2014 UCI DH World Cup 4 Leogang Practice

There are some heavy clouds lurking over the Leogang hillside; a brief shower of rain resulted in some greasy sections on the last of yesterday's practice runs.

It's still anybody's guess who will make the top slot come qualifying later today and the weather may again have a big say.

Want to know what it feels like to ride this course (almost) as fast as the pros without getting off the sofa?

Beyond The Bike Episode 2 Darren Berrecloth

Bearclaw has been around for the full history of freeride, since Rampage was a glimmer in the eye of a lizard wandering the hills of Virgin, Utah.

The Claw is old school in many ways, he's still small town living and enjoys everything that brings. After the moto bug bit he switched to push bikes with the familiar influence of a sibling. Anything he wanted to ride he built. Today that's still the case, and getting out and building still forms a large part of Darren's life.

Beyond the Bike tells the story of Berrecloth and gives an insight into everything behind the rider that combines to form what the public and sponsors see.

2014 UCI DH World Cup 2 Cairns Post Qualifying Interviews

We let Rob Warner loose on the stars of qualifying here in a super-slick Cairns.

Today has been a real eye-opener for many, as the rain continued in the dark confines of Smithfield Forest. Some sections have simply turned into rivers and the final sprint to the line was somewhat porridge-like in consistency.

So who were the winners and losers of qualifying?! Who should we be looking at to take the win on Saturday afternoon?! There's only one man adequately equipped with the necessarily subtle communications skills to find out... Rob Warner.

2014 UCI DH World Cup 2 Cairns Qualifying

Rocks, roots and peanut butter gloop - all the action from a spectacular qualifying session.

It feels like everyone is battling here in Cairns. The riders are battling one of the most physically demanding tracks in years, the mechanics are battling to strip 20lbs of mud off after each run and the media are battling it out with the local vegetation.

Qualifying saw some of the favourites (and pretty much everybody else) fall and a couple of surprise packages rise up the ranks.

Redline DH track, Prazeres, Madeira

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The first half is a connection from the top of the mountain, with a fork to choose one of the two main Prazeres DH tracks.
The "Redline" track itself starts at the fence, at 2:55.

Joselino Sanchez, head guide at Bikulture, riding his Commençal Supreme DH.

Music: Booka Shade - Darko (buy here: tinyurl.com/ng9nu7x)