Long story short… It's a mudder. About as opposite as you can get from the race conditions of Andorra. Some lifts are being shut down from winds. Enduro final race had their stage 3 cancelled I believe. Practices are getting cut short and timed training is being cancelled to limit destruction of track and try to have a cleaner qualies, presumably.
It's hard to say who's fast quite yet without TT or qualies. Obviously Amaury has shown speed in these conditions this year. BK is the kind of guy who will run Hardline in these conditions… So his practice footy has been something to behold.
VITAL RAWS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYxQJ8ITNjI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmte3ILZXbs
PINKBIKE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBWqyfDCywQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8RQqZIVkbs
Not trying to post too much track walk/preview stuff but it's nice to see some official content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TXbN7M1z6k
WHO WON LAST YEAR?
Mens: Loic Bruni
Womens: Vali Holl
NOTABLY, this track was CANCELLED for juniors last year due to similar track conditions. I think there was more wind at that time and there were some features that were… Unpredictable in terms of safety. I forget. But interesting to note… Similar scenario unfolding already
Also of note, Dak got second and that was his first second place in his career. The next one being VDS this year. Dak was nearly on pace to win world champs before his last turn wash out in Andorra. So… Will be fun to follow here.
Not sure if anybody will have anything to offer Vali, but given these conditions there's much more room for mistakes. That said, Vali handily won last year and continues to handily win events. Starting to develop a history making career. Up there with your Atherton and Chausson.
by GundoSkimmer