Renners and Jake The Tea Boy got their lenses out on the hill yesterday, risking life and limb to bring you a random mix of the action. Here’s what they saw.

Can the big man from Pietermaritzberg make it two from two? Thanks to Ben Johnson for hanging onto my pants while I took this photo.

Blinky. Four words: smooth and on it.

By his own standards Peaty’s not had the best start to the season, but the season’s still young and the big man is more than capable of the win.

Some bikes are quiet, some bikes aren’t. This one is.

I overheard someone saying there had been 60 punctures on Friday, not to mention Slam Hill’s massive stack. This has become a familiar sight over the last couple of days.

photos: Renners

Entering the wooded section is proving a bit of an art. This boy’s got the full paint set.

Minnaar hitting the rocks faster than anyone else.

Dan Atherton had a mechanical in his qualifying run but he was definitely giving it the beans in practice.

Wallner looking pinned. I was a bit nervous about taking this…

Thanks to Renners and Ben for holding an ankle each while I hung out of the Gondola.

photos: Jake Ireland