AN UNHOLY BAPTISM

The 2017 Downhill World Cup series kicked o with a pilgrimage to the Pyrenean town of Lourdes, on a weekend that would be defined by extremes of weather. After snow and freezing temperatures on day one, things warmed up and the racers were soon going balls to the wall, keen to show their form. But no amount of winter training could have prepared the top 20 men for the rain, wind and fog that closed in midway through the finals.

The hardpacked dirt and rocks became so slick that even Danny Hart couldn't stay on his bike, and early starter Alexandre Fayolle sat in the hot seat in disbelief as rider after rider failed to match his time. When number one qualifier Loris Vergier (pictured) finally crossed the line, Alexandre was hoisted aloft, becoming the first Frenchman to win on home soil since Christian Taillefer’s victory at Les Gets in 1998.

In the women’s race, Rachel Atherton added to her unbroken streak of 14 World Cup wins. Fellow Brit Tahnée Seagrave edged ahead in qualifying though, and after the disappointment of third in finals, she’s going to be charging hard at round two in Fort William, on 3-4 June.