TAKING A BEATING - Val di Sole World Cup Action - Mountain Biking Pictures

View as: Slideshow | One Page

It's ironic how the most exciting and loved course can be the most hated course at the same time. Ever-changing and always challenging, the Val di Sole World Cup DH kicked off with riders taking a beating during first day of practice. Timed runs revealed Greg Minnaar, Myriam Nicole and Matt Walker as the fastest, but this weekend is a battle of attrition. Take your lumps and live to fight another day.

Number one plate Greg Minnaar spend some time to make sure he get his lines dialed and its seems to work out for him. @maddogboris

Not many were charging as hard as Gwin through this chute, although he didn't put down a timed training run. Mind games? We'll see. -Dan Hearn

Troy took a bit of time to get used of the track but clearly loves it. @maddogboris

Pom Pon focussed during timed training that she also went fastest in. Although very few full runs were done amongst the ladies who came back to experience a vastly different track. -Sven Martin

Thankfully the bike disguise paint does a real good job of attracting cameras and focus for pans. Tracey Hannah does the rest. -Sven Martin

Finn Iles wasn´t really happy with the start of practice but luckily he found the right lines at the end of the day. @maddogboris

Loic Bruni went full lava style today with an orange kit matching his new Demo. #SOHOT @maddogboris

Eliot Jackson dragging BB through the roost and ruts. -Sven Martin

Luca and Eliot playing follow the leader. -Sven Martin

Best buddies help each other. Injured Line coach, George Brannigan, showing Laurie some videos from today practice. @maddogboris

Without the zip ties on the number board, you could hardly tell Cecile Ravanel was riding a dual crown fork. #straightouttaenduro -Dan Hearn

Early morning brraaapp with Rachel Atherton. That's how we like to start the first day of practice. @maddogboris

Please allow 10-30 minutes for your video to be processed. You will receive an email when your video is finished processing.

Deano looking quite casual during this "event." -Dan Hearn

Deano loves the el roosto. -Sven Martin

Italian Hero Dirt plus golden light! @maddogboris

Sylvian Cougoureux was fast all season long and it seems like the rough track suits his wild riding style. @maddogboris

Aussie Jack Moir must feel at home in the dust. Perfect conditions to end the season on the podium? @maddogboris

Reece Wilson blew a hand off the grip coming into the loamy sections and this was his reward. This track keeps you on your toes at all times. -Sven Martin

Danny Hart you freaking legend. Send it the first time, send it the second time. @maddogboris

Peaty on the full media squid program. He is already mult-itasking and manages to operate a GoPro and his phone at the same time. @maddogboris

After his injury, Mike Jones was struggling a bit to find his old speed. Finally, on the one of the hardest tracks of the season, he is back at speed and ready to destroy the track. @maddogboris

Loris just needed a bit more space this weekend. @maddogboris

Style meets speed - Sam Blenkinsop. We haven't seen Blenki once not going full-gas in practice. @maddogboris

Nik Nesteroff spent his time well in Whistler and seems to love the big rocks, ruts and holes. @maddogboris

Mark Wallace looks angry at the track and I think that's just what it takes to overpower this beast of a black snake. -Sven Martin

A surprise gift from king of the Black Snake, Pippo Marani, to king of the Squids. -Dan Hearn

Gee Atherton is looking close to the form he has wanted ever since his injury. -Dan Hearn

...Until Sven counters the bet that Boris can't fit through the 'e'! -Dan Hearn

YT vs Specialized. Battle of the trucks is as important as the battle of the riders in the mind-games race. -Dan Hearn

Bruce Klein had the throttle stuck open into this loose chute which ended with a puncture soon after. -Dan Hearn

Finn eating some of Loics dust but still keeping it together during training. its rough and dry out there. -Sven Martin

Doesn't matter how rough the track is, Kade Edwards will definitely huck it! @maddogboris

Danger-rocks littered the track, striking pedals, denting rims and flatting tires. VDS takes no prisoners. -Dan Hearn

You know you're doing something right when the World Champ cheers you through the loam! -Dan Hearn

The clip pedals didn't stop Gaetan Vige from getting loose in the dust - and helped him in the rough stuff more than Brendan on his flats. -Dan Hearn

Course opener Alessandro Avigliano wearing appropriate attire for the Black Snake track. Oh, and since we're in Italy... #marzocchi4life -Dan Hearn

Bernard Kerr getting ready for World Champs in his own way. His shoulder is actually ready to race but he just wants to make sure he is 100% ready for Australia. @maddogboris

Eliot discussing Swiss watches with Claudio...or is he? -Sven Martin

Alessia Missiaggia, Italian in case the name didn't give it away, won the rainbow jersey here last year. This is her last year as a Junior. Can she take another win on home soil? -Sven Martin

We never shoot the finish on first days practise but when the light is good and there is a coffee shop right there, it's worth a quick shot of espresso and of Tahnee before heading up and starting the day. -Sven Martin

First runs early this morning and the Juniors are already pinned flat out. -Sven Martin

Marc Beaumont naturally loves this track having won here before. -Sven Martin

Fresh out the gate a few turns back and already tire buzzed for an early wake up call. Tahnee tucks off the old start hill. -Sven Martin

Bar drags were so 2016. It's all about pedal scrapes now. Railing ruts. -Sven Martin

Muddy getting rowdy down the first rocks and roots section. -Sven Martin

Marcelo making friends with the tree pads during training today. Stay tuned as more friends are made this rowdy weekend! -Sven Martin