World Cup Round 7, Meribel a�� Finals

Early in the day there were clouds about and the top of the hill was covered in fog, it had everyone wondering whether we would be in for a wet race. Fortunately, racing took place under sun for most riders.

The 2014 UCI world cup season wrapped up today in Meribel, the race turned into the perfect climax for the season. The day started off a bit murky, grey clouds hung over the hill and the fog limited visibility to 10 metres at the top of the track. Morning practice saw riders check their lines again and again, today a lot was on the line.

Perfectly white background is not due to Photoshop but the fog at the top of the hill, Loris Vergier in morning practice.

The crowd were hungry for racing action!

Finals kicked off with juniors, the competition has been see-sawing all day but in the end the hometown advantage came out to play and Loris Vergier took the win. Having stood trackside all week it would have been a brave soul that betted against him, he looked fast and in control. To add to the day he ended up taking the overall too.

Andy Crimmins swinging off the back and into 13th place.

Elite womens’ was another class were the victor had a chance to take the overall, Emmeline Ragot took the hotseat to the locals delight. This left Manon Carpenter on course but she couldn’t beat the locals time, there was one rider left on the hill, Rachel Atherton. She came down and pushed hard, snatching the win from Emmeline, in the overall series results Manon Carpenter held on for the win.

Rachel Atherton took the win today in elite women.

The crowd was going crazy for elite men, Marcus Pekoll came down and took the hot seat early, Greg Minnar came down but after a rough week he went into third, Connor Fearon came down and slotted in just behind Greg in 4th. Connor would go on to finish 13th and 20th overall. Sam Blenkinsop couldn’t use his knowledge of the track to take the hot seat. Gee Atherton took the hot seat and for a while it looked like he might take the race, Aaron Gwin couldn’t get a spot on the seat when he came down. Sam Hill was down at the last split but put in a stomping performance in the bottom sections to grab the lead by about a second. Last man on the hill was Matt Simmonds and he was up at the final split on Sam but couldn’t convert it to a win coming second. Now there were two riders that needed good days, unfortunately one of them, Troy Brosnan, didn’t have one, he washed his front higher up the course and crashed. The other person who needed a good day was Josh Bryceland and he had one, finishing third and taking the overall to boot!

Elite Men

1st a�� Sam Hill
2nd a�� Matt Simmonds
3rd a�� Josh Bryceland
4th a�� Loic Bruni
5th a�� Gee Atherton

Elite Women

1st a�� Rachel Atherton
2nd a�� Emmeline Ragot
3rd a�� Manon Carpenter
4th a�� Tracey Hannah
5th a�� Tahnee Seagrave

Junior Men

1st a�� Loris Vergier
2nd a�� Luca Shaw
3rd a�� Taylor Vernon
4th a�� Ferran Prats Jorba
5th a�� Luca Shaw

Not everything went to plan today for all the riders... — Not everything went to plan today for all the riders…

And 20th in the overall... — And 20th in the overall…

It wasn't his day though, third for the overall and his first world cup win means it was a successful season. — It wasn’t his day though, third for the overall and his first world cup win means it was a successful season.

Greg Minnaar didn't have the finish for the season he had hoped. — Greg Minnaar didn’t have the finish for the season he had hoped.

Loris Vergier took both wins today, the day and the overall!

Gee Atherton looked good early before eventually getting displaced off the hotseat.

The crowd was going nuts for Bryceland and he delivered!

With a wild style on and off the bike Josh Bryceland was a deserving winner of the overall.

Sam Hill scouting for lines with his team mates.

It looks like Sam has been sharing more then just lines with his team mates!

"Where are your clothes mate?" Typical Sam Hill humor! — “Where are your clothes mate?” Typical Sam Hill humor!

Season 2014 done and dusted! Well until World Champs in 2 weeks... — Season 2014 done and dusted! Well until World Champs in 2 weeks…

Well that wraps up the world cup, we still have images to share with you guys and of course the world championships in Norway to come!

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Photos: Jason Stevens Photography and stock images. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

August 24, 2014

World Cup Round 7, Meribel a�� Qualifying

This shot was from yesterday and was originally supposed to be in the report but slow internet speeds cut him out. We have been watching him all week and he looks fast, proof came today when he (Francisco Pardal) qualified 4th.

Friday fun day! Well qualifying at least, again we got some great weather here in the alps and riders had morning practice before qualifying started shortly after. We all know how important this race is being the final in the series, as the day went on we were reminded nothing is set in concrete and tomorrow will be make or break!

