World Cup 3 - Andorra - Practice 1 -

Connor Fearon throws down the horns for what looks to be the track of the year!

After what seems like ages we are back racing World Cups! For race number three we hit up the small principality of Andorra, home to many wealthy people, Cedric Gracia and this weekend’s race. For many this track was an unknown with the track walk revealing that it was steep, really steep. The description we use is ‘like Champery but dry’ so far anyway… There was some water early in the week but whenever it rains the track seems to soak it up quickly, so it will take quite a lot of precipitation to make it muddy. Sam Hill has said “It is the best downhill track he has seen” which says quite a lot!

The track has a real mix of options, some open parts, forest sections, steep sections and a step up for the finish! Bryn Atkinson will be looking to improve that number plate this weekend.

Aaron Gwin has been riding different versions of bikes between races to help him get up to speed and comfortable. For this race he has settled on a frame with a longer wheelbase. Check out the bridge in the background, a serious piece of work!

A lot of riders who have made the switch to clips have gone back to flats for this race, so many riders love this type of course it is hard to say who will do well, Danny Hart is a name being thrown around as we all know what he did on the steep at the World Champs a few years back. We would complain if Mic Hannah pictured here took the victory for Australia.

After track walk and practice day 1 there is till a few days of practice left, for many riders being a new course and a reasonably long one at that it will require memorising of all their lines. The difference a podium and a top 20 could be remembering exactly where everything is. Check back for more action soon.