Training Day - Mont St Anne World Cup

Aug 8, 2013 at 19:33
by Nathan Hughes  
bigquotesI hated every minute of training, but I said - Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.- Muhammad Ali

A wet foggy morning after a night of heavy rains left the freshly buffed track slick and roosty. As the day went on the sun decided to shine and dry up a bit.
  Classic MSA mists hung thick in the air as riders were wiping the sleep out of their eyes this morning. What kind of state would they find the freshly buffed track in exactly?

Heavy duty machinery... everybody s best friend at the infamous Mont St Anne.
  Heavy duty machinery... everybody's best friend at the infamous Mont St Anne.

The officials wouldn t let Danny run a minute ahead of the Group A training schedule...so he got itchy feet.
  The officials wouldn't let Danny run a minute ahead of the Group A training schedule... which he was wheelie upset about.

Into the void... Mitch Ropelato dropping in. Condtions were literally thick as pea soup on the top section of track. The motorway was riding by braille. It wasn t until riders got into the woods that they could actually see what they were hitting.
  Into the void... Mitch Ropelato dropping in. Condtions were literally thick as pea soup on the top section of track. The motorway was riding by braille. It wasn't until riders got into the woods that they could actually see what they were hitting.

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Mitch Delfs appearing out of the misty mountain top.
  Mitch Delfs appearing out of the misty mountain top.

More west coast than east coast but Canada through and through.
  More west coast than east coast, but Canada through and through.

After a night of thunderstorms it was a really shaky start to the day particularly up top on the flat out straights in the low vis.
  An entire night of thunderstorms certainly made for a shaky start to the day, particularly up top, on those flat-out straights in the low vis.

<Deleted photo>

Greg Williamson
  Greg Williamson is yet to follow up his 10th at Fort Bill, but maybe MSA will also suit him well.

Rain over night. Freshly worked over track. Loamy woods. Yep it was a tear off kind of morning here at Mt St Anne.
  Downpours over night. Freshly worked-over track. Loamy woods. Yep, it was a tear off kind of morning here at Mt St Anne.

<Deleted photo>

Sik Mik
  MSA isn't really Sik Mik's track, but he is fine form this season and has the stamina to tear Quebec a new one with luck on his side.

<Deleted photo>

Smith rolled in from timed training fastest today for what it s worth. He hasn t managed a podium since his silver at the 2010 champs however but is a dead cert for a solid run tomorrow.
  Smith would roll in from the timed training fastest today for what TT is worth. He hasn't managed a podium here since his silver at the 2010 champs, but is a dead cert for a solid run tomorrow.

Brook landed third two years ago and if he s anywhere near back to full strength you might fancy another podium this time round.
  Brook landed third two years ago and if he's anywhere near back to full strength you might fancy another podium this time round.

Connor Fearon through the mist.
  Connor Fearon through the mist.

Marcello on the loose like a bull in a china shop.
  Marcello on the loose like a bull in a china shop looking for improvement on last year's 20th.

What an Evil mess.. Neither of the two could figure out which part of the track they were supposed to be on.
  What an Evil mess.. Neither of the two could figure out which part of the track they were supposed to be on.

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Gee Atherton sniping through the lower rock section.
  Gee Atherton sniping through the lower rock section.

Loic Bruni railing in the woods for an audience of one.
  Loic Bruni railing in the woods for an audience of one.

Stevie was fastest in timed training today and not holding back one bit.
  Stevie was rampant all morning, not holding back one bit.

Tire choice tire choice... On the one hand rain overnight. On the other hand a re-furbished but well established track. Magic Mary s or Spikes Spikes for the loose newly re-built trails but squirmy as a bag of weasels on the rocks. Magic Mary s for overall confidence--except in the loosey goosey mud sections.
  Tire choice, tire choice... On the one hand, rain overnight. On the other hand a re-furbished but well established track. Magic Mary's or Spikes? Spikes for the loose newly re-built trails, but squirmy as a bag of weasels on the rocks. Magic Mary's for overall confidence--except in the loosey goosey mud sections.

Polish Pete counts the clicks first thing this morning on the Atherton winning machine.
  Polish Pete counts the clicks with the changing conditions on the Atherton winning machine.

