Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup

<img alt="The latest and greatest from the pits at the opening round of the 2017 Downhill World Cup" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277594 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/picmonkey-collage-1493386154311-19hx2vi15r2hu-0900469.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/picmonkey-collage-1493386154311-19hx2vi15r2hu-0900469.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,946&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/picmonkey-collage-1493386154311-19hx2vi15r2hu-0900469.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/picmonkey-collage-1493386154311-19hx2vi15r2hu-0900469.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/picmonkey-collage-1493386154311-19hx2vi15r2hu-0900469.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/picmonkey-collage-1493386154311-19hx2vi15r2hu-0900469.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277594" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/picmonkey-collage-1493386154311-19hx2vi15r2hu-0900469.jpg?quality=90&w=1920&h=1080" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> The latest and greatest from the pits at the opening round of the 2017 Downhill World Cup <img alt="Greg Minnaar, along with the rest of the Santa Cruz Syndicate, will be racing on the new 29” wheeled V10. Despite rumours that other teams would be on big wheels, this is the only 29er we’ve spotted being ridden so far. Stay tuned for a more thorough look at this bike soon" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277603 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1-copy-1493383513394-1jitwz1w4lxks-9d729ca.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1-copy-1493383513394-1jitwz1w4lxks-9d729ca.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1-copy-1493383513394-1jitwz1w4lxks-9d729ca.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1-copy-1493383513394-1jitwz1w4lxks-9d729ca.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1-copy-1493383513394-1jitwz1w4lxks-9d729ca.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277603" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1-copy-1493383513394-1jitwz1w4lxks-9d729ca.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Greg Minnaar, along with the rest of the Santa Cruz Syndicate, will be racing on the new 29” wheeled V10. Despite rumours that other teams would be on big wheels, this is the only 29er we’ve spotted being ridden so far. Stay tuned for a more thorough look at this bike soon <img alt="Loic Bruni’s Specialized Demo uses the same custom linkage that he used last year, now driving an Ohlins TTX coil shock. Moto foam is used to keep mud from collecting inside. Also, look at the distinctive gold coating on the damper shaft" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277606 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/2-copy-1493383513394-oinkqie6cjo3-6727703.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/2-copy-1493383513394-oinkqie6cjo3-6727703.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/2-copy-1493383513394-oinkqie6cjo3-6727703.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/2-copy-1493383513394-oinkqie6cjo3-6727703.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/2-copy-1493383513394-oinkqie6cjo3-6727703.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277606" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/2-copy-1493383513394-oinkqie6cjo3-6727703.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Loic Bruni’s Specialized Demo uses the same custom linkage that he used last year, now driving an Ohlins TTX coil shock. Moto foam is used to keep mud from collecting inside. Also, look at the distinctive gold coating on the damper shaft <img alt="Details are still thin on the ground about Ohlins’ new downhill fork. All we know is that it has 200mm of travel (shocking!) and an air spring, which appears to have two valves, much like the Swedish firm’s RXF 34 and 36 forks. There’s also low and high speed compression dials, similar to the single crown forks" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277609 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3-copy-1493383513398-vmqidszbymnp-0080d87.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3-copy-1493383513398-vmqidszbymnp-0080d87.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3-copy-1493383513398-vmqidszbymnp-0080d87.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3-copy-1493383513398-vmqidszbymnp-0080d87.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3-copy-1493383513398-vmqidszbymnp-0080d87.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277609" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/3-copy-1493383513398-vmqidszbymnp-0080d87.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Details are still thin on the ground about Ohlins’ new downhill fork. All we know is that it has 200mm of travel (shocking!) and an air spring, which appears to have two valves, much like the Swedish firm’s RXF 34 and 36 forks. There’s also low and high speed compression dials, similar to the single crown forks <img alt="Stevie Smith’s legacy lives on in World Cup downhill" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277612 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4-copy-1493383513402-1thn72xt7gfk2-3d5eae1.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4-copy-1493383513402-1thn72xt7gfk2-3d5eae1.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4-copy-1493383513402-1thn72xt7gfk2-3d5eae1.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4-copy-1493383513402-1thn72xt7gfk2-3d5eae1.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4-copy-1493383513402-1thn72xt7gfk2-3d5eae1.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277612" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/4-copy-1493383513402-1thn72xt7gfk2-3d5eae1.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Stevie Smith’s legacy lives on in World Cup downhill <img alt="Specialized Phenom saddles for Loic Bruni and Finn Iles" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277617 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5-copy-1493383513405-12gr43yk3hvqj-af84945.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5-copy-1493383513405-12gr43yk3hvqj-af84945.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5-copy-1493383513405-12gr43yk3hvqj-af84945.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5-copy-1493383513405-12gr43yk3hvqj-af84945.