0:00:30 > 0:00:33Hello, and a very warm welcome to The Adventure Show.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34This month we are in Fort William
0:00:34 > 0:00:38for the epic UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. This is the ultimate test
0:00:38 > 0:00:42of strength, stamina and speed on a downhill bike.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45But also you have to have nerves of steel, too.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Fort William, no matter what weather conditions,
0:00:48 > 0:00:50it's one of the most physical tracks of the whole season.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53It's fun. I mean, yeah, you crash and you get hurt and stuff
0:00:53 > 0:00:56but it's fun, it's great.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Last year we had a British double in the downhill as well as a family
0:00:59 > 0:01:03double with Gee and Rachel Atherton both taking podium positions.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06We think this year that will be a little bit tougher.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Gee and I had such an amazing year last year both winning and I'm sure
0:01:10 > 0:01:14that everyone is thinking we are the pair to beat, you know?
0:01:14 > 0:01:17But the thing is about this race season is that everyone is fast,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19you know, everyone could win.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22It's a hard track to gauge how quick to go on because you know you could
0:01:22 > 0:01:25be flying, you could be creeping and the times are only
0:01:25 > 0:01:27a tenth of a second apart.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32As well as the 555 metres of descent that make up the downhill course,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36Fort William also plays host to the 4X Pro Tour.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38The riders race four abreast
0:01:38 > 0:01:41as they battle down berms, bumps, jumps and rocks.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44It's all about finesse, it's all about position,
0:01:44 > 0:01:49it's all about tactics but sometimes it's all about pure brute force.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52I was just standing there on the gate...anything can happen.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56As soon as the gate drops it's, you know, the race is on.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Also on this month's Adventure Show, Deziree and I are going head-to-head
0:02:01 > 0:02:04as we preview the World Orienteering Championships,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07which are coming to Scotland next year.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12And what bright spark volunteered me for this?
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Now, that is soggy.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17And ex-professional footballer Michael Stewart is swapping boots
0:02:17 > 0:02:23for pedals to discover what it takes to succeed as a top mountain biker.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26And I am in my beloved Cairngorms
0:02:26 > 0:02:29climbing a hill that doesn't see too many people.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Before all that,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34we've got the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup here in Fort William.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Well, kicking off the action today with the women's 4X,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41featuring Britain's own Katy Curd, who is leading the world rankings
0:02:41 > 0:02:44at the moment and hoping to repeat her success of last year.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47You just never know what's going to happen. So it's unpredictable
0:02:47 > 0:02:50and just exciting. There could be riders flying around all over
0:02:50 > 0:02:52the place. So you've just got to stay on your toes.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55You've always got to try and race your own race. You'll never control
0:02:55 > 0:02:58anyone else but at the same time you always need to know where they are
0:02:58 > 0:03:00just in case you can hear someone coming up on the outside
0:03:00 > 0:03:02and you just need to block all those lines.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05This year there's a smaller entry than usual in the women's category.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08With a major event a week away
0:03:08 > 0:03:11many of the top riders don't want to risk injury.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13So it's an all-British final,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17giving our younger talent a chance to shine.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19We are picking up the action after the initial heat
0:03:19 > 0:03:23as the fastest four riders line up for today's big final.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27On the far left comparative newcomer to this sport, Claire Curtis.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Next to her, race favourite Katy Curd.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Then there's Suzanne Lacey, who'll be challenging for the top spot.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Finally there's one legendary 4X rider, Fionn Griffiths.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38Gate's down and they're off.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Fionn is now concentrating her efforts on the downhill discipline
0:03:41 > 0:03:44but couldn't resist racing the 4X today.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47But it is Katy Curd straight into the lead. So important to get
0:03:47 > 0:03:49a good start like this and keep ahead of the competition.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52This really is one of the most technical courses on the circuit.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Fast, rugged and without question very steep.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Katy is powering down it.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Behind her, Suzanne Lacey with Fionn Griffiths chasing her down.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Going into the lumpy bumpies, hard to keep up the speed here.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10Now for the last corner into the final straight. Katy is way ahead.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Nothing could stop her now.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17Over the finish line Katy Curd first, what a fantastic run for her.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Katy, you must be really pleased with that, second year in a row?
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Yeah, really happy. The home crowd here is so supportive
0:04:23 > 0:04:27and to just win at Fort William is just a massive achievement as it is.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30So, yeah, it's great.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34So confirmation of the results for the Women's 4X Final.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Third place goes to Fionn Griffiths. What a tremendous effort
0:04:37 > 0:04:40for someone who is now concentrating on downhill racing.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43In second place it's Suzanne Lacey.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47But the clear winner in today's race is Katy Curd.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51This is the weekend the world's best riders come to Fort William.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55The last few years, the Czechs have dominated this sport for the men
0:04:55 > 0:04:58and right up there at the top is Tomas Slavik.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01It's always cool to come back here to Fort William race, you know?
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Completely like the venue and even it just has a great atmosphere and
0:05:04 > 0:05:06everybody loves to come back here.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09And you've been at the top of 4X for a few years now. How do you remain
0:05:09 > 0:05:13so dominant in a sport where there are so many variables?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16What's really important is to know the other guys, how they're riding,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20how fast they are out the gate or whether they corner or track speed.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24And then you have to be calm, you have to be precise and sometimes
0:05:24 > 0:05:26with the pressure around the track with the many spectators
0:05:26 > 0:05:30and the other guys around you it's not so easy to stay focused
0:05:30 > 0:05:33and concentrated. So it's all about your head.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37The Czechs may be the masters but there is plenty of competition
0:05:37 > 0:05:41for them. Leading the British charge today is Scott Beaumont.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44He is currently ranked third in the world
0:05:44 > 0:05:46and knows this course as well as anyone.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49The start is really important. If you can get into the lead of the race by
0:05:49 > 0:05:52the first turn that's a good place to be. This track is really good
0:05:52 > 0:05:55because there are so many multiple lines in the corners.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58The third corner in particular at the top of the rock section is where
0:05:58 > 0:06:01riders are going to be moving around and try and make the passes.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04It's a real wide part of the track, just before we get on the rocks.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07So it's advised, like, if you can get into the lead by there you've got
0:06:07 > 0:06:10a strong chance of winning by the finish line.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14We're picking up the action in the men's race for the first semifinal.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17At the top on the far left is Quentin Derbier from France.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20He's had a great start to this year's racing.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Next to him is the 2013 World Champion Joost Wichman
0:06:23 > 0:06:27from the Netherlands. They are up against two British riders -
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Luke Cryer, and on the far right, Daniel Bateson.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34The gate's down and they're off.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Straight into the lead, Joost Wichman
0:06:36 > 0:06:39with France's Quentin Derbier right behind.
0:06:39 > 0:06:4336-year-old Joost was just four when he got his first BMX bike.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46He started racing 4X eight years ago.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Looking good, he is. Derbier's trying to close the gap.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52He's had a first and second place already this year.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54But now the two Brits are hard on his heels.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57It's the top two from this heat who'll go through to the final.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00With Wichman well out in front the pressure is on
0:07:00 > 0:07:01for that second place.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Certainly some speed here as Joost heads into the lumpy bumpies.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06The end is in sight.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10Wichman has increased his lead as he pounds down the final straight.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14Quick glance behind just to check he's over the finish line first.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15Derbier has come in second,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18so it's Wichman and Derbier through to the finals,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Cryer and Bateson are out.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25Lining up for the second semifinal it's our best hope, Scott Beaumont,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28on the left. Next to him, last year's winner here at Fort William,
0:07:28 > 0:07:29Tomas Slavik.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Then it's another Brit, Lewis Lacey.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Finally on the right it's Benjamin Kistner from Switzerland.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39So the tension mounts. The gate's down and they're off.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Pretty even start Slavik and Lacey out in front, Beaumont in third.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Slavik pulls ahead, that's where he likes to be, well out in front.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49So the fight is on for that second place.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Beaumont has been a pro biker for over 15 years, has the experience
0:07:52 > 0:07:56to stay calm and focused but can he squeeze through?
