Tri-Ride: The Track – Val di Sole

September 7th, 2011

With the World Championships and the 2012 season done, dusted and in the history books, the Tri-Ride video’s have been a refreshing addition to the barrage of race videos that follow each event and I’m sure were not the only ones who hope they continue next year. Here’s the final video featuring the last leg of the craziness of the 2012 season – Aaron Gwin’s record breaking winning streak. The second being a certain Englishman slaughtering the hardest track on the circuit by almost 12 seconds, but more on that in a few days.

This is a downhill track that is a real masterpiece. Every bend, every drop and every rock and root is meant to be and accomplished thanks to the care and passion that Pippo Marani (God bless him!) has put in realising the Val di Sole track. When this happens, you will forgive us for saying so, what comes out at the end is pure perfection. Riders were advised to approach it with care and almost “religious” respect.

Even if the “overall” was already decided in La Bresse, with Gwin’s victory, we think that Val di Sole was the best and more exciting race of the year. A technical track from the start to the very end that can mix things up and deliver an unexpected podium. On this track everyone has to put in the hard work and sweat it up, from the top guys to those who have to earn the qualification. Every-one has to be ready to be knocked down and eat some dust.

The race was won once again by the unstoppable Gwin, who has now really demonstrated that he is the guy everyone has to measure up with on every type of track and under every condition. However it was not an easy victory for him and the young guys have really shown their skills really giving us an idea of what the 2012 season will be like, heart-attack stuff I think.

I hope you will forgive for the melancholy and the moody start of the video. We thought we would need to produce some sort of homage for Pippo Marani’s work. Being this the last race in the season, we also thought melancholy was also the right mood to start with. A great season that has given us some great thrill and emotions race after race.

We want to thank everyone who has followed our videos, has given us feedback and has supported the Tri-Ride as we tackled the World Cup 2011 season. It has been amazing.