Qualifying Photo Epic: Loudenvielle DH World Cup 2023

Sep 2, 2023
by Ed Spratt  



Straight after the weather-affected racing in Andorra the 2023 World Cup series has headed straight to the French Pyrenees and the new DH venue of Loudenvielle.

After the track walk and practice session on Thursday, the second day in France saw everyone go against the clock in qualifying. Ahead of finals spread throughout the weekend, it was Vali Höll, Benoit Coulanges, Sacha Earnest and Ryan Pinkerton who went fastest in qualifying.

With difficult weather conditions expected the Junior will fit their finals in on Saturday morning with Elites having both semi-finals and finals on Sunday.



Welcome to Jurassic Park.
Welcome to Jurassic Park.

For the second week in a row we go racing in the Pyrenees.
For the second week in a row we go racing in the Pyrenees.

Dramatic skies welcomed us in these parts of the Pyrenees.
Dramatic skies welcomed us in these parts of the Pyrenees.

Highway to the danger zone with Intense Factory Racing.
Highway to the danger zone with Intense Factory Racing.

Between the active airport and various massive birds hanging about the exposure in the upper part of the track was felt by all.
Between the active airport and various massive birds hanging about, the exposure in the upper part of the track was felt by all.

The Wolrd Champions race rig getting prepped.
The World Champions race rig getting prepped.

Coming straight off the carnage of the previous round last weekend mechanics were in a spin to get bikes back to ship-shape condition.
Coming straight off the carnage of the previous round last weekend, mechanics were in a spin to get bikes back to ship-shape condition.

You re seeing it right - Wet Screams are being mounted because the dirt is that dry.
You're seeing it right - Wet Screams are being mounted because the dirt is that dry.

Vallnord victor Nina Hoffmann talking suspension settings.
Vallnord victor, Nina Hoffmann, talking suspension settings.

The views are as epic as this course.
The views are as epic as this course.

Loic Bruni is hungry to make up for the disappointment of Andorra last week.
Loic Bruni is hungry to make up for the disappointment of Andorra last week.

Sacha Earnest would lay down the fastest qualifier in the junior women.
Sacha Earnest would lay down the fastest qualifier in the junior women.

Mikayla Parton dropping in for morning practice.
Mikayla Parton dropping in for morning practice.

AG on line spotting duty this week for IFR boys Norton and Breeden.
AG on line spotting duty this week for IFR boys Norton and Breeden.

It seems that every 10 mins or so there is a red flag being thrown. Traffic jams were quite common during practice.
It seems that every 10 minutes or so there is a red flag being thrown. Traffic jams were quite common during practice.

Maximum man points go to one of the early pioneers of the fabled scrub jump gap Chris Cumming.
Maximum points go to one of the early pioneers of the fabled scrub jump gap; Chris Cumming.

Gracey Hemstreet too fast for normal photos.
Gracey Hemstreet too fast for normal photos.

The series leader destroying berms.
The series leader destroying berms.

Monika Hrastnik would slot into 6th in qualifying.
Monika Hrastnik would slot into 6th in qualifying.

Tahnee Seagrave plunging into the first proper steep section of track.
Tahnee Seagrave plunging into the first proper steep section of the track.

Christian Hauser hanging it out.
Christian Hauser hanging it out.

Ryan Pinkerton has a taste for victory now.
Ryan Pinkerton has a taste for victory now.

What a spot to go bike racing.
What a spot to go bike racing.

Rafael Pelletier is one of many French juniors looking to make a mark on home soil.
Rafael Pelletier is one of many French juniors looking to make a mark on home soil.

Could this be Benoit Coulanges weekend
Could this be Benoit Coulanges' weekend?

Troy Brosnan ripping through the bottom half of the course.
Troy Brosnan ripping through the bottom half of the course.

The moto-x vibe.
The moto-x vibe.

A big crash for Bodhi Kuhn puts him out of the running for tomorrow.
A big crash for Bodhi Kuhn puts him out of the running for tomorrow.

Vali Holl almost getting away from her shadow and once again into the top spot.
Vali Holl almost getting away from her shadow and once again into the top spot.

Ireland Airways and your trusty pilot Chris Cumming headed for a massive crash landing.
Ireland Airways and your trusty pilot, Chris Cumming, headed for a massive crash landing.

