World Cup 2 – Fort William – Track Walk

We have a 15 second look at this weekends’ track, it is rougher than ever and the weather is typical Scottish glory… Click on the link below:

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Follow Dean Lucas who kindly provided this rounds’ track walk on Instagram @deanosmachinos or on Facebook here

Rough as always!
Rough as always!

Check out the practice pictures as well.

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Inside Info: Connor Fearon – Scotland

#22 Chad Reed! No in this case it is Connor Fearon...
#22 Chad Reed! No in this case it is Connor Fearon…

After the Cairns World Cup didn’t go the way I planned I headed home for about 4 weeks in preparation for the next round, Fort William. The time seemed to go really quick but I got a solid few weeks of training in. In the past the Fort Bill World Cup has treated me well. Last year at the season opener there I finished up 21st so a top 20 was definitely on the cards for this weekend. It’s always a long haul coming from South Australia to the UK it takes almost two days spent aboard the big bird. With the worst of the travelling done I arrived in Glasgow on Tuesday and Matty my mechanic picked me up and we drove the last 3 hours to Fort William. Wednesday was spent building up my race bike and new Process 153 which is sick, we got a trail ride in beside Loch Ness.. Unfortunately no monster was spotted but I’m still a believer!

Sending some of the bigger jumps on the course.
Sending some of the bigger jumps on the course.

As usual the downhill track is the same as the last 2 years I’ve been racing here. I won’t bore you with the details as everyone knows about the track. Fast, rough, open etc… We got to walk the track and register on Thursday. My overall was down to 22nd so I was rocking Chad Reeda��s number for the week. I was really excited to start riding on Friday, I hardly took any breaks in practice because I was having so much fun. After a few runs and a couple changes to my suspension my bike was feeling so smooth down the track it gave me lots of confidence. Qualifiers were good, the track was really dry and slippery because of the loose gravel type of surface. I had a good run and finished 19th. A good result showing what I was capable of.

A solid qualifying result set Connor up well for finals.
A solid qualifying result set Connor up well for finals.

It rained on Saturday night but just enough to make the track tacky so it was a little faster for Sunday! Saturday/race day is pretty much the same at every race. I do 2 practice runs then wait around nervously for finals.

2 practice runs on Sunday morning then this, finals!
2 practice runs on Sunday morning then this, finals!

It rained a tiny bit while I was going up in the gondola for my race but not enough to make a difference. I warmed up as usual and my run was really good. I felt I was on edge the top half of the track but started to fade and make a few mistakes down the bottom. I pedalled hard at the bottom but I wasn’t as strong as most of the other riders which is something to work on. I finished 14th which is an excellent result but the times were so tight if I was half a second faster I would have been in 9th position. After the weekend my overall is down to 19th which means I automatically qualify for Leogang this weekend. Last season I got my best result there with 10th so I will be looking for another top 10 this time around! Thanks to everyone that helps me; Kona Bikes, Fox Head, SRAM/Rockshox/Avid/Truvativ, Yakima Racks, Stans No Tubes, Maxxis and of course Downhill247.

Physically draining as well as technical, Fort William is a proper track, 14th gets Connor sitting inside the top 20 overall.
Physically draining as well as technical, Fort William is a proper track, 14th gets Connor sitting inside the top 20 overall.

Images: Jason Stevens Photography (@jasonstevensphotography or on Facebook)

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World Cup Round 3, Fort William – Race Day

It felt like today was going to be a good one, so we got here early, before the teams even
It felt like today was going to be a good one, so we got here early, before the teams even
Ed Masters found some minions in Fort William
Ed Masters found some minions in Fort William

Race day in Fort William, with plenty of Aussies in top spots, what would the day hold? Would the weather hold? Or would the heavens open and change the game entirely? There has been rain overnight, so the track was moist again, but many riders commented that if the day was similar to yesterday then the track would end up very similar to the track everyone had qualified on. Aiden Varley commented that the rain wasn’t a bad thing, allowing the top part of the track to pick up some moisture making it a little more tacky, noting that as it dried yesterday it became slippy and skatey.

Aiden Varley throws down some style for the first run of the day
Aiden Varley throws down some style for the first run of the day

As practice began many tried to get a run in quickly first up, then allow a large rest and do only one or two more runs, this is quite standard due to the length and endurance of Fort William. This approach confirmed in many rider’s minds that they were only going to do minimal runs, with many of the top pros allowing time for a very late run to check the track in its condition closest to their time of departure from the top of the hill.

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Racing began, and some high cloud began to descend on the top of the hill, making conditions changeable for the junior men. however the weather wasn’t the thing on most peoples minds it was Martin Maes, the young enduro rider from GT, walking away with a win, and knocking some of the big names out such as Luca Shaw, it should be noted that Luca had a mechanical, would the results of been the same if Luca didn’t? We don’t know, but we do know that Martin Maes has a bright future ahead of him, no matter which discipline he chooses to take part in.

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An emotional win for Martin Maes
An emotional win for Martin Maes

The women began rolling down the hill, and the punctures started rolling in, with many of the women suffering punctures and throwing a spanner in the works, the most notable victims being both British riders and crowd favorites, Manon Carpenter and also Rachel Atherton, much to the crowds disappointment. This opened up the win to Emmeline Ragot, who stormed home in the changing conditions.

