Calm Before the Storm: Val d'Isere Saturday

Tires of all kinds are waiting for the final decision tomorrow morning. -Hoshi Yoshida

Team Mechanic of Hutchinson Morewood United Ride telling us in French about Tracey's surgery this morning. Surgery went well without any complications. They were waiting her to come out from anesthetics. Mick was at her side all day. -Hoshi Yoshida

Old School Steve Peat at his finest. The fact that this hip is opposite for him does not deter him from doing his best 1-footed-berm-scrubbing-dog-pisser. #WontBackDown #ForeverYoung -Sven Martin

Inspired by Peaty on the DH course, the Modified Trials World Champ does his best impersonation of a Dog Pisser for extra points. K.Shiz approved. -Sven Martin

Toe drag G-out! Stevie Smith maxes out the Devinci after hitting one of the track's tougher off-camber sections at full race pace. -Duncan Philpott

The protective gear essentials. We've seen a few photos of the modified "body armor" riders are using. Here's Marc Beaumont's with a little message for anyone checking up on him. -Duncan Philpott

The Parkins of DirtTV don't own rain jackets or umbrellas, even though they're toting an expensive piece of Camera gear in the rain. Rob does own water proof socks though. #priorities -Sven Martin

Marco Fontana leading XC race winner Nino Schurter up the switchback climb. The DH course looms in the background as does the uncertain weather. -Sven Martin

Upon showing this photo to someone, they commented, saying this photo looked like the *old Sam Hill*, foot out, flat out and totally relaxed. Is Sunday his day? -Duncan Philpott

This hip may be overshot and overexposed but a photo of Minnaar on it never gets old. -Sven Martin

Dougie Fresh, hard at work, he's seen many weather affected finals and gives us his prediction for tomorrow! -Duncan Philpott

Emilie Siegenthaler will be third last down the hill tomorrow. No slouch in the speed department, she is always one of the most comfortable and stylish girls over the jumps, no matter what the size. -Sven Martin

Dark horse first place qualifier, Cam Cole, will be under close scrutiny tomorrow. Not even his shadow will be able to hide. -Sven Martin

It was the XC World Cup finals here in Val d' Isere today. Style master, Marco Fontana from Cannondale, wheelies his way onto the podium. Most of these riders will head to London to compete in the Olympics. -Sven Martin

I was chasing XC riders when I saw Rachel hitting the finish jump. I had no time to change to a longer lens but this angle gives a larger scope of the scenery. -Hoshi Yoshida

Team manager of Scott 11, Claudio Caluori, just came back from an epic singletrack downhill, 3000m down to the pit area. Stoked and out of breath, he spoke this audio. -Hoshi Yoshida

Spagnolo was one of the first on the lift this morning and put down many runs today. No doubt he feels slightly cheated about Windham and sorely wants the win this weekend. -Duncan Philpott

This area of track was forbidden during the first couple of days. We're now allowed to shoot it, so here's Olie Burton flying high, up the steep bank of rocks! He was one of the few Brits to make it through comfortably out of the regular chasing pack. -Duncan Philpott

90-seconds before the Women's XC start. A quick turn to the DH track captured Richard Thomas. He qualified for the big show with a broken toe. #NFG -Hoshi Yoshida

I was a little late on the boulder shooting game. Day 3 of riding and we finally got there! Marc Beaumont looks totally at ease with sending it to flat where others sometimes struggle to even stay on the bike. -Duncan Philpott

Myriam Nicole qualified a little further back than expected after coming off the track. A few runs today on a damper track and she's buzzing for finals tomorrow. -Duncan Philpott

The weather today's been simply bizarre, bright sunshine with rain was a common sight and pits quickly became saturated. -Duncan Philpott

After practice everyone was glued to the TV watching the Olympic road race. -Sven Martin

If the glitter ball would be a crystal ball, he would know who will win tomorrow's DH finals and could earn a BoXXer with Vital OTB -Hoshi Yoshida

I wonder if a previous photographer had set this up as a shot. Everything seems to fall into place so nicely. Spike tires look set to be the choice for most riders tomorrow with the unpredictable weather and damp track. Stay tuned for the action. -Duncan Philpott