Cairns - Day 4: Practice -

Final day of practice today, Bryce Heathcote ready to rock!

Day 4 here in Cairns and today was a day of practice, the last full day before race day tomorrow. The track has started to blow out and the dry conditions mean there are holes hiding everywhere – you only have to look at Rachel Atherton to see this, yesterday she got caught up coming into a corner and went down breaking her collarbone. There was a world championships at the end of the day but more on that end of the article…

Holes in corners everywhere, not an issue for Sam Blenkinsop who was loving the track.

Unfortunately it wasn't smooth sailing for everyone... — Unfortunately it wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone…

Loic Bruni has been doing runs using his data acquisition tools to fine tune his chances of winning his second set of rainbow stripes... — Loic Bruni has been doing runs using his data acquisition tools to fine tune his chances of winning his second set of rainbow stripes…

Jacob Dickson from Ireland with one of the best looking kits if we say so ourselves!

Jack Moir taking an inside line into the whoops.

Dean Lucas with styles for miles... — Dean Lucas with styles for miles…

Loic up up and away at Mick's Drop. — Loic up up and away at Mick’s Drop.

At the end of the day was a very important event, Boxxer Worlds – an event where Rock Shox mechanics have to go head to head in a race, rebuilding a pair of forks to the judges standards. There might also be some beer drinking involved! It was a stacked field with a strong Aussie contingent, things were looking good.

The prize up for grabs, plus bragging rights of course!

Mechanics had to do a service as fast as possible... — Mechanics had to do a service as fast as possible…

The final came down to Australian Kye Hore and honorary Australian Mathieu Dupelle, it was a close race but after 9 second places it was Dupelle who grabbed the win. He is the team manager for Kona so in a way it was a win for Australia!

Brad McDonnell was another mechanic in the mix, the beer was an important component to proceedings.

Covered, head to toe... — Covered, head to toe…

Tune back tomorrow for race day!

Thanks toA�@matt_rousu_photographyA�for supplying some of his images, be sure to check out his Instagram and show some love and as always, thanks to Jason Stevens Photography give him a follow on Instagram andA�Facebook

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