Keep it pinned! This guy had the right idea.

Marc Beaumont during practice, he matched his number plate and qualified 14th.

It was interesting to see the number of flats during qualifying as there haven’t been that many during practice, riders must be just turning it up that extra notch. Brosnan and Minnaar were two big noticeable flatters, 162nd didn’t help Troy’s overall chances surrendering 40 points to Josh Bryceland who qualified second. Now we have to point out we witnessed Josh Bryceland sprawled out over the ground during qualifying but still managed to come home second….

A flat during qualifying is better than a flat during racing!

Second fastest qualifier Josh Bryceland.

Connor Fearon getting wild and heading for 17th during quallies.

Dean Lucas had a crash yesterday and hurt his wrist, today wasn't his day finishing out of the 80. — Dean Lucas had a crash yesterday and hurt his wrist, today wasn’t his day finishing out of the 80.

Your fastest elite men's qualifier, Matthew Simmonds. — Your fastest elite men’s qualifier, Matthew Simmonds.

Rachel Atherton qualified fastest by less than a second ahead of Manon Carpenter.

Steve Peat on the hunt, never back down!

Aiden Varley back on the bike, he qualified 22nd. Loris Vergier qualified fastest and noticeably looked quicker than the other juniors.

Taylor Vernon qualified third, we know he can pick up a few seconds in racing after seeing him come through the rock garden.

12th for Andrew Crimmins and another rider we know can go faster come racing.

Luca Shaw ended up way down the qualifying list.

Riders were searching for lines everywhere.

Junior Men

1st Loris Vergier
2nd Laurie Greenland
3rd Taylor Vernon
4th Thomas Estaque
5th Ferran Jorba Prats

Elite Women

1st Rachel Atherton
2nd Manon Carpenter
3rd Emmeline Ragot
4th Tracey Hannah
5th Tahnee Seagrave

Elite Men

1st Matthew Simmonds
2nd Josh Bryceland
3rd Loic Bruni
4th Francisco Pardal
5thA�Sam Hill

The afternoon light was typical glorious Euro style!

Innes Graham coming through the rock garden.

Tomorrow is finals for the last World Cup of the year!

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Photos: Jason Stevens Photography and stock images. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

August 23, 2014

World Cup Round 7, Meribel a�� Practice

The world cup circus basking in the sunshine, the pits are actually to the left of this shot.

As Ice Cube would say today was a good day, a day that riders, photographers and spectators alike enjoyed. The sun was out in the beautiful French valley and riders got to hit the best track of the year for the first time. The day started off with B practice, this meant junior riders, females and male riders outside of the top 80 overall. Junior racing has been tight all year, with it being a French the pressure on French riders will be immense. One of the host countries best hopes for a win will be in the junior mena��s class and with Loris Vergier, however, none of the other juniors are going to let him have it that easy! In the elite field Team Lappiere would have to be one of the favourites across the genders as they have done quite a bit of riding up here this season. Maybe it will be a French domination if Emmeline Ragot and Loic Bruni claim victory?

Loris Vergier dropping off a rock near the top of the course.

Taylor Vernon scrubbing, he is one of the juniors who could definitely spoil the French party.

Aiden Varley is back and racing, this is his first World Cup since injuring himself earlier in the season.

In the elite field it is anyonea��s guess as to who the victor will be.

A lot of people are tipping this man, Sam Hill and Sam wasna��t hiding the fact he likes this course.

1 and 2 plates in junior and elite respectively, both riders looking for a good weekend.

The track finishes right on the edge of town.

Connor Fearon with his new black on black Operator popping out of the woods into the sun before ducking back into the woods. One aspect riders commented on was how at speed changing between dark and light there was some hoping that they had aimed at the right place.

Fortunately the chopper didna��t see too much action today.

George Brannigan going for trick points!

Number one on the plate and number one in timed practice, Josh Bryceland, along with Rachel Atherton for the ladies.

Wild times, this is Sam Hilla��s team mate Mike Jones getting it on.

Sam Blenkinsop making a berm out of thin air.

Wyn Masters was getting into the spirit of France with baguettes featuring in his Wheelie Wednesday, here he keeps the front wheel on the ground approaching the speed trap.

Next up is qualifying, this will be a real indication of who has speed. Tune back soon.

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Photos: Jason Stevens Photography and stock images. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

August 22, 2014

World Cup Round 7, Meribel a�� Track Walk

Back up into the Alps for the final round of the World Cup delivered some all time scenery!