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5-copy-1493383513405-12gr43yk3hvqj-af84945.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277617" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/5-copy-1493383513405-12gr43yk3hvqj-af84945.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Specialized Phenom saddles for Loic Bruni and Finn Iles <img alt="Loic’s minty fresh flecked paint job" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277623 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/6-copy-1493383513409-1s98gxmdvp5t3-aaa112b.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/6-copy-1493383513409-1s98gxmdvp5t3-aaa112b.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/6-copy-1493383513409-1s98gxmdvp5t3-aaa112b.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/6-copy-1493383513409-1s98gxmdvp5t3-aaa112b.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/6-copy-1493383513409-1s98gxmdvp5t3-aaa112b.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277623" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/6-copy-1493383513409-1s98gxmdvp5t3-aaa112b.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Loic’s minty fresh flecked paint job <img alt="2.5” Hillbilly tires all round in the Specialized pits" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277627 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/7-copy-1493383513412-190fcwe1e0wki-798c268.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/7-copy-1493383513412-190fcwe1e0wki-798c268.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/7-copy-1493383513412-190fcwe1e0wki-798c268.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/7-copy-1493383513412-190fcwe1e0wki-798c268.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/7-copy-1493383513412-190fcwe1e0wki-798c268.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277627" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/7-copy-1493383513412-190fcwe1e0wki-798c268.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> 2.5” Hillbilly tires all round in the Specialized pits <img alt="Finn Iles’ demo carbon painted to look like alloy" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277631 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/9-copy-1493383513415-12iuxcgv1fkoi-f4f979c.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/9-copy-1493383513415-12iuxcgv1fkoi-f4f979c.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/9-copy-1493383513415-12iuxcgv1fkoi-f4f979c.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/9-copy-1493383513415-12iuxcgv1fkoi-f4f979c.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/9-copy-1493383513415-12iuxcgv1fkoi-f4f979c.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277631" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/9-copy-1493383513415-12iuxcgv1fkoi-f4f979c.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Finn Iles’ demo carbon painted to look like alloy <img alt="Finn has a one-degree angleset this weekend to make his bike a little slacker. Loic’s uses a standard headset" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277636 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/10-copy-1493383513419-1unbj57m8up2g-dba4bf4.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/10-copy-1493383513419-1unbj57m8up2g-dba4bf4.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/10-copy-1493383513419-1unbj57m8up2g-dba4bf4.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/10-copy-1493383513419-1unbj57m8up2g-dba4bf4.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/10-copy-1493383513419-1unbj57m8up2g-dba4bf4.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277636" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/10-copy-1493383513419-1unbj57m8up2g-dba4bf4.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Finn has a one-degree angleset this weekend to make his bike a little slacker. Loic’s uses a standard headset <img alt="You know you’ve made it when your face appears on Jesus" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277640 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/11-copy-1493383686882-txq99baq3be8-4afa87d.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/11-copy-1493383686882-txq99baq3be8-4afa87d.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/11-copy-1493383686882-txq99baq3be8-4afa87d.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/11-copy-1493383686882-txq99baq3be8-4afa87d.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/11-copy-1493383686882-txq99baq3be8-4afa87d.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277640" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/11-copy-1493383686882-txq99baq3be8-4afa87d.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> You know you’ve made it when your face appears on Jesus <img alt="Loic’s data acquisition bike is setup as close as possible to his race bike in order to give the best impression of what the Frenchman’s suspension is doing" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277644 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/12-copy-1493383686882-d1ymvtdkfqa3-fb4d36a.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/12-copy-1493383686882-d1ymvtdkfqa3-fb4d36a.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/12-copy-1493383686882-d1ymvtdkfqa3-fb4d36a.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/12-copy-1493383686882-d1ymvtdkfqa3-fb4d36a.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/12-copy-1493383686882-d1ymvtdkfqa3-fb4d36a.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277644" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/12-copy-1493383686882-d1ymvtdkfqa3-fb4d36a.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Loic’s data acquisition bike is setup as close as possible to his race bike in order to give the best impression of what the Frenchman’s suspension is doing <img alt="Trickstuff Direttissima brakes on Mick and Tracey Hannah’s Polygons" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277647 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/13-copy-1493383686885-c91h66kjofge-11d9510.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/13-copy-1493383686885-c91h66kjofge-11d9510.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/13-copy-1493383686885-c91h66kjofge-11d9510.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/13-copy-1493383686885-c91h66kjofge-11d9510.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/13-copy-1493383686885-c91h66kjofge-11d9510.