Mountain Bike World Championships - Downhill Practice

All photos: Jack Fletcher

On Wednesday at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Les Gets, France, downhill riders got to put their tyres on the dirt, after doing the track walk on Tuesday.

First up was Group B for practice. The track was pretty fresh at this point, and in the dry conditions it was changing every run. With the riders coming down thick and 

There are clear differences between A and B line options, and who can ride the faster A lines will be a clear factor amongst the Junior women's Downhill placings.

Given A practice followed, riders will have a track that looks totally different to look at on Thursday.

We caught up with Connor Mielke, one of the Junior women on the Australian team.

'This is my first Worlds. I raced a few World Cups earlier this year as well,' Connor said. So it's a big step up for the young rider. 'It's a sick atmosphere, it's very different to a national level race but it's really cool over here seeing the custom bikes and custom kits.'

Cool bikes, cool kits and big factory setups in the pits is one thing – but Connor said on the dirt a lot feels the same. 

'It's quite similar on track. Obviously it's weird having all of the elite riding with you and seeing them on the track. But you kind of just get into your own zone, do your own runs and focus on your lines. So it feels like a normal race atmosphere once you start riding.'

That's not to say the riding is like what Connor gets to race on at home. 

'Parts of it are similar to things in Australia, but you have to be able to adjust to the course in the moment. The length is probably the hardest part, being that technical and steep with big jumps for that long of a period. We have little things at home that we can do for difficulty, but not at the same length.'

'You have to be more conservative with your energy,' Connor states on managing the step up to a Worlds course. 'There's not really any pedally bits as it's all so steep. But you get tired from all the holes and compressions – it's all so loose and you're just trying to hang on. So you do have to conserve some energy for the length of the track.'

Knowing the demands that were coming, Connor did mix up her training a bit at home.

'I never really went to the gym before but I started going a couple of times a week and doing more strength work, to improve grip strength and manage arm pump better.'

But overall, the experience is all time and Connor is enjoying the course.

'I love it. There are a couple of scary features like the road gap and creek gap that are pretty intimidating. But it's always better once you get wheels on it. It was pretty daunting yesterday walking it, but I felt good today. it's very off camber but after a couple of runs getting lines dialled in I feel pretty good.'

Luke Meier-Smith adding a hole to the course.

With Connor at Group B practice, she'll be on the hill again on Thursday morning – after Group A have torn the track to shreds on Wednesday arvo. She's got to dial in some lines ahead of qualifications.

'I'm going to be up there at 8am and do one run to suss out how the track has changed after A practice, and then do one run before qualifications, and get the jumps and lines dialled in for that.'

Group A practice for DH Worlds

A practice was slow to get moving, but as riders hit the track you could see all sorts of other line options get used – even if they're not that clear from the sidelines! There are a few gaps that riders are lining up, although they will need a creative line for entry and a big commitment.

Given the conditions are so dry, the track is blowing out faster than $2 pluggers, especially on the very dusty bottom section. Lots of holes are developing on the top, and these parts may only have one line come race day.

We caught up with Kye A'Hern who was in Group A practice, to get his take on the track.

'This track is unreal. From racing it last year I knew it was a really sick track – but being wet last year it was a bit tricky. They've taped it better this year. It's fast, natural and loose. I'm having a lot of fun.'

'Unfortunately I'm a little bit under the weather so I'm struggling a bit physically. But I still feel like I was riding good today, linking some good sections and holding a good pace. Im stoked that I had some really good feelings on the bike and riding some sections quick – I'm loving it.'

The dry course plays a role for everyone, but Kye sounds pleased to find some similarities to racing at home in Australia.

'When I did the first run after B practice it had blown out a lot more than I thought it would. It was dry and dusty and skatey. honestly, it reminds me a lot of Bright, how it used to be, when they raced the old Darkside. So it's definitely going to be loose, we'll see what the weather does – there could be storms coming in which would make it interesting. Either way it's going to be good fun.'

'A lot of the track mostly has one line, especially where one line is going to cut in really well and leave other bits a bit hairy. There's definitely a few sections with multiple line options or choose your own adventure. I'm happy to have my lines sorted, it should be a good one.'

Check back for more updates on the whole World Champs week – more to come!