World Champs 2014: Hafjell Photo Epic - Day 4
How it feels to win the World Champs for the first time from those few who can describe it...
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 Rob Roskopp catches up with the current World Champion, Greg Minnaar, having gone fastest in timed training and looking for his third consecutive Championship title. |
 | The first time I won it I remember sitting in the hotseat watching Michael Pascal sprinting to the line and I could see he was off on time... It was a completely different feeling, I didn't expect it. I knew I had a chance, but the possibility of doing didn't seem real. Then about 9 years later I won it again and it was the same feeling in Leogang. So far apart it's hard, I mean it's a lot easier to win one than win two! My win in South Africa was actually quite horrible with just so much pressure, so many people saying I could easily win and living in the city I really felt like I literally had to win. That night I didn't even last the evening I was so totally drained, whereas in Lugano it was something I was trying to do and I did it I was all stoked... South Africa was purely relief! Greg Minnaar - Santa Cruz Syndicate |
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| World Champs victory number 4 could be on it's way to Sam Hill and his kangaroo, adding to 2 junior title wins. Hill first claimed the win at senior level in Rotorua 2006, before Fort William 2007 and Mont St Anne 2010. |
| It hit me as soon as the last rider came down, I think it was Nathan Rennie, who was real hungry for it that year in '06. I sh*t myself really and couldn't believe it when it happened. It was something I was close to the two years before and my biggest goal at the time; a big sigh of relief that I'd done it. It sank in a bit later, but was definitely an emotional and awesome feeling at the time. Instead of trying to do it again the next year you just want to hang onto it because it's such an awesome feeling. Mont St Anne was a big one coming back from injury, but every one is special; it's the biggest race you can win and it's something you cherish forever. You don't wanna let anyone else have it, it's what keeps you going. I'm just hoping to slip that jersey back on tomorrow... Today I dunno, it was just a mild simmer Sam Hill - CRC/Nukeproof |
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| Rachel Atherton is the defending champ since Pietermaritzburg 2013, but she took her first win alongside her brother in 2008 at Val di Sole. |
| The first time I won I literally felt it was the best thing I had ever done. I was quite young and I wasn't expecting it and it just blew my mind. An hour later Gee won. I was young and it was so easy back then, I was just riding, no pressure and there was nothing in my head apart from just smashing it and having fun riding. For me that was the beginning of it all. From there on I knew what it felt like and I knew that I wanted it. That title changed my life because I was the first elite British World Champion and it just makes you want this lifestyle more and it makes you believe in yourself and keeps you going and keep racing. Ironically then it gets harder and harder. You won it and you put pressure on yourself and everyone expects, but that first win was mega because it was so easy. Nothing has ever been as easy as that. I crossed the line and I turned around and was buzzing like 'f-k everyone!' haha. Val di Sole was a legit track back in the day, gnarly, raw, I had a skinsuit on, it was mint! I had such a sick run, it was so much fun. I was last rider down and I crossed the line and I just went 'yeah!' and my brother Affy hugged me after breaking his collarbone before. I watch the video quite a lot because it makes me stoked - Rachel Atherton - Atherton Racing |
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| Over a decade and a half of assaults on the top step to no avail, it wasn't until Canberra 2009 that DH legend, Steve Peat, finally struck gold. |
| It was my 17th time trying when I actually won. I'd sort of come to the conclusion that I was never gonna win the damn race. For me it was a massive relief and a unreal feeling that didn't settle in for a while. I remember coming back from Canberra, on the plane I downloaded my emails from before I left and I had 800 emails. They were all congratulations from all over World. It was that many people that were happy for me. I sat on the plane and old sponsors, old friends, new sponsors and new friends... just everyone you can imagine was congratulating me. I remember I was sitting next to two biggish blokes with beards, manly men, and I kept having a little cry to myself. It was so emotional and such a big relief for me to finally get that kind of thing because I waited such a long time for it. I felt kind of a pussy sitting next to the two big men, but that was so emotional for me. I think for a year, every time I pulled the jersey on it was just like: I finally hit it. It is just quite a satisfying feeling. Until you actually win the World Championship you don't realize how much it means to people who are not in the industry. It means a lot to the people in the industry, but you get a lot more attention from outside. People know who the World Champion is in any sport, they are not that bothered about the World Cup Champion or how many World Cups you have won, it's 'who is the World Champion?' - Steve Peat - Santa Cruz Syndicate |
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| With Sam Hill sliding out in the dust on that infamous corner, Gee Atherton was able to take down fellow countryman, Steve Peat, to become World Champion at Val Di Sole in 2008. |
| It's a pretty incredible feeling to win the Worlds, it's something that always stays with you for sure. Once you've won it and you've felt that feeling, that emotion and what it means to you, it makes you want it more. I think at a race like this you almost try not to dwell on it too much because it can become too big of a focus, so every time I try to treat it like a normal race, but it's always in the back of your mind. To win was for me, I know maybe it sounds bad, but it was what I wanted and when you are so young and you push yourself so hard and know it's doable, there's the sense of almost 'that was the plan', although I was stoked. It definitely changed my life and boosted me. I'm sure there is an aspect if you haven't won it that makes you more eager to get it, but winning it once; you know how good it is - Gee Atherton - Atherton Racing |
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| Obliterating the competition in the rain by 11.6 seconds, on the steepest race track of all time, Danny Hart would put down the greatest run in downhill history to become World Champion in Champery 2011. |