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277647" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/13-copy-1493383686885-c91h66kjofge-11d9510.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Trickstuff Direttissima brakes on Mick and Tracey Hannah’s Polygons <img alt="Tracey’s brakes are set to bite pretty close to the bar, as according to her mechanic, she has pretty small hands" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277650 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/14-copy-1493383686889-14hrfbyxjsivv-343a4b6.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/14-copy-1493383686889-14hrfbyxjsivv-343a4b6.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/14-copy-1493383686889-14hrfbyxjsivv-343a4b6.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/14-copy-1493383686889-14hrfbyxjsivv-343a4b6.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/14-copy-1493383686889-14hrfbyxjsivv-343a4b6.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277650" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/14-copy-1493383686889-14hrfbyxjsivv-343a4b6.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Tracey’s brakes are set to bite pretty close to the bar, as according to her mechanic, she has pretty small hands <img alt="The Hannahs will race on the new Kenda Hellcat Pro tyre…" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277653 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/15-copy-1493383686892-1dw93fk64gak6-1bf8957.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/15-copy-1493383686892-1dw93fk64gak6-1bf8957.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/15-copy-1493383686892-1dw93fk64gak6-1bf8957.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/15-copy-1493383686892-1dw93fk64gak6-1bf8957.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/15-copy-1493383686892-1dw93fk64gak6-1bf8957.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277653" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/15-copy-1493383686892-1dw93fk64gak6-1bf8957.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> The Hannahs will race on the new Kenda Hellcat Pro tyre… <img alt="While the Helldiver semi-slick will have to wait for a less steep track to prove its worth" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277656 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/16-copy-1493383686896-ejha4r4muey9-858c592.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/16-copy-1493383686896-ejha4r4muey9-858c592.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/16-copy-1493383686896-ejha4r4muey9-858c592.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/16-copy-1493383686896-ejha4r4muey9-858c592.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/16-copy-1493383686896-ejha4r4muey9-858c592.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277656" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/16-copy-1493383686896-ejha4r4muey9-858c592.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> While the Helldiver semi-slick will have to wait for a less steep track to prove its worth <img alt="Schwalbe’s new Addix compound tyres are a popular choice here in Lourdes. For some, such as Norco team rider Joe Smith, this will be the first outing on the new compound" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277662 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/17-copy-1493383686900-1pxmkiwsi3jqk-760568d.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/17-copy-1493383686900-1pxmkiwsi3jqk-760568d.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/17-copy-1493383686900-1pxmkiwsi3jqk-760568d.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/17-copy-1493383686900-1pxmkiwsi3jqk-760568d.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/17-copy-1493383686900-1pxmkiwsi3jqk-760568d.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277662" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/17-copy-1493383686900-1pxmkiwsi3jqk-760568d.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Schwalbe’s new Addix compound tyres are a popular choice here in Lourdes. For some, such as Norco team rider Joe Smith, this will be the first outing on the new compound <img alt="This is Aaron Gwin’s bike. That’s all we’re saying about that" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277666 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/18-copy-1493383686903-92c79lm6ziuv-fe15a3b.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/18-copy-1493383686903-92c79lm6ziuv-fe15a3b.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/18-copy-1493383686903-92c79lm6ziuv-fe15a3b.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/18-copy-1493383686903-92c79lm6ziuv-fe15a3b.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/18-copy-1493383686903-92c79lm6ziuv-fe15a3b.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277666" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/18-copy-1493383686903-92c79lm6ziuv-fe15a3b.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> This is Aaron Gwin’s bike. That’s all we’re saying about that <img alt="SRAM’s new Code brakes were commonplace this weekend, with fewer riders using the Guide leaver/Code caliper hybrids commonly used by World Cup racers in the past" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277669 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/19-copy-1493383686907-1s7h8olqkrizh-b27ae5e.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/19-copy-1493383686907-1s7h8olqkrizh-b27ae5e.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/19-copy-1493383686907-1s7h8olqkrizh-b27ae5e.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/19-copy-1493383686907-1s7h8olqkrizh-b27ae5e.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/19-copy-1493383686907-1s7h8olqkrizh-b27ae5e.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277669" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/19-copy-1493383686907-1s7h8olqkrizh-b27ae5e.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> SRAM’s new Code brakes were commonplace this weekend, with fewer riders using the Guide leaver/Code caliper hybrids commonly used by World Cup racers in the past <img alt="CrankBrothers’ new Mallet DH pedals were also a common sight, although many top riders are still using the more enduro-orientated Mallet E" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277674 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/20-copy-1493383686910-1r3sidzwdkmtn-0f3b783.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/20-copy-1493383686910-1r3sidzwdkmtn-0f3b783.