<b>Loic Bruni intentionally nose-bonking the pole out of the way. Lightning-fast micro-senses and decisions speak volumes and so does his fastest time of the day.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Awesome!</b> @maddogboris
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<b>Laurie Greenland, fastest Junior by 3-seconds with a time that would have put him in 9th place in Elite Men.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>One happy dude.</b> @maddogboris
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<b>This very corner caught out Gee Atherton, however it didn't serve to slow Tracey in the slightest. Fastest qualifier by 6-seconds in Elite Women.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Gee pushing a little too hard, lost it in the dark, loamy pine forest after recording the fastest top split. He is still not sure if the hand will be good enough for tomorrow but we're all hoping he'll drop in. </b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Remi's English almost as good as his riding. 2nd place qualifier at home.</b> @maddogboris
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<b>Rat was loose and wild in his run today, but we know he likes it like that. Not too far away from the top today in 3rd, gearing up for race day. The difference between 2nd and 4th place was only .3-seconds. @maddogboris with the most random interview to date.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>The daily routine of the professional rider starts with a warm-up spin.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Aaron Gwin, not messing around. A DSQ after a disgusting head-over-heals crash on the steep rocks ruined his time, but he's protected and will race. #grrrr</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>It was a bad day at the office for a few unfortunate racers today. This is what happens when you don't properly file your TPS report.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Oscar Harnstrom has been sending all the hard and big and tough stuff all week long. He pioneered this one dubbed, "Harnstrom's Huck", but soon after went down hard. Healing vibes. </b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Oscar Harnstrom had an unlucky end to his day less that 200 meters from the finish line after an insane run, filled with metal and mayhem. Saddest part is that he was 6th-fastest at the second split.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Rudy Cabirou, #127, slotting into 13th place late in the day. His sister had an equally-good day as fastest Junior in 10th place. The kids this weekend are mental.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Rachel Atherton was the fastest in the top split today but then lost time to Hannah by the bottom. A long course walk searches for valuable seconds.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Devinci Global Racing is doing just fine without Steve Smith. The kids are all right. </b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Beat it roach!</b> @maddogboris
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<b>They say you can judge a man by his shoes. Neko is smart, practical and dependable.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Meanwhile the Mulally bros are back to bike tinkering, trying to perfect every last detail.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>In the mornings some moisture on the track can provide slick spots. The whole track would be incredibly difficult if it rained.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Eye Spy some window action. Myriam Nicole cleans the glass.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Myriam Nicole posting up after window cleaning duties. 3rd fastest woman.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Never enough Pompon.</b> @maddogboris
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<b>Andrew Crimmins has been fast and steady all week. 3 seconds off the win, will he be able to push Laurie harder tomorrow?</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Dean Lucas, 5th place qualifier, turning everyone's head except his on. Focused.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>1/8th of a second gives you and idea of what the riders must be seeing. #beergoggles</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Good quali result in the Neethling camp today, 10th place, only 5-seconds back. A little social media updating rounds out a memorable day.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Alex Marin, 3rd fastest Junior..</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>George Brannigan caught Nick Beer and was slightly held up while Nick found a place to pull over with his flat. Nick was the first unprotected rider so he was pushing hard to still try qualify.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Minnaar may have a diminished hand, but he’s still as smooth and calculated as ever. Moto-X rear wheel brake tap in the air for evidence.</b> -Johan Hjord
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<b>Not everyone made it down in one piece with their pride (and whatever else) intact. #twigandgiggleberriescheck</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Manon races the funicular to the bottom of the hill. Her 5th place in qualifying suggests she'd definitely be the winner in this one particular battle.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Ragot has battled for overall titles and many World Cup races before, back with the Mondraker and back for the #1 spot. 4th place in qualifying, within reach.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>The roots of all evil.</b> -Johan Hjord
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<b>One of the few remaining flat pedal riders, Connor Fearon, not caring in the slightest about the potential foot blow out from hucking this rock! 6th in qualifying today.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Harry Heath went the biggest and sent it the furthest amongst the tall trees.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Blasting out of nowhere, on track and in the rankings. Frenchman Rudy Cabirou. #vitalslideshowfavorite</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Relaxed and ready for racing. First in qualifying will give Tracey Hannah plenty of time at the top to think about her last win at Pietermaritzburg, which was a whole different game compared to the track we have here this weekend.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>We were all practicing a little for tomorrow's big show. Myself included.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>The old funicular station adds some character to the uplift proceedings.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>From the open to the tight trees, the track is over in one physical blur.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Gwin was pushing hard, really hard in practice today. Absolutely storming some sections while over-cooking others.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Keeping it low and keeping it fast. Troy Brosnan, one of the key overall contenders from last year sets the season off with a solid qualifier of 7th place.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>This hopeless duo seem more obsessed with Instagram followers, snapchat stories and heel clickers than World Cup racing!</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>We may well not be huge fans of e-bikes, but e-drifttrikes? Now that’s another story altogether. #sidewaysisthebestways</b> -Johan Hjord
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<b>Bernard nose-bonked the pole too!</b> -Johan Hjord
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<b>If the leaderboard looks anything like this tomorrow, the French might be so excited that they call off any future air traffic controller strikes.</b> -Johan Hjord
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<b>Last chance to ask for help from above before the big race...</b> @maddogboris
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<b>In just a few hours, each rider will get one more pass through this tunnel in hopes of making it down alive and on top of the podium.</b> -Sven Martin<br><br><b>Once again, thanks to Sven, Duncan, Boris and Johan for the face-melting coverage and story telling. It's like we're there!</b> -gordo
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There was no love lost at the Lourdes World Cup Downhill Qualifying round today. A brutal track took no prisoners and those who made it down in one piece rejoiced. Loic Bruni, Tracey Hannah and Laurie Greenland made it down the fastest in their classes. The drama is high just hours before race day and Sven Martin, Duncan Philpott, @maddogboris and Johan Hjord take you trackside in France with breath-taking photos and in-depth rider interviews.
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