Wide Open Highways - Leogang World Cup Track Walk Slideshow - Mountain Biking Pictures

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It's all about highways at Leogang this weekend. Mechanics and managers are arguing over who drove from Fort Bill to Leogang the fastest. Riders are curious as to whether they jinxed themselves by complaining about the track in 2016 only to show up to a less-rocky version of the famed bike-park-esque course. Petty disagreements aside, the vibe in Austria feels a little lighter now that most of the new bikes are released and a legit race is on the books. Plus everyone describes the Leogang course as a place they'd love to shred with friends, so it seems like we're all winning with this one.

The Intense squad game is strong (plus a few Vanzacs) with Shark Attack Jack giving us his thoughts on the course. -Sven Martin

It's pretty smooth out here. The Pivot crew (plus Brannigan) floating over the roots like it's 2025. #hoverbikedebateiscoming -Sven Martin

Can you identify these legs? Clue, he is Scottish. -Sven Martin

From Russia with love. Great to see the World Cup is drawing talent from across the globe. -Sven Martin

You can't escape these stunning backdrops here in Leogang. 26Trix qualifiers tonight. No wheel size debate going on here. That took place back in 2004 with 24 vs 26. -Sven Martin

Syndicate knows how to do things right. It's only Thursday tonight so that means by their standards, it's still ok to have a drink or two. Champagne, wine and beers for the win. -Sven Martin

Another beautiful sunset in Mountain Germany. -Sven Martin

Greg Minnaar is the oldest competitor in the field but also the most savvy. He's at the top of everyone's betting pool for Leogang. Picking his lines for tomorrow. -Sven Martin

I'm sure that other site will have a shot similar to this for their opener. Or maybe another shot not even from Leogang with maybe some cliched castle or something. -Sven Martin

If one wonders how you can make the smoothest track on the World Cup circuit even smoother, this is how. This is all that is left of the top rock garden. -Sven Martin

There are witches in these woods. Anka Martin spotted on some loamy, wild woods trying to outrun some horsemen. -Sven Martin

Photo corner. Ideally you use a 24-70mm here shot at around 3.2 I'm sure you've all seen it before. Well, you will see it again this weekend even if Duncan's not here. Danny in audio. -Sven Martin

Vanzac Rugby Club annual outing to Leogang! -Dan Hearn

Rachel might be here. Depending on the surgeon's final decision which will only come tomorrow morning, she may do a run or two to salvage overall points or maybe not. We will know on Saturday. -Sven Martin

Ben Reid and crew won the truck race from Ft. Bill to Leogang, but some say they cheated by leaving Sunday night which is technically jumping the start. -Sven Martin

Big Ben that drives Scott's big black bus is claiming first place in the 450 class. -Sven Martin

All-around talent, Phil Atwill, showed up late for the bunny hop contest and even forgot his helmet. #safteyfirst #thrillswithphil @maddogboris

Vital's Dan Hearn knows that if you go in the trees at Leogang, there are loamy, rooty tracks ready for schralping. Too bad the UCI can't sniff out the same trails we can. -Sven Martin

Before we conquered this electric fence, we put some yellow tape in front of the logs to make sure "the other side" can´t use them for other races. @maddogboris

Brendog, pretty chilled after training and ready to entertain us tomorrow with some whips and skids. @maddogboris

Yeow, we found a technical and gnarly section on the track, let's hang out here a bit. @maddogboris

Pump it up and down. @maddogboris

YT Mob Filmer, Brock VanHeel, is an animal...always 120%! You should ask him about his theory how much sleep you need if you work as a media squid. @maddogboris

Full moon in Leogang today! @maddogboris

What? Where are the rocks bro? No idea, man! @maddogboris

Pre-Cairns snake practice today. We thought we were in call Austria not Australia?! @maddogboris

Always follow the Fern! GT Factory Racing Buddies Brook and Sam Dale going for a stroll through the flowers. @maddogboris

There's a little spice to the course. @maddogboris

Aaron Pelttari always working hard to take care of Troy's Sender. @maddogboris

Some not-so-secret race wheel prep going on here with Loris Vergier's deuce nueves. -Sven Martin

Changing number plates to lower numbers is definitely how it should be. Even if it's slowly. @maddogboris

Junior Vanzacs Leogangbang Summercamp! @maddogboris

Claudio after his legendary GoPro run. Kind of a weird saddle position isn´t it? Any ideas why? @maddogboris

Some hefty pedal strikes in Fort William need touching up before Leogang practice. -Dan Hearn

Some got from Fort William to Leogang faster than others... -Dan Hearn

Aaron Gwin wondering if he can make it a hat-trick. -Dan Hearn

Trek junior Kade Edwards is getting a lot of attention for his wild and sideways style on the jumps! -Dan Hearn

This super soft freshly laid off-camber corner will be rutted within a few runs. Let's hope there's some firmer ground underneath! Troy in audio. -Dan Hearn

Jordi Cotes from FOX believes in magic. Do you? Busy times in the suspension service pits after a week's battering in Fort William. -Dan Hearn

Laurie G showing his gangsta side. This section now follows a new loamy line that will be rutted and loose in no time. -Dan Hearn

"That must be over a foot long!!"... Adam Brayton has been spending a lot of time fishing recently. -Dan Hearn

The higher tabletops have had a makeover with new wooden kickers. Manon in audio. -Dan Hearn

It's handy having a sister with so many followers to tag in your Instagram story... -Dan Hearn

It's quiet in the Trek Factory Racing pits, with only two riders out of four. Graeme Mudd takes the time warp tunnel high up on the course. -Dan Hearn

Spring turns into summer in the Austrian alps in time for the World Cup. Such stunning scenery to race through. Stay tuned for practice action! -Dan Hearn