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Downhill

Full steam ahead

All about the speed in Vallnord

There’s no death sections, it’s not bike-parky and (fingers crossed) there won’t be a sudden downpour to spoil everyone’s fun on race day. In fact, the track at Andorra just has everyone buzzing.

Photos: Ale di Lullo

Speeds were high on day one. Riders came into Vallnord frothing after a couple of weeks shredding European bike parks

A month-long break in the Alps has clearly done the riders some good and everyone was up to speed super fast on this demanding track. The sun shone, dust was kicked high and it was good times all round.

The rain (and hail) held off until about 5:05, just after the riding had wrapped up for the day. If it does start to fall on raceday, there’s only one man we’d bet on…

Danny Hart and Myriam Nicole were fastest in timed training but, as always, what does that count for? Perhaps most significant was the rain and hail that fell as the teams packed up their pits for tonight. What will tomorrow’s track look like?

A casual look for Loris today but his riding was anything but casual as he yet again showed his immense pace on the Santa Cruz
The big gaps in the open have been replaced with tables. Brook MacDonald shows the perfect scrub technique
Brosnan was well on it and only a smidgen behind Hart. Les Gets seems to have ignited his season.
Was he right all along? It seems the pack is turning its back on 29ers - Bruni stays strong on 27.5.
The lack of forecast rain meant roost out in the open... and plenty of it.
"... and that's where I won my World Championships"
Brendog is another rider back on the 27 wheels. You have to admit the style's back too.
B.R.A.A.P. Brendog 1 - 0 corner
Gwin's best result here is a tenth, which would be good enough for most. Was he really trying last year though?
Fast and rough should be right up this man's street.
Iles was a class apart. One way or another we can't help but feel this will be a successful weekend for the young Canadian
There's big pressure on the Commencal team this weekend at their home round but Pompon goes one from one and cleans up in timed training
Manon looks back on it this weekend. She may have three podiums in a row but she wants more in Andorra.
Tahnee Seagrave steaming through the woods.
"Not to plan" - that's all we know about Tracey's day. Still it's only timed training, plenty more to come tomorrow
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