With an unheard-of three weeks at home in the middle of the season I tried to use it wisely; family time, bike rides, a mini 3 Minute Gaps premiere, some trail building and then the inevitable travel. Photo by Gary Perkin
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Leaving Bend, Oregon for the last time headed for the last three-month Europe stint. Good bye Broken Top and Sisters Mountains, next flight out my new home in 2012 town will be over the Southern Alps of New Zealand. We'll miss you Bend, Oregon. -Sven Martin
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Fabien has been recovering from a thigh injury sustained at the French National Champs, but is happy to welcome you to La Bresse. -Sven Martin
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Deja vu all over again. Old Skool Steve Peat is keeping all the traditions the same as 2009. Gapping the big step down during course walk is one of them. Will we see a re-Peat? Photo by Gary Perkin
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Sacrilege! Freecaster did not realize what caused their live feed black-out two years ago, but I think i know what the problem was. The big guy does not appreciate being a channel for the interwebs. -Sven Martin (LOL!)
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Luke Strobel gives us a peek of the inside of Evil. Not Bad. Good vs Evil? You decide...watch for lightning bolts when you ride by the crucifix, Strobel. -Sven Martin
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New frames are all the rage this weekend and here this new Giant Glory gets the sticker treatment from SRAM's Blackbox Jon Cancellier. Factory! Photo by Gary Perkin
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Today was a typical summer's day in Haute Vosges. Unfortunately the good weather will not last. Everybody was busy today getting all the hard work of set up and bike builds done. -Sven Martin
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The go kart track section on the top of the hill has more of a camber this year so expect the exit speeds to increase this year. -Sven Martin
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The Rat Cut, as explained by Rick Clarkson. It seems to work though, given Bryceland's 2nd at Mont-Sainte-Anne on this bad boy. Photo by Gary Perkin
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French countryside. Don't let the smooth, flowy grassy fields fool you. La Bresse is not as easy as the eye lets on. Rachel was a spectator last time here, but this time she is going for the win.
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The speed trap is in an odd place this year. After the first steep tech section there is a speed-scrubbing right hander and that is the location for the speed trap. Don't expect to see high speeds recorded here, but whoever does clock the fastest time is a good cornerer. -Sven Martin
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The pits were all about re-building bikes today in anticipation of tomorrow's action...and to get rid of the debris and mud from a wet Crankworx. Photo by Gary Perkin
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Racing in front of a 'home' crowd is a huge push for any racer...just ask Gwin, Gee and Minnaar, who have all won in front of home crowds. Emmeline Ragot checks out the new rock drop section that Brayton reckons he will gap to the road. -Sven Martin
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You can follow him at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/brendog_1" target="_blank"><font color="#ff0000"><b>@Brendog_1</b></font></a> on Twitter. Expect all sorts of words of wisdom. Or Not. He had a good line here two years ago that got him on the box. Can he do it again? -Sven Martin
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Joe Barnes knows the way and the truth of life. He also has a sweet hairdo. -Sven Martin
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Line slalom with my girl and the potential for a <a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/Fender-bender-freakout,4004/bturman,109" target="_blank"><b><font color="#ff0000">Fender Bender Freakout?</font></b></a> - Gary Perkin
JC from SRAM's BlackBox program tells us about being back at La Bresse and what you have to do to stay sane following the circus. -Sven Martin
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While Josh Bryceland checks how a John Deere ride-on mower would drift, Steve Peat works out how much mulch it could generate on the farm. Can't wait for the mulch to fly on the DH course this weekend! Photo by Gary Perkin
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Description
The La Bresse venue was a fan and racer favorite during its debut in 2009. With a year off for 2010, the downhill community is stoked for the World Cup return to this French hamlet.
View replies to: UCI World Cup, La Bresse - Day 1
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