Photo Epic: Practice - Les Gets DH World Champs 2022

Aug 24, 2022 at 15:54
by Nathan Hughes  





A lot has changed since Les Gets last held the World Championships way back in 2004. That, infamously, was the scene of Steve Peat's last gasp slide-out which ensured the win went to Fabien Barel and extended Peaty's fabled hunt for the rainbow jersey ever further. Nearly twenty odd years later, the bikes, kit, riders, track and the sport as a whole have moved on, but the basic principle and raw DNA of what makes downhill racing so great lives on as the world’s best prepare to lay it all on the line in pursuit of the greatest prize in cycling - that rainbow jersey and accompanying precious metal.

The race track remains largely unchanged - certainly no bad thing - from our previous visit to the French Alps following its welcome introduction last season with a variety of fresh cut, steep and technical woods, as well as some big features to test the riders. It’s the perfect setting for the biggest race of the year with a bumper crowd expected to turn out in support of their home heroes of which there are many. Will it be a French frenzy on Saturday or will someone else manage to spoil the fun in legendary fashion?




Les Gets plays host to another MTB World Champs some 18 years later.
Les Gets plays host to another MTB World Champs, some 18 years later.

The newest World Cup winner will fancy his chances this weekend.
The newest World Cup winner will fancy his chances this weekend.

Loic Bruni is another one carrying an injury after seperating his shoulder in Mont Sainte Anne.
Loic Bruni is another one carrying an injury after seperating his shoulder in Mont Sainte Anne.

Laurie MacQueen Greenland wasting no time getting stuck into the French dirt on this riders favorite of a course.
Laurie MacQueen Greenland wasting no time getting stuck into the French dirt on this riders' favorite of a course.

Camille Balanche is back in action here in Les Gets after a broken collar bone took her out the running in MSA.
Camille Balanche is back in action here in Les Gets after a broken collar bone took her out the running in MSA.

Epic views which way you look out here in Portes Du Soleil.
Epic views which way you look out here in Portes Du Soleil.

Team Ireland cutting through the dust in the form of Jacob Dickson.
Team Ireland cutting through the dust in the form of Jacob Dickson.

Jess Blewitt looking to come away with a big result here for team NZ.
Jess Blewitt looking to come away with a big result here for team NZ.

Dante Silva heading into the woods after the fal out top section.
Dante Silva heading into the woods after the flat out top section.

Aaron Gwin looks to be in no mood for cruising here in France.
Aaron Gwin looks to be in no mood for cruising here in France.

Gracey Hemstreet ripping the first turn which overlooks Mont Blanc.
Gracey Hemstreet ripping the first turn which overlooks Mont Blanc.

Greg the Goat out to defend the stripes with speed and style.
Greg the Goat out to defend the stripes with speed and style.

Mille Johnset took her first elite podium on this very track and will fancy her chances this weekend.
Mille Johnset took her first elite podium on this very track and will fancy her chances this weekend.

Bulldog Brook getting expectedly angry with the off-camber.
Bulldog Brook getting expectedly angry with the off-camber.

Epic views and early autumnal vibes from lack of rain here in the French Alps.
Epic views and early autumnal vibes from lack of rain here in the French Alps.

Riders of all plate numbers were getting well after it in the name of king and country.
Riders of all plate numbers were getting well after it in the name of king and country.

Myriam Nicole will be hungry to defend her rainbow stripes on home soil.
Myriam Nicole will be hungry to defend her rainbow stripes on home soil.

Mille Johnset ready for business.
Mille Johnset ready for business.

Bernard Kerr already engaging Hardline mode a couple of weeks early.
Bernard Kerr already engaging Hardline mode a couple of weeks early.

Bernard Kerr letting hang out on the first step down.
Closer for clarity.

Title
A casual 4800 height-metres of rock and ice in the distance.

Dean Lucas on a tear for team Aus.
Dean Lucas on a tear for team Aus.

Multiple time national champ Benoit Coulanges means business here on home soil.
Multiple time national champ, Benoit Coulanges, means business here on home soil.

Tuhuto Ariki has cut his plate number right down to size at the tail end of this season
Tuhuto Ariki has cut his plate number right down to size at the tail end of this season.

Amaury Pierron is surely the hot favourite for the win this weekend.
Amaury Pierron is surely the hot favourite for the win this weekend.

100 focus from Dakotah Norton.
100% focus from Dakotah Norton.

Golden dust and high speeds.
Golden dust and high speeds.

Laurie Greenland definitely had the speed to match the kit today.
Laurie Greenland definitely had the speed to match the kit today.

Benoit Coulanges was absolutely pinned by the end of the day.
Benoit Coulanges was absolutely pinned by the end of the day.

Gwin dropping in for another crack at wild course.
Gwin dropping in for another crack at this wild course.

There s some deep loam in those fresh cut sections.
There's some deep loam in those fresh cut sections.