MS Mondraker went from pit of the week in Andorra to U-Haul pits along with many others here. Many of the team trucks had to be at Crankworx Whistler this weekend.
  MS Mondraker went from pit of the week in Andorra to U-Haul pits along with many others here, thanks to the Crankworx resource sink hole.

Pom Pom
  After lunch the sun started to burn off the low cloud and Myriam was out shredding hard with the Ruffin bros.

4th in 2011 3rd in 2012... The forecast is all sunshine for Danny Hart in Canada.
  4th in 2011, 3rd in 2012... The forecast is all sunshine for Danny Hart in Canada.

<Deleted photo>

Licking his chops Tony Ferreiro getting his swerve on in the berms.
  Licking his chops: Tony Ferreiro getting his swerve on in the berms.

<Deleted photo>

Suding will be bloodthirsty this weekend after missing out on the big time in Andorra. Staying on the bike could help get his plate closer to single figures.
  Suding will be bloodthirsty this weekend after missing out on the big time in Andorra. Staying on the bike could help get his plate closer to single figures.

It ain t his BMX bike but Sam Hill is feeling it. He s won here before and with the momentum from Andorra Hill is out for blood.
  It ain't his BMX bike, but Sam Hill is feeling it. He's won here before and with the momentum from Andorra, Hill is of course out for blood too.

<Deleted photo>

Brendog was enjoying the high speeds on offer this afternoon as the course dried out. His best result is 8th on Quebec turf but you have to look back through 4 years of archives to find it.
  Brendog was enjoying the high speeds on offer this afternoon as the course dried out. His best result is 8th on Quebec turf, but you have to look back through 4 years of archives to find it.

Overnight rain a bit of sun roosty goodness. herodirt.
  Overnight rain + a bit of sun = roosty goodness. # herodirt.

British gun Scott Mears hasn t had much luck making an impact on the international scene in terms of results yet but he s already top 10 whip material.
  British gun Scott Mears hasn't had much luck making an impact on the international scene in terms of results yet, but he's already top 10 whip material.

<Deleted photo>

<Deleted photo>

 sharkweek
  Obviously sharks were also on people's minds #sharkweek

<Deleted photo>


Author Info:
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Member since Jul 19, 2007
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71 Comments
  • 46 2
 Better not refer to the start as the 'iconic S'....Spec's lawyers are listening!
  • 12 7
 Would love to see Remi on top again, need some new blood on the podium!!!
  • 8 1
 ^ Well, since he won last week can he still be considered "new blood"? It's awesome seeing new faces on the podium though Smile
  • 4 1
 Should they fear Oakley's lawyers as well?
  • 5 1
 Steve Smith is an absolute machine! Mont St Anne this week, Crankworks to follow. Probably the best time of the year for mountain bikes and spectators alike, so pumped for what is to come!
  • 22 1
 i hope kobe bryant wins
  • 6 3
 I hope that a great white shark gets on the podium
  • 18 0
 that may be one of pinkbikes best articles. Wit and deadly photos. Nice!
  • 3 0
 Ya those were completely epic photos. Minnaar off that rock was insane
  • 19 2
 He was wheelie upset about it...really Pinkbike...really.....
  • 13 0
 and... 'what an evil mess'. Very punny Pinkbike...
  • 3 6
 See what I did there...
  • 2 2
 It's funny cause it's true!
  • 1 3
 The author surely is "in the pink".
  • 12 1
 It wouldn't be Mont. St. Anne if things didn't get a bit wet. ;-) Look at those ruts! Classic MSA action.... I'm going to make a special World Cup Desktop background just to honor this weekend and these wicked pics. I work on a computer all day, why not have rotating images of amazing action in front of me to prepare. Sunday, I await your arrival! Go Stevie Smith!
  • 24 2
 More pics of the female riders please!
  • 78 5
 That's not what he meant by wet you know.
  • 8 1
 @VTwintips I hope you get the appreciation you deserve!
  • 3 0
 @Bossman - -WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT U ON ABOUT !
  • 8 0
 Except the truth is you're just plain wrong. Even a 'Tame' MSA is a legendary track leagues above windham (let's get real here). Just watch what happens come Sunday to that 'smooth' track. We're getting what we want.... the race is at St Anne. Don't violin's play for whiners anyhow?..... Wink