Loic Bruni spewing the dirt.
Loic Bruni spewing the dirt.

Banana is the nrew black according to Hugo Marini.
Banana is the new black, according to Hugo Marini.

Hrastnik powering out of the gate.
Hrastnik powering out of the gate.

The Iniguez bros have been killing the style game out on the French slopes the past days.
The Iniguez bros have been killing the style game out on the French slopes the past days.

Farmer Daveboy ploughing the fields.
Farmer Daveboy ploughing the fields.

Young US rider Dylan Maples achieves legend status for a top ten qualie out of nowhere.
Young US rider, Dylan Maples, achieves legend status for a top ten qualie out of nowhere.

Joe Breeden slamming left handers and probably the occasional right.
Joe Breeden slamming left-handers and probably the occasional right.

Sacha Ernest putting a good 4 seconds into the rest of the junior women s field.
Sacha Earnest putting a good 4 seconds into the rest of the junior women's field.

Thibaut Daprela attacking where others are just surviving.
Thibaut Daprela attacking where others are just surviving.

Ronan Dunne looking at home on the steep slopes of Loudenvielle.
Ronan Dunne looking at home on the steep slopes of Loudenvielle.

A big crash took Jackson Goldstone out of the running in qualifying.
A big crash took Jackson Goldstone out of the running in qualifying.

Bernard Kerr is looking dangerous out on track.
Bernard Kerr is looking dangerous out on track.

Iles piloting the leaders jersey into 5th.
Iles piloting the leaders jersey into 5th.

Dak attack.
Dak attack.

Andy Kolb keeping it rubber side down before a spectacular freak crash on the very next run.
Andy Kolb keeping it rubber side down before a spectacular freak crash on the very next run.

Big run from Dylan Maples in qualies landing himself a top ten result.
Big run from Dylan Maples in qualies, landing himself a top ten result.

It was getting real loose out there by days end.
It was getting real loose out there by day's end.

P1 on the day for Benoit Coulanges. Will this be the track where he finally takes his first win We are on French soil after all.
P1 on the day for Benoit Coulanges. Will this be the track where he finally takes his first win? We are on French soil, after all.

Surfing through the dust is Marine Cabirou. She d place third in qualies.
Surfing through the dust is Marine Cabirou. She'd place third in qualies.

First place qualifier and last weeks winner Ryan Pinkerton speeds his way to the bottom of the track.
First place qualifier and last weeks winner, Ryan Pinkerton, speeds his way to the bottom of the track.

Valentina Roa Sanchez slides into third for her qualifying run.
Valentina Roa Sanchez slides into third for her qualifying run.

If Jackson Goldstone could stay on his bike he will be a serious threat on this track.
If Jackson Goldstone could stay on his bike, he will be a serious threat on this track.

Gracey Hemstreet opens up the gas as she gets more comfortable on the steep bits.
Gracey Hemstreet opens up the gas as she gets more comfortable on the steep bits.

Laurie Greenland making quick work of the dusty corners before diving into the trees.
Laurie Greenland making quick work of the dusty corners before diving into the trees.

Erice Van Leuven on her way to a second placed qualifier.
Erice Van Leuven on her way to a second-placed qualifier.

Ryan Pinkerton is on a tear at the moment.
Ryan Pinkerton is on a tear at the moment.

Beautiful dirt conditions here in Loudenvielle.
Beautiful dirt conditions here in Loudenvielle.

Baptiste Pierron blasting down the flat out top section.
Baptiste Pierron blasting down the flat out top section.

Thibaut Daprela bridges the long double before the first set of whoops.
Thibaut Daprela bridges the long double before the first set of whoops.

The ultimate speed and style clinic continues with Finn Iles.
The ultimate speed and style clinic continues with Finn Iles.

Luca Shaw qualified well into the top 10 and you can bet there is more in him.
Luca Shaw qualified well into the top 10 and you can bet there is more in him.

Connor Fearon making shapes around one of the many scenic corners on track.
Connor Fearon making shapes around one of the many scenic corners on track.

Bernard Kerr got faster as the track went on so look for him to move up the rankings in the race.
Bernard Kerr got faster as the track went on so look for him to move up the rankings in the race.