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Yes, he's done it, into second place as he hammered down the rock garden.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03So it's Slavik one, Beaumont two, Lacey three.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05They are coming into the big jumps.
0:08:05 > 0:08:10But it's the Czech rider well out in front. Down to the final straight
0:08:10 > 0:08:12and over the finish line.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Yep, Slavik first, Beaumont second, great move from him.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21They'll go through to the final. Lacey and Kistner are out.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24So in the gate ready for the final of this year's 4X competition
0:08:24 > 0:08:27are France's Quentin Derbier on the left,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Tomas Slavik from the Czech Republic is next to him,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34then it's Joost Wichman from the Netherlands,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36and finally Britain's Scott Beaumont.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40What a line-up this is. Ready for the start and they're off.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Very even at the gate but Slavik and Wichman just in front.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45They were clear winners in the semis
0:08:45 > 0:08:48and now they're battling it out for the lead.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Slavik ahead but he's not clear of the opposition by any means.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56So coming in through far wall berm Wichman really pushing to get ahead.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59That's a very aggressive line indeed. Not just the line, either -
0:08:59 > 0:09:02look at that, he's forced Slavik almost into the barriers.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07Slavik managed to stay upright but the gap now looks almost impossible.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10World Champion in the lead. Looking good for him...
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Oh, my goodness! What's Tomas Slavik been up to?
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Look at that, coming from nowhere, that is unbelievable!
0:09:16 > 0:09:19What a ride over the finish line first.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Tomas Slavik has snatched back the top spot with Joost Wichman second,
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Quentin Derbier third and Scott Beaumont in fourth.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30What a ride from Slavik.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Tomas, that was an amazing victory
0:09:32 > 0:09:35and one of the most outrageous overtaking moves I've ever seen.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40This is 4X, this is how it exactly should be looking, you know?
0:09:40 > 0:09:45Four riders elbow to elbow passing on a track, exciting racing,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48great for the crowd. That's exactly it, love it.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50And I was just like, "It's all or nothing."
0:09:50 > 0:09:54So I railed the berm and jumped the triple and I was just hoping that
0:09:54 > 0:09:58I'd be there on time, and I made it, you know? It was crazy, like.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01What a result there for Tomas Slavik.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Bad news though for the second man over the line.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Unexpectedly, the judges disqualified Joost Wichman
0:10:07 > 0:10:11because of barging into Slavik at the top of the rock garden.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14So that means the final results look like this.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18In third place it's Britain's Scott Beaumont.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Second now goes to Quentin Derbier from France.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23But out in the lead, once again taking the top spot,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Tomas Slavik from the Czech Republic.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30Incredible racing there. We'll be back later in the programme here
0:10:30 > 0:10:33at Fort William for the downhill but for the moment we are leaving
0:10:33 > 0:10:36the real athletes behind as Deziree and I find out who is the fastest,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40most skilful competitor... and we don't even get a bike.
0:10:49 > 0:10:55OK, I'm thinking it might be coming up fairly soon. Yeah, this is right.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56I think it's somewhere over here.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00We've travelled some 60 miles north-east across the Great Glen
0:11:00 > 0:11:02to find out about a major athletic competition
0:11:02 > 0:11:04coming to the Highlands next year.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08London had the Olympics,
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Glasgow has the Commonwealth Games.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15Next year Inverness will host 5,000 international athletes
0:11:15 > 0:11:18as they converge in the Highland capital
0:11:18 > 0:11:21for the World Orienteering Championships.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Now, that is soggy.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29They call it cunning running.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31You have to be fast, yes,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35but navigation through forest like this has to be spot-on.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38How hard can it be? We are about to find out.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45Two of the organisers of next year's World Championships have set a small
0:11:45 > 0:11:47course for us near Inverness.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Deziree and I will take it in turns to see who's fastest.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55It's about the standard a 14-year-old orienteer could tackle,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58so it'll be easy, right?
0:11:58 > 0:12:01You have a map and there are some points that you need to visit
0:12:01 > 0:12:04on the map in order. And the idea is to get between those points
0:12:04 > 0:12:07as quickly as you can, choose the fastest route.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Sometimes that will be a long way round, sometimes it'll be
0:12:09 > 0:12:12a short way through. It's up to you. Different things will be faster
0:12:12 > 0:12:15for different people. What you do when you get to each of
0:12:15 > 0:12:18the checkpoints is this... and that stamps your time.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21You won't be on your own. Lorna will be with you.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Lorna is an ex-international orienteer and in fact competed
0:12:24 > 0:12:27in the World Championships when they were last in Scotland in 1999.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29So you are in great hands and she will hopefully prevent you
0:12:29 > 0:12:33ending up in Glasgow. OK, Dougie, here's your map.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- A few seconds to look at it. - The first thing you want to do is
0:12:36 > 0:12:40- locate the triangle which indicates the start.- This is it here, I think?
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Yes. The first one you probably want to take the safest route.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- Are you ready?- Yes. - Three, two, one - go.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49BEEPING
0:12:49 > 0:12:52There's an element of tortoise and hare. I mean, clever course planners
0:12:52 > 0:12:55will make sure that there are several choices on any course
0:12:55 > 0:12:58and it's not immediately obvious which is the fastest.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01And if you and I ran at the same speed. In some ways, you know,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04the line to the left might be quicker for you, the line to the right might
0:13:04 > 0:13:07be quicker for me because different people have different abilities
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- and different skills. - Definitely number one.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- Compass up along from one to two. - Yes.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17And then turn yourself until the needle is parallel
0:13:17 > 0:13:22and then look up ahead and sight on a distinct tree
0:13:22 > 0:13:25or bit of the ground ahead.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Oh!
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Fantastic. I've got some in my eyes as well.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32HE SPITS
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Now, that is soggy.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36HE SPITS
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Obviously a good reason for not going across mossy and muddy ground.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Kind of lost now.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45This isn't it, is it?
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Oh, man, where is it, where is it? I'm sure I've run past it.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52HE GROANS
0:13:52 > 0:13:55For me it's the subtle balance of a physical challenge
0:13:55 > 0:13:58because it's really high... It's a physically tough sport
0:13:58 > 0:14:00but it's also got that mental aspect.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03It's the fact that you have to think all the way.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05And have to get it right.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- Take a bearing...- Take a bearing, she says.- ..out to the north-west.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13The difficult thing is taking a bearing when you...
0:14:13 > 0:14:15You've no idea where you are.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18But there's the big forest track beyond.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- Uh-huh.- If we take a bearing. - Where is that, though?
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Roughly that way, that should be just down, down over that lip.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28The mind's eye thing is really important
0:14:28 > 0:14:30particularly when it starts to go wrong.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33If you know in your mind's eye you should be running up a slope
0:14:33 > 0:14:37and suddenly you start running down a slope then something's not right.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42OK, where's the track, where's the point?
