Fort William World Cup 2016 – Preview
We head to Fort William a man down but you can guarantee Stevie Smith will be in everyone’s thoughts this weekend as we head for the third round of World Cup Series
With the usual excitement and electric atmosphere of Fort William there will almost certainly be an air of sadness as we head to the third round of the Downhill World Cup Series without one of the sports icons. There will definitely be a big piece missing this year but Stevie Smith will still have his moment as he takes a ghost run down the legendary track come Sunday.
Fort William will still remain the toughest track in the world this weekend and will still well and truly split the men from the boys and the women from the girls. It’s a bike killer, arm pump maker and lung buster. It’s technical, fast and long and without doubt it’s the one that everyone wants to win.
History
Fort William is a track dripping with Downhill history. Check out this 10 year look back courtesy of Alex Rankin
Last years race
Event Schedule
FRIDAY 3 JUNE
0800 – 1515 DHI training
1000 – 1600 Saracen Test Track
1530 – 1700 DHI Timed Training top 80 M, top 20 W and top 10 JM of latest UCI ranking list
1710 – 1840 BUFF® 4X Training
1845 – 2000 (est.) BUFF® 4X Pro Tour Qualification
SATURDAY 4 JUNE
0830 – Site open to public
0800 – 0945 DHI training Group B + BUFF® Whip Comp
1000 – 1630 Saracen Test Track
1000 – 1145 DHI training Group A + BUFF® Whip Comp
1030 – 1230 Scottish Cycling Youth Mini DH races
1130 – 1200 Danny MacAskill’s Drop and Roll Tour
1230 – World Cup DHI Qualifying Junior Men
– 1330 Scottish Cycling Youth Mini DH races prizegiving immediately after Junior Men
1330 – World Cup DHI Qualifying Elite Women
1400 – World Cup DHI Qualifying Elite Men
1530 – 1600 Danny MacAskill’s Drop and Roll Tour
1605 (est.) BUFF® 4X Rider intro top 4 women and top 4 men
1620 – 1720 BUFF® 4X Training
1730 – 1900 (est.) BUFF® 4X Pro Tour – Followed by Awards Ceremony
SUNDAY 5 JUNE
0830 – Site open to public
0830 – 0930 DHI training World Cup Finals starters Junior Men and Women
0945 – 1045 DHI training World Cup Finals starters Men
1000 – 1330 Saracen Test Track
1100 – 1130 Danny MacAskill’s Drop and Roll Tour
1130 – 1145 DHI Rider intro top 3 qualifying + WC leaders (elite)
1200 – Men Junior World Cup Downhill Final
1300 – Women World Cup Downhill Final
1400 – Men World Cup Downhill Final – Followed by Awards Ceremony
The Course
Fort Wiliam Helmet Cam – Friday Practice from Ride.io on Vimeo.
The Downhill is a full-on, flat-out, no-compromise charge down the face of Aonach Mor, the 9th highest mountain in the UK. Riders need physical strength, quick reflexes, superb bike control and an unerring eye for the right line as they speed down the 2.8km long course. And a lot of bottle!
The permanent Nevis Range Downhill track has received some radical upgrades over the years, adding new features and making it one of the toughest most demanding courses on the circuit. For 2016 there will be some new features and changes to add interest and excitement for both riders and spectators.
Starting beside the top station of the gondola the course descends 555m. Most of the course is visible from the gondola (the mountain cableway used for skiing in the winter, which provides access for riders with bikes and spectators), giving great views of riders as they charge down below you.
The fast top section of the course is framed by stunning views of Ben Nevis, the sea lochs of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, and the islands of the Inner Hebrides. Rock gardens, rock slabs, big jumps and technical natural sections will provide plenty of challenges all the way to the magnificent finish section and the incredible noise of the best spectators in the world.
Spectator access
Most of the DH course is accessible although the middle section has more restrictions, so always follow the marked routes and obey marshal instructions. Where there is a double line of course tape at the side of the track, DO NOT go between the lines of tape.
The exciting Wall near the finish and the entry to the 4-Cross are easily accessible. Look out for the new features and jumps on the Downhill course.
Big Screen
Catch all the action from the live TV coverage on the biggest Big Screen in the UK. 100m2 of high resolution HD image. Between events there will be a constant flow of extreme sports action. The big screen will be situated next to the finish arena.
Grandstands
Also situated in the finish arena will the grandstand with over 750 seats. More than 500 seats are available on a first-come basis and are free to use. Seats cannot be reserved. A section of the grandstand is for VIP access only.
More info at fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk
#LongLiveChainsaw