Sun and blue skies all day today, the track is drying up pretty quickly, but as Gee Atherton says “The word of the day is ‘GLOOP'”.

The spikes have stayed on all day, if it stays like this Peaty has been talking about running cut down spikes, Miami had been muttering about Swamp Donkeys, not sure if thats the band or the tyre.

The top rooty/rock section was carnage this afternoon, with the lesser known riders from the lesser known countries spending less-er time on the bike and more-er air miles going over their riser bars.

A few folk are talking of a tactical seeding run if the weather looks likely to change. Since there are no points up for grabs in the semis some might possibly cruise down, though Bryceland has stated he’ll be pinning it no matter what.

Since Gracia found out that the 4x and downhill are on the same day, he’s opted out of the DH and is just concentrating his efforts on 4x glory.

Moto Foam-o is getting everywhere these days, no nook or cranny is safe, here it finds itself inside Sam Hill’s Crank Brothers. Alledgedly there is a piece inside Victor Lucas’s ear ‘ole.

These camouflaged Robin Hood characters are everywhere in Commezzadura, they are keeping a beady eye on proceedings. I interogated one until he started to cry and he told me he was a kind of mountain police, a boy scout with authority, they don’t carry guns but I swear I saw one shoot a pigeon down with a bow and arrow. They will hide in the bushes and arrest you for such offences as, an over loaded picnic hamper, scrumping apples, or stealing honey from bees…you have been warned. The feather is that of the majestic Alpine Eagle, though it does look like a common garden sparrow to me (I’m no Bill Oddie though, more Odd Billy).

This section is called Victors 5-a-day, it’s a bit like the vitamins or fruit that you’re supposed to take but in photographic form. Photos from Victor Lucas.

We reckon this is Junior rider Phil Cyrenne Blanchard from Canada doing what a lot of people were doing in the top woods…a move called the “testicle scraper”

It would be sooo good if Birthday boy Peaty could pull this one off, the Big Man is feeling good and could do with a big silver cup as a B-day pressie.

Italy beat France in the footie, Barel will be wanting revenge on the Italian hillside.

Rennie is on a high after his 4th in the Fort, he’s also got some new trousers and underclackers, could this be the edge he needs?

Aside from the earlier “Testicle Scraper” a lot of riders spent ages checking out lines, this is a wide track with multiple line choices, Ben Reid scopes out his lines.

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