Welcome to Val di Sole. It's going to be awesome. -Sven Martin
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Pier Paolo Marani "Pippo" - All hail one of the greatest course builders and visionaries in DH history. -Sven Martin
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The Kiwis reminisce about their past experiences here at VDS. -Sven Martin
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Dougie Fresh with Rat's weapon of choice as Rat regales. -Sven Martin
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Rachel and her Worlds bike with the year's spoils so far. She won't be racing in the jersey come Sunday, she will be racing FOR it. -Sven Martin
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This gap raised some eyebrows last year, first run of practice this year? -Duncan Philpott
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Past World Champs winner here in 2008. Gee wishes he was a bit stronger this time. Race day is still a few days away and he always overcomes pain and injury. -Sven Martin
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Team rumours... -Sven Martin
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Matt Walker broke his wrist four weeks ago, practiced in Andorra and chose not to race in the end. Saving the bit of strength he does have for this track. He will need it. -Sven Martin
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Some new bits and some old bits. Fast, rough, hard and relentless is the name of the game. -Sven Martin
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First time Bolivia has a rider here at World Champs in the DH. Welcome Yannick! -Sven Martin
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Matt and friends. -Sven Martin
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Air guitar, Eddie Lee Masters. -Sven Martin
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Aaron Gwin with someone we don't know... @maddogboris
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The past winners remembered here at Val di Sole. -Sven Martin
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John Hall. America. This bike will be flying down the VDS steeps that much we can be sure of. -Sven Martin
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Rupert Chapmans World Champs bike is up for sale. ***Fineprint 2015 World Champs bike :-) -Sven Martin
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Pom Pon with the final touches to a fresh new lid. -Sven Martin
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Greg Minnaar does his bit with the custom bike build. A little rattle can goes a long way. Fox's Schmitty looks on with disapproval. -Sven Martin
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I can't believe last weeks heli evac victim, James Maltman, is here and walking about. Miracle really with a fractured hip no less. -Sven Martin
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Don't worry, Peaty may not be racing but he will be here and on track of course! -Sven Martin<br />
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Premiere plate Peaty preparing to promptly please during practice. -Dan Hearn
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Brendan is feeling over the moon and his helmet is still suffering from zero G. Stealth black whips are the new fluoro. -Sven Martin
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Lots and lots of sparkles as Lars Sternberg discusses for Tahnee's bike. @maddogboris
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Larsncustompaintedbars. This guy wants his teams to feel treasured! Well done, Lars! -Duncan Philpott
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Some odd signage out here. -Sven Martin
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Pierron and Estaque eye out one of the tricky sections. This is the right track for these two french head turners. -Sven Martin
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Yes. Jack Moir in audio.
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With a DH-only World Champs, the pits are full of gravity goodies and goodness. -Sven Martin<br />
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Real. -Duncan Philpott
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World Champs are everywhere. -Duncan Philpott
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The Val di Sole, valley of the sun offers both tall valleys and much sun. -Duncan Philpott
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After being beaten by Gaetan Vige in Andorra, Finn took his time on track walk and absorbed as much of the track as he could. Current Champion Loic trades lines with his teammate. -Dan Hearn
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The Aussies have eyes on each other, Connor and Deano recount injuries from previous practices where they've followed each other down the track. -Duncan Philpott
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Yeow! Without Todd Anderson and his SRAM truck, I would be still at eurobike. Thanks Bro! @maddogboris
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Riders are stoked to be racing such a full-on track at the end of the year. -Duncan Philpott
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National teams and riding teams stack up together, leaving no rock unturned. People are puzzling already with some of the line choices on offer. -Duncan Philpott
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The dust here is deep everywhere. -Duncan Philpott
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With Masters World Champs last week the course is already "bedded in." -Duncan Philpott
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Mio Suemasa hasn't raced in 3 years. This is quite the track to warm back up into things! -Duncan Philpott
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This section has been part of the course for the past three years and shows it. -Duncan Philpott
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This final steep chute sure is hell after the 90% of track that preceeds it. -Duncan Philpott
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What tricks does this man up his sleeve this week? Marshy is quite the innovator. -Duncan Philpott
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Carbon wheels, true out of the box, this track is going to keep the mechanics busy though, regardless of material. -Duncan Philpott
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This is mostly what we did today. Gotta love those one-off bikes! -Duncan Philpott
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The voice-activated light stand. -Duncan Philpott
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Always in our hearts and mind. -Duncan Philpott
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Eddy Mollier, the man on the right of frame, is responsible for putting the smiles on these guys faces, like kids at Christmas. -Duncan Philpott
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Jack Racing, the 2015 World Champ Mechanic, looking for more stripes this year. @maddogboris
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Kev taking care of Finns and Loris' bikes. @maddogboris
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Stoked riders from all over the world! @maddogboris
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Lonesome Neko at track walk. Can we blame USAC? @maddogboris
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Anyone more stoked than Laurie Greenland? Doubtful. @maddogboris
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Roots, rocks, ruts...Val di Sole. @maddogboris
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Troy and Aaron doing the matrix? @maddogboris
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Mondraker Team picture. @maddogboris
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Tahnee's fiery lid. @maddogboris
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"Dude, why'd you cut your hair?" Always listen to the wise man. @maddogboris
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Every competing country was represented at the opening ceremony. -Dan Hearn
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An impressive opening firework ceremony in the Italian Dolomites, and a full crowd of riders and fans. This epic weekend of racing is just beginning, so stay tuned. -Dan Hearn
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Description
The 2016 UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Champs are officially underway with opening ceremonies and trackwalk in Val di Sole, Italy. The bikes are stylin' and the riders are sweatin' with an extremely technical and rough course awaiting them. Sven Martin, Duncan Philpott, @maddogboris and Dan Hearn bring us to Italy for all the excitement.
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