Cairns, Australia, World Cup Track Walk Slideshow

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Welcome to Cairns, Australia. The World Cup was here in 2014 under typhoon conditions and now we're back. It's dry (for now) but add a a bit of rain to these roots and the track becomes a hundred times more critical. Lourdes 2nd place finisher, Stevie Smith in audio. -Duncan Philpott

When in Rome. -Sven Martin

The infamous rock garden once again struck fear into plenty of racers, the slick green rock will be treacherous after the rain now. Loic Bruni in audio. -Duncan Philpott

Greg Minnaar overcoming his fear of heights at the cascades cliff jumps. -Sven Martin

Some big decisions and big gaps to be made here and with it, time to be won or lost. -Sven Martin

Welcome to the jungle. Gee Atherton, the last winner here, inspecting the first major rock garden on the track. -Sven Martin

This is the best we could do for pit bits. Bernard Kerr in audio with a recent shop experience. -Sven Martin

G'day mate. Seen any dingos? -Sven Martin

The whoops look a little taller here than two years ago. Expect about half the riders to open her up wide open here and the other half to shut her down nice and slow. What would you do? -Sven Martin

Is Brook showing Blenki how sick he will scrub the whoops or is he talking about his massive crash at Sea Otter? @maddogboris

The whoops are this deep. @maddogboris

If you are riding a wheelbarrow, then 30 mph is about right. -Sven Martin

The jungle canopy can rain all sorts of creepy-crawlies on the riders but more importantly, it should keep the majority of the light rain off the track. -Duncan Philpott

Deep in the wild and dangerous jungle there is still a lot of beauty and tranquility. -Sven Martin

Momma and baby ready for a feeding for those who get thrown off line near the alien tree. -Sven Martin

Maybe more riders should copy Tracey's special rock garden technique? @maddogboris<br />

Will the Alien Tree produce same amount of crashes as 2014? Tracey Hannah on racing at home in audio. @maddogboris

No B Zone - No Problem. You just need #mtbjesus and a little knife. @maddogboris

Kathy Sessler recounts her race on this section of trail 20 years ago. She won the rainbow stripes that day, so listen on. @maddogboris

Dougie Fresh has been around the block once or twice. Been coming to Cairns since '94 and wrenched for Nico Vouilloz when he won Worlds here 20 years ago. -Sven Martin

Boris getting his tattoo designed and blessed by some Cairns legends, Glen Jacobs and Wade Lewis. -Sven Martin

Some history over at the Jacobs compound. -Sven Martin

The Aussie MTB scene has a lot to thank Glen Jacobs for. One of the pioneers of Aussie MTB racing, media, track building and spreader of good vibes. He cooks a mean steak, too. Thanks Glen! -Sven Martin

Sam Hill and Jase on another Cairns classic, the Corkscrew -Duncan Philpott

If you can't find your riders at track walk you have to chase them with the car. -Sven Martin

Evan Warner (SRAM USA) and Jimmy (SRAM Australia) discuss their similarities and differences. -Sven Martin

Remi Thirion and George Brannigan from Commencal, possibly the two biggest huckers in the World Cup field, think of the possibilities in the steep section. -Sven Martin

There's no doubting the presence of the event here in Cairns as seen in the airport arrivals. -Duncan Philpott

The great barrier reef looms in the distance as the sun rises beneath rain-threatening clouds -Duncan Philpott

This isn't France. No more baguettes. -Duncan Philpott

Jack Moir set his 2014 season off to a good start here at Cairns. He's finally back at full health after a troublesome 2015. -Duncan Philpott

Wildlife fanatic (especially dolphins), Matt Delorme is mesmerized by the local creatures in the humid conditions. -Duncan Philpott

The spiders had their time in the limelight today. No thanks. -Duncan Philpott

Assuming this track isn't reduced to a bog again, it is FAST. -Duncan Philpott

Rachel up top on the start ramp. Not a bad view for a bike race. -Sven Martin

There's jungle either side of the track and spectator access to some sections is nearly impossible! -Duncan Philpott

The vines mix with course tape for the length of the track. -Duncan Philpott

The @yetipolarbear, Shaun Hughes, is stepping in for a broken Jordi Cortez, mechanic to the fastest enduro racer, here in Cairns. -Duncan Philpott

Kangaroos, bats, birds, butterflies, ants, sharks, spiders. We saw it all today. -Sven Martin

Despite no vikings in attendance this week the Mayhem Spirit lives on with Josh's bike. -Sven Martin

Team Specialized Gravity Republic working on their instagram #spidershotgallery @maddogboris

If you flew in from Sea Otter you're probably jet lagged. -Duncan Philpott

Yeoooww the #VANZACS are back! What would World Cup racing be without them?! @maddogboris

We are not in gotham city, we are not in a cave and it's not at night. Just a normal day in Cairns with trees full of bats. @maddogboris

Theres always something out to maim, harm or kill you out here in Australia. Reef shark out front of the hotel. Scuba Mono gets the shot.

Finn Iles with a lazy tail fish during some off-day activities. It's a tail fish instead of a stalefish because he didn't grab between the legs which is the equivalent of a bow-legged turnbar. -Sven Martin

Vital RAW's better half. @steelcitymedia -Sven Martin

This is Vital RAW @creativeconcepttvhandlewhateveritismissinghisconvertiblemiata -Duncan Philpott

Course walk over and almost identically to 2014, the first signs of rain arrive. Hopefully this is as much as we get! Stay tuned for the goods from Down Under! -Duncan Philpott

Welcome to Cairns, Australia. The World Cup Downhill raced here in 2014 under horribly muddy, typhoon conditions and now we're back with the hope of dry weather and a fast track. Spider, snakes, alien trees and plenty of local "flavor" make this race a special one. Sven Martin, Duncan Philpott and @maddogboris kick things off with a preview of the track, rider interviews and some between-race shenanigans.