I'm Chris, this is the downtime podcast and you are tuned into our Latviel pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray. If you listen to this and the chances are you love mountain biking just as much as I do and you want to stay as close to the heart of the sport as possible. Well, that's exactly what we're here to help you do. All season long, I'll be joined by Chris for these pre-race chats and by Nico and Olli for our post-race debriefs.

We're bringing new analysis and insight that you won't find anywhere else straight from the track. But here's the truth. We're nearly halfway through the season and while it's been amazing to see new Patreon supporters coming on board, it's still not enough to cover the costs of making this series. There's no brand backing for this and this is the most expensive thing we do,

with travel, time and making sure the whole team gets paid for their work.

Honestly, I came pretty close to not doing it this year, but I love it.

And from the response that we've had, both online and trackside, I know you do too.

That is why I've been self-funding this series up to this point. Currently, around 1% of people listening support via Patreon. If we could get that closer to 10% then it would make a huge difference. So if you value what we're creating, if this show helps you feel closer to the sport you love, then please consider supporting us over on Patreon. You can join from just £3 a month.

That's less than the price of a coffee, but it goes a long way. The more of you that chip in, the more likely it is that we can keep this thing going. So head to patreon.com for slash downtime podcast. That's p-a-t-r-e-o-n.com for-slash-down-pondcast and help keep the show rolling. A massive thank you to everyone who's already

signed up. It genuinely helps. We need more of you, so if you can, now's the time. All right, another

week off, but we're staying in Italy as we head to Latouriel for its first time hosting a World Cup

downhill. We've visited here before with the Enduro World Series and found a steep hillside

littered with challenging loamers, but what will they have put together for the downhill crew? As always, there's

heaps to dive into. So, without further ado, here's Chris Gilmurray.

Chris Kilmurray, welcome back to the downtime podcast. Again, a small break in the schedule, if we can call it a break, but not much respite. Yeah, what have you been up to since Valdosol? Again, it feels like I haven't left. It feels like you're still in my living room with me. Just back home briefly between Valdesoli and Littweil. So luckily for me, Leitweil is not too far from home.

Only about an hour and a half or thereabouts. So it's a quick drive. So a nice short turnaround in terms of travel for this one for me, which is nice and easy. So I get to spend an extra day at home and, yeah, can't complain too much sun shining. Good. Glad to hear it. Let's take a quick look back at Varasolet from your perspective then.

It was a different challenge. Good, glad to hear it. Let's take a quick look back at Valasolet from your perspective then.

It was a different challenge, right?

Like quite a lot of new section on the track, lower speeds than we've had for a few

races.

How were the riders feeling about being back on a more challenging and touch slower track?

I love that across the board. There was a few. and touch slower track. I loved it. I think across the board.

There was a few grumbles about some of the corners.

Some of the sections been a touch too tight.

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