World Cup Round 3, Fort William

It felt like today was going to be a good one, so we got here early, before the teams even

Ed Masters found some minions in Fort William

Race day in Fort William, with plenty of Aussies in top spots, what would the day hold? Would the weather hold? Or would the heavens open and change the game entirely? There has been rain overnight, so the track was moist again, but many riders commented that if the day was similar to yesterday then the track would end up very similar to the track everyone had qualified on. Aiden Varley commented that the rain wasn’t a bad thing, allowing the top part of the track to pick up some moisture making it a little more tacky, noting that as it dried yesterday it became slippy and skatey.

Aiden Varley throws down some style for the first run of the day

As practice began many tried to get a run in quickly first up, then allow a large rest and do only one or two more runs, this is quite standard due to the length and endurance of Fort William. This approach confirmed in many rider’s minds that they were only going to do minimal runs, with many of the top pros allowing time for a very late run to check the track in its condition closest to their time of departure from the top of the hill.

Racing began, and some high cloud began to descend on the top of the hill, making conditions changeable for the junior men. however the weather wasn’t the thing on most peoples minds it was Martin Maes, the young enduro rider from GT, walking away with a win, and knocking some of the big names out such as Luca Shaw, it should be noted that Luca had a mechanical, would the results of been the same if Luca didn’t? We don’t know, but we do know that Martin Maes has a bright future ahead of him, no matter which discipline he chooses to take part in.

The women began rolling down the hill, and the punctures started rolling in, with many of the women suffering punctures and throwing a spanner in the works, the most notable victims being both British riders and crowd favorites, Manon Carpenter and also Rachel Atherton, much to the crowds disappointment. This opened up the win to Emmeline Ragot, who stormed home in the changing conditions.

Manon Carpenter was unlucky to get a puncture during race runs

Now it was the mens turn, and as they entered the start gate the weather became even more shifting, with the bottom becoming a little bit of a rain jacket hokey pokey. Many riders coming down were commenting that the rain atop the hill was rather intense and how od it was to cross a section and have the rain cease and to arrive into the finish straight in striking sunshine. As we entered the territory for the top ten things felt like days of old with Steve Smith making a super comeback from injury sitting in the hot seat with both Sam Hill And Troy Brosnan to come. The crowd was lifting, and as Sam Hill Crossed the line they went bazerk, though not a local the crowd loved Sam, he’s a hard guy not to like, Next down the hill was local hope, Danny Hart, as Danny pedalled over the line the crowd went mental, we couldnt hear the camera shutter right next to our own ear, however Danny didn’t have the speed and would have to settle for second. This left only Troy to come down, and as he entered the final section through the Scotland arch the crowd went wild, Troy crossed the line to claim his maiden World Cup win, and was mobbed by team members in an ecstatic celebration.