Pro Men Aaron Gwin qualifies first again, this time with over a second on Loïc Bruni, who desperately wants to get back on that top step. The Syndicate goes three and five with Minnaar hot on the heels of Bruni and Luca Shaw rounding out the top five. Will we see last season's wild roll that Danny Hart got on to happen again? He remains in the mix, in the middle of the Syndicate sandwich, in fourth.
1 // Aaron Gwin // 4:02.974
2 // Loic Bruni // 4:04.491
3 // Greg Minnaar // 4:04.774
4 // Danny Hart // 4:05.887
5 // Luca Shaw // 4:06.759
Pro Women Myriam Nicole looks to be rolling with confidence, taking out qualifying here in MSA by over a second on Tracey Hannah and more than three seconds on a recovering (though still incredibly dangerous) Rachel Atherton. Marine Cabirou backs up her strong time training run with a fifth place qualifier.
1 // Myriam Nicole // 4:45.426
2 // Tracey Hannah // 4:46.917
3 // Rachel Atherton // 4:48.792
4 // Tahnée Seagrave // 4:50.224
5 // Marine Cabirou // 4:54.056
Junior Men Finn is pretty well expected to finish in the top 3 at any World Cup, so to see him down in ninth, 16+ seconds off the pace, does leave us with questions surrounding his run. Matt Walker and Sylvain Cougoureax continue their strong form finishing in one and two.
1 // Matt Walker // 4:13.176
2 // Sylvain Cougoureux // 4:22.353
3 // Kaos Seagrave // 4:22.744
Junior Women Yesterday's fastest timed run (the only one for junior women) came out on top, perhaps showing the benefits of trying to put together a full run during time training? American's, Mazie Hayden and Kaytlin Melvin finished 8+ seconds and 1-minute 23-seconds behind, respectively.
1 // Melanie Chappaz // 5:33.275
2 // Mazie Hayden // 5:41.355
3 // Kaytlin Melvin // 6:57.264
Does Gwin have another 5-7 years?
Greg shook Nico's hand
Greg shook Palmer's hand
Greg shook Peaty's hand
Greg shook Hill's hand
Greg shook Gwin's hand
Gwin shook Greg's hand
He's beaten everyone at one time or another. Gwin may eventually win more world cups but...........
Gwin has shook all their hands too. And Greg may have spent twenty years surrounded by the best but the Palmers of yesteryear are not the Sam Hill of now. Regardless of where he chooses to race. Gwin is an amazing rider that will surely eclipse Minaarrs tally. And I'll say it again, Greg Minaarr has always been my favorite, but Gwin is a special rider and will likely surpass him and go down as the most winning WC racer ever.
However, writing this after Mt St Anne, Aaron's run was one of the greatest of all time and up there with anything. Not denying the guys ability, or that he's a genuine guy and fully deserves success.....but will he be doing the same thing in 10 years time?
Catch ya then.
Gonna be a sweet race, even crazier if it rains.
1) Aaron Gwin
2) Danny Hart
3) Greg Minnaar
Pro Women:
1) Rachel Atherton
2) Tahnee Seagrave
3) Myriam Nicole