Practice - WC#2 - Val di Sole -

downhill247com wc2 12 31 — The World Cups are back! WC#2 is at the infamous Val di Sole and what a track! Here Mitch Delfs lays down the law. Photo: Jacob Gibbins

After a lengthy break from South Africa the World Cup circus is in full swing this weekend in Val di Sole Italy. Timed practice is complete, here are a few pics and a wrap up of what you need to know!

This year the track is similar but different. Obviously it retains its crazy altitude and rocky nature but gains new lines to keep everyone on their toes. Riders were buzzing on the new lines that had loam and roost flying everywhere. It may out to be a double edged sword though with the loam covering more rocks and roots that could be exposed as the weekend goes on. As for the weather?! Well that is another story all by itself.

downhill247com wc2 12 loam — Riding loam is, hands down, one of the best experiences you can have on a bike. Unfortunately, it is not one you get to experience in Australia too often, they're not short of it this weekend in Italy though. Photo: Jacob Gibbins

Back to the racing and it really is up in the air as to who is on it, who is struggling and who is keeping their cards close to their chest. If timed practice is anything to go by,A�Damien Spagnolo andA�Danny HartA�are the riders who toppedA�the time sheets. There were plenty of riders who didn’t complete a run though, interesting though that Sam Hill did. Not normally one to take part in these Sam looks to be the business this weekend, with a new son and a lot of time off due to inury has the fire been re-stoked?! Don’t forget, as we reported on a while back, Specialized are also launching their new carbon Demo’s this weekend to.

downhill247com wc2 12 16 — Here Kiwi Justin Leov threads the line but it is his teammate, Aaron Gwin, that has already got tongues wagging about his speed this weekend, you can bet after South Africa he is keen to take that number one plate! Photo: Jacob Gibbins

Unfortunately there are also riders we know won’t be in contention, obviously Troy Brosnan is out due to injury, Cedric Gracia had a big off in a turn that has been causing lots of riders grief, at this stage he appears to have broken his hip and femur, nasty! Junior Aussie riders Connor Fearon and Dean Lucas both crashed, Connor’s was nothing major but it looks like Dean maybe sitting this race out with a sprained wrist.

downhill247com wc2 12 144 — Unfortunately Dean Lucas had a crash earlier on and appears to have a severely sprained wrist. Hopefully it is nothing too major. Photo: Jacob Gibbins.

downhill247com wc2 12 41 — How much padding for trees would they need at this race? Here number 41 is young George Brannigan, he is the rider that pushed Troy Brosnan to the edge for the Overall 2010 Junior World Cup, he now rides with Stevie Smith aboard a Devinci and is still a super quick rider! Expect to hear more from him in the coming years. Photo Jacob Gibbins

downhill247com wc2 12 26 — To say we are excited for this race is an understatement! Who will take the victory? So many riders are capable of putting down a solid result, one mistake though could have big consequences. Here Thibaut Ruffin hits a very fun looking turn but can you imagine racing a track with most of the corners as crazy as this! Thibaut will be chasing a top 20 this weekend. Photo: Jacob Gibbins

Check back soonA�as downhill247.com keeps you in the loop this weekend.