0:14:43 > 0:14:45There! Ya beezer! Fantastic.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- What's that, three?- That's four. - Four?- Yeah.- Hurrah.- One to go.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53So...
0:14:53 > 0:14:57You're going to be looking for a big marsh, should be on the hill
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- that kind of bounds the back of that marsh.- How long have I taken?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Well done.- And that would appear to be that.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Three, two, one - go.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12BEEPING
0:15:12 > 0:15:15How big a deal will it be to have the best orienteers in the world
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- here in Inverness-shire?- Oh, it's going to be a fantastic thing.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Amazing to see the elite running through the forests at speed.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Orienteering is all things to all people, you know, from beginners
0:15:25 > 0:15:28all the way through to the very, very top of the sport.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30It's a really fast, exciting,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33dramatic sport at the very, very top level.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37So, I'm thinking it's down here and then I'm looking for another track
0:15:37 > 0:15:40coming in on the left.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44I'm trying to keep my feet sort of dry if I can.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Oh, I lost my shoe!
0:15:51 > 0:15:53How good are the Brits?
0:15:53 > 0:15:56The Brits are good and they're amongst...certainly amongst the top
0:15:56 > 0:15:57nations in the world.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00It's quite tricky terrain to negotiate.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03The Scots traditionally actually form the backbone of the British team,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06partly because we've got these amazing locations here
0:16:06 > 0:16:07for people to race in.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11It is realistic to expect British medallists at the World Championships
0:16:11 > 0:16:13next year, which for us would be amazing.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16You know, home medallists in home forests
0:16:16 > 0:16:18would be a massive success for us.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21There it is. Cool.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25We've got something like 5,000 or 6,000 spectators who'll be
0:16:25 > 0:16:28in our arenas. And they'll be watching big screens in the arenas
0:16:28 > 0:16:31and they'll be able to see through the TV cameras and GPS tracker,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33they'll be able to see the best orienteers in the world
0:16:33 > 0:16:35making progress.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36OK...
0:16:37 > 0:16:39So, that's the last one?
0:16:39 > 0:16:43That's inevitable, isn't it? Deziree has won again.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Now it's time to see the extent of my failure.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49So those GPS tracker devices that you were carrying, they were following
0:16:49 > 0:16:53your every move. So when I press the start button here what'll happen is
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- you will see your trails being marked on the map.- OK.- Yes.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01Dougie, you're blue, Deziree, you're red. OK, are you ready? Here we go.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- And they're off.- And they're off. Looking pretty close to begin with.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Both clean through number one there, that's good.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- This is where it goes really wrong for Dougie.- Yep.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14You're taking a nice straight line there, Deziree. Dougie's on the other
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- edge of the map.- Right past it. See this point on the course?
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- You just missed it.- You're just going to go straight past it.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- Yep, I'm right over the top of it. - You were right over the top of it.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Oh, my goodness, I'm all over the place, but I got back on.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30This is really great just being able to see exactly the route
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- that you took in motion.- And compared to each other, yes.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35I'm quite disappointed with you, Dez. It is called The Adventure Show
0:17:35 > 0:17:37not Take The Easy Option Show.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- I mean, I was going in a straight line and hard.- You were doing enough
0:17:40 > 0:17:42adventure for both of us, I think.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45That's the beauty of orienteering. Straight lines, sometimes it's right,
0:17:45 > 0:17:47sometimes it's not right.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Obviously the courses will be much harder than this during
0:17:50 > 0:17:53the World Championships in August 2015.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I might just be watching.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58If you want to find out more about that orienteering event
0:17:58 > 0:18:01or any of the other items on this programme follow us on Facebook.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16Now it's back to the main event here at Fort William, the downhill.
0:18:16 > 0:18:202.8 kilometres of riding with 555 metres of descent.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23You have to be fast, you have to be accurate and you have to be brave
0:18:23 > 0:18:26to do this at around five minutes.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29We're going to start with the women's event and this year it has
0:18:29 > 0:18:32been a battle across the Channel between France and Britain.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Emmeline Ragot and Myriam Nicole have been looking pretty good
0:18:35 > 0:18:39for the French but Britain have the third place in the world rankings,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Manon Carpenter, and current World Champion Rachel Atherton.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Lots for the home crowd to cheer about.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49I think this year it's probably the hardest I've ever ridden it.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51The addition of the big wheels that everyone's gone to.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55A couple of inches of bigger wheel makes it a lot faster so, you know,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58you're coming down the track, you know, already faster
0:18:58 > 0:18:59than you even were last year.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02So explain to me about the change in wheel size.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05I mean, it makes you faster so surely that's good, isn't it?
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- Or is it scarier? - It's very... It's very scary.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12The wheels have gone up from 26 inch to 27.5 inch.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16So, you know, they roll over the bumps a lot easier and a lot quicker.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19So you kind of...you end up with more speed so you carry more speed
0:19:19 > 0:19:23on the straight but you've still got to go around the same corner.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27So you're coming into the corners a lot faster and it's just, you know,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30it's a lot harder on your arms because you go faster.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33So, yeah, we didn't really think about that.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Rachel's been at the top of this sport for nearly a decade
0:19:37 > 0:19:41but it's not just about fitness and technique. Over the last few years
0:19:41 > 0:19:44the Athertons have been using a performance coach,
0:19:44 > 0:19:46not to improve their biking skills
0:19:46 > 0:19:50but to work on the psychological aspects of success.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Most coaching technically is to do with
0:19:52 > 0:19:55"What am I doing physically on the bike?"
0:19:55 > 0:19:59But I'm more interested in what's the mindset that you have before
0:19:59 > 0:20:02you get to the bike because that's going to have an impact
0:20:02 > 0:20:05on what's going to happen technically. I'm also interested in
0:20:05 > 0:20:08what's your mindset after.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11So, if you have had a good race run, how do you process that?
0:20:11 > 0:20:14If you've had a poor race run or practice run or qualifying run
0:20:14 > 0:20:17how do you process that? So, that's going to have an impact
0:20:17 > 0:20:21on what you do technically next time. And so do you take the risk,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24do you go for it, are you forcing it?
0:20:24 > 0:20:28That's all to do with where's your mindset?
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Rachel will need all that preparation in today's race
0:20:31 > 0:20:34as she squares up against the two top French riders,
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Emmeline Ragot and Myriam Nicole.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42They also know there's more to biking than just technical ability.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47It's hard to explain to someone that is not riding. I think it's just like
0:20:47 > 0:20:50you are on your bike and you are just one person, you know?
0:20:50 > 0:20:53And everything is moving in a good way.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56You're flying over the rocks and it's just an amazing feeling.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02You know you have to get the right rhythm and get a constant speed
0:21:02 > 0:21:06and not brake too much and, like, have a stop on the track.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09So you are feeling when you know you get the flow
0:21:09 > 0:21:13and everything going right. It's how you gain time.
