Practice Photo Epic: Bielsko-Biala DH World Cup 2024
Following a brutal race in Fort William two weeks ago the Downhill World Cup is back with a fresh new course and venue to test out the world's best racers.
With the revised schedule in 2024 timed training kicked off this week's racing as the downhill riders battled mixed conditions. After a morning of practice first in the dry then in the wet, Nina Hoffmann and Troy Brosnan set the fastest times of the day ahead of the more time against the clock in qualifying.
We don't have long to wait before everyone is back between the tape for qualifying and the elites face off a second time in the semi-finals.
Beautiful forest for miles around here in Szczyrk, a short drive from Bielsko Biala City.
Shiny fresh parts ready to sub in after the brutality of the last race in the Scottish Highlands.
The World Champ's steed in its stable.
Not chain lube. Could still work potentially.
Tahnee Seagrave ready for early action on the hill this morning.
Balanche getting stuck in the first few turns.
Nina Hoffmann, second in the series, but fastest in the TT this afternoon.
Joe Breeden chasing down ex-team-mate Dak Norton for the course preview.
Vali Holl, always strong, especially over the bigger jumps.
Mikayla Parton high on her Fort Bill successes running the lucky number 13 here in Poland.
Some big high-speed crashes from the get-go in practice.
Riders don't get much chance to ease into it on this course. After turn one the big gaps begin.
Cabirou gunning down the upper slopes.
Gracy Hemstreet looking to get back on it after a tough opener.
Mille Johnset pinned through the dusty dry turns to start the day.
Things roughed up a treat on the dry course less than an hour into the session.
Hammering rain, but always time to style for Dak Norton.
Loic Bruni; you may have heard of him due to the '1' on his bike.
Never count out the young Irish mud-master O'Callaghan.
IFR getting up to speed in their signature bright red TLD.
Hatton and Kolb, the Atherton stepbrothers.
MacDonald launching into yet more turns out in the open.
Specialized Gravity crew, Williams and Iles, training together for a change.
Coulanges attacking the TT session mid-track.
Shaw and Brosnan galloping into the first jumps.
Wildcard timed training performer, Gaetan Vige.
The man to beat if you're under 18 and pretty much if you're not... Asa Vermette.
Myriam Nicole enjoying her summer.
Steeze comes easy to Reece Wilson.
Grip happens briefly between these structures and only in minimal amounts.
Fast and devastatingly smooth, even in the mud, is Loris Vergier.
Matt Walker had a great Fort Bill, but no doubt has a lot more planned for his season.
Minnaar loves a mudder.
Pierron muddies the bright white of team Commencal Muc Off.
Syndicate's Ollie Davis surfing the mud ribbon.
It was rough out there today. Payback for a sunny Fort William no doubt.
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How come no one dare even photograph him?
Seems to have gone radioactive
Apparently there are "legal allegations".
Eek