Manon Carpenter was unlucky to get a puncture during race runs
Manon Carpenter was unlucky to get a puncture during race runs

Now it was the mens turn, and as they entered the start gate the weather became even more shifting, with the bottom becoming a little bit of a rain jacket hokey pokey. Many riders coming down were commenting that the rain atop the hill was rather intense and how od it was to cross a section and have the rain cease and to arrive into the finish straight in striking sunshine. As we entered the territory for the top ten things felt like days of old with Steve Smith making a super comeback from injury sitting in the hot seat with both Sam Hill And Troy Brosnan to come. The crowd was lifting, and as Sam Hill Crossed the line they went bazerk, though not a local the crowd loved Sam, he’s a hard guy not to like, Next down the hill was local hope, Danny Hart, as Danny pedalled over the line the crowd went mental, we couldnt hear the camera shutter right next to our own ear, however Danny didn’t have the speed and would have to settle for second. This left only Troy to come down, and as he entered the final section through the Scotland arch the crowd went wild, Troy crossed the line to claim his maiden World Cup win, and was mobbed by team members in an ecstatic celebration.

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Final results are as follows:

Junior Men:
Martin Maes
Loris Vergier
Alex Marin Trillo
Drew Carters
Vernon Taylor

Elite Women:
Emmeline Ragot
Myriam Nicole
Tracey Hannah
Emilie Seigenthaler
Jill Kitner

Elite Men:
Troy Brosnan
Sam Hill
Danny Hart
Aaron Gwin
Gee Atherton

Some very happy winning women
Some very happy winning women
And a dissapointed Manon Carpenter
And a dissapointed Manon Carpenter

How about a bit of a style check just for fun to finish off the report:

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World Cup Round 3, Fort William – Timed Practice

Those views, both up and down the hill
Those views, both up and down the hill

Today was simply a day of practice. We won’t bore you with the small details, we will give you some of the important facts and leave you with a gallery of todays preceding’s, hopefully leaving you wanting more for tomorrow qualis.

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The track started today in fantastic condition, but due to the moist ground it was quickly chopped up, especially in the wooded sections where pools had gathered, these sections quickly became rutted and changed the track significantly. Many riders got creative trying to find some new lines. The open sections of track that are generally high speed began to form braking bumps and by days end some of the small brake bumps had become pretty sizable bomb holes.

Some of the other news to come out of today is that Mick Hannah had a sizable off, and according to the medic we chatted with has done something to his shoulder’s AC joint, she says he can probably ride tomorrow if he chooses to, but we didn’t have time catch up with Mick, so we are unsure what his decision is. The weather is also not playing the game tomorrow, so qualifying will begin quite early so the wind does not effect the track.

The man of the day, Danny Hart, clocking the fastest time during timed training
The man of the day, Danny Hart, clocking the fastest time during timed training
Sik Mik getting some attention no body wants, the medical type. We are hoping to see mick back on the bike tomorrow and wish him a good recovery
Sik Mik getting some attention no body wants, the medical type. We are hoping to see Mick back on the bike tomorrow and wish him a good recovery

That’s all from us for now, enjoy the small gallery below and we will see you track side tomorrow!

Mayhem Dave, looking solid all day!

Mayhem Dave, looking solid all day!

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Dean Lucas entering some rocks, and looking super comfortable on his new team this year
Dean Lucas entering some rocks, and looking super comfortable on his new team this year
Aaron Gwin, pulling a dead last in timed training. Odd? Kind of, but we saw Aaron wait for team mate Troy and Aaron only completed one run, hence the slow time
Aaron Gwin, pulling a dead last in timed training. Odd? Kind of, but we saw Aaron wait for team mate Troy and Aaron only completed one run, hence the slow time
Connor Fearon, coming out with a 7th after timed training, taking it easy over the bridged upper section of track
Connor Fearon, coming out with a 7th after timed training, taking it easy over the bridged upper section of track
Some more of those views!
Some more of those views!
Never before have we seen a rider have so much fun riding a bike, Josh Bryceland turns on the style over the final hip jump
Never before have we seen a rider have so much fun riding a bike, Josh Bryceland turns on the style over the final hip jump
When the sun is shining waiting for riders isn't terrible
When the sun is shining waiting for riders isn’t terrible

Mr. Hill, looking cool calm and collected here in Ft. William, a track that's been kind to him in the past.

Mr. Hill, looking cool calm and collected here in Ft. William, a track that’s been kind to him in the past.
Sam Blenkinsop, doing some suspension testing, interestingly enough, on the old Lapierre
Sam Blenkinsop, doing some suspension testing, interestingly enough, on the old Lapierre
Tegan Molloy pushes over the slippery wooden feature part way through the woods
Tegan Molloy pushes over the slippery wooden feature part way through the woods
The man of the moment, Greg Minnaar. Bringing up is 100th World Cup race here in Ft. William
The man of the moment, Greg Minnaar. Bringing up is 100th World Cup race here in Ft. William
Stevie Smith is back on the bike, and looking quick, don't let the number plate fool you, Steve means business
Stevie Smith is back on the bike, and looking quick, don’t let the number plate fool you, Steve means business
The all new Lapierre Frame, yay or nay?
The all new Lapierre Frame, yay or nay?
Brent Smith drops into the abyss
Brent Smith drops into the abyss

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Chris Barlin Rolls into the morning fog
Chris Barlin Rolls into the morning fog
The GoPro Truck has got its low on in Ft. William
The GoPro Truck has got its low on in Ft. William

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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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