0:21:13 > 0:21:1721-year-old Manon Carpenter from South Wales has already had
0:21:17 > 0:21:22a second and a first place in the two World Cups of 2014.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26And she had the fastest qualifying time yesterday here at Fort William.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30There's not too many lines to choose from the top section but technique
0:21:30 > 0:21:33critical, I guess. You're not just going flat out down the hill.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36There's lots of corners and they're loose and drifty and you've got to
0:21:36 > 0:21:37kind of navigate the rocks properly.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40So, you've got to know exactly where you want to go and to just make it
0:21:40 > 0:21:44as smooth as you can because it's so long, the smoother you can make it
0:21:44 > 0:21:47the more energy you've got towards the bottom.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50So the race is on for that top spot here in Fort William.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53I am in the arena as the crowds cheer the riders down
0:21:53 > 0:21:55over the finish line.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Up in the hill is Duncan McCallum.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03We're picking up the action with the top Swiss rider Emilie Siegenthaler.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08Swiss national champion for 2011 and 2013. Came seventh in Fort William
0:22:08 > 0:22:13last year and seventh in the World Championships last year as well.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Still she is in with a shout here.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Wearing a neck brace, as many of the riders are now doing that.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Oh, quite good, oh, just slightly overcooked that,
0:22:24 > 0:22:29almost threw her off the course. It's quite hard to tell on the top part
0:22:29 > 0:22:32of the course how they're really going but she looks very smooth.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36There's a series of very technical switchbacks dropping down
0:22:36 > 0:22:40to a massive rock slab which then takes you into the forest.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44Nicely done, bending her whole body over. Emilie looks good so far.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50Well, well, Emilie Siegenthaler is absolutely smashing it
0:22:50 > 0:22:53and almost ended up on her backside there.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55She studied psychology at Lausanne University
0:22:55 > 0:22:59before becoming a professional biker. Born in 1986.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Started riding on cross-country races
0:23:02 > 0:23:05before discovering downhill in 2006.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09She was slow in the top section. She made up an incredible amount of time
0:23:09 > 0:23:12at the bottom. My goodness, I don't know how she managed to find it
0:23:12 > 0:23:16but she managed to find something. It's amazing, this girl.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21She's miles inside. Into the lead. 4.4 seconds
0:23:21 > 0:23:24to put her into the driving seat for the moment.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31On the top of the course here in Fort William is Tracey Hannah, Australian,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33ninth in the world, age 26.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36A real hope here today.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38And she's benefitting today
0:23:38 > 0:23:41because the course has just dried up a little bit
0:23:41 > 0:23:45and Tracey is going very well in the upper part of the course.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49And that's very aggressive riding from Tracey, very, very good so far,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51really nice line.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55Doesn't want to overcook it too far coming into these technical hairpins.
0:23:55 > 0:24:00They are slightly firm so you can rail off them as she is doing.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03And there are three or four big, big, complicated hairpins
0:24:03 > 0:24:08where you have to get absolutely the right line, so Tracey looking good.
0:24:08 > 0:24:14Tracey Hannah two seconds up at the split. Australian Champion of 2012
0:24:14 > 0:24:19and 2013. Junior World Champion back in 2006.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21She is such a brilliant competitor.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Gets the elbows high, uses the arms as shock absorbers
0:24:27 > 0:24:30and pushes as much as she possibly can
0:24:30 > 0:24:32at the bottom section of the course.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Two seconds inside the split.
0:24:34 > 0:24:40She's in first place for the moment! 5:26.6.
0:24:40 > 0:24:48Wow! That was incredible! 4.5 seconds inside Siegenthaler. Wow!
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Expect to hear a massive cheer here for Rachel Atherton,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56the darling of British women's downhill racing.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00She was World Champion in 2008 and 2013.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03This year she is not feeling too confident, she's got a lot more
0:25:03 > 0:25:06competition now with Manon Carpenter biting her heels.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08But she came first in Cairns, Australia
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and second in Pietermaritzburg already this year.
0:25:11 > 0:25:17And Rachel is up for it. Looking very good, very, very tidy line.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Doesn't look like she's trying too hard but the line is so smooth,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23she'll carry a huge amount of speed.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26You can just hear the gears in her bike clank a little bit there.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28She looks slow but she is deceptively fast
0:25:28 > 0:25:30here in the upper part of the course.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35Rachel belted down the top part of the track. We should be seeing her any minute now.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Come on, Rachel, where are you?
0:25:37 > 0:25:42Looks like something has gone wrong. Yes, disaster, she's off her bike.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Looks like a puncture. Oh, and she's pulling the inner tube out of the gears.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52Back on the bike, that's definitely the race over for Rachel.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Here she comes, limping back.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Huge disappointment for her. Oh, when you get a failure on the bike
0:25:58 > 0:26:01it's a day you just want to forget.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04At the top of the course now is one of France's great riders,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Emmeline Ragot.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08This woman can do anything on the downhill
0:26:08 > 0:26:11and absolutely loves the Fort William course.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13She has seen a lot of success here.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18Came third in 2013 and absolutely flying on the top part of the course
0:26:18 > 0:26:21taking a slightly different line from some of the girls
0:26:21 > 0:26:27and letting the bike bounce around underneath her but keeping focused on the task ahead.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Making a really, really nice angle. You can see the front wheel
0:26:30 > 0:26:35bouncing around all over the place as Emmeline pushes down the course,
0:26:35 > 0:26:39pushing into these berms just to pick up speed and Emmeline looks set
0:26:39 > 0:26:43for a...certainly a podium position today.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48World Champion in 2009 and World Champion in 2011,
0:26:48 > 0:26:53Emmeline Ragot is a brilliant, brilliant racer.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55The French girl, 28 years old,
0:26:55 > 0:27:00currently second in the world rankings is just an amazing competitor.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05She won two silver medals and three bronze medals at this event.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10She knows this course incredibly well and knows how to do damage as well.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12And it looks like she is doing
0:27:12 > 0:27:15an incredible amount of damage this year.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Tracey Hannah is now in bother as Emmeline Ragot goes
0:27:19 > 0:27:25in at first and smashes it. Almost 14 seconds up on Tracey Hannah.
0:27:25 > 0:27:30The fist pump into the air. That's what it means for this French girl.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34At the top of the mountain here in Fort William is Myriam Nicole.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Currently ranked fourth in the world,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40this trainee physiotherapist from France studying
0:27:40 > 0:27:42in Montpellier is a really big hope here.
0:27:44 > 0:27:50She came fourth in 2013, she is the ex-French national champion in 2011 and came third in 2012.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53She is an extremely, extremely good rider.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58Carrying lots of speed up here. Oh, almost cleared the gap completely.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Not many of the women have done that.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Flying down the upper part of the course.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06She is one of the fastest-looking we've seen so far.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11Down through these technical switchbacks trying to keep the line off the gravel
0:28:11 > 0:28:14so that you can carry the speed into the straight between the corners
0:28:14 > 0:28:17and Myriam is hammering down towards the forest and looking very good.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Well, Myriam is not looking as good as we expected.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25She was so fast at the top section of
0:28:25 > 0:28:30the course but she looks absolutely burst now, short on that jump.
0:28:30 > 0:28:35What's going on? I can see the head's down and she is not as fast as we were expecting.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43Looking exhausted, hasn't had a World Cup win in 2012 and 2013.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Usually gets onto the podium though.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49She was up at the top section of the course.
0:28:49 > 0:28:50She's now dropped.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Good enough for second for Myriam Nicole
0:28:53 > 0:28:58but my goodness, what happened to her on the bottom section? Wow.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04All eyes now though to the top for the fastest woman qualifier
0:29:04 > 0:29:08and the last to ride down the track, Britain's Manon Carpenter.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13Manon Carpenter claimed a blinding 60 seconds faster than Rachel
0:29:13 > 0:29:15on some of the time rides here earlier on in the week.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19A hugely impressive performer despite the fact she is
0:29:19 > 0:29:20still only 21.
