actually look like something you'd find on a trail!!! I'd ride that course, for sure. Not in spandex and on a more forgiving bike, but I bet it would actually be fun
- 8 1
whoozh
(Jul 7, 2018 at 14:36)
yeah Keegan!
- 4 0
Stumpy2
(Jul 7, 2018 at 19:04)
This would have to be the most technical XC course I have seen on the World Cup circuit. Loving the new direction the sport is heading in.
- 2 0
scissors888
(Jul 8, 2018 at 8:03)
Its actually one of the easier ones. The courses over the last few years have gotten a lot more techinical. Gone are the fire road and grass courses of 2012
- 1 0
brodoyouevenbike
(Jul 8, 2018 at 11:57)
@scissors888: And Schurter gets rad with the XC whips
- 1 0
SonofBovril
(Jul 9, 2018 at 2:52)
@brodoyouevenbike: Was rad to see even Sam Gaze hitting the 4X double in the short course!
- 2 0
Feideaux
(Jul 7, 2018 at 16:12)
Love the shot of Belamoina with Tauber in the background still pushing up the hill - good editing!!
- 2 0
crazyfrenchy
(Jul 7, 2018 at 21:29)
Wow!!!Steep wet rocks on 2.2 inches XC tyres...
- 2 0
brodoyouevenbike
(Jul 8, 2018 at 6:53)
Is it allowed to use a dropper for XCO?
- 1 0
Chadimac22
(Jul 8, 2018 at 11:25)
Yes
- 1 0
kiwi-in-ns
(Jul 8, 2018 at 13:06)
Looks like the BMC team are just pissed that Keegan's riding the course on a trail bike and in baggies!
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