2011 UCI World Cup, Val di Sole Downhill Training

It's good to be back in the land of big mountains and chair lifts. Photo by Gary Perkin

Yes folks, more subtle play of light on dark and not-so-subtle shredding roost goodness! Photo by Gary

Will Rischbieth got 99 problems but Gwin ain't one! With the World Cup overall sewn up, Aaron Gwin of Trek World Racing is taking up a new extreme sport - Aussie baiting. Photo by Gary Perkin (HAHAHA!)

Tracy Moseley of Trek World Racing and Floriane Pugin of Scott11 discuss which way to the overall World Cup podium and then left and on to World Champs. Photo by Gary Perkin

The upper rock section was a shooting gallery today. Anyone who was anyone with a smartphone, video camera and even old schoolers with DSLRs, were hunkered down in the top rocks. Cameron Cole of Lapierre International obliges with style. Photo by Gary Perkin

Stoked to see Brendan Fairclough of Monster Specialized make the UK Worlds team. His form in Champery is exceptional and I'll bet he's gonna lay it on the line the next two race weekends to prove a point. Photo by Gary Perkin

I'm sure someone with knowledge of the forest fungi could tell me what kind of mushroom this is, but with my limited experience i know its a photogenic one! Photo by Gary Perkin

If you go down to the woods today you're sure of a swift descent, 'cos boys and girls are having a blast, and forks and shocks getting a beating 'cos today's the day Val di Sole has a downhill! Photo by Gary Perkin

How much luck do you need in Val di Sole? Clumps, bushels, single digits? Not sure really, but it's a track that rewards risk and punishes mistakes, brutally. Photo by Gary Perkin

Revisiting old angles is always a pleasure. Photo by Gary Perkin

I had loads of fun shooting today. Maybe not what everyone wants to see but the playing of light and dark and roost and shapes sure me a happy bunny! Photo by Gary Perkin (SICKNESS!)

Kiwi Matt Scoles, dodges the holes that moles have rolled between the poles on Val di Sole's downhill course. Photo by Gary Perkin

Breakdancing is still pretty big in Italy. Going backwards in the first rock garden however is not the best way down the track. Anything is worth a try, at least once, I guess. -Sven Martin

Danny arrived late yesterday, expecting course walk today...oops. First run down and first look at the track. He must not be doing too bad if Peat and Minnaar are taking notes. -Sven Martin

Travis Pastrana showed up today. He was a on a sweet blue Orange and was def one of the quickest from the get go. Benjamin Staehle from France was also pretty quick :-) Note the number plate. Stay tuned for more coverage throughout the week. -Sven Martin

Sometimes the bigger rocks on the edges offer the smoother line when you hit them at speed. Gee knows this attack...the best method for long rough ones like this. -Sven Martin

Ben Reid winning practice as usual today. Hopefully he can take it all the way until Sunday this time around. -Sven Martin

Gwin turned up the heat a few times today. Little pockets of fury is how I can describe his style. He would walk two or three long, interlinked sections and smash it out. Checking off sections one by one. With an "extra" day of practice he will be flat out come race day. -Sven Martin

Cous Cous tucks off a drop on the lower part of the track right at the end of timed practice. Good to see him back and recovered from his foot injury. -Sven Martin

Gee on proto Saint Caliper R015 this week, too. This track really calls for good brakes that can deal with the heat. This course is steep, long and fairly straight making it tough on the brakes. No complaints for Gee though. -Sven Martin

Jon Cancellier ponders suspension settings over a post-ride glass of wine. No easy answer on this one. Thankfully wine is always on offer in the Martin Press room, right next to the GT beer bar. -Sven Martin

Marc Beaumont Magic from Gary Perkin