0:29:20 > 0:29:25She came second here last year and spent a lot of the winter in the gym
0:29:25 > 0:29:28getting stronger on the bike, which is certainly
0:29:28 > 0:29:30needed here in Fort William.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35A nice line, very, very tidy rider.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Her father was an ex-BMX racer
0:29:38 > 0:29:41and she learned a lot of the techniques and he still trains her to this day.
0:29:41 > 0:29:47And Manon is charging down towards the forest and hopefully for a British win.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48We will soon find out.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55Oh, that's... Oh, my goodness me, what is going on
0:29:55 > 0:29:58with the British riders and their back tyres?
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Oh, that is hugely disappointing.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05Manon Carpenter was almost ten seconds up after qualifying yesterday.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10Rachel Atherton crashed back tyre, Manon Carpenter burst back tyre.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13She was two seconds up.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Oh, man, that is just sickening.
0:30:19 > 0:30:24You can actually feel the frustration around the crowd here at Fort William.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27You can see the head goes down. She is,
0:30:27 > 0:30:29wow, for want of a better word, gutted.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34But Emmeline Ragot is the champion 2014
0:30:34 > 0:30:36thanks to a fantastic ride by her.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Well done, Emmeline Ragot.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44From the top it was a bit windy, you know you can make too much mistake
0:30:44 > 0:30:46because of the gravel and you do one way out and
0:30:46 > 0:30:49you are out the track. So it was pretty out there, yeah.
0:30:52 > 0:30:53So confirmation of those results.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Tracey Hannah from Australia came in third
0:30:55 > 0:30:59with a time of 5:20.60.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01And it's a top two for France.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Myriam Nicole's time of 5:21.33
0:31:04 > 0:31:06was enough to secure her second place.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10But nine seconds faster, taking the win here today at Fort William,
0:31:10 > 0:31:15is Emmeline Ragot with her time of 5:12.62.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17What a run for her.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20We'll be back for more downhill action later.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Right now it's time to get away from the hustle and hubbub
0:31:22 > 0:31:25to join Cameron McNeish as he heads
0:31:25 > 0:31:27into the Cairngorm Hills above Braemar.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45I've found it so many times before that so often in Scotland
0:31:45 > 0:31:49the best views come from the top of the smaller hills.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53And that's certainly the case of the hill I'm climbing today, Carn Na Drochaided.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58It rises in fairly unspectacular form from a
0:31:58 > 0:32:06neck of land between Glen Quoich and the Sluggan and it rises to a height of 2,685 feet.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08That's certainly high enough for great views.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20You know, you can hear the sound of this River Quoich and the Linn of Quoich
0:32:20 > 0:32:22away back in the woods there.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24You hear the sound before you see anything.
0:32:24 > 0:32:29And it really is quite spectacular, how the water's been channelled into this very, very narrow gully
0:32:29 > 0:32:34and it just surges through there under the bridge and then flows on down towards the River Dee.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41It's a spectacular place and there's one little feature that I'm very keen to show you.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43It's just over here.
0:32:45 > 0:32:51The hole you can see in the shelf of rock over there is known as "The Earl of Mar's Punch Bowl".
0:32:51 > 0:32:55It's said that in 1715 the followers of the Earl of Mar came here
0:32:55 > 0:33:03and filled the hole up with anchors of potent aquavit and they then toasted the Jacobite cause.
0:33:04 > 0:33:10I quite like the story. I also like the fact that there's a link between using cups to drink toasts
0:33:10 > 0:33:15and the name "quoich", the Gaelic word for "drinking cup".
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Inevitably all good things come to an end
0:33:32 > 0:33:37and it's time to leave the nice bulldozed track and take to the heather.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39This is where the hard work starts.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05On my Ordnance Survey map there's a bulldozed track that runs from the floor of the Glen
0:34:05 > 0:34:12all the way up that, Ben Avurd, virtually all the way to the very summit of the mountain.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19Way back in the 1960s the landowner of the time had this idea of building a ski resort
0:34:19 > 0:34:26so he had this bulldozer gouge out this track right up across the summit plateau.
0:34:26 > 0:34:32It never came to anything and fairly recently when the National Trust for Scotland bought this estate
0:34:32 > 0:34:35one of the very first things they did was get rid of the track.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39They filled it in and it's surprising you can't see anything of it today.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43A very, very good example of re-wilding.
0:34:54 > 0:35:00At the moment I'm feeling very small and very insignificant.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05Lost in the mists of this vastness,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08this immense space all around.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14It's the sense of space that I find absolutely invigorating
0:35:15 > 0:35:19and there's part of me wishes I could just launch myself from here
0:35:19 > 0:35:25and fly for miles and miles and miles.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35This is the real endearing feature of the Cairngorms.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36The sense of space.
0:35:50 > 0:35:56The summit of Creag a'Cheirich, which is the kind of subsidiary summit of Carn Na Drochaided,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58is just ahead of us.
0:35:58 > 0:36:06And once you get up this high the walking is quite easy across this wind-clipped heath.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10Nice, big, broad ridge and not too much of a climb to the summit now.
0:36:16 > 0:36:22You know, I have this recurring dread that one day I'm going to be too old to climb hills.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26It's not something I like to think about too much.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30But even at the age I'm at just now I realise that I'm getting
0:36:30 > 0:36:34a bit slower, the hills aren't as easy as they were once.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38And that's the wonderful thing about a hill like this one. It's not a hard hill,
0:36:38 > 0:36:44it's not a difficult hill but you get all the benefits of being high with big views.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Maybe this is a good hill for oldies like me.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58Carn Na Drochaided, one of our Corbetts,
0:36:58 > 0:37:02one of our Scottish mountains between 2,500 feet and 2,999 feet.
0:37:02 > 0:37:09It means the Cairn of the Bridge and I suspect the name comes from it being a bridge between the Sluggan,
0:37:09 > 0:37:14the great valley of the Sluggan down that way, and Glen Quoich and Glen Dee.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16The view is phenomenal.
0:37:16 > 0:37:22Away in that direction is "dark Lochnagar" in all its glory.
0:37:22 > 0:37:30Behind me here the Torrs of Ben Ann and then all down this side nothing but black rainclouds
0:37:30 > 0:37:34so that kind of urges me to get moving and get off the summit before I get drenched,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37because I think that rain is going to be here in just a few minutes.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Welcome back to Fort William once again.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54We will be joining the men for their downhill competition soon
0:37:54 > 0:37:58but first we're going behind the scenes to find out when a top mountain biker
0:37:58 > 0:38:02met with the rarefied world of a professional footballer.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06And when you hear the crowd definitely that adrenaline starts pumping through your body.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Once you get into the game it all goes out and you're focused on that
0:38:09 > 0:38:11and you almost don't see or hear anything else around you.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16When you get into that moment it's like nothing else.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19It's just amazing, just pure adrenaline, yeah,
0:38:19 > 0:38:24it can be emotional at times even, it's just so good.
0:38:24 > 0:38:30Last year 22-year-old Greg Williamson from Inverness joined one of the big mountain biking teams,
0:38:30 > 0:38:35Trek World Racing. At the other end of the spectrum Michael Stewart's football began
0:38:35 > 0:38:40when he signed for Manchester United in 1998.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Since then he's played for a variety of teams
0:38:42 > 0:38:44including Hibs and Hearts and has been capped for his country.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Now he's retired from playing professionally
0:38:48 > 0:38:50and is keen to take on new sports.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53He knows what it takes to be a pro footballer,
0:38:53 > 0:38:56but what does it take to be a pro mountain biker?