| Winning the Worlds for me was a life changing day. It was amazing. It's everything that I ever worked for so it's just a life changing experience to do it. All the fan base went up, sponsors loved ya, it's just a massive deal for everyone. I was never expecting to do what I did in Champery. When Gwin fell off and I knew I was World Champion, I was just speechless and everyone was screaming and shouting, it was very surreal. After the party night when I came back to the pits to get my camper and stuff everything was just a bombsite, it hit me what had happened really. Then it sinks in that yesterday was just a high of the sport, everyone was going for gold and you did it and you are the guy on the day. It is just hard to imagine when you haven't done it. This year I want to win again; every year I try it. I was really upset the year after in 2012. I got hurt and couldn't train. Leogang is not a bad track for me but I couldn't defend my title. I'm looking for it again, here is a good track, I enjoy it. It's been working out well for me all weekend and I'll be giving it a good go on Sunday - Danny Hart - Giant Factory Racing |
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| There's no qualifying at Worlds so today was merely timed training providing no points, but still a valuable insight for riders into their own standing. Perhaps a lower risk run at full gas was what was in order and what we witnessed, of course a good indication as to who could go the distance for the final. |
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| Many riders weren't properly warmed up, having just woken up and heading straight out into the cold, so weren't in the best position to set the track alight. Just as well when photographers are forced to burn the candle at both ends. A 6am wake-up call for media had Sven Martin driving dawn shuttle laps. |
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| Riders showed up for practice right on time today at 7am, even though the sun was running a bit late. |
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| Still we never miss a nug... Tahnee Seagrave boosts the big jumps while the first rays begin to illuminate the Olympic torch bearer clear-cut on the opposing hillside. |
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| The crack of dawn isn't too early for Bernado Cruz to fly the flag. Who knew Brazil was one of the World's flattest countries... |
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| Lots of media of all shapes and sizes out there already today... Tomorrow the fight for a prime photo spot is on, despite so much to see. |
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| While some huck this to flat amongst the sharp rocks, Sam Hill boosts the gap, lands in a manual, and pumps the backside for even more speed. |
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| Troy takes a similar approach to Sam while Josh chooses to simply send it, possibly smoother than anyone else. |
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| Gee was easily pulling up the hardest off this gap that only the top men are hitting, while Connor Fearon was one of the only riders to take the low g-out line with an equal amount of speed. |
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| Steve Peat looking over the results from today, with the fastest speed at nearly 80k. Will the man ever slow down? |
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| Peaty's mechanic, Tom Duncan, isn't too much in the know what's going on up the mountain or on the i-pads at the races. He has a big binge of the replay and Pinkbike on his recovery day with the misses. Good on him. |
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| Rachel Atherton was looking brutal and went fastest in timed training by a convincing 3.7 seconds. She's a dead cert to find a a bit more out on track tomorrow. |
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| Queen Rachel's last day on the MTB throne, or the dawn of a whole new reign as World Champ once again? |
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| Tracey Hannah was caught off-guard by a crash in the rocks today, but a second look at the result sheet will show she was within a second of the fastest time at split 1. |
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| Although times are looking closer than ever in the womens, Manon has real work to do if she wants to the bridge the gap to Rachel tomorrow. |
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| Before most people had even poured their morning coffee Pom Pon and the rest of the women were already on track today. |
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| While usually a podium threat, Micayla Gatto is coming back from injury here and is struggling to find her normal pace. |
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| Tracey Hannah was seventh fastest in timed training, but she had the was second fastest at the first split. |
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| On the money through the turns, a fifth place timed training is just the ticket Jill Kintner will be after tomorrow. |
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| Pom Pon back from injury and incredibly straight to within 0.2 of Carpenter on track today. She has the power to take it here tomorrow no doubt about it. |
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| Jill takes precious time to check the options in the extremely short training this morning. |
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| Looking flat-out evil, it's Morgane Charre-ging through the rocks |
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| Emmeline Ragot went down hard in the top rocks a suffered a broken hand. Sadly she will be watching World Champs from the sidelines tomorrow. |
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| Mick Hannah and Arthur, BOS's suspension wizard, go over split times and various bike setup options in an attempt to squeeze a few more seconds out of the track. |
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| Loic Bruni was tenth fastest in timed training today and is well in touch after a fairly safe run. He remains a top pick for the win tomorrow. |
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| Thirion remains the most comfortable looking out on the course. He hit seventh in official timed training. |
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| Remi Thirion has all the big gaps and lines dialed and finished his timed run within 3 seconds of Greg Minnaar. Without a doubt he is our wild card pick for the win tomorrow. |