If you follow any number of the top downhill riders on one of their many social media channels then you would already know their thoughts on this track, that it is awesome! We headed off for track walk, initially with the conditions dry and sunny, as we type up this report a thick fog has descended over Meribel and light rain is falling, whether this wears off over night remains to be seen.

Meribel is no stranger to holding World Cups, they're not all mountain bike related though! The finish of the downhill mountain bike track shares the same area as the ski downhill - that should give you just some idea of how fast it is going to be... — Meribel is no stranger to holding World Cups, they’re not all mountain bike related though! The finish of the downhill mountain bike track shares the same area as the ski downhill – that should give you just some idea of how fast it is going to be…

The track is super steep, little pedalling required and very fast. There are plenty of technical sections to keep riders on their toes too. The finish area reminds us of Schladming with a big open ski field, consisting of sweeping corners and some kickers that will send riders sailing.

This race is going to decide the overall, realistically one of three riders can win it, Brosnan, Bryceland or Gwin.

Andrew Crimmins checking out the line, like many riders the Kona team had a mission to get across from Whistler to this race here in France.

We are calling this 'the mosser' mainly due to the large amounts of moss on this big rock face. This will test some riders nerves, no doubt there will be plenty of photos here too. — We are calling this ‘the mosser’ mainly due to the large amounts of moss on this big rock face. This will test some riders nerves, no doubt there will be plenty of photos here too.

Slightly different view, it is a sizeable drop and riders can send it some way.

As we said this drop was getting a lot of attention!

Track walk seemed to be a crowded affair, everyone wanting to check the track out.

It is going to be hard for riders as some sections of the track are rocky and bone dry where as others are wet muddy due to water coming out of the hill.

In some areas of the track there was actually a creek running as part of the course (inside the bunting!), definitely want to get your lines right through here.

Classic grooves were cut into stumps down the course, chances are if you need them though you're on the wrong line! — Classic grooves were cut into stumps down the course, chances are if you need them though you’re on the wrong line!

Connor Fearon sent the creek gap straight up!

Riders hit the track for practice next and we will get our first indication of who is on pace here in Meribel.

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Photos: Jason Stevens Photography and stock images. Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/jasonstevensphotographyA�or follow @jasonstevensphotography on Instagram

August 21, 2014

Crankworx – Canadian Open

The Canadian Open is the final race on the final day of Crankworx Whistler, it usually attracts many big names of the downhill world. This year was no different with many big names such as Danny Hart and Marcelo Gutierrez and though Steve Smith didn’t race, he was around all week to say hey to his fans.

The track this year was the same as always, with the sun being out for the last few days the track had become very dusty and a little bit loose!A�But no where near as loose as all the people at hecklers rock, who turned on the heckle all race again this year. The track was wide open and fast, with times dropping quickly and speeds going faster and faster, even through the technical sections.

We were so busy clambering down the hill trying to avoid all the hecklers that we got lost in the racing. So when we got to the bottom the results were a surprise to us too.

The results were
1.A�Marcelo Gutierrez
2. Danny Hart
3. Connor Fearon

A special mention also goes to two up and coming junior racers, Remy Morton and Jackson Davis who finished 1st and 3rd respectively in the junior men’s category.

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August 18, 2014

Crankworx – Joyride

Today is the biggest day of the crankworx festival, the Joyride day, one of mountain bikings largest events, if not the largest one. Part of the FMB world tour and the most prestigious slopestyle competition on the planet. The course has some new bits and some re-designed pieces to suit riders more after their input from last year. From the very start it appeared that riders were comfortable on the course with large airs and big tricks being thrown through the practice sessions. It was shaping up to be quite an event! Even the weather came to town with the sun coming out just in time for the scored runs.

Everyone came out very strong, some pushing perhaps a little too hard, with only two runs to get a good score. Tomas Zejda was possibly the best looking rider to crash out, in the first run with Brandon Semenuk putting down the strongest first run with some huge tricks and looking very solid. With first runs completed everyone got a re-shuffle so the highest scored rider would come down last. This left some big names to come first who had crashed out frst run to come down early, Cam McCaul and Darren Berrecloth were both early to do their second run, but also made further mistakes to the crowds dismay, however continued their runs to put on a show. Before we knew it there were only the top three left to come down. And come down they did! Plenty of style, plenty of huge tricks being thrown. When all the dust settled the podium looking like this:

1st Brandon Semenuk
2nd Brett Heeder
3rd Anthony Messere