<b>Troy Brosnan is the closest he's ever been to winning a World Cup. As last man down the hill tomorrow, he'll have plenty to think about.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>One of the the smallest and lightest riders in the whole field and still the fastest qualifier. Two seemingly incongruous facts for this rough, fast course. Troy's agility and smooth riding keeps the bike fast through the square-edged hits.</b> @maddogboris
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<b>Manon Carpenter put a massive gap into the rest of the field, giving her some serious confidence for the final.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Luca Shaw put down a solid run to show that PMB wasn't just luck.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Fort William may well be a track commonly associated with the big, speed-carrying racers. Danny and Troy removed that association today. Danny's got a history of 2nd place results here and looks strong enough to take it to the top step.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Myriam Nicole boosting in the wind. Committed riding slotted her into 2nd place today.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Study this picture carefully. Open it full screen. This is in one of the toughest, roughest and fastest sections of the track. Sam Hill lays it all on an edge and steers with his feet, around and in between the rocks.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Blenki 4th and stylin'.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>#legendstatus</b> @maddogboris
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<b>Gee said he had a decent run but he felt he wants to firm up his bike more to push harder in the rocks tomorrow. There has not been much time (only one day) and a short morning practice to get up to race speed. Expect more from Gee tomorrow.</b> @maddogboris
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<b>They were rushing up riders to the top of the hill this morning for race runs and filling each gondola to capacity. The wind that forced the early start was pretty stiff, but never got to the strengths predicted. The gondola ran all day.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Getting all riders to the top before 10:30am meant the cafe was chic-a-block full. Dale, Smith, Bryceland, Peat and Fairclough strategize with @steelcitymedia about @maddogboris' next tattoo.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>With all riders having to be at the start of the course by 10:30, there was a mad rush for prime turbo trainer space.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>This is what coming to Ft Bill is all about. The fans. These two have been out all day, everyday in full costume with banners.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Two beers short of a six pack.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Greg was one of two Syndicate riders to puncture today. Hopefully that's his bad luck out of the way for the weekend.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Minnaar looking deadly as always.</b> -Joe Bowman
<b>Steve "cruised" the top section and slipped into 7th place as an unprotected rider. I think he will be able to turn it up a lot higher and pull back the most time for his final run.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>This may look like a simple shot, but I was shooting blind with only a millisecond to react and 99% of riders simply pedaling and pumping over the bridge jump. Luckily for me Emyr Davies is one of those riders who prefers to boost. Straight into the finals, too.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Josh was 2nd quickest at the top split before flatting. As a protected rider we will still get to see him whipping the motor way section here. A lot of people are expecting a podium and even a win from Bryce tomorrow.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>The course took its toll on the riders and bikes with plenty of punctures and mechanicals. Bernat Guardia wasn't held back though after losing his rear mech pretty early on. He still managed to qualify.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Matt Simmonds is becoming more and more consistent with a solid Top 10 qualifying run.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Mike Jones, 1st year Elite Pro and Sam Hill's teammate, showing similar turning skills to Sam. Top 10 quali with a great run. </b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Well, well , well. Look at Martin Maes. His first-ever World Cup DH and his 2nd day on a DH bike in 6 months. Straight into 2nd place for seeding.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Alex Marin, the 3rd placed Junior from Spain, rides for Giant Factory Off-Road in his very first World Cup as a First year junior. Not a bad start with a 3rd place quali run.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Alex Marin, mind-racing his first World Cup qualifier.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>A solid crowd lined the entire length of the course by the afternoon.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Gazzy Brewin got a bit screwed by the UCI this round. He had a spot on the GB National team, but gave it up as he received 26 UCI points three weeks ago at the National, so he was free to enter as an individual. The UCI said it was too late and by then his National spot was snatched up. He still got to show some style and speed as the fastest course sweeper in a long while.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>The many skills of GT Mechanic, Mark Maurissen.</b> @maddogboris
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<b>This morning saw riders pushing the pace before seeding. Nearly one in every ten riders were coming down with flats. The wind up top didn't help matters either, pushing riders off line into waiting rocks. </b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Emmeline Ragot has to find 12-seconds to catch Manon Carpenter on race day.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Rachel was quick up top but lost more than 15-seconds on the bottom two sectors. Is it too much to bring back tomorrow? Skipping the BDS a few weeks ago and not much bike time lately has her playing catch up. </b> @maddogboris
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<b>Three out of the Top 5 women were British. Tahnee qualified in 4th place, picking up pace down the track, demonstrating she has the form for a good result here.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Some guys seem to have all the bad luck. A freak flat in Cairns bumped Andrew off the protected rider list, which meant today's flat in qualifying was especially hard to swallow. Not a good week for Andrew, who was looking extremely fast on track. </b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Dave McMillan has had a tough time qualifying at Ft Bill these past few years and unfortunately this year was no different.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Neil Stewart, again under the Event Scotland arch, still throwing it harder sideways than any of the other riders and matching his teammate's 4th place.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Manon was the only woman to hit this stump gap, riding head and shoulders above the rest of the female field.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Two National Champs on Specialized racing had great results today. Aaron Gwin took the Stars and Stripes to qualify in 5th position.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Pom Pon.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Sam Hill. He still has it.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Smiles all day for one relaxed and confident racer who gordo picked for the win in his OTB.</b> -Duncan Philpott
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<b>Everyone's schedules were a little messed up today, but nap time was a little unexpected. You can rest assured there won't be any sleeping on the hill tomorrow as race day fast approaches. Stay tune to Vital MTB for the action!</b> -Duncan Philpott
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As weather played games with the 2014 UCI World Cup Downhill at Fort William, the fastest mountain bikers on the planet dropped in earlier than normal for their qualifying runs. The brutal course was the cause of a larger-than-normal number of punctures and some riders who are used to making the finals were sent home early. Troy Brosnan and Danny Hart qualified 1st and 2nd destroying the myth that only big riders can win here. Sam Hill returned to form and Manon Carpenter abolished the Women's field.
Enjoy the wheel-smashing action from Scotland with sights and sounds by Sven Martin, Duncan Philpott, @steelcitymedia and @maddogboris.
Enjoy the wheel-smashing action from Scotland with sights and sounds by Sven Martin, Duncan Philpott, @steelcitymedia and @maddogboris.
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