QUALIFYING - Fort William World Cup Downhill - Mountain Biking Pictures

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Before the rains came there was qualifying at the Fort William World Cup.

One of the better whips of the day from one of the youngest riders here. Vali Holl pushing it into Casey Brown territory. Oh, she qualified nearly 20 seconds up on her Junior competition which would have placed her 5th in Elite Women. #thefuture -Sven Martin

This is after only ten minutes. It came down. The track will definitely be riding different tomorrow.

Luca Shaw with muchos classos winning his first qualfiying! @maddogboris

Rachel fastest today and happy to put last year's nightmares behind her. -Sven Martin

Some of these riders are just way too stylish! We couldn't decide which Danny Hart shot to use. What's your favorite? This one or... @maddogboris

This one? @maddogboris

They might be hard to see but there's a rider there somewhere. Since Gwin was hardly seen, we've thrown in his audio. -Dan Hearn

Unlucky Eddie, unfortunate Eddie. If today was a year ago, Eddie would be racing as he just earned his top twenty plate which last year meant you were protected. Not this year though. A crash and a DSQ means we wont see the world's best speed tuck go down on the live feed! #FreeEddie -Sven Martin

Kye A’hern straight to the top on his first ever trip to the Fort. -Sven Martin

Times are tight at the Fort, with just 1.2 seconds putting Troy back into 4th. -Dan Hearn

Most people roll and pump this bridge or stop on it for a rest during trading. Not Kade Edwards. Pffft, kids.-Sven Martin

Greg Williamson doing it for the locals. It will be a loud and raucous cheer if he can finish like he qualified today. -Sven Martin

Gee boosting the stump gap for probably the 300th time in his life. -Sven Martin

Even with all the protection, things still can go wrong. Lucky this time it was during training for Amaury. -Sven Martin

Martin Maes, second last rider down and into the top ten among crowds that make us think it's Sunday. -Sven Martin

Martin gets 2 shots. What a freaking pinner! @maddogboris

Mark Maurissen reckons keeping Martin Maes feeling at home by strapping an #EnduroBanana to his frame is the key to success! An incredible ride from the Belgian today. -Dan Hearn

Dakotah Norton is far away from being a one-hit wonder! 7th position for him. @maddogboris

The rocks of Fort William crumble at the sight of an approaching Bulldog. 18th place in quali. -Dan Hearn

Fairclough ferociously flying flat-pedal through friendly, feathery firmament. -Sven Martin

Flat pedal warrior, Connor Fearon held down 7th place - one better than his result here last year. -Dan Hearn

Although she made a few mistakes, Tahnée Seagrave didn't mind qualifying third. Goals help her to focus on race day. -Dan Hearn

Blenki never looks dull. Always pushing, pumping and pedalling. Gloveless in the light rain. -Sven Martin

Did you know Kade Edwards only has four fingers? #squidmascot -Sven Martin

Cecile top five in Elite in qualifying and loving training the jumps in this morning's practice. -Sven Martin

Fast into the motorway is how you have to do it. -Sven Martin

Bernard Kerr hates whip photos shot from below with the fisheye. Good thing we don't really worry about what he thinks. -Sven Martin

Loris Vergier steady and fast into third right up there with Luca and Danny. -Sven Martin

The new Dream Team. Vali Höll and Cecile Ravanel. @maddogboris

8am creativity on the way to get eaten alive by the midges. @maddogboris (gordo note: Boris actually had midgets instead of midges in his original caption LOL)

Another rider who will defo win a WhipOffs soon, Kaos Seagrave! I know we are here to race in Scotland, but know that Kaos unfortunately went off the track and didn't qualify. We'll forgive him this time. #gupordie @maddogboris

Gaetan Vige, tunnel vision. @maddogboris

34th qualifying position for Loic who is just back on the bike after his injury in Croatia! We'll take it. @maddogboris

Second fastest Junior Woman today, Mille Johnset! @maddogboris

Myriam Nicole is on fire. Just 1.9 off Rachel and looking fierce. @maddogboris

Yes Finn Iles! 11th fastest time and not far away from the podium. @maddogboris

Who you looking at Brook? @maddogboris

Daily situation in every Pit out there, studying split times. @maddogboris

That's not the World Cup Qualifying crowd. That was the 4x crowd before the rain hit Fort William! @maddogboris

What would a Fort William slideshow be without a bit of Ian Jones (AKA @marshal_6) in action. #giveitthebeans -Dan Hearn

Despite being back at 15th at the first split, Blenki pulled back the seconds and finished 6th today. -Dan Hearn

Inverted stem anyone? Isak Leivsson showing the Pole prototype CNC'd DH bike some action in practice. -Dan Hearn

1st year Elite, Matt Walker, keeping it low and aggressive. His sights are aimed higher than the 27th he qualified - let's see if he can pull out all the stops tomorrow! -Dan Hearn

Unfortunately Mick Hannah didn't qualify, so all eyes are on Tracey to follow up her 4th place qualifier. -Dan Hearn

Luca Shaw boosting through rock gardens to take 1st place by less than 0.1 seconds. -Dan Hearn

Always remember to get your daily intake of Vital RAW before the first practice run of the day. -Dan Hearn

Transition Muc-Off Factory Racing junior, Jamie Edmondson qualified 5th despite not having goggles or gloves for the start of his run. Pffft, kids. -Dan Hearn

Lung capacity testing in the pits after quali. Greg Williamson is glad he has some mates around to keep him occupied and calm before finals day. -Dan Hearn