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Is that fast enough, Greg?
0:38:58 > 0:39:02Just like motorbikes or car racing get a nice, wide apex
0:39:02 > 0:39:07and then dropping down and get a nice early break in before it.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12Oh, let's get the apexes better.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18Head up to the turn, braking as well. That's it, nice. So, nice, wide.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21That was good, like, definitely, I'm happy with that.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25When you start out with a sport it's just a passion, you love it.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28And then to take it to that professional level I know myself
0:39:28 > 0:39:30obviously it takes over your life.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33I was 16 and you go down to Manchester, it's a huge...
0:39:33 > 0:39:35it's a huge step. I don't think you realise it at the time.
0:39:35 > 0:39:41But looking back on it now, you start to wonder yourself how on earth did you manage to do that?
0:39:41 > 0:39:45I suppose it's just the love of the sport, all-consuming.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49You've got to be smart about it. You can't be out drinking, partying, whatever.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52Just trying to keep you on schedule.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57That was the hardest thing for me. I had to really focus on my time.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00You can't be late to anything, really, you've got to be...you've got to be
0:40:00 > 0:40:04on it and that's something I learned pretty quickly because if you're late you miss the boat.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- Right, let's get the foot down. - Right, let's go.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11There's no doubt about it, there are huge sacrifices that you make.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13But ultimately there's massive rewards for it as well.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Career-wise, huge rewards.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Financially, obviously, in football, there's big rewards as well.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21But ultimately, from a footballing perspective,
0:40:21 > 0:40:23it's not the finances that really drive you,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26it's that professional pride and the accolades that come with that.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30Invariably, if you get that, the finances come with it.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Do you see yourself... Like, how long are you going to do this,
0:40:33 > 0:40:35or are you just enjoying it at the moment?
0:40:35 > 0:40:37'I'm just enjoying the moment.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40'I don't think too far ahead, I'm just trying to focus on my goals
0:40:40 > 0:40:43'just now, and we'll see where it takes me. You never know.'
0:40:43 > 0:40:47There are people who have had life-changing injuries.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49There is always that risk.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52I will keep it pretty locally based, I will keep my options open
0:40:52 > 0:40:54and we'll see.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Fort William downhill track's like this the whole way!
0:40:58 > 0:41:00- So it gets tiring.- Yeah!
0:41:00 > 0:41:03But here you can learn a lot by just being smooth
0:41:03 > 0:41:06and picking the right line.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08So you could go inside here and there is a hole after that rock,
0:41:08 > 0:41:11so round the outside is smoother.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15And keep your weight back and stuff, and let the front wheel do the work.
0:41:15 > 0:41:20- Will I do a demonstration?- You do it, and I can have a wee look.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24Coming in...keeping your weight back, legs nice and soft,
0:41:24 > 0:41:30letting your arms work. Front wheel left... Then looking forward, smooth.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34It's not about going fast, it's about improving skills and working
0:41:34 > 0:41:38at your own pace, and then once you've got it, you add the speed.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Let's go for that one. Cool. Sorted.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47So nice and easy. Keep your weight back.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50That's it. Nice. Nice line!
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Smooth line. That's it.
0:41:52 > 0:41:53- No.- No.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56That's fine. We'll try again.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59One thing I was quite intrigued about is the older you get,
0:41:59 > 0:42:01you've gone through a bit more, you have more experience,
0:42:01 > 0:42:05and sometimes that can be a benefit but it can be a negative
0:42:05 > 0:42:08because you start getting more anxious about stuff.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11- Do you get nervous at all? - Yes. Absolutely.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14You've got butterflies from when you turn up at the venue here.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16You're anticipating it.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21And then, come race time, you're a bit nervous but it's a good thing.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25It means you're in the right place for doing your job.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27Let's go for it, nice and relaxed.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30Nice and smooth, that's it.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Good. Concentrate, that's it.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Great work. Perfect. Brilliant!
0:42:38 > 0:42:42Good job, Michael. That was perfect!
0:42:43 > 0:42:46- It's a wrap, that one. - Over to the studio!
0:42:46 > 0:42:47THEY LAUGH
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Nice to see Michael being put through his paces,
0:42:57 > 0:43:01and the best of luck to Greg today in today's race.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Now we go on to the Men's Downhill, where Gee Atherton is
0:43:04 > 0:43:07competing to retain his first place he won last year.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Good luck to him. It will be a tough task, though.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15It is quite intense. I mean, you are here for the whole week prepping,
0:43:15 > 0:43:17getting ready, the bike, the track, everything ready
0:43:17 > 0:43:20and then it all boils down to this one run on Sunday afternoon.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22You know, it is intense, the pressure is on
0:43:22 > 0:43:26but at the same time, for me, that's just what we do.
0:43:26 > 0:43:31I guess we're racing every weekend and it's kind of almost natural
0:43:31 > 0:43:34for me to be able to perform and really lay it down when we have to.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37I still get nervous obviously. It's quite a nerve-racking sport
0:43:37 > 0:43:39but at the same time I really feed off that buzz
0:43:39 > 0:43:42and I think there's always such a good atmosphere here
0:43:42 > 0:43:46that I think that really helps the riders and really spurs them on.
0:43:46 > 0:43:50Another strong British rider is ex-World Champion Danny Hart.
0:43:50 > 0:43:5423 years old, he's not fazed by the rough end of this sport.
0:43:54 > 0:43:59Toppled off this morning in practice but it's nothing, really.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01This happens every week - we're always falling off,
0:44:01 > 0:44:06banging ourselves around. But it's nothing, we just carry on.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09Do you think the course here at Fort William
0:44:09 > 0:44:11particularly suits your style of riding?
0:44:11 > 0:44:15Well, I don't know. I'm quite small, you see,
0:44:15 > 0:44:17and they used to say it was the big guys' track
0:44:17 > 0:44:20but over the past few years I think we've changed that.
0:44:20 > 0:44:25I like going fast, it's wide open, some big jumps and just rough,
0:44:25 > 0:44:30so hopefully we can pull out a good result.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33Danny and Gee are up against strong competition, though,
0:44:33 > 0:44:38not least from Australia's Sam Hill and the American, Aaron Gwin.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42I've won here before and it's one of the tougher tracks for me to win at,
0:44:42 > 0:44:46I feel like. And so I feel like we're on pace.
0:44:46 > 0:44:47Just got to clean up a few little things
0:44:47 > 0:44:50after today's qualifier and then we should be good.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52But it's definitely going to be a challenge.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54It just comes down to making it happen when it counts.
0:44:54 > 0:44:58This is definitely one of the most enjoyable circuits
0:44:58 > 0:45:01and races on the calendar. I know there's something about the track,
0:45:01 > 0:45:05it's so long and brutal on the body, so it's a good challenge
0:45:05 > 0:45:07as well as trying to race all the other guys down it.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09So, yeah, really enjoy that.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12The atmosphere here with the crowd and everything is amazing as well
0:45:12 > 0:45:15so it's definitely one of the highlights on the tour.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18And we're heading up to the top of the course right now.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21It's time to pick up the action with the men's event
0:45:21 > 0:45:24as young Scottish rider Greg Williamson sees
0:45:24 > 0:45:27if he can challenge the big names.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30He has a fairly disappointing start to the season,
0:45:30 > 0:45:32with a 32nd place in Pietermaritzburg
0:45:32 > 0:45:34but came tenth here last year
0:45:34 > 0:45:38and came seventh in the British National Championships in June.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40Knows the course really well.
