The Berm Busters: Practice - Vallnord DH World Cup 2016 Vallnord DH World Cup
What a beautiful day in the dust; the absolute antithesis of last year's wash-out at the World Champs. As riders began to turn up the heat - on the track which the world's fastest say is the best on the circuit - the sun continued to do its work and before long, things were blowing up gloriously. Dust was flying to the point where it was almost impossible to ride within half a minute of the next rider, making it more than a little difficult to get a clean TT run. Tracey Hannah rode the quickest lady lap of the day, while Finn Iles took another practice win in juniors. Meanwhile, Troy Brosnan laid down a fiery first bid to make the only time under 4:20, ahead of Bernard Kerr and Florent Payet. Should Vallnord Bike Park stay this dry, there won't be much left of this part of the mountain come race day... the bombing's already begun.
George Brannigan getting ready for a day of all-out gnar in the forest, and hoping his injured knee will handle the abuse.
Giant's mechanics have an agreement with SRAM to help take some of the load off at the races. They are one of the few teams servicing their own shocks and forks.
Loris Vergier's morning yoga routine is slightly different from yours and mine.
"If you don't want to be counting the fingers you haven't got, I suggest you get those forks ...Quick!" - Tony Seagrave's excellent Barry the Baptist impression.
Stefan the mechanic getting the spare wheels together at the MS Mondraker pit.
Gunning for privateer of the year and a top 30 plate, it's Scotsman Kenta Gallagher and his Hope-adorned Session.
The long lineup to drop in on a course competitors could hardly wait to ride.
Cool morning air and lovely light greeted the first lucky riders out of the start house.
Mick Hannah looked fast today in practice and was having zero issues on the long Andorra course. "You can't take a break on this one, you have to push the whole way through."
Florent Payet has looked more than convincing all season long - now it's crunch time. Can he can crack the top ten of the overall? Third place in the TT session shows he's about ready to strike.
Steve Peat points his Santa Cruz Spitfire down the fast and loose Andorra track.
Marine Cabirou was looking in top form today as she was fifth fastest.
2015's golden boy slashing shale in the sunshine.
Miranda Miller has had a fantastic season as a privateer and is looking for another strong result going into the off-season - and contract negations for 2017.
Bad luck for Morgane Charre, as she had a big crash early on in the day that injured her arm. She won't be racing Saturday, unfortunately.
Loris Vergier digs a little too deep in the open section.
Pom Pon was fourth fastest. She could bring home some precious metal on Commencal home turf.
Rachel Atherton was second fastest today. She is on the threshold of a perfect season, and she shows no signs of slowing up.
Mike Jones keeps the Chain Reaction ship wild, while Sam Hill is off focusing on the final two EWS of the season.
The Bulldog looked like he may have been having the most fun out there today.
For a brief time the woods resembled Apocalypse Now, while an injured rider was heli-lifted out.
Smoke flare set and the area cleared. The staff has mountain rescue well in hand.
Kiwi Matt Walker has had an up and down season since winning Crankworx Rotorua way back in March, but he is healthy and looking fast in Andorra.
Taylor Vernon had a nasty off today that broke his nose. Word is still out on whether or not he will ride tomorrow.
Thunderstorms were forecast as a possibility, but nothing came from the sky other than glorious sunshine.
Yes indeed... Brendawg had fun today.
British junior Matt Walker is back from injury, but sadly, too far back in points to contest the overall.
Smooth and precise, Troy Brosnan was the fastest in timed training.
Finn Iles trying to jump into France.
Amaury Pierron started the season with a bang a podium and plans to finish it the same way. Seventh in the TT shows it's not so far out of reach for the young Frenchman.
Eliot Heap sits third in Juniors, and would like to end the season with a win.
Mark Beaumont gaps the roots on the off-camber inside line.
Connor Fearon is holding tight in that coveted top five, but has some big names breathing down his neck, looking to snatch it away.
Remi Thirion is the man all the locals are looking to for a win on Saturday.
Greg Minnaar got second here at last year's World Champs, and would love to go one better on Saturday to end this World Cup campaign on a high note.
Tahnee Seagrave may have come in dead last in timed training, but she will no doubt be turning up the wick tomorrow come qualies.
First rider on track and by far the most aggressive: Danny Hart is on a mission this weekend.
Laurie Greenland boosting through the ashes of the funeral pyre booter.
Greg Williamson launching large in the name of the 'Squad.
Gee Atherton crashed big here last year at worlds and suffered another off here in practice. We will see how things turn out tomorrow.
Tracey Hannah is on a mission this weekend to move up to second in the overall, and to break Rachel's winning streak. She's off to a good start, going four seconds faster than her rivals today.
Junior Gaetan Vige could take the overall here in Andorra - if he wins and Iles comes in later than fifth position.
Eddy Masters stomping afternoon turns in the brown pow.
Intense Factory Racing's Nikolas Nestoroff hauling in the green-plate division.
Two second places for Carpenter at the last two Vallnord races. She will need to pull off the hat trick to stay ahead of Seagrave in the overall.
Gwin struggled a bit here last year in the mud, but it's a different story this time around. If there were ever conditions that mimicked those of his SoCal home, this round would be the one.
How George Brannigan held this one up is one of life's great mysteries.
Hard times in the steep loose conditions. There were plenty of yellow flags out there today.
One rider was airlifted off the track today, and word has yet to get back on his condition. We wish him the best.
Seventh here at World Champs last year, the 'bug-eyed bandit' wants another serving of top 10 goodness for 2016.
Crouching rider hidden bike... Guillaume Cauvin explodes another turn under the heat of the midday sun.
This man is looking to end his season on a high note.
"Best track ever." - Vallnord achieves the highest possible Atwill accolade.
Bikes sure are cool, but we can't get enough of these Andorran views.
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COME ON KIWIS BULLDOG, BLENKI ,BRANNIGAN,WALKER, BOTH MASTERS & BERGAMOUNT MECHANIC KURT!!! QUALIFY AND GET IN THERE FOR A FINAL WRAP UP OF THE SEASON, DEFINITELY ANY OF YOU IN THE TOP 20 !
CHURRRRRR BRO !
It takes you down the whole course, going from one rider to the next.
Enjoy !
Always some amazing pictures though. Thanks for the great article!
Edit: Airlifted rider was Cam Cole. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!