ON COURSE! 2012 World Championship Downhill Training

IT'S ON! Bryn Atkinson breaking in the World Champs DH course and doing what it takes to get over the monstrous jump,sky high and blasting to the moon! -Duncan Philpott

Needles was upset not to make the top three last week at Whip off World Champs so he started off on his FIRST run with a late entry. -Sven Martin

Andrew Neethling opening it up! -Juan Reynaldo

#committed -Sven Martin

Side view of the G-Out Project jump. This gives you some perspective of the motorway. UCI will be drug testing any riders who over clear or find true backside. Lip will be moved 1m further closer to the landing for tomorrow. Blenkinsop in audio. -Sven Martin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

It's a fair old effort to get over jumps this big. Will Aaron Gwin and Brook MacDonald be sharing more than just airtime next year? Maybe @teamrumours will be tweeting again after World Cup finals. -Duncan Philpott

Emmeline Ragot has a title to defend. She is already fully leaned and up to speed. Will she hold on to her stripes? -Sven Martin

Luke Strobel, always solid, always fast, keeping it simple and sending it for the hardcore spectators. -Sven Martin

Insert CAP-tion here. -Sven Martin

It's World Champs and there's no shortage of people willing to volunteer. Things ran smoothly on the track today. -Duncan Philpott

This is Marc Beaumont's response to the new Atherton Four by Three teaser today. 4 minus 3 equals... -Sven Martin

Though the riders talk of no real line choice, Troy Brosnan finds his way... -Hoshi Yoshida

...and so does team mate, Sam Hill. -Hoshi Yoshida

Troy Brosan, gordo's pick for victory. -Juan Reynaldo

World Champs gives every rider a chance for their time in the spotlight. With juniors out to make a name for themselves, having helmet trim match the crash-mat colour increases your chance of getting a Vital slideshow. -Duncan Philpott

Eliot Jackson with his brother Andrew and extreme filming buddy, John Reynolds. Will Andrew take runs down the course on his 20? Will Reynolds film it? Sounds like they have time on their hands. -Sven Martin

Don't forget, they run 4X at Worlds. Roger Rinderknecht came straight from the Olympic BMX race. The 4X training at the end of the day is always accompanied by rain and approaching darkness...something Gary Perkin used to love! -Hoshi Yoshida

Dougie Hatfield feeling the ego-kits.com power roosting round the pits. -Duncan Philpott

20 Years of World Champs and this fan of Peaty remembers one very well! -Duncan Philpott

Richie's rude awakening... - Duncan Philpott

Ratboy heading for the trees. -Hoshi Yoshida

An early lap in the gondola and very little photo editing would you believe? Sun rays break over Saafelden and the accreditation center where many battle to prove their worthiness of getting a World Champs access badge (myself included!). -Duncan Philpott

Cam Cole out for blood in the Bike Park World Championships! -Hoshi Yoshida

Monk's wrist watch is the size of Big Ben. A memory for each of Aaron Gwin's WC wins adorns one of the numerous surfaces. At least 5 more are left, so let's see what comes next. -Hoshi Yoshida

Matti Lehikoinen is barely recovered from his injury. He just learned walking without his crutches maybe 2 weeks ago... -Hoshi Yoshida

Matti hadn't touched a bike until yesterday and now he's on the DH course. He'll decide if the race is worth it as the World Cup in Norway in a few weeks is his main focus. -Hoshi Yoshida

An insight to today's Steve Peat bike check; Sven grimacing after many minutes of conversation with Steve Peat about 20 years at World Champs. The old guys talk a lot. -Duncan Philpott

This is truly mid-course on the DH track, already Instagram'd by most of the pro field. -Sven Martin

The Canadians should do well this week at the Bike Park World Champs. Claire Buchar dropping in for her first run this morning. -Sven Martin

Yes it's bike park, but hopefully with the rain we should see some holes ruts and lines developing in the next few days. -Sven Martin

And here comes the rain... -Hoshi Yoshida

Tire choice for tomorrow? Tubes, tubeless or glue-on? -Hoshi Yoshida

Needles, not g'd out in his new Fox kit and stock 2013 Giant Glory. -Hoshi Yoshida

The day ended with happy hour beers and bratwurst with SRAM thanks JD! Stay tuned... -Sven Martin