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| This is it for the Commencal ripper... one last dog fight before a short rest and back off to La Bresse for a winter of ski instructing. If his skiing's anything like his riding he's gonna need a watertight disclaimer for his clients. |
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| Dusty dayz in the lower woods. Great bomb-holes of brown-pow are forming, hiding a few sharks beneath their golden surface. |
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| A 24th place cruise and still we have no idea where Aaron Gwin is at and surely he can't know much better himself. There are two options here on either side of the tree and Gwin played safe with the steadier route for his TT. The inside maybe be quicker, but does come with quite a risk at race speed. |
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| Aaron has a special Hillbilly cut on his tires ready for tomorrow. |
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| Japan's Kazuki Shimzu of Madison Saracen keeping things real tight in the rocks. |
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| Bryn Atkinson absolutely sending the rock transfer lower down on the course. Worlds tends to bring the best out of the riders and it's good to see him in 11th just 3 seconds out of the medals. |
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| Bryn has been a staple of World Cup racing the past decade and we hope to see him right up by the top steps for finals. |
| I'm going to put down the run of my life tomorrow and just go for it - Bryn Atkinson - Norco International |
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| Luca Shaw warping through the Norwegian peace offering to SRAM. |
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| Mechanics unite for wheel construction and golden light. |
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| While the Sr. men were up early for their times runs, the Jr. riders were able to sleep in and had their own practice after the sun was out. |
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| Neil Stewart orbiting the jump set and after a top ten seeding yesterday he's looking ready to bring the fight in the finals. |
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| As always, Laurie Greenland provides the style anytime his wheels leave the ground. Thankfully in Hafjell that is quite often. |
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| If Bernardo Cruz can fly straight just one run tomorrow he could probably shave the 11 seconds to the top. Only kidding, sideways is always faster! |
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| Nick Beer got DQ'd today during seeding, not a huge deal and won't affect his run for tomorrow. Nick blew some tape lower on the course and decided that finishing his run with a more accurate time was most important. |
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| Cracking the top 30 and the fastest Scandinavian, was a rapid Robin Wallner. |
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| Nino Schurter blitzing his way right past the DH. |
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| Bergamont's more silent, but still violent offering, Jack Moir, 8 seconds off for a 26th TT. |
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| Matt Simmonds always looks pinned, but he's kept a low profile so far in Norway. He has to be well within the final-cut selection for a wildcard winner. |
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| Brook MacDonald had a steady run hitting all his race lines, but knows he has to push that extra bit harder tomorrow if he wants to leave Norway with a medal. |
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| France's Guillaume Cauvin bouldering through the mighty big rocks and comfortably clocking a top 30 time. |
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| One big happy family in the pits with Srams and Foxes alike. |
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| Troy Brosnan thinks he can do it and he makes a good point with every run. A 5th quickest TT and he's shown more than capable. |
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| Mullaly and Brannigan with matching chunks taken out of their thru-axle bolts. Both hit identical gap-lines in the lower woods that resulted in the same ungodly crunch. Team play and bike abuse perfected. |
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| Ratty giving it full beans into the deep dusty lower woods. He has struggled a little with Norway so far and 9th is further out than expected this morning, but tomorrow's a new day. The overall and the stripes double crown still hangs in the balance. |
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| George Brannigan has been looking heaps quick all weekend and today nailed fourth fastest in timed training. |
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| Not too shabby for Mr Brannigan, continuing to prove himself upper crust material and particularly proving his knack for Hafjell. He likes nothing more than to teach a few rocks a lesson. |
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| Gee Atherton can and will take this down to the wire tomorrow. He's been absolutely on point since arriving in Norway and his last chance to make a season of dedication worthwhile looms overhead. |
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| Danny Hart looks absolutely electric in Hafjell, in and out of turns in pico-seconds. Second fastest for TT, will we see him do something remarkable tomorrow to reclaim his 2011 title? |
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| Official results are in at the Syndicate. GM 1st, JB 9th and SP 17th. Not a bad test run, but Peaty and Ratty will be looking snuggle up or snatch it from their best pal, the title holder come tomorrow. |
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| Your current World Champion went quickest in timed runs today, proving that he has what it takes to make it 3 in a row. |
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| The man, the myth... Greg Minnaar in the hotseat of the sky. Can someone bring him back down to Earth? |
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| Rest up, and put on your war paint. Tomorrow is going to be the most epic battle in years. |
By Nathan Hughes
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please dont be a jerk, and leave the results off the front page for a bit.
Some of us like the excitment of watching the race, even if it's the replay.
Thanks
Ps: It was still exciting to see Bryceland come so freakin' close to taking the worlds !
Now seriously... they can pull a fourth decimal...it happens in track&field every other year or so