VAL DI SOLE IS BACK! World Cup Track Walk Slideshow

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<b>If you are still riding 26-inch wheels on this track, there is a special place reserved for you. Welcome to Val di Sole.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>New start for the track this year, right up top so the riders will get a fast little warm up before hitting the first steeps.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Pippo Marani, the most legendary track builder. A man of wisdom, passion and not very much English. #MTBMafia</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Hey, hey, hey. Drink water er'day.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Rachel on the last muddy chute.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>THAT'S RIGHT!!!</b> -Sven Martin
<b>HE'S BACK! Peaty returns to racing.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>The real Steve Peat with the "German Steve Peat," Erik Irmisch.</b> @maddogboris
<b>Trek read the communique from the UCI today and promptly decided on take away pizza for lunch. Expect to see the boxes recycled for back protection tomorrow. #brookbackmountain</b> -Sven Martin
<b>12 o'clock? Check. Wearing a blazer for style points? Check. Hand drag? Check. Mean-mugging the camera? Check. Phil Atwill wins Wheelie Wednesday.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>This solemn face became super excited upon the fresh rain making everything super slick.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Saracen venturing into unknown territory with brand-spanking-new carbon frames for this weekend. If there ever was a track to test them.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>This is a long, hard, slippery part of the track. #blacksnakejokes</b> -Sven Martin
<b>No media squid can ignore a good puddle reflection.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Mirrory</b> @maddogboris
<b>Mirrorier.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>I didn't know you like to get wet.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Kiwi hobos (#vanzacs) and their bike stand.</b> @maddogboris
<b>VDS is not a Crocs track walk. More of a moto trials boot type of track. </b> -Sven Martin
<b>March of the penguins.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Hitting the woods at warp speed is now on the agenda.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>It's been two years since this man demolished the field here by 8-seconds.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Slick logs.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Even slicker planks.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>STEEP! Get your wings.</b> @maddogboris
<b>Have you ever wondered why they don't sell pre-cut spikes?</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Greasy and steep with loam either side of the main line. Some creative line choice could be rewarded with grip.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>The sandwich was spicier than first thought.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Polished and slicker than a greasy rat.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>There are a few river crossings negotiated on this track and the moisture sure makes everything green!</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Last year's Vital Privateer of the Year, Rupert Chapman brings back the floating trophy for World Cup finals. Who will win this year?</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Number 1 and the yellow plate...a good way to end the season. </b> -Sven Martin
<b>The athletes get tested post-event but the media get tested pre-event to ensure the coverage is as accurate as possible. You might not see any Descent World coverage at all this event. #fairandbalanced</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Moss rock madness!</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>How Needles survived his huge OTB down this section in 2013 we'll never know. The video is below the slideshow. #gross</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Once the rain came in earnest, the glimmer and glint of roots is terrifying.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Ride the river.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>That's not low ISO noise, that's rain!</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>We've seen this man dominate here and crash out here. Val di Sole, a tricky proposition.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Precision plate poking.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>This represents one of two things. Riders begging for Instagram photos and footage after an event or Joe and Sven when Mono brings them pizza.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Make no mistake, this is no bike park despite the odd wooden feature.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Some weird zigzag taping and then a Go Pro Banner left in the middle of the track. That's a first.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Calamari or fork seals? They're getting battered either way.</b> -Duncan Philpott
<b>Markus Pekoll ski tours his way down the slippery end.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Troy Brosnan on his current form and VDS track history. </b> -Sven Martin
<b>Rolling fog and variable weather may just be the story of the week this time around.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>Everybody is a hipster reflection shooter these days.</b> -Sven Martin
<b>More like Valle delle Nuvole today. Stay tuned for what the ultimate end to a fantastic season of World Cup Downhill bike racing!</b> -Sven Martin
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Description

The 2015 UCI World Cup Mountain Bike Downhill season wraps up on the epicly steep and technical course of Val di Sole, Italy. There have been track changes since the last World Cup here in 2013 and weather seems like it may be an issue this weekend. Sven and Duncan take us down the sketchy, slippery track as riders prepare for battle.

Needles in 2013 at Val di Sole (yikes)

WIN A SRAM X01 DH DRIVETRAIN - Vital OTB Val di Sole

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