Practice Photo Report: Grappling with Gravity - Vallnord World Cup DH 2019
We're well and truly in the thick of the World Cup downhill season as we slip into the second half of the year with a visit to the mountain town of La Massana, nestled within the deep valleys and steep hills of Andorra. Heading into the fourth round it's the Aussies, Tracey Hannah and Troy Brosnan, who have been clean and consistent thus far and lead the overalls, but there will be plenty of hungry riders snapping at their heals this weekend and beyond.
The track here has remained largely unchanged for this year, but it remains just as savage as ever with the riders having to endure over four minutes of toiling with the steepness and blown out track surface. The track has turned into a dustbowl once again with massive holes developing despite the rain we've had over the past two afternoons. It didn't seem to deter the riders from cracking on with many looking up to speed from the get-go, but as always it's hard to judge just who has the measure of the track until the stopwatch starts ticking. The ones getting wild today attracted all the attention, but it might be the ones who are keeping it smooth that are the dangerous ones...
No sign of relief from today's skies to help with the dust.
The morning gondola commute to the pits at the top of the track.
David Trummer pitting out the back of his van and getting the results. Respect.
The World Cup leader Tracey Hannah warming up for practice.
Danny Hart getting suited and booted for a long afternoon on the bike.
Rachel in good spirits warming up before hitting the steepest track currently on the circuit.
Stefan keeping the wheels of Mike Jones turning at the MS pits.
Aaron talking numbers in the morning before putting tires to dirt.
Whatever happened to World Cup paternity leave? 33 just won't do for Blenki after his hiatus... time to go to work.
Loic Bruni psyching himself up for his first practice run.
Kaos Seagrave giving the roll in some extra sauce.
Warp speed with Mille Johnset.
Mariana Salazar leaping the gully. Casing it is not an option.
Vali Holl popping and pumping through the physical top section.
Brook Macdonald bulldozing down the course. The sun was out and so was the dust.
A patriotic Aaron Gwin on this 4th of July.
Amaury couldn't quite get the win for Commencal on home turf here last year. Let's see how this weekend plays out. It's anyone's game.
Tracey Hannah's speed and consistency seems tough to match this year.
Nina Hoffmann must be starting to fancy her chances at that top step on the podium.
Luca Shaw is beginning to clamber his way back up the overall standings.
Macdonald not helping the erosion situation and taking 5th in timed training.
Not calling it quits after taking the win here last year, Vergier wants the repeat. The man to beat out here in Andorra.
Danny Hart has won here in the past and is always one to watch when things get loose and steep.
Marine Cabirou is on it here. Her first win is coming.
Reece Wilson launching one of many gaps in the lower woods.
Greg Minnaar detonating berms. The G.O.A.T looks comfortable on track.
Finn Iles laying it flat in front of the Andorran mountains.
Kye A'Hern would love to get back on that top spot, he looked quick today and laid down a fast timed training run.
George Brannigan rips one of the loose open turns.
Emilie Siegenthaler with Camille Balanche in tow. They'd end up 3rd and 4th in timed training.
Kyle Strait doppelganger or the real Kyle Strait? You choose.
Brook and the Mondraker train make a stop to let the dust settle - a big issue out there this afternoon.
Blue skies, happy little clouds and plenty of happy riders and media under the Andorran sun all day.
First podium last time out for Matteo Iniguez, can he take his first win here this weekend?
Adam Brayton doing what Adam Brayton does best, gas to flat.
Loic Bruni doesn't plan on having that number 2 plate for long.
Jamie Edmondson with the push-up and drift for the many cameras camped out at the famous shale berms before TT.
Great to see the man and myth that is Fairclough back between the tape today.
To say Matt Walker's second year in elite is going well is an understatement. 7th in the standings after three rounds.
Philip Atwill going to war in the berms for the green team.
On board with Laurie Greenland.
Thibaut Daprela had a scare last week when his bike got stolen here in Andorra but thankfully it was recovered.
Bernard Kerr is on firey form right now. A very fast TT and big style at every opportunity on track.
Whips, scrubs and style all day today from Marine Cabirou... big props to the young French rider.
Theo Erlangsen with an express suicide on the big double in the open section. Still counts.
Ropelato can't ride a bike straight. God bless him.
Dean Lucas ran more laps this afternoon and looked damn smooth doing it.
Fayolle was going hard as one of the last men on the hill during the TT session.
Biting the dust...not something you see too often from this man and certainly a good indication of how loose conditions are turning up on the hill.
Troy Brosnan on the move. He was barely touching the ground hammering through the upper woods.
Loris Vergier took the W here last year and did the same today in timed runs. Can he keep up the pace until Saturday?
Analytics and helmet cam playbacks post practice for Danny Hart.
Happy camper Finn Iles loving the track. P2 in timed runs.
#CouplesOfDownhill
The dust clung to everything today.
Happy 4th of July shredding to the Americans among us.
MENTIONS: @natedh9 @andy9 @rossbellphoto
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