And this is a high-speed track, one where grip is at a premium and constantly being searched for. There is grip here, but it is not really ‘confidence inspiring’ grip (just ask Greg Williamson and many others that went down). From the outside looking in it all seems fine, but speaking to riders they talked about the course being awkward, and that there was a fine line when it came to finding traction in the loose turns. For all the wide taping there is seemingly one quick line down the course.

There are a few places where decisions can be made, inside lines, etc., but on the whole it is strap in and let go! And I should also mention the change in light as riders go from the bright sunshine on the open sections into the much darker woods. Tricky… especially at such speeds.

Riders are still trying to decide if the triple jump near the bottom of the course is worth the risk or if they are best to go around it into the whooped-out section of mini-moguls that follows. I would say that 99% of people are currently going around it… too mush of a risk?

Then there is the ‘The Plunge’ in the last wooded section. An awkward (that word again) drop that has so far claimed Claudio Caluori on his course preview and both Innes Graham and Hugo Roulx with broken femurs! Not good. Does it need looking at? Jacob Dickson (collarbone and wrist) also crashed near this section (we can’t confirm exactly where at present). Quick recoveries to all those hurt today.

And that was pretty much it. Timed practice went down, but this is really quite a tricky one to gauge. All that can be said is that Aaron Gwin’s 3min 8sec looked to be pretty tasty.

Qualifying Friday.