0:45:41 > 0:45:43Looking very smooth is Greg.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46He's totally got the best people to work with.
0:45:46 > 0:45:50And it will be very nice to see a young Scottish rider on the podium.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53And Greg is looking very smooth so far in the top of the course,
0:45:53 > 0:45:55and good luck.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58That's Greg Williamson flying in through the Scotland arch
0:45:58 > 0:46:01and he's having the ride of his life.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03Certainly looks as if he's enjoying it too.
0:46:03 > 0:46:04And it's his birthday.
0:46:04 > 0:46:08A good place here would be the very best present he could dream of.
0:46:08 > 0:46:10He's smashed the previous time -
0:46:10 > 0:46:138½ seconds inside - to go into the hot seat.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16I think he'll be there for quite some time.
0:46:16 > 0:46:18And I think they're going to sing Happy Birthday to him as well!
0:46:18 > 0:46:20Quite right too.
0:46:20 > 0:46:24He's looking like a very successful and happy pro mountain biker.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27At the top of the course now is another great Scottish rider,
0:46:27 > 0:46:29Ruaridh Cunningham, from the Borders.
0:46:29 > 0:46:33He won the Junior World Championships in 2007
0:46:33 > 0:46:36here in Fort William. So he's got it all to race for today.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39Ruaridh said he had a couple of years when he didn't take it too seriously,
0:46:39 > 0:46:41he thought he was on a bit of a holiday,
0:46:41 > 0:46:44but now has become fully committed to the sport.
0:46:44 > 0:46:49Absolutely loves racing here. He'll get a huge welcome as he comes in.
0:46:49 > 0:46:54At age 25, Ruaridh really should be at the peak of his career now,
0:46:54 > 0:47:00and looking this year to push on and make all the use of his talent.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02He's a very, very talented rider.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06It would be fantastic to see him win a senior race here.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09Down onto the corners...
0:47:09 > 0:47:13Ruaridh is looking pretty fast at the top part of the course.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17A Scotsman has never won a World Cup here at Fort William
0:47:17 > 0:47:20on the elite course, but the crowd here
0:47:20 > 0:47:24will take him all the way to the line.
0:47:24 > 0:47:31This hugely talented local man... great rider, lovely guy
0:47:31 > 0:47:34And ninth for Ruaridh Cunningham.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36He wanted a top-15 finish.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39He knows that he could have gone a little bit faster.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41He's not too happy, by the looks of things.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45Really getting back to full fitness at the moment.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52The phenomenon that is Gee Atherton, currently ranked first in the world
0:47:52 > 0:47:56and is really part of an amazing dynasty of family riders.
0:47:56 > 0:48:00But he will know that his sister crashed out, didn't have a great run.
0:48:00 > 0:48:06It is up to Gee now. He came first in Australia just a few weeks ago.
0:48:06 > 0:48:11Absolutely brilliant rider, very technical, totally committed
0:48:11 > 0:48:14and focused, with a great team behind him.
0:48:14 > 0:48:19A huge following. Gee is really on fire here, looking very good,
0:48:19 > 0:48:23railing the bike round on the edge of those tyres,
0:48:23 > 0:48:25trying to keep it as straight and smooth as he possibly can
0:48:25 > 0:48:29on the upper part of the course, down into these difficult switchbacks.
0:48:29 > 0:48:31But where the line is all-important,
0:48:31 > 0:48:34Gee is looking smooth and good on the top part of the course
0:48:34 > 0:48:36as he powers his way down to the forest.
0:48:38 > 0:48:42We're looking for that second split time.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45It's inside by almost a second and a half!
0:48:46 > 0:48:49The first British man ever to win a World Championship,
0:48:49 > 0:48:52looking very, very good indeed.
0:48:52 > 0:48:54Smooth...
0:48:55 > 0:48:57He's got tremendous fitness.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00If anyone can make it up at the bottom half of the course,
0:49:00 > 0:49:01Gee Atherton can.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06Gee didn't have a brilliant qualifying time
0:49:06 > 0:49:09but such a powerful guy. 29 years old...
0:49:11 > 0:49:15Is he in?! Yes, he is! Is he in?
0:49:15 > 0:49:18Oh, yes! By almost a second!
0:49:19 > 0:49:21A fantastic ride there!
0:49:21 > 0:49:26Gee Atherton - could he be champion for the second year in a row?
0:49:28 > 0:49:32On the course now, the first man ever to win five World Cup downhills
0:49:32 > 0:49:36in one season, Aaron Gwin. Came first here in 2012
0:49:36 > 0:49:42and first in the USA Mountain Bike Downhill Championships this year.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45Aaron Gwin, at 27, is at the peak of his powers.
0:49:45 > 0:49:47A really, really amazing rider.
0:49:47 > 0:49:49A crowd favourite - loved here.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51A really, really good technical rider.
0:49:51 > 0:49:55Says he loves it - the dirtiest, most technical, rockiest
0:49:55 > 0:49:57and woodiest tracks he can find.
0:49:57 > 0:50:00He will certainly like the upper part of here and the wood part.
0:50:00 > 0:50:05These pedalling parts and the technical corners, maybe not so much.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08Down into the hairpins - not difficult riding
0:50:08 > 0:50:10but very important to get a good line.
0:50:12 > 0:50:13I can see the rear end of the bike
0:50:13 > 0:50:16kicking up very tight, hard suspension on the back
0:50:16 > 0:50:17and down into the forest.
0:50:21 > 0:50:27Aaron Gwin is currently number one in the World Cup rankings.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33He's up... JUST up against Gee Atherton.
0:50:33 > 0:50:35Can he hold on to the bottom half of the course?
0:50:37 > 0:50:43He really is on his own in American mountain bike racing, this guy.
0:50:45 > 0:50:47Such a great competitor.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50Started BMX racing when he was four years old.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53Is he in against Gee-man?
0:50:53 > 0:50:58Yes, he is! Aaron Gwin - wow! - just inside!
0:50:58 > 0:51:02That was so close.
0:51:02 > 0:51:06My goodness. 0.626 inside Gee Atherton!
0:51:06 > 0:51:09Says he remembers every inch, every bump
0:51:09 > 0:51:12of every World Cup course around the world
0:51:12 > 0:51:14and he remembered all about Fort William
0:51:14 > 0:51:18and chose the correct line, and currently he sits in first place.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23And the marshal's whistle on the upper part of the course
0:51:23 > 0:51:27marking the arrival of Sam Hill, one of the only riders now
0:51:27 > 0:51:30on the World Cup circuit still using flat, sticky rubber on his boots.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32Currently ranked 11th in the world,
0:51:32 > 0:51:36but World Cup winner in 2007 and 2009.
0:51:36 > 0:51:38Came sixth here last year.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42He's known for his extreme technical ability,
0:51:42 > 0:51:47very good on the steep courses, very good at picking lines.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51Sticky rubber works, obviously,
0:51:51 > 0:51:54as Sam is powering through the upper part of the course.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56He really likes it here.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01Very, very quiet off the bike, and an absolute phenomenon on the bike.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03Looks very smooth through the upper part.
