Here we go, the final World Cup for 2013. We are back in Leogang, Austria – the host of the 2012 World Championships, to a track that hasn’t changed much from last years race. The big focus will be on the battle for the overall World Cup title between Gee Atherton, who is leading the series by just 17 points and Stevie Smith. We expect it to be close, real close, this is track isn’t the most technical and we expect racing to be tight. The top part of the track features plenty ofA�’bike park’ moments – well it is a bike park! So hardpack surfaces, big wooden berms, and jumps that need to be squashed as the riders are going way too fast. Other notable features on the track include some big jumps mid way down, a few rock gardens and a huge shoot into theA�finish line! To give you some idea of the overall nature of the track Stevie Smith has his World Champs bike primed and ready if he feels the need for it.
A few strange events have already occurred this weekend, none related to what the riders have been doing! First of all there is no timed practice as the schedule couldn’t fit it in?! The organisers appear to be flat out as there is still some work going on/near the track as riders are practicing, this is common occurrence but here we are seeing chainsaws clearing branches, etc for the cameras.
Back to the riding though and some pretty big news floating around the pits that Sam Hill and Greg Minnaar may have both crashed hard enough to rule themselves out of the race, we didn’t see it but if this is the case the overall will really open up with these two out of contention – more news as we get it.
An interesting few days lie ahead, already there has been a lot of action, check back soon.
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Absolutely fantastic photos. We went last year and know how beautiful the country is, also have walked the track and now what the riders will be riding down. Great reporting.