Angel Saurez went well on this track last year so will be confident of a good result.
Angel Saurez went well on this track last year so will be confident of a good result.

Lots of practice time today meant many visits to the start gate for most. The track is changing very rapidly in the rooty bits.
Lots of practice time today meant many visits to the start gate for most. The track is changing very rapidly in the rooty bits.

Oliver Zwar representing team Sweden in style.
Oliver Zwar representing team Sweden in style.

Luke Meie-Smith has apparently penned a big contract for next season and will want to prove the new team right a little early.
Luke Meier-Smith is rumoured to have penned a big contract for next season and will want to prove the new team right a little early.

Bodhi Kuhn letting it hang out off the step down out of the start hut.
Bodhi Kuhn letting it hang out off the step down out of the start hut.

Danny Hart is on the hunt for his third elite World Champs title.
Danny Hart is on the hunt for his third elite World Champs title.

Ele Farina attacking out the gate on her fresh pink Summum.
Ele Farina attacking out the gate on her fresh pink Summum.

Loic Bruni on the charge wasting no time finding his rhythm.
Loic Bruni on the charge wasting no time finding his rhythm.

Dylan Levesque is one of many home hopefuls looking for success on French soil.
Dylan Levesque is one of many home hopefuls looking for success on French soil.

Nina Hoffman slicing through the morning dust.
Nina Hoffman slicing through the morning dust.

Luca Shaw is back and draughted straight into service for team America.
Luca Shaw is back and drafted straight into service for team America.

Thibaut Daprela looked on it today - can he make it two in a row in Les Gets
Thibaut Daprela looked on it today - can he make it two in a row in Les Gets?

Finn Iles still riding on a high after the madness of MSA.
Finn Iles still riding on a high after the madness of MSA.

Troy Brosnan looks to be peaking in performance at the perfec time.
Troy Brosnan looks to be peaking in performance at the perfect time.

This track will play to Amaury s strengths as if he needed any advantages beyond leading the WC series and racing on home soil.
This track will play to Amaury's strengths as if he needed any advantages beyond leading the WC series and racing on home soil.

Here s hoping the weather doesn t turn as cruel as it did for finals last year this weekend.
Here's hoping the weather doesn't turn as cruel as it did for finals last year this weekend.

Night falls on the first day of downhill track action in Les Gets.
Night falls on the first day of downhill track action in Les Gets.


Author Info:
nathanhughes avatar

Member since Jul 19, 2007
313 articles

32 Comments
  • 33 0
 Les gets to zee racing!!!
  • 19 0
 The wide shot of Kerr on the drop and the one of Bruni on the off-camber grass. 11/10
  • 3 0
 BK is probably my favorite rider right now. Nicest guy ever. Legit content and the homie is killing it currently
  • 2 0
 Plus Amaury's eye of the tiger. And the Mont Blanc close up. And the Mille Johnset black and white character study. Ok yeah the whole gallery is killing it.
  • 17 0
 go Download the OPERA Brower, built in VPN. Its worked for me the last couple world champs.


www.opera.com/download
  • 16 0
 Laurie MacQueenland
  • 12 0
 Camille racing after only 3weeks recovery! Dunno if that's just stupid or crazy or both.
  • 2 0
 She has a health insurance company as sponsor. Seems to help...
  • 5 0
 that shot of BK whipping. BK for the win lets go
  • 4 0
 It's about that time.......... GWIN ! For what else but the WIN !
  • 5 0
 Intense for the Win!!!
  • 3 0
 Is it just me or do the southern alps look extra dry this year at this time?
  • 2 0
 Gonna be an interesting section leading into Reece’s jump as they cut down all the trees
  • 1 0
 It was well dusty in there. Pushed my bike up there yesterday to watch the practice. Gap jump at the end of that section is nice!
  • 3 0
 How is Cami riding again so soon that’s ridiculous - tough tough cookie
  • 1 0
 looks like Specialized has a new helmet, Finns is certainly not the current dissident looks much better the old one was looking a bit dated on him earlier this year.
  • 3 0
 for Troy Brosnan.
  • 2 0
 Thank you for the wonderful pictures!
  • 2 0
 KERR... THE GIANT KILLER!!
  • 3 2
 All of this coverage for a race to not be able to watch it...
  • 2 0
 there are ways...vpn
  • 1 0
 @ericmontgomery: I have a VPN... Do you know the website where it can be streamed?
  • 1 0
 @SeaHag: I think just use the VPN, then go to Redbull's site/page. Ready to be corrected though....
  • 1 0
 @bman33: Thanks for replying. Since I posted here, PinkBike shared their article with all the links to the race feed.
  • 1 0
 Can almost hear the speed in that Amaury pic
  • 2 0
 Kuhn looking stylish
  • 1 0
 Love the Pictures and the Story great content!!! Lets goo Benoit
  • 1 0
 we want custom bikes and paintjob photos great job on these tho!
  • 1 0
 finn riding the cannibal tire. anyone else run these puppies? thoughts?
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