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/20-copy-1493383686910-1r3sidzwdkmtn-0f3b783.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/20-copy-1493383686910-1r3sidzwdkmtn-0f3b783.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/20-copy-1493383686910-1r3sidzwdkmtn-0f3b783.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277674" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/20-copy-1493383686910-1r3sidzwdkmtn-0f3b783.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> CrankBrothers’ new Mallet DH pedals were also a common sight, although many top riders are still using the more enduro-orientated Mallet E <img alt="This DH bike from Norco doesn’t even have a name yet. The team was less than open about the details, or even whether it will see production. We do know that it’s an idler pulley/ high pivot design made form carbon front and rear. Ooh, and it’s red" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277677 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/21-copy-1493383686914-ze62keel17ug-a76aeb3.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/21-copy-1493383686914-ze62keel17ug-a76aeb3.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/21-copy-1493383686914-ze62keel17ug-a76aeb3.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/21-copy-1493383686914-ze62keel17ug-a76aeb3.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/21-copy-1493383686914-ze62keel17ug-a76aeb3.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277677" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/21-copy-1493383686914-ze62keel17ug-a76aeb3.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> This DH bike from Norco doesn’t even have a name yet. The team was less than open about the details, or even whether it will see production. We do know that it’s an idler pulley/ high pivot design made form carbon front and rear. Ooh, and it’s red <img alt="The high pivot generates a very rearward axle path, which should improve square-edge bump compliance, while the idler pulley keeps pedal kickback to a minimum. The shock is driven from the front backwards via an alloy linkage" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277681 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/22-copy-1493383686917-fgkl6lzmu7gr-ae9b3a3.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/22-copy-1493383686917-fgkl6lzmu7gr-ae9b3a3.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/22-copy-1493383686917-fgkl6lzmu7gr-ae9b3a3.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/22-copy-1493383686917-fgkl6lzmu7gr-ae9b3a3.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/22-copy-1493383686917-fgkl6lzmu7gr-ae9b3a3.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277681" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/22-copy-1493383686917-fgkl6lzmu7gr-ae9b3a3.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> The high pivot generates a very rearward axle path, which should improve square-edge bump compliance, while the idler pulley keeps pedal kickback to a minimum. The shock is driven from the front backwards via an alloy linkage <img alt="Although it’s unclear what frame size they were using, here we can see the frame is reach-adjustable. Both team riders Joe Smith and Sam Blenkinsop were using the longest setting. Interestingly, Joe runs three volume spacers in his ‘stock’ Rockshox Boxxer World Cup fork, while Sam runs a whopping five and a half, providing a super progressive setup. Apparently, both bikes use the same linkage, although Sam’s shock is said to have a firmer compression shim stack to balance the front end’s ramp up" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277685 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/23-copy-1493383757502-1f086xd0f702h-c998f0e.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/23-copy-1493383757502-1f086xd0f702h-c998f0e.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/23-copy-1493383757502-1f086xd0f702h-c998f0e.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/23-copy-1493383757502-1f086xd0f702h-c998f0e.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/23-copy-1493383757502-1f086xd0f702h-c998f0e.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277685" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/23-copy-1493383757502-1f086xd0f702h-c998f0e.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Although it’s unclear what frame size they were using, here we can see the frame is reach-adjustable. Both team riders Joe Smith and Sam Blenkinsop were using the longest setting. Interestingly, Joe runs three volume spacers in his ‘stock’ Rockshox Boxxer World Cup fork, while Sam runs a whopping five and a half, providing a super progressive setup. Apparently, both bikes use the same linkage, although Sam’s shock is said to have a firmer compression shim stack to balance the front end’s ramp up <img alt="Joe Smith’s bars are swept back to horizontal, presumably to help him get his weight back on the steepest tracks" class="size-portrait_thumbnail js-gallery-grid-src-image img-container__imagewp-image-277691 alignnone size-portrait_thumbnail img-container__image" height="390" sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/24-copy-1493383757502-1f58ln8b1dl9g-8a6e432.jpg?quality=90&lb=300,390&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/24-copy-1493383757502-1f58ln8b1dl9g-8a6e432.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,722&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/24-copy-1493383757502-1f58ln8b1dl9g-8a6e432.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,461&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/24-copy-1493383757502-1f58ln8b1dl9g-8a6e432.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,442&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/24-copy-1493383757502-1f58ln8b1dl9g-8a6e432.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,416&background=white 320w, " title="Tech gallery from Lourdes Downhill World Cup - 277691" width="300" data-lightbox-src="https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/24-copy-1493383757502-1f58ln8b1dl9g-8a6e432.jpg?quality=90&w=1600&h=900" data-source-name="Seb Stott / Immediate Media"> Joe Smith’s bars are swept back to horizontal, presumably to help him get his weight back on the steepest tracks

As the 2017 World Cup season gets underway here in Lourdes, France, we take a look round the pits for the most interesting bikes and components. Scroll through the gallery for more.