Qualies went down yesterday and Windham and Jacob Gibbins was on the mountain to capture the action. Here’s a few choice cuts from some of our favourite UK riders…
Alex Bond – he’s into the final thank god! After some epic shitluck Al looks like he’s got down in one piece and will be riding his bike on Sunday. Stoked. Good luck mate!
Matt Simmonds – bloody hell lad – he’s on bloody fire at the moment! 22nd place in qualies for Simmonds, a new Troy Lee D3 to wear for his run and yet another cracking result.
Peaty! Looks like the ham string injury at Fort William isn’t giving him too much bother and he’s back charging the track. There’s a section of Windham nicnamed ‘Peaty’s Plunge’ where he got a bit cocky back in the day and nailed himself, putting the man of steel in 55th place. Hopefully none of that on Sunday and a result more like the 2nd place he got here in 2011. 16th place in qualies for Steve…
We’ve been following Harry Heath closely this season – he’s so pinned and has an amazing team behind him at Unior Tools … but just doesn’t seem to have had the luck up in 2011. Things looked good last weekend at Mont St Anne with a super good 32nd place. Harry made the cut with a solid 66th place at Windham.
And Rich Thomas. Thank god he made it down this time on his bike, rather than on his face! After a bit of a blip at MsA Rich got back to his usual form and bashed out a rather decent 42nd place quali run. Great work you weapon!
Gee Atherton – number 3 plate. 11th place in Windham in 2011 and 1st place in 2010, the track has mixed luck for Gee. 9th place in seeding and one spot behind his team mate Marc Beaumont. The pressure is on for Gee man.
And sitting one place behind Gee in the overall is Danny. 9th in 2011 and 15th in 2010 at Windham for Danny … and a 47th in seeding. “had a big get off in qualifying today, feel like I got some good speed, easy day tomorrow, then sort it out on Sunday”. ‘Get off’ or not, a solid run for Danny and a no pressure slot on the hill on Sunday.
Last but not least – it’s the Gwinning machine Aaron Gwin. Again, fastest man on the hill and again favourite to win. He won in 2011 at Windham and placed 4th in 2010. Safe bet.
That’s it for now – huge thanks again to Jacob Gibbins for the awesome photos. Check back later for more images from Saturday practice!