Mistakes are punished hard here in Loudenvielle.
Mistakes are punished hard here in Loudenvielle.

It s amazing to watch Remi Thirion attack this steep track he could be on for a good result this weekend.
It's amazing to watch Remi Thirion attack this steep track, he could be on for a good result this weekend.

An incredible 4th place for Lisa Baumann in qualifying.
An incredible 4th place for Lisa Baumann in qualifying.

Daprela taking no prisoners and riding into 3rd place in qualies today.
Daprela taking no prisoners and riding into 3rd place in qualies today.

A couple of Mondrakers across the Savanna.
A couple of Mondrakers across the Savanna.

King Charles out for a rip.
King Charles out for a rip.

Kade Edwards froth level has been fixed at max since he first laid eyes on this track.
Kade Edwards' froth level has been fixed at 'max' since he first laid eyes on this track.

Goldstone leading out the party train.
Goldstone leading out the party train.

Jenna Hastings out infront of the epic panorama.
Jenna Hastings out in front of the epic panorama.

Chris Grice tearing the ground apart trying to scrub speed on this wild steep track.
Chris Grice tearing the ground apart trying to scrub speed on this wild steep track.

Mountain yoga with Dakotah Norton.
Mountain yoga with Dakotah Norton.

Mille Johnset has been on form especially as of late. She d qualify fifth even with a mistake.
Mille Johnset has been on form, especially as of late. She'd qualify fifth even with a mistake.

Vali Holl kicking up dust in the upper turns.
Vali Holl kicking up dust in the upper turns.

The commute to the start gate for Sian A Hern.
The commute to the start gate for Sian A'Hern.

Davide Palazzi has some of the meanest shapes on the circuit and doesn t disappoint when there s an opportunity to scrub.
Davide Palazzi has some of the meanest shapes on the circuit and doesn't disappoint when there's an opportunity to scrub.

Loic Bruni cranking it over on his way to a second placed qualifier.
Loic Bruni cranking it over on his way to a second-placed qualifier.

Last light on the town before a weekend of uncertain weather.
Last light on the town before a weekend of uncertain weather.


Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
3,035 articles

24 Comments
  • 38 0
 Feeling so blessed to have these amazing photos bought to us for free, thanks Pinkbike! Haven't really watched much of the live race action this season due to complications but this content is making up for it, somewhat! Big Grin
  • 9 0
 These are an incredible set of photos, Big props to everyone who was involved in taking, posting, commentating. I echo the comment on appreciation of the content, its prolly not said enough Absolutely incredible.
  • 13 1
 So many sweet photos! Maybe the best ever Photo Epic!?
  • 8 1
 I think the photogs are frothing too lol A bit more fun than shooting the same Ft William berm for 20 years.
  • 9 0
 Unreal photos. Half the Pyrenees have been blasted by storms, Loudonville just missing out, so far. www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=0.00;ts=0;y=42.4214;x=0.8267;z=8;d=2;dl=8;dc=0;ts24=1;src=6;
  • 4 0
 Never mind. Fuck.
  • 9 0
 That is one mighty photogenic track location. Great pics.
  • 3 0
 Thanks Pinkbike for these unreal photos.
I was in Loudenvielle a week ago and even if the town sucks a bit, the surroundings are magical. Don't miss a trip to the Pyrénées if you can, knowing that the spanish side is great too.
  • 2 0
 Unreal photos as always. @edspratt would be awesome to (maybe after the season?) read interviews with the PB photogs where they talk about their gear, settings, tips, etc. for us amateur photographers. Very curious to learn more about how they go about shooting a race week.
  • 3 0
 living in So Cal I definitely feel the mud tires for ultra-dry loose dirt
  • 2 0
 the photo of the atherton bike in the pits and Dak throwing the scrub are unreal. Really really good photography work here
  • 3 0
 amazing photos!
  • 2 0
 this time its especially nice selection
  • 2 1
 Someone's grandpa is not riding this. Not boring and not flat enough...
  • 3 0
 For all we know, Minnaar could have had sired a child after a rowdy world cup party in 2001 and now he's a grandad 22 years later.
  • 1 0
 Sick pics. Lovin the motion blur shots.
  • 2 1
 SEND IT DYLAN
  • 1 0
 Scrub edition
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