How Leogang Got Its Groove Back

​Riders forced by classification to practice early this morning at the Leogang World Cup Downhill were like guinea pigs led to the slaughter. With no lines burned in to the new off-camber section at the top of the course, damp blades of grass did their best to shelter the precious loam from the clawing knobs of (insert your favorite DH tire here). While putting up a valiant effort, the blades of grass gave way and gorgeous dark brown dirt ruts were carved in the Austrian mountain side. Leogang had found its groove again.

We learned that Aaron Gwin has hand issues but will still try to hold on through race day. Loic Bruni and Rachel Atherton went fastest in the Elite timed training session and Kye A'hearn keeps building steam in the Junior class. Mike Jones finished 2nd and the rest of the Motley Mondraker crew melted hard drives with their attacks in today's Vital RAW. Leogang, Austria, often hated on, is finally delivering in a well-rounded, full-on fashion.

Sven Martin, @maddogboris and Dan Hearn deliver the photos and rider interviews in our good, old-fashioned slideshow format. You, the viewers, have spoken, and we're back to the classic format. If you're a "sit back, press play" kind of person, run the slideshow as normal. If you want control, hit the "One Page" option at the top and you can cruise through the photos more quickly and decide what audio interviews you want to hear.

Slideshow dramas aside, we're freaking AMPED for what Leogang will continue to bring all week!