Leogang Worlds: Pit Peeps

September 5th, 2012

By Olly Forster in Features

There’s never a dull moment wandering around the pits or the arena at a big event in mountain biking and with the World Champs being what it is, it becomes pretty difficult not to be consumed by it all. Tasked with snapping anything and everything, we wanted to put a little article together looking at some of the individuals who make mountain biking what it is, caught in the moment and after all, it’s all about the people because without them it’s just nuts and bolts.

Photos: Nathan ‘Nate Dog’ Carvell & Burgtec’s Dave Barton | Words: Olly Forster

Greg's new jersey - your 2012 UCI Men's World Downhill Champion.

Stevie or Steve? Either way, this is one fast and focused Canadian and with a bronze to match his silver medal from 2010, Stevie will be hungrier than ever come Pietermaritzburg with a view to complete the collection.

Team GB's Welsh pinner, Manon Carpenter. Fresh out of juniors and with a medal from her first senior worlds to add to the gold from last year where she took the rainbows. One to watch? If your not already, there's something wrong with you!

Yeah Brook!!! The Bulldog polishing his helmet...

On the prowl and looking for trouble. Heard some funny shit come out of this guy in the media tent, absolute maniac!

Neko, still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained earlier in the year and getting some much needed TLC in the TWR pits before heading back up the mountain.

Needles keeping Minnaar's very odd French 'super fan' at arms length - maybe he's got a thing for South Africans?

Emmeline Ragot grabbing a moment to relax amongst the madness.

Mountain Biking's ultimate sportsman? Fast, professional, humble and above all else, inspiring - Aaron Gwin is pure awesome and was stoked for Greg, besides, he's got plenty of time to get his rainbows.

Min for the Win!

Leogang was Peaty's 20th consecutive UCI Downhill World Championships! Pretty crazy when you think about it and will it ever be matched? I highly doubt it - this one broke the mold!

Stevie Smith - The "Canadian Chainsaw Massacre"

When all's done, it's still just a guy and his bike, racing down a mountain against the clock with his buddies. Stevie Smith checking out of the arena, pre-podium roll call.

What could have been? Some riders will be stoked on getting a top ten, some make the leap of a life time and get a podium, but some settle for nothing more than success. This man lives for the 'pressure cooker' and has only one thing on his mind and that's winning.

Gee Atherton - GT Factory Racing's main man on the mountain these days and taking the once mighty brand back to the top, race by race.

Never a dull moment with this one about...

Josh Brycland said Worlds is all about going for it, pinning it or binning it! Unfortunately it was the latter, but one day it will all come together and when it does, there will be one hell of a party. Raw talent on the bike and a big personality off it - we haven't even seen half of what the Rat has to offer!

Hands down, the loudest group of lads in the crowd were the Kiwis, shouting and hollering at everything and everyone! A long way from home and without a care in the world, they were there for Blinky, Brook, Cole and the rest of the NZ team - "shake 'n' bake bro!"

In the history books, but what next for Morgane Charre? Hopefully not SPD's!

Legend. Apparently Rob Warner has some hilarious footage of CG dancing in a bar on crutches from the Friday night, totally wasted and loving life - on or off the bike, MTB needs this man around.

There was a healthy turn out from the fans all day, both in the arena and on the mountain, all waiting to see their favourite rider come down and challenge the time on the leader board - if you haven't been to a big race before, you really need to!

Another legend!

Everyone was waiting to hear what the great man had to say, but thankfully the words "retirement" weren't uttered - can you imagine this shit without Peaty?

Sam Dale was on the hot seat for quite some time - second fastest Brit, but fastest Manc of the day:) - 12th place for Sambo.

No one wanted to see this and with some great split times, Peaty was well on route to a top ten.

Location, location. When the sun popped out and the clouds dispersed on Sunday, we were privy to one hell of a view! Literally epic panoramic scenery - Leogang is pretty special.

Sik Mik getting stuck into the media - 4th on the day and gnarly as standard. More on the new Bell helmet next week too...

Fox's Mike Redding congratulates Stevie on a solid run that would put the young Canadian and Fox on the podium here in Leogang.

Peaty in post race beer shocker!

Slugger and Peaty talking shop.

With Gwin visibly pumping his bike down the course on the big screen, Minnaar realises he's taken it!

Top three.

The Syndicate put the 'mate' into team mate - Peaty congratulating Min on his second senior worlds title.

Team GB's fastest lads of the day, Gee Atherton and Sam Dale.

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