First of all, this is just up the road from us, so we’ll be heading up to check it out and I’m sure it will be awesome.
But, I have my concerns. Why the hell did the UCI award a World Cup round to a resort with no DH track? The track built for the French nationals is a token gesture “tape it out and a track will appear” affair. Haven’t had a chance to ride it myself, but know a few people who have (and who’s opinions I value) and they don’t rate it at all.
Val d’Isere has shown minimal interest in mountain biking up until now and I just find it weird that suddenly they’re hosting a world cup round.
I’ve ridden sections of the route used for the XC races previously held here. Again, not impressed. Use existing doubletrack, minimal singletrack, no trail construction of any kind.
The 4X track is also p*sh.
I really hope they get on the case and build some amazing trails for all disciplines by the end of July. But I fear this may not happen.