Ok so it might just be timed training but there are a few riders that have lit the course up today and given it the beans ahead of qualifying tomorrow. Is it getting up to a comfortable speed, gauging what can be done or laying down a time to stamp authority on the rest of the field? It was a UK 1st in each category!
JUNIORS
After winning in Windham Taylor Vernon laid down the best time going into qualifying, he’s back and meaning it after last year’s injury. Luca Shaw was well down, maybe a crash but we’re not sure at the moment. After Tay it’s the French riders showing their speed on home soil, Thomas Estaque and Loris Vergier were 0.749s and 3.984s back respectively. Opening things up tomorrow no doubt qualifying is going to be an interesting one. With just a 14 point margin at the top these lads will be pinned on their penultimate timed run of the World Cup downhill season.
WOMENS
Another tight overall is the Women, they are searching all for every possible point this weekend. Manon goes in wearing the leaders vest, Emmeline Ragot is back by just 70 points but it was Rachel Atherton who put her mark on the race going 5.099s faster than Carpenter today. The time gaps continued that way as Ragot was a further 5 seconds back, 10.107s in total on Rachel. Right now Rach is 120 points back so needs to pull a big win out to take it but at the moment the form is with Manon and Ragot.
MENS
There’s a big battle here, Josh and Troy Brosnan are 43 points apart and it’s rolling out of the start gate with the the smallest number. Everyone’s rooting for a win from Ratboy, the only rider to win two races this year, National Champion and according to Josh he’s #peakin!
Bryceland went fastest in timed training and it was Gee, who won at the start of the season in Cairns, who came in second place in today’s training. Sam Hill was up there in 3rd and after his win in MSA this flat out and tech track could suit him. Matt Simmonds was up there too today in 4th and Blenki rounded out in 5th. Whatever the results of timed training there’s no doubt taps will be opened tomorrow for qualifying and we will be on the hill to catch all the action. Check the links down below to see what else has been going on today on Dirt.
