Intro Text
Andorra makes us smile and it's making some smile more than others with qualifying in the books at the 2018 World Cup Downhill race. You've seen the track and the undeniable shredtastic destruction, so we'll let that shredding, and the racers, do the talking as race day approaches.
Luca sShaw in the second open section just before the toboggan berms that everyone loves to wraaaaap. -Sven Martin
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Dougie Fresh with Luca's bike and with some philosophical words of wisdom. -Sven Martin
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Rachel with one of the bigger win margins in quite some time. She almost lost it on the heavy landing but muscled it up and took the win convincingly. -Sven Martin
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That Moment when Rachel Atherton nearly went over-the-bars in her quali run. That´s why you go to the gym Kids. @maddogboris
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Henry Kerr with the fastest time today and more than 2 seconds faster than Thibaut Daprela. @maddogboris
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Can you whip like this? Didn't think so. Fastest Junior Woman by 23 seconds today. Speed and style takes on a new meaning with Vali Holl. -Sven Martin
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Laurie Greenland railing the almost flat inside line like few can.
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Amaury kept it smooth to minimize mistakes and the chance of a crash. For him that still meant a 6th place qualifier with plenty of time to claw away in race runs. -Dan Hearn
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The contrast between Amaury Pierron and Thomas Estaque's riding style is dramatic. Pierron composed and smooth, Estaque loose and fluid but also more on the edge.
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Brook MacDonald had a solid run and P4! @maddogboris
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When you are as strong as Brayton and you smash things hard something has to give at some point. This time it was the berm and his tyres. Like a true champ he goes down with the ship.
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With fresh stitches in his finger from a crash in his last practice run, Adam Brayton had to take his qualifying run in blooded kit. It didn't stop him sending gaps, however, and he finished 32nd. -Dan Hearn
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First year elite, Matt Walker, hasn't had the best of luck the last couple of races but laid down a fast qualifier and finished 9th. -Dan Hearn
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Troy Brosnan with a a bit of 50:01 footplant action. Unleashing his inner Loosedog. -Sven Martin
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Having slipped from the limelight off the podium recently, we occasionally need reminding of Gee Atherton's bike skills. Some sensational riding went down today. -Dan Hearn
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Big boisterous berm blasting bar-dragging Blenki. Booyeah! And the exact same cheshire-cat grin. -Sven Martin
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Greg Minnaar just out getting bike time on a proper World Cup track so when he returns, the transition isn't too abrupt. Some interesting observations from him too. -Sven Martin
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Jack Moir taking it nice and chilled this weekend. Playing but not pushing. Trying to avoid the Brannigan curse since he's been there before. -Sven Martin
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Anna Newkirk with another 2nd place seeding run. She will be looking to leave here with the number 2 plate this weekend. #USDH -Sven Martin
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Thibaut Daprela in 2nd, just two seconds back, took it safe in his qualifier and will be ready to fight for the win tomorrow. -Sven Martin
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Early morning toboggan for Kade Edwards before things get more serious in qualies. -Dan Hearn
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Cecile Ravenel 5th today, but there are quite a few chasers within range that also want a spot on the podium tomorrow. -Sven Martin
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Mark Wallace takes massive tumble in the infamous steep chute after the bridge huck. Like a good Canadian, he sent it a little too wild and far. His ok and will race tomorrow as a protected rider. -Dan Hearn
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Mark Wallace takes massive tumble in the infamous steep chute after the bridge huck. Like a good Canadian, he sent it a little too wild and far. His ok and will race tomorrow as a protected rider. -Sven Martin
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Danny flying today as you can see here. Within range of the win, he is one of those riders who is able to deliver under pressure.
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Eddie feeling the full compression of a g-out berm while flying the flag for Andorra. -Sven Martin
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Wyn Masters wasn't the only one on a flag parade lap this morning. -Dan Hearn
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Craig Stikman Glaspell out here after Eurobike to support his riders and watch the racing. -Sven Martin
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Yes Emilie Siegenthaler! 4th Position for the Pivot Factory Racer. @maddogboris
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Custom links for Luca on his near production V-10. -Sven Martin
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Early morning practices here have the best shooting conditions. Layers upon layers. -Sven Martin
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Always one of the most aggressive riders, Remi Thirion has won here before and is on the hunt for more top finishes.
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And another solid Top 20 for Hugo Frixtalon and muchos stylos! @maddogboris
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Tahnée Seagrave, race mode activated. -Dan Hearn
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Phil Atwill loves some proper hardcore tracks. @maddogboris
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Photographer-friendly Finn railing the steep turns in the lower woods. -Sven Martin
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The race ends in town and you have to watch out you don't smash into any parked Mercedes along the way. -Sven Martin
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Downhiller-turned-EWS racer, Matt Simmonds, enjoying his World Cup holidays with 47th quali position. @maddogboris
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11th place for Loris Vergier! @maddogboris
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Well done Elia Saurer! The Swiss Junior finished with the 4th fastest time. @maddogboris
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Loic Bruni ended up in the hospital to get some stitches after his crash in quali. Don´t worry he will be racing tomorrow and we all know he can be up there on the podium. @maddogboris
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One more Loic because he's Loic. -Dan Hearn
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With the old quali rules Benoit Coulages would have qualified with a 71st position...without a rear tire! What a Legend! @maddogboris
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That´s how it looks like when you qualify at home! @maddogboris
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The last gondola ride back to the pits in Andorra! @maddogboris
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Loic's mechanic Jack wasn;t happy to see Loic injured. @maddogboris
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Happy Birthday Mark Maurissen! Celebrating b-days with the Summer Family. @maddogboris
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Joseph Foresta from GT Factory Racing was already stoked in training before he qualified. @maddogboris
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Tahnee Seagrave with some mountain Layers in the background. We like that combo. @maddogboris
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Pretty cool to have a track that's pummelled for days on end and have torrential rain but still has loamy berms and grippy dirt. -Dan Hearn
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Mike Jones was riding with foam padding stuffed into his glove to try and help him hold on to the finish line. It's a brutal track to have a hand injury on. -Dan Hearn
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Morning tweaks for Mille Johnset.
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A smooth run for Jamie Edmondson making sure he qualified solidly for the show tomorrow. 5th place.
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Joe Krejbich giving Rachel's bike a tune up post qualies. This track is brutal on brakes that's for sure!
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Post-spannering beer in the pool for the Transition mechanics Matt and Jake. Top way to end the day! -Dan Hearn
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A walk to the gondola with some brown sodas after a long day on the hill. -Sven Martin
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Sven, @maddogboris and Dan Hearn get up to get down.
View replies to: MERE INCHES - Andorra World Cup Downhill Qualifying Slideshow
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