Tag: track walk

World Cup 3 – Leogang – Track Walk

We have a 15 second look at the track, a few changes from last year to keep things interesting….!

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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!
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.

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

World Cup Round 3, Fort William – Track Walk

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Welcome to Fort William, Scotland, a classicA�world cup track. Today’s weather was predictably Scottish with cold weather and low clouds. Scotland does however have some amazing scenery when the weather wants to play along.

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Today we took a walk down the track with Australian local team, Green To Gold. Consisting of Chris Barlin, Danielle Beecroft & Brent Smith.

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A39Y2793The top section of track hasn’t changed at all from previous years, with the signature Fort William open-ness and white rock faces. Its still rough and arm pump inducing. it has however received some love with some of the rougher sections being smoothed slightly.

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We spotted Danny Hart out on his track walk as well, looking cool as a cucumber, will the local Brit be on the podium this weekend?
We spotted Danny Hart out on his track walk as well, looking cool as a cucumber, will the local Brit be on the podium this weekend?
We also spotted this old face. Any guesses as to who it is? We have heard he is here with the his countries national junior team
We also spotted this old face. Any guesses as to who it is? We have heard he is here with the his countries national junior team

As we make our way down the track we come to the wooded section, a part of the track not many see at home on the telecast, this was bunted a little differently this year, leaving riders with few lines in certain sections which was a bit different, as usually the woods are bunted to allow multiple lines, however as we walked further down into the woods they did open up and become a labyrinth of lines.

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From here the track dives over the newer addition to the track, the road gap and into a high speed section with a few berms and wall rides. Then we pop out into a favorite of most spectators, the high speed jumps section, and then into the hip jump and down to the finish line.

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We can’t finish off without sharing a bit more of that epic scenery!

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WC2 – Australia – Track Walk

The scenery in Cairns is pretty epic! It makes a nice change for the world cup to stop somewhere different.
The scenery in Cairns is pretty epic! It makes a nice change for the world cup to stop somewhere different.

Here we go! After 5 years the highest level of downhill racing returns to Australia. Cairns in far north Queensland plays host to round 2 of the UCI World Cup series. Today was the track walk and gave riders their first chance to look at what they will be racing on come Saturday.

It was time to head up for the track walk and everyone was excited to see what the track had to offer.
It was time to head up for the track walk and everyone was excited to see what the track had to offer.
Make no mistake the uplift was pretty crazy itself!
Make no mistake the uplift was pretty crazy itself!
Riders were keen to check out the track and straight of the gate there were a heap of tight corners before riders will be confronted with this! A pretty epic rock garden, Nick Beer checks it out.
Riders were keen to check out the track and straight of the gate there were a heap of tight corners before riders will be confronted with this! A pretty epic rock garden, Nick Beer checks it out.
Connor Fearon points out some lines while Ty from Captyvate Media looks on. Dean Lucas looks up from the bottom.
Connor Fearon points out some lines while Ty from Captyvate Media looks on. Dean Lucas looks up from the bottom.
And then thinks about it some more....
And then thinks about it some more….
You have to watch out for everything in Cairns, chances are they will bight or sting, regardless how small!
You have to watch out for everything in Cairns, chances are they will bight or sting, regardless how small!
Getting out from the rocks revealed some wider open sections. The track had some contrasting technical areas then wide open.
Getting out from the rocks revealed some wider open sections. The track had some contrasting technical areas then wide open.
It was pretty muddy in some parts...
It was pretty muddy in some parts…
Making it a whole lot of fun just to walk!
Making it a whole lot of fun just to walk!
For some people their shoes were disposable by the end of the walk.
For some people their shoes were disposable by the end of the walk.
Riders were definitely scratching their heads at some points.
Riders were definitely scratching their heads at some points.
Others were just chucking a 'Super Mr Casual!'
Others were just chucking a ‘Super Mr Casual!’
Others were just super stoked!
Others were just super stoked!
This had everyone deep in thought and conversation. You would have seen the pics by now of the whoops section, There was a lot of talk about whether riders could quad the first part in a double...
This had everyone deep in thought and conversation. You would have seen the pics by now of the whoops section, There was a lot of talk about whether riders could quad the first part in a double…
This was also pretty interesting... Will Rischbieth stands up on the top left pointing out the landing bottom right....
This was also pretty interesting… Will Rischbieth stands up on the top left pointing out the landing bottom right….
The iconic 270 corner leads riders into the aforementioned gap!
The iconic 270 corner leads riders into the aforementioned gap!
69 - Rumble in the jungle!
69 – Rumble in the rainforest!

Check back soon to see the riders actually riding!

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WC1 – South Africa – Track Walk

Yes sir you are correct this is the first world cup race of the year, thanks for reminding us it is race number 1!
Yes sir you are correct this is the first world cup race of the year, thanks for reminding us it is race number 1!

World cups are back! The 2014 season has kicked off in South Africa, home of the 2013 World Championships and Downhill247 as always is bringing you all the action! Today was the track walk day, a chance for riders to check out the track and see any changes. Having been on the circuit for a few years now most riders knew where the track would go but what they weren’t expecting was what was in their way, rocks! The course builders have been busy adding big rocks to make it a ‘proper’ downhill track, this raises the question, medium bike or full size downhill rig? Check out some of the antics from the walk below, it looks casual but believe us things are going to get serious real quick here in Pietermaritzburg!

Protection is essential! Manon Carpenter knows the drill and with a few seasons under her belt now she will be a real contender for the overall.
Protection is essential! Manon Carpenter knows the drill and puts the sun hat to good use, with a few seasons under her belt now she will be a real contender for the overall.
It might be sunny now but just a few weeks ago the track was under a deluge of water! The dust and heat are back, the conditions in South Africa are unforgiving at the best of times.
It might be sunny now but just a few weeks ago the track was under a deluge of water! The dust and heat are back, the conditions in South Africa are unforgiving at the best of times.
Aaron Gwin was talking to himself? Or maybe it was for that microphone he had clipped to his t-shirt! Having absolutely dominated the field for 2 years everyone knows he can do it but the question still remains has he found his mojo again?
Aaron Gwin was talking to himself? Or maybe it was for that microphone he had clipped to his t-shirt! Having absolutely dominated the field for 2 years everyone knows he can do it but the question still remains has he found his mojo again?
This team represents some of Australia's best chances to take the win. The Hannahs have tasted success here before but they haven't taken a double world cup win, something they must want pretty badly.
This team represents some of Australia’s best chances to take the win. The Hannahs have tasted success here before but they haven’t taken a double world cup win, something they must want pretty badly.
Time to reflect? Or a cheeky display pic for your social media profile?
Time to reflect? Or a cheeky display pic for your social media profile?
Don't back down! Old School and the current World Champ check out the track. How many people have one of these two penciled in for the win?
Don’t back down! Old School and the current World Champ check out the track. How many people have one of these two penciled in for the win?
Young Dean Lucas throws the horns! Moving up in the world to Senior Men and the World Cup Devinci team he will be looking to make a good start to the season here.
Young Dean Lucas throws the horns! Moving up in the world to Senior Men and the World Cup Devinci team he will be looking to make a good start to the season here.
Is Sam Hill looking slimmer to you? With an off season dominated by recovering from injury he looks fit and ready to go on a track that, by his own admission, isn't his favourite!
Is Sam Hill looking slimmer to you? With an off season dominated by recovering from injury he looks fit and ready to go on a track that, by his own admission, isn’t his favourite!

Now we are keener than ever for the bikes to be rolled out and practice to get underway! Check back soon as we bring you all the action from practice.

Images: Phunkt

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