The DH start is mid left at the top of the chairlift. From there it zig zags out of the clouds, through the snow patches and into the trees; V Lucas


Roots. The course is very similar to last year, with exposed roots and shale running most of length of the course…But some lines have been simplified: Gary ‘Flipper’ Perkin


There is still snow about, but it’s not really on the course. The Vallnord guys have cleared where they need to and nature has taken care of the rest: Gary ‘Flipper’ Perkin


Rain. 4X practice was cancelled today to save the track from being torn apart. Some were happy with this decision…Others not so much: Gary ‘Flipper’ Perkin


Team Syndicate inspect the upper part of the track during today’s course walk. Josh Bryceland kindly helped out the course officials by melting the snow with some warm yellow body fluids. Steve Peat is fresh off a plane and fresh of changing nappies, so he’s not worried by all the brown stuff: S Martin


Ironically at marshal point 13 we have 13 padded trees. This is ‘unlucky for some’ numbered section will surely claim its fair share of riders with today’s crop of 31″ uncut bar riders. For others like Steve Jones it reminds him of his weekend convalesce home, although that padding is white: S Martin


Atherton’s scaffolding team at work. 24 cups of tea were consumed during the completion of the pit setup: V Lucas

andorra world cup 2009 mountain bike vallnord