6-8-07 // Online Exclusive: Champery WC Report #1

The hard way down the Champery course Colin Meagher

DH Practice runs at Champery Switzerland. Nicolas Vouilloz on course. Colin Meagher

I have to say, the DH was a thing of monstrous beauty. Too much of late, the World Cup DH courses have become predictable, high-speed races; technical, but only as technical as you go fast. This course on the other hand, is a freshly dug track that were it snow, I’d have a good time skiing down. It’s relentlessly steep, littered with off camber root sections, and never lets up. At dinner last night, even Cedric Gracia labeled it “sketchy”. In conversation this morning, Melissa Buhl used the term “pretty insane”.

In training, too, it’s taking its toll. One rider was heli-evaced out during the first day of training, injuries unknown. Another snapped a handlebar and was forced to hike back to the top with a broken collarbone. But overall, the racers seem to be adapting.

Pre race favorites: Nico seems to be the word. Yes, the alien is back, and up to his old tricks. Calculating, watching, planning. Anyone think that guy’s here for second place? No way! He’s been in the area for over a month, testing suspension, getting to know the soil, and putting in laps on nearby tracks. So steep is this track, that Nico has only 3 cogs on his rear cassette—you don’t need anything else.

The XC course is atypical, too. A steep fire road climb, followed by a root infested, technical single track, twisting its way through the woods. The racers I spoke with, Mary McConneloug and Kiara Bisaro, were enthusiastic about it.

On the 4X course, things were the usual—course designers failing to listen to the riders, and not designing a course that tests the riders. The first straight is way too short—it’s maybe 30 meters long—setting the race up for a gate win. The hole shot will be the winner…

Greg Minnaar practicing on the Champery course. Colin Meagher

Melissa Buhl on course. Colin Meagher