RESULTS 🏁 2019 Val di Sole World Cup Downhill Timed Training 8

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill racing continues in Val di Sole, Italy, this weekend with the sixth event of the 2019 calendar. Val di Sole is a long-time World Cup venue, becoming a fan favorite thanks to its steep, rough and fast course. While fans love to watch the most skilled MTBers risk life and limb for milliseconds, the riders always approach the Italian venue with some hesitation, knowing they're in for a physically demanding and uncertain weekend.

UPDATE, 11:42 AM Mountain Time

Rider and mechanic interviews from timed training today

Amaury Pierron

Laurie Greenland

Loic Bruni

Finn Iles

Loris Vergier

Marshy, Greg Minnaar's Mechanic

UPDATE, 9:46 AM Mountain Time

Sven Martin just sent a voice message as he walked down from shooting timed training, explaining that many riders were walking the track instead of doing timed runs. He goes on to say that the limits of bike performance have been pushed to the absolute maximum this weekend due to the rough track. Listen in!

Today under hot, dry and sunny conditions, the first practice runs of the race took place, culminating in an hour-long timed training session for top riders. Timed training is not mandatory, but it gives the highest caliber riders a chance to focus on top-to-bottom runs at an intense pace with a less congested track. Assuming weather and course conditions remain consistent, we get our first glimpse into potential race  times.

The course has been modified since 2018, opening up in a some places, while slowing down in others. Amaury Pierron won the Elite Men's race in 2018 with a time of 3:36.788 just .5 seconds ahead of Laurie Greenland in 2nd. Amaury has the momentum of a World Cup DH win at the most recent race in Les Gets, France, two weeks ago. He kept that momentum rolling with the fastest time today of 3:48.443 today, just .35 ahead of Greg Minnaar (2nd) and .4 ahead of David Trummer (3rd), who's been having a break-out season in 2019. Danny Hart was 4th just .567 off Amaury's pace. Amaury and Troy Brosnan are tied for 2nd in the overall standings with 855 points each. Timed training does not award points or count toward the overall standings.

In a nail-biter of a race in 2018, Tahnee Seagrave edged out Rachel Atherton by just .123 seconds with a 4:26.24. Unfortunately, both Tahnee and Rachel are out with injury this year and will not compete. This season, Tracey Hannah has a 200-point lead in the overall coming into Val di Sole over Marine Cabirou. Cabirou went fastest by a significant margin today, however, with a 4:38 - six seconds faster than Tracey Hannah in 2nd.

27 Elite women are on the entry list vying for 15 qualifying spots, and 152 Elite men signed up for a chance to be one of 60 who make it to race day. 65 Junior men are signed up with 8 Junior women tackling the steeps this weekend. Qualifying takes place on Friday with race day on Saturday.

In #USDH news, a hurt Aaron Gwin will sit out until World Champs. Charlie Harrison returns to World Cup racing in Val di Sole after recovering from injury and ran a solid 9th place today. Neko Mulally continues to roll with the stars and stripes on his arm after winning U.S National Champs last weekend. Four U.S. Elite Men were in the Top 20 today. Anna Newkirk runs strong as 2nd overall in the Junior Women's class. Anna is the only female U.S. competitor at the race.

Elite Men's Timed Training Results

Elite Women's Timed Training Results

Junior Men's Timed Training Results

Junior Women's Timed Training Results

Happy 10-year anniversary Vital MTBers! At midnight last night, we are proud to say that Vital MTB is a decade old. A huge thanks to everyone who has made it possible, including staff, contributors, friends and you, the viewers! Here's to 10 more. -gordo #longlivedownhill

PIT BITS - Val di Sole World Cup Downhill

Track Walk Slideshow - Val di Sole World Cup Downhill