0:52:03 > 0:52:07Picked a good line there - looks nice and straight, not too many bumps.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10And into the hairpins, Sam is flying down.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14Sam Hill, the two-time UCI World Downhill champion,
0:52:14 > 0:52:19the man who rides with flat pedals, flat shoes, no clips.
0:52:19 > 0:52:25He's a man who just does it because he's just so talented on a bike!
0:52:25 > 0:52:28Two seconds up - wowee!
0:52:30 > 0:52:34Last win in Fort William in 2006, came second in 2009.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37He loves it when it's steep, he loves it when it's rocky,
0:52:37 > 0:52:39he loves it when it's tough,
0:52:39 > 0:52:42and that's exactly what it is here.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45Flying down this last section.
0:52:45 > 0:52:47Will he be able to keep the speed up?
0:52:47 > 0:52:51I'm sure he will. Sam Hill, the Aussie...
0:52:52 > 0:52:56Number one so far at Fort William!
0:52:56 > 0:53:01- That is a brilliant, brilliant ride from him! - HE LAUGHS
0:53:01 > 0:53:08On the course now is the ex-World Champion of 2011, Danny Hart.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11He said that he has not won a World Cup race
0:53:11 > 0:53:14and he really wants to put that right here today.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16So Danny's on the top of the course.
0:53:16 > 0:53:20He came 28th in South Africa and 21st in Australia.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22Not great results so far this year,
0:53:22 > 0:53:26but he is second from fastest in the qualification here,
0:53:26 > 0:53:28and Danny is really up for it.
0:53:30 > 0:53:35Very, very good technical rider, really knows, and knows when to push.
0:53:35 > 0:53:39That looks very smooth. He is an extremely good competitor.
0:53:40 > 0:53:44Wants to make amends for not having won a World Cup,
0:53:44 > 0:53:48but being ex-World Champion, he knows how to do that.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51He'll be getting a huge cheer as he comes down into the arena,
0:53:51 > 0:53:56and Danny looks fast and smooth on the upper part of this course.
0:53:56 > 0:54:00Well, Danny has got such an incredible amount of ability...
0:54:00 > 0:54:04Does a wheelie over the table top just to entertain the crowd!
0:54:04 > 0:54:07Danny focused on winning this, but he's lost seconds.
0:54:07 > 0:54:12Forget about entertaining! Get the afterburners on!
0:54:12 > 0:54:14He said to me earlier on that it's embarrassing
0:54:14 > 0:54:17he's not won a World Cup cos he certainly has the ability
0:54:17 > 0:54:21and the style and the power and the purpose
0:54:21 > 0:54:24but he hasn't got it together so far.
0:54:27 > 0:54:34A big tailwhip as well to entertain the punters. Such a great rider.
0:54:34 > 0:54:39He knows he's not done enough to win this so puts some style on.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41Oh, wasn't THAT far outside.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45My goodness! What was he doing? He could've won that!
0:54:45 > 0:54:48Half a second out. If he hadn't done the wheelie
0:54:48 > 0:54:51and put the style on at the end, he'd have won that.
0:54:51 > 0:54:54He'd have knocked Sam Hill off the podium.
0:54:54 > 0:54:58Wow, Danny Hart, what a ride. What a talented guy he is.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03Up at the top is the fastest man in qualification,
0:55:03 > 0:55:0621-year-old Troy Brosnan from Australia.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08And he's the last down the hill.
0:55:09 > 0:55:12He came ninth in Cairns and fifth in Pietermaritzburg.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16I suppose the surprise fastest qualifier,
0:55:16 > 0:55:18but he really has got a lot to prove here.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23And he's got Sam Hill to chase and knock off the podium
0:55:23 > 0:55:26if he possibly can. He's got perfect conditions.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30Really, really good on the top part,
0:55:30 > 0:55:32railing the bike down.
0:55:32 > 0:55:35Absolutely solid.
0:55:35 > 0:55:39Troy is on it, trying to keep the edge of the tyres
0:55:39 > 0:55:42dug into the earth, elbows wide,
0:55:42 > 0:55:45pushing down into these fantastic long hairpin bends
0:55:45 > 0:55:47at the top of the course.
0:55:47 > 0:55:51And a good line so far. Looks smooth.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54Well, the expected crowd here at Fort William
0:55:54 > 0:55:58all having a look up at the board to see how Troy Brosnan is doing.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02The Australian, 21 years old,
0:56:02 > 0:56:06as Sam Hill looked expectantly at the big screen and thought,
0:56:06 > 0:56:09"Oh, my goodness, Troy's not going to beat me, is he?"
0:56:09 > 0:56:11Well, he could do.
0:56:12 > 0:56:16He is looking very quick indeed.
0:56:16 > 0:56:21Bit of a tailwhip as well, and he looks speedy.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24Will he be able to keep it going?
0:56:24 > 0:56:280.54 seconds - is he in?
0:56:28 > 0:56:35Yes, he is - by a mile! An absolute mile!
0:56:35 > 0:56:38Puts his hands on his head as if he can't believe it,
0:56:38 > 0:56:44and straight over goes Aaron Gwin to give him a big hug.
0:56:44 > 0:56:51There's the new face of Australian mounting biking, Troy Brosnan.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53An awesome run. After qualifying
0:56:53 > 0:56:56I knew I had to throw down a solid run again,
0:56:56 > 0:56:59and I did that and a little bit more.
0:56:59 > 0:57:02So it's my first World Cup win
0:57:02 > 0:57:05and it definitely hasn't sunk in yet.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08It was amazing because Sam was sitting on the hot seat.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10I don't know if you knew that at the top,
0:57:10 > 0:57:12but another Aussie there as well.
0:57:12 > 0:57:14You had to keep it together, and you certainly did.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17Yeah, it's so good... You know, Sam's been my idol
0:57:17 > 0:57:20ever since I was growing up, and to be on the podium next to him
0:57:20 > 0:57:24is just amazing. So to even get the win on top of that
0:57:24 > 0:57:26is just another level again.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29And confirmation of those final results -
0:57:29 > 0:57:33birthday boy Greg Williamson's great time of 4:44.13
0:57:33 > 0:57:35meant he finished in ninth place.
0:57:35 > 0:57:39Disappointing result for Britain's Gee Atherton, who came in fifth,
0:57:39 > 0:57:43but third went to Danny Hart.
0:57:44 > 0:57:47It was an Australia one-two, with Sam Hill taking second place.
0:57:49 > 0:57:50The surprise winner, though,
0:57:50 > 0:57:55was Troy Brosnan, with his fantastic time.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57What a welcome he had.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00Halfway down I started hearing them. Spurred me on more and more
0:58:00 > 0:58:04and coming into this finish arena was something else.
0:58:04 > 0:58:06I never really had it that big and them cheering that loud
0:58:06 > 0:58:10so I'm super-pumped and it is just awesome.
0:58:11 > 0:58:13Congratulations to Emmeline Ragot
0:58:13 > 0:58:17and Troy Brosnan - amazing performances from both of them.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19Well, that's it for this Adventure Show.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21Next time around we'll be in Torridon
0:58:21 > 0:58:24for a triathlon of epic proportions - the Celtman.
0:58:24 > 0:58:26Please join us for that if you can.
0:58:26 > 0:58:29In the meantime, from all of us in Fort William,
0:58:29 > 0:58:31thanks for your company. Bye for now.