Andorra World Cup Qualifying Action

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Qualifying at the Andorra World Cup downhill kept everyone guessing. It's no surprise that Troy Brosnan went fastest, but the 29ers-don't-work-on-the-steeps skeptics were put in check by Greg Minnaar and Loris Vergier in 2nd and 3rd places. Tracey Hannah continues her upward momentum with a 1st place and Finn Iles narrowly beat Matt Walker in the Junior Men's class as that race remains heated.

First place qualifier, Troy Brosnan. He was fastest at every split: you can't argue with the clock! -Dan Hearn

The win at Crankworx Les Gets was just the start. @maddogboris

Tracey Hannah continues to collect UCI Points for the Overall Title with the quali win again today. @maddogboris

Finn Iles will be the last Junior on the Hill tomorrow. But Matt Walker in 2nd was just 0.274 Sec behind him in qualifying. The battle continues! @maddogboris

Brendan Fairclough felt good on track but was frustrated that the clock didn't reflect this. With just 12 seconds putting him back in 23rd, maybe there are some places to be climbed in finals. -Dan Hearn

The chute shown here from last years track turned into a river a couple of weeks ago, removing all the dirt. 1st place qualifier Tracey Hannah showing the newly cut diversion. -Dan Hearn

Long shadows and a tacky track for early morning Group B practice. -Dan Hearn

A convincing 1st place seeding run from junior Megan James who took the top spot by 17.7 seconds! -Dan Hearn

3rd place for Trek Factory Junior, Kade Edwards. Surprisingly six seconds behind Finn and Matt. @maddogboris

Big respect to Rachel. She kept going and didn't hold back despite massive pain in her shoulder. @maddogboris

Some morning roost courtesy of Adam Brayton. @maddogboris

A special treat for Marc Beaumont who is back racing after an ankle injury. Unfortunately he didn't qualify, but wasn't too frustrated given his fitness has suffered being off the bike for so long. He's just stoked to be riding again! -Dan Hearn

Jack Moir, 8th place qualifier and hungry for another podium. @maddogboris

Massive thank you to the Red Bull Livestream Crew. Instead of walking up or down, they gave me a lift and I could watch the last quali riders on the way back to the pits. Ready for finals baby! @maddogboris

Pom Pon threaded her bike through this tight gully better then the rest of the field. She was fastest through 3 out of 4 splits, only losing out to Tracey in the third. -Dan Hearn

Radial railing with Kenta Gallagher. -Dan Hearn

Danny Hart wasn't really stoked about his performance today, but he knows what to do to finally win his first world cup of the 2017 season. He won here last year. @maddogboris

Phil Atwill is stoked to be in 14th and hoping to drop a few digits from the 40 plate he is currently running. -Dan Hearn

The German DH hope, Max Hartenstern, finally managed to bring down a safe run and qualified 5th. Viel Erfolg Max! @maddogboris

Marine Cabirou seems to like the hard and fast track in Andorra. 3rd place for the Frenchy. @maddogboris

Matt Walker qualified 2nd, just 0.27 seconds back from Finn. The battle between these two is fascinating to follow this season! -Dan Hearn

Emilie Siegenthaler going big. She wasn't happy with her 7th-fastest time today and will go full gas tomorrow in hopes of adding another podium. @maddogboris

Yeah Peaty! Thanks for the trackside entertainment and help with photo locations. Next time could you bring us some beer? @maddogboris

Aaron Gwin is just 2.864 seconds slower than Troy which means 4th fastest time and no one knowing what cards he may still play. @maddogboris

Still no gloves, super wide bars and massive style - Blenki in 13th. @maddogboris

Cube Global Squad racer, Greg Williamson, with the 11th-fastest time. @maddogboris

When the lowest qualifying place of a team is 7th, they must be doing something right! Luca Shaw plowing rocks and stopping clocks. -Dan Hearn

Big flick to get ready for the following inside line. Crazy when you think that Loic spent a couple days in the hospital after Leogang and is just back on the bike. 5th place for a past winner here. @maddogboris

Connor Fearon fully focused and always fun to watch going fast. 15th Place for him. But don't forget that he can easily end up on the podium. @maddogboris

Connor Fearon checking lines with the locals who have been watching the racing intently. -Dan Hearn

Mick Hannah, 5 seconds faster than timed training. 17th Place is still a bit off but he could easily end up on the podium. @maddogboris

12th Place for Jacob Dickson. One of the few riders with this different line after the infamous bridge. @maddogboris

As the final riders caught the gondola back to the top of the mountain where the pits are situated, the heavens opened. Luckily there was no rain all day while riders were on track. -Dan Hearn

Loic pushing through the loose corners nearing the bottom of the Vallnord rollercoaster. -Dan Hearn

Our daily struggle in Andorra. Actually we are super happy about the steep track. Unfortunately that also means that it's not easy to walk up and down every day. Go Dan Go. @maddogboris

Forrest Riesco took a tumble in practice but held it together during qualies to take 44th - one off his current plate number. -Dan Hearn

Andorra doesn't only have incredible mountains, but ancient forests too. One of which is being raced through tomorrow! -Dan Hearn

Loris Vergier qualified 3rd, back by just over 2 seconds. -Dan Hearn

Every now and again a break in the trees allows for another view of the amazing scenery. -Dan Hearn

Some last minute course prep before qualification runs. -Dan Hearn

Wouldn't you like to know what's playing on YT filmmaker Brock's laptop screen? -Dan Hearn

A fantastic run from Amaury Pierron put him in 10th and confirmed the speed he showed yesterday in timed training. -Dan Hearn

Kaos Seagrave had a big crash in his qualifying run, but managed to finish only 16 seconds back from Finn in 9th place. -Dan Hearn

Some time to be made up by Sylvain Cougoureux, qualifying 4th and 13 seconds off the pace. -Dan Hearn

9.6 seconds separate the top 5 women, rounded off by Manon Carpenter. -Dan Hearn

2nd place today for the man in the leader's jersey. Greg Minnaar didn't have the best top sector in his run, with some time to be found in practice tomorrow. -Dan Hearn

George Brannigan shaved over 4 seconds off his timed training run and qualified 9th - a great result for the Kiwi. -Dan Hearn

Tahnee qualified 4th - maybe not where she would like to be tomorrow but with some time to shave off on several parts of the track. -Dan Hearn

For those close to 80th position, it is always a nervous time watching the remaining riders come down the hill. Emyr Davies unfortunately didn't make the cut in Andorra. We'll all be watching the action tomorrow, so stay tuned! -Dan Hearn