PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa (transcendmagazine.com) -- the first practice session of the 2009 world cup here in South Africa comes to an end in a few minutes. So far it has been a dusty, hot day.
A truck driver strikes means there is not enough drivers for the shuttle trucks, therefore riders are few and far between on the course itself, leading to traffic when hey finally do get to the gate. It also meant a 45 minute delay to the start of practice this morning to get things re-organized. Then an injury this morning led to a 45 minute course hold as one of the female riders went down with a broken femur.
The course itself is FAST in the upper sections. No one has really been giving it down below in the flats, but you can bet by qualifying tomorrow riders will be near meltdown trying to get every last ounce of power down.
Kovarik is tearing the course apart after his win on it last weekend at the SA national round. You can really tell the riders who have already had race runs down the course. Timed practice will be up shortly.
Photos as soon as the internet cooperates
awesome, thanks for the updates. no matter how small, it's cool to hear what is going on!