The biggest race of the year has arrived! Champery, Switzerland is the host for the 21^st World Championships. The course is legendary amongst spectators and riders alike, it is one of the steepest tracks on the face of the planet, with an average gradient of 37%. The last World Cup round in Val Di Sole was an average of 30% and that is one of the steeper tracks. Walking the track is made easier by the fact steps have been carved into the hill side otherwise it would be a mammoth effort just to walk down. The steepness of the hill just does not stop, there are no flat sections for riders to relax and take it easy.
Continue reading “Champery 31st August 2011 World Championships” →

Val Di Sole was the last World Cup of the season so the overall series winners were awarded here as well. First though, the results from the weekend:
Continue reading “Val Di Sole August 21st – Part 2” →

Val Di Sole translates to Valley of the Sun and today the sun was out and shining! An amazing day of racing was had at the final World Cup of the season.
Continue reading “Val Di Sole 21st August – Race Pt 1” →

Under 2 hours until racing kicks off here in Val Di Sole, a quick update on the situation. Rain fell last night but not enough to be noticeable, it had all disappeared by the morning. Steve Smith is injured and won’t be racing this afternoon after qualifying 2nd. Based on crude calculations, done by timing riders in this morning’s practice, the media contingent have Troy Brosnan ranked as high as 2nd place for the finals! Add to this his mum dreamt he finished 3rd could this be his first podium? Lets hope so.
Continue reading “Val Di Sole 21st August – Morning practice” →

With a day between qualifying and racing a short practice session was held this morning for the top 80 riders. No major news to report at this stage, riders were looking at their lines as they came down the hill, especially at the notorious rock garden near the top. However, the general concensus was that all the lines are getting just as blown out as each other. A look around the pits revealed a few bike customisations such as larger disc brake rotors and a few other tweaks.
Continue reading “Val Di Sole 20th August – Practice” →