FasterSkier Reports on the Mountain Biking World Cup

Over the next three days, FasterSkier will be bringing you coverage from the mountain biking World Cup in Bromont, Quebec. We hope that our reporting will give a good perspective of another endurance and sprint sport at the elite level.

The World Cup consists of three events: cross-country, which is a typical long-distance race; downhill, in which riders bomb down alpine ski trails; and four-cross, where four racers go head-to-head-to-head-to-head on a short (less than a minute) course.

Downhill qualifying was just completed this afternoon, and was won by Britain’s Tracy Moseley (Trek World Racing Team), and Frenchman Fabien Barel (Subaru Mountain Bike Team). Below are some photos of the action, with some commentary and explanations. Videos will be posted at some point in the next few days, when the FasterSkier assistant editor has access to faster internet.

The women warm up for the downhill in a tent at the top of the run

Most of the women warmed up using mechanical trainers, although some of them rode back and forth on a grassy section instead

Moseley's bicycle (the winner of the women's qualification). There was some serious hardware on display.

A rider getting serious before the start of the men's race

This drop was about six feet, and it was nearly vertical. Most of the riders plowed straight through it, barely slowing down.

Once you're done, you gotta wash up your bike!

Nathaniel Herz

Nat Herz is an Alaska-based journalist who moonlights for FasterSkier as an occasional reporter and podcast host. He was FasterSkier's full-time reporter in 2010 and 2011.