Time for another round of World Cup DH this weekend.  This is a new venue for World Cup in Leogang, Austria.

Pit Chat - Happy birthday Steve Peat.  The track gets mixed reviews.

Track Teaser

Watch the race for free Sunday morning (around 5:30 am pac time) on Freecaster.

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Mythic bikes track walk

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MTBcut Day 1 Pit Chats - Includes a Sam Hill injury update.

DirtTV Trackwalk

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Helmet cam

VitalMTB Day 1 Slideshow

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4x Practice - Lots of rider's eyes got big as silver dollars when they saw the track for the first time.

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Friday in Leogang:

DirtTV Chit Chat - Find out the pro's secret to keeping your goggles fog free.

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MTBcut Day 2 Vid - A riderless M9 hits a tree with awesome force.  Pop!

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Tri-Ride Practice Vid - Plenty of mud enduced crashes and an old school JAM!

DirtTV Practice Vid - Remember during the track walk when Steve Peat pointed out that a certain loose wooden step could be dangerous?  Well I think Matti (M9 crash) found it.  Plus Matti sported a sweet post crash dirt mohawk on his helmet.

26in Pratice Vid

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Damn shame Sam Hill can't make it out for this one. Looks well suited to him.

Winston:

A riderless M9 hits a tree with awesome force.  Pop!

Wow, those new Intense bikes are FAST!

DH qualifying results - Gwin is within striking distance, but Blinko (on a brand new proto bike) is looking tough this weekend.

MTBcut DH qualifying vid - Break out the mud spikes.

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DirtTV: Chit Chat - I can't understand those women.  The CRC stand ins were funny.

Tri-Ride Qual Vid - Sweet HD

DirtTV: Qual Vid - Sweet HD

26in Qual Vid - Warning: Lots of French content

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VitalMTB Saturday slideshow

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Race Day:

Sabrina Jonnier continues the Team 40 victory parade.  Rachel Atherton crashes and DNFs.

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Steve Peat is on the hot seat by 2 seconds with 17 riders to go.  The track is extremely muddy and deteriorating.  Steve Smith sits in second which is amazing considering he spent part of the weekend in the hospital after a bad crash.

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Cam Cole of Maxxis Rocky Mountain takes the hot seat by .05.

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Brendan Fairclough comes down in 3rd.  He looked the best so far in the tech sections.  If only he pedaled and ran a 40.

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Gee takes the lead by a "look at the time" 5 seconds over Cole.  (4 riders remain.)

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Minnaar knocks Gee out of the hot seat by .74 seconds.  Only Blinko remains.

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Blinko couldn't keep his feet on the pedals so...

Minnaar takes the win on one of the sloppiest tracks he has ever ridden:

 

1.  Greg Minnaar                     4:05.65

2.  Gee Atherton                     4:06.39

3.  Aaron Gwin                       4:10.09

4.  Sam Blenkinsop                 4:11.17

5.  Cam Cole                          4:11.77

6.  Steve Peat                         4:11.82

7.  Brendan Fairclough            4:12.61

8.  Justin Leov                         4:12.93

9.  Matti Lehikoinen                4:13.25

10.  Matthew Simmonds          4:13.82

 

Team 40 takes 2^nd through 5^th.

 

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Bummer to hear Sam Hill probably won't be back in time for Champery.

I guess the silver lining for Sam Hill is that the 2011 World Championships will be held in Champery.

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Overall standings after 3 rounds with 3 round to go.  Looking like a two horse race between Minnaar and Gee.

Josh Bryceland's crash - Ouch!

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MTBcut's Finals Vid

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DirtTV: Finals Vid

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VitalMTB Slideshow - Gotta love photo 13: Fairclough removing a tear off mid jump.  Awesome!

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Tri-Ride Finals Vid - HD recap goodness.

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26in Finals Vid - In HD with 4x and DH

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Some of the team videos are starting to appear.  I will add them to this post as they appear:

Team (mini chainstay/long wheelbase) Mondraker (Viva la France!!!)

Team CRC/Intense - The winning team and now yellow plate (overall team points leader) holder.

Yeti Cycles - "Ride the track.  Don't let the track ride you." - Aaron Gwin

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Team Lapierre - Blinko, Nico and a brand new prototype bike.

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Monster Specialized - Sam Hill is week to week.  Or is it really month to month?

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Manon Carpenter (current Woman's Junior points leader) race week recap written by her father.

Great read if you have the time.  Gives a privateer's point of view to racing the world cup circuit.  Plus tips on how to register early and what to do with your daughter when you are ready to go out and get a drink.

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman