Val d’Isere World Cup 2012: Qualifying and Pit Photos
July 28th, 2012
By Andrew Revitt in Tech
A regular venue on the French national DH circuit for both bikes and skis, 2012 marked Val d’Isere’s first year as a DH World Cup venue, putting together what many would consider an ‘old school’ track, but certainly not one for the fainthearted. Not known for it’s trees and roots, the Val d’Isere track designers made the best of the terrain maximising the natural features. Big drops, typical alpine steepness and even some classic alpine goat trails, which some of the younger racers may not have raced on before, all together giving Val d’Isere a unique feel and flavor.
During a exciting qualifying session that saw hot sun and dusty trails transformed during breaks for thunderstorms and rain of biblical proportions that even stopped cable cars. In the end, Gwin crashed out, Cameron Cole took qualifying in the mens and Rachel Atherton in the womens
Rachel Atherton on the final drop, she qualified 1.3s faster than Ragot
The Demo is pretty understated when standing still. Sam Hill changes that.
Val d’Isere is not a cheap place. The mountain took charge during qualifying and the natural features became even more challenging.
Brook Macdonald pinned.
Lewis Buchanan on the Pulse
The Nukeproof Scalp seems to have ‘Transitioned’ into the Pulse and they painted it an ‘Evil’ black.
Matt Simmonds on the Pulse
Coolest bike at the race. Polcsters Evil Undead gets some Fox love.
Graves custom D3. Cool.
Rude and the carbon Yeti 303.
Steve Peat came down just after the first thunderstorm break.
Kyle Sangers dropping the last jump on the Pivot
Emilie Siegenthaler. Scott 11 have dropped the banana look for this sweet green and blue. Riding the aluminium 2013 Gambler frame.
Robin Wallner on the eyeball burning flo yellow Intense.
Tracey Moseley was out on track but had a problem and failed to qualify.