Rachel Atherton Instagram – Wow, P.2 in Qualifying! I did not expect that at all! 😱 I have been honest on here talking about how I have been struggling this week & how it all feels just so hard! I promise I WAS being honest! I feel a bit stupid to of been talking about how hard it’s been and then go into 2nd place 😂 even tho it’s just quailes & doesn’t mean anything! feeling awful in practice is a real thing, and maybe most of us racers felt shit in practice 😂 it takes a long time to learn the track, get confidant, set your bike up, and it’s a whole different game riding here on this track compared to riding at home where you’re super comfortable and you know the lines inside out! I felt annoyed I couldn’t ride like I do at home I had absolutely no idea where I might finish, so I knew I had to have a good run to qualify… Race runs are always so different & I guess I forgot that a little bit, I forgot that warming up properly, getting in the zone, sinking 2 Redbull’s , going thru the track in your head, the whole routine… All that preparation sets you up much better for a full run, whereas in practice you do a short warm up and then go for it, You’re not as focussed & stopping lots & it’s super hard to imagine being able to do a full run when you’re that fatigued!! Anyway, I’m pretty stoked & even more nervous 😂 Just wanted to give a bit more insight as i feel like a twat for moaning so much on here then I go and get 2nd in qualifying but… Pretty sure I’ll get smoked tomorrow but I don’t mind! We have 2 more races to go tomorrow! New format means semi finals, and then finals, so 2 more race runs & that’s pretty scary for the body to manage! I honestly don’t really mind anymore what happens, I’m just stoked to have had a good run , really happy to have done a full run & ride good, &I’m happy to be here :-) Teammates killing it too @andreas.kolb66 in 1ST @charlie_hatton1 8th 🔥🔥🔥 @athertonracing @conti_mtb ❤️⭐️❤️⭐️❤️