(I get windham is close to you. I'd be upset if my local WC was canceled too)
  • 2 0
 @Bossman Are you on crack? Have you not seen any of the helmet cams this track has some pretty sketchy rock sections that your hauling ass into.
  • 2 0
 @VTwintips, actually that's exactly the "in you endo" I was talking about....gotta throw in the subtle hints around this place when you can ;-)
  • 17 5
 Ahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahaha wheelie hahahahahahahshahahashahshshshs
  • 9 0
 "Misty Mountain Top" classic reference did not go unnoticed ; ) nice writing Mr. Hughes
  • 3 0
 actually Paris takes credit for that one Smile
  • 7 0
 MSA or Crankworx, that is the question...
  • 57 0
 You don't have to have those tough choices, we'll bring you both Wink
  • 14 0
 Thanks for taking care of us karl :,)
  • 2 1
 We love you Karl 3!!!!
  • 3 1
 *3?
  • 6 6
 I hate to be whining but when can we finaly see it in 3D?
  • 3 1
 my correction failed there...
  • 13 0
 It is in 3D....Waki, are you browsing Pinkbike without 3D glasses? Is this your first time here? Wink
  • 7 1
 White people problems.
  • 3 3
 Tyler I start getting neg-proped so I think you are onto something... I thought it's the drugs that make me see double red and blue
  • 5 0
 Some of the raddest shots in this article.
  • 4 0
 Sam's nose manual on the bunting!
  • 3 0
 Don't' usually bother posting but thanks guys, that is a fantastic set of photos Smile
  • 3 0
 I would shred so hard on a Kona Megalodon. I hope Harry pulls it off, it would be so sick to have a privateer win an event
  • 3 0
 I'd like to see Suding on the podium
  • 1 0
 or a nice time...
  • 3 0
 Anyone know why Peaty isn't there?
  • 1 0
 I was just gunna ask that. Apparently he isn't racing but can't find out why?
  • 10 0
 Probably still on a bender with CG somewhere.
  • 4 0
 He's destroyed MSA so many times he just wants someone else to have a chance Razz
  • 1 0
 On Peaty's Facebook page he has said "I'm unfortunately not going to be at Mt St Anne this year."

Won't be a proper MSA race without him!
  • 3 0
 Brook sending it! awesome pictures guys
  • 2 0
 What front fender does Sam Hill have on his bike? I would like one but I did not find that one on Chain Reaction's web site.
  • 1 1
 I wish that it will rain or my boss is saying: you got a day off!!! .... but no I got to work and won't be able to watch it live ):
  • 1 0
 ditto
  • 2 0
 Anyone can explain the story behind the KONA shark drawing? THX!
  • 6 0
 Shark Week. Google will help you out.
  • 3 0
 Got it. Thanks Google.
  • 1 0
 every single 'through' was either though or thought. autocorrect really sucks.
  • 2 0
 I spotted at least 3-4 POD's , great great photography Big Grin
  • 2 0
 like the pics, msa is an awesome place to ride.
  • 2 0
 "Literally" as thick as pea soup, eh???
  • 1 0
 All the talk.... All the hype.... Who won last year ? The same guy that is going to win this year ........... #merica
  • 1 0
 C'mon, guys. These are some great photos. A few shots of the girls, however, would make it that much more awesome. Smile
  • 3 1
 no Peaty no watch
  • 2 0
 Awesome pics. Cheers!
  • 2 0
 Is Peaty not racing?
  • 1 0
 What's that orange stuff on the ground, in Luca Shaw's photo?
  • 1 0
 Wooooo! Go Stevie!
  • 2 2
 Great pictures!! Nice to see some pix from Fraser Britton again.
  • 1 1
 Minnar makes the bike look tiny under him.
  • 1 0
 In this shot I thought the bike looked bigger to be honest.
  • 1 0
 Maybe its the angle or I'm getting old.
  • 1 0
 cool
  • 1 0
 Scott Mears whip!!!







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