UCI World Cup, La Bresse - Downhill Finals - Mountain Biking Pictures

After taking his normal 2 hours for drug testing, Greg Minnaar gets the now standard Santa Cruz Syndicate victory soaking - this time from the bossman himself, Rob Roskopp. Photo by Gary Perkin

I did it my way. BTW the 38-degree headangle Mondraker he rode this weekend is all for looking ahead to Champery. Will he go out in style? -Sven Martin

This is how your bike looks after winning at La Bresse.OR it's the new eco-friendly Mulch V-10 prototype from Santa Cruz. You decide. -Sven Martin

The 2011 World Cup overall really has been all about this man - Aaron Gwin of Trek World Racing - 3rd on the day but enough to become the first American to win the Men's DH overall! Photo by Gary Perkin

Tracy Moseley of Trek World Racing celebrates another victory in what has become one of her best seasons ever. Photo by Gary Perkin

Gee Atherton of Commencal, basked in the reflected glory of the crowds. He rode the puncture/mechanical monkey off his back today with 2nd place, just 0.459 behind. Photo by Gary Perkin

On day one on Vital we saw Scotty Mears perfect the ass-hanging-over-the-side-lean technique for cornering. Today he was trying the swamp-hole-seat-bounce technique for rut railing. He got railed all-right, to pull this one off you need to be over 180-pounds. -Sven Martin

Loic Bruni of Lapierre didn't fancy his chances in the World Cuttie Champs but really wanted to have a go at the Worlds Longest Drift contest. Photo by Gary Perkin

Today was just a further example of all the little things that go into winning a World Cup. Tire choice was a huge one today. But believing you made the right decision was even more important. Minnaar ran uncut spikes front and rear. Very rare decision these days. It paid off. -Sven Martin

Small fishes can indeed make big splashes as Troy Brosnan found out this morning. He also found out that running drys front and rear on the first run was not the best idea. He was dis-satisfied with his run, full of stalls, but was happy to have learned something and is looking forward Champery. -Sven Martin

Mary Poppins, AKA Alex Rankin, was filming an episode for Body Drag weekly this morning. The technique is found to be most effective in cleaning the mud out a clogged up rear spike. It also doubles as a cheap Brazilian wax job as this rider found out. -Sven Martin

Rachel Atherton has been under the radar and in the shadows these last two days. Taking a big hit to her shoulder yesterday she was unsure if she could even ride today. Strapped up tightly, she managed a run. Imperfect as it was, she was still happy and on the podium. -Sven Martin

The drop out of the woods into the stepped staggered terraces and undulating dips and g-outs towards the finish arena in the centre of town makes this event extra special. Even with big screens in abundance here in La Bresse, the crowd prefers the real thing. Mitch Delfs getting some Yews! -Sven Martin

Damien Spagnolo had a solid 8th place finish today. He will have to fly the flag without Fabien next year, though I'm sure Fabien will always be in the wings, orchestrating and developing riders and equipment for years to come. -Sven Martin

It looks like Emmeline Ragot of Team GR is regaining some of her form from years past. She is always a threat when uninjured! Photo by Gary Perkin

General George S. Patton said that success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom. Well Cam Cole bounced pretty hard in the morning practice but came back, guns blazing to take 5th! Photo by Gary Perkin

A tough pill for Steve to swallow today. Textbook class and form as always from the master. -Sven Martin (is it true Sven bought StevePeatCutTheCourseIn2011.com?)

This is what makes racing so special here in La Bresse. The endless crowds. Bigger than Crankworx and they're not here to ride, they're here just to see DH racing. -Sven Martin

Greg Minnaar claims his second win of the year and much needed confidence after, by his own admission, a poor performance at Windham. If you thought the fireworks display were big and noisy last night, just wait until tonight. -Sven Martin

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Your guess is as good as ours...

The wet 'n wild conditions of the morning practice caught some riders off guard, but not Floriane Pugin of Scott11 who was loving them - and us photogs, who love their rain suits! Photo by Gary Perkin

Misty, moody morning woods greeted us at the top of the course today after the overnight rain wreaked havoc in the pits and on the course. Photo by Gary Perkin

Not even Josh Bryceland of Santa Cruz Syndicate could ride this one out and neither could he ride off a similar situation in finals where he slid off the pedals, and had to eject off the finish line double when up at all splits. Photo by Gary Perkin

Sabrina Jonnier of Maxxis Rocky Mountain is starting to get that look in her eye again after losing some of the sparkle we all know her for. Photo by Gary Perkin

Racing World Cups on home soil is a special experience and can bring riders to their knees with expectations or to soaring heights, never imagined possible! Patrick Thome gets his first taste! Photo by Gary Perkin

Rachel misread yesterday's caption about the cutty bar drag contest venue and thought it was today, out here in the open. She won the prize for best bar drag but it did cost her some time in the race. -Sven Martin

I choked up while talking to Fabien Barel about his retirement. We will miss him when he hangs up his WC cleats! This is how I will remember Fab...at his best! Merci! Photo by Gary Perkin

It's hard to imagine that only 2 people have won a World Cup this season given just how close it is time wise (at times) and with the depth of talent out there. Greg Minnaar takes win number 2 of the season. Stoked! Photo by Gary Perkin

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Farewell Fabien. It's been a great ride!

Your 2011 UCI World Cup DH Champion. Aaron Gwin. What a year and it's still far from over. -Sven Martin