Cairns 2014: XCO Practice Gallery

Rainy conditions again this morning kept many of the XCO riders out on the roads around Cairns, rather than trashing their bikes out on course. But a handful of riders took advantage of the quiet conditions to take a better look at some of the trickier sections; one of those riders was ten squillion time World Cup winner Julien Absalon.

Julien Absalon again, looking so relaxed on Jacobs Ladder it could be called Jacobs Lay-Z-Boy.

Julien Absalon getting ready to thread the narrow line you've got to nail to make it through the rocks quickly and cleanly. — Julien Absalon getting ready to thread the narrow line you’ve got to nail to make it through the rocks quickly and cleanly.

Jodie Willet, still smiling after a huge smash on the Jacobs Ladder A-Line. She's the only woman we've seen (or heard of) riding the A-Line. We hope she's back for racing on Sunday. — Jodie Willet, still smiling after a huge smash on the Jacobs Ladder A-Line. She’s the only woman we’ve seen (or heard of) riding the A-Line. A broken scaphoid was the outcome… Bugger.

Canberra's Brendan Johnstone on one of the faster sections, it's crazy how dry and hard packed the cross country course is in comparison to the downhill. Riders looked so clean! — Canberra’s Brendan Johnstone on one of the faster sections, it’s crazy how dry and hard packed the cross country course is in comparison to the downhill. Riders looked so clean!

Holly Harris takes the Jacobs Ladder B-line. It's definitely the long way round, but as Jodie Willet showed, it's a load safer. — Holly Harris takes the Jacobs Ladder B-line. It’s definitely the long way round, but as Jodie Willet showed, it’s a load safer.

Cairns2014 FridayXCPractice 9 — Sebastian Jayne, dropping in. No worries at all.

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