DH World Cup thread

[Onetime]

I’m ok with Rick’s commentary, it’s Cedric’s that I have the problem with. It’s just terrible. He’s hard to understand and he talks just to talk without adding any useful information. And I agree, the weather sucked and definitely changed the outcome for the last 10 riders.

 

[JP-NZ]

It’s an outdoor sport in the mountains , I’m sure everyone’s benefited from the weather at some point !

Oh no doubt. What I’m disappointed about is the top 10 guys not racing on the same track as Daprela & Minnar. The times showed that. How much better would the race have been if it didn’t rain?

 

[Tubby G]

Fortunately for you , the commentary was turned off
Bottom right side , there is a icon. Click that for options.
Personally , I see the option of ambient audio almost worth the price of the subscription. The trackside commentary is audible in places , I prefer that.
I try to listen to Ric and CG , I really do ! But I never last more than a few minutes before I reach for that icon.

Yeah we thought the trackside commentary sounded far more exciting than the usual pair, but it kind of drifted in out out with the wind, along with the bangin’ Prodigy tunes

 

[RustyMTB]

I'm the other way, I don't mind Cedric. He's the Claudio to Rick's Rob. Rick is the guy going on after the Prodigy, he can't win but it's not his fault., just a tough gig. Cedric is clearly there to be shouty & crank up the excitement & he's doing that. It doesn't add much insight but does serve a purpose.

 

[JP-NZ]

So no rest for the wicked! Straight into the next round at Loudenvielle this weekend

 

[JP-NZ]

Wow the new track looks sick, the bottom is especially steep and gnarly. If it rains its going to get really spicy.

 

[Spin]

Best track this year by far.

 

[RustyMTB]

It'll be won & lost in the woods, just as it should be.

 

[RustyMTB]

Juniors canxd, lots of moaning on the riders' part, cancel culture etc., Danny Hart at Champery and so on but every junior who rode today crashed. I can see either side of it & some chat that protecting the track for the elite is part of the decision but it also feels landmarkish as I can't remember a DH world cup ever being cancelled. What do we think??

 

[Spin]

The riders have one option here. Agree on a way forward , support eachother and stick to it. They hold all the cards , no riders , no race , no show. It may put them in breach of their contract to compete at 2023 UCI events but the option is to put up with more of this shit next year , where it's very likely they will present less value to their sponsors anyway , because of less exposure at cut down / postponed / cancelled races.
Either way , the outlook for all but the top few elite riders looks grim if they allow this to continue under ESO / UCI and lets not let WB off the hook here either.
Time for a revolution!

I get the argument for riders safety but a slow slippery track presents a pretty feeble threat IMO.

 

[Onetime]

Juniors canxd, lots of moaning on the riders' part, cancel culture etc., Danny Hart at Champery and so on but every junior who rode today crashed. I can see either side of it & some chat that protecting the track for the elite is part of the decision but it also feels landmarkish as I can't remember a DH world cup ever being cancelled. What do we think??

I agree with the riders, it’s total BS. The track was very rideable as you can see from this practice run just before the race was canceled, (Dom on Instagram: "Loudenville “unrideable” World Cup track. Closest we got to racing today. Few sections from my first run this morning on @conti_mtb intermediate tyres. Was the decision to cancel the race for juniors justifiable? Not much more to say but gutted to not be dropping this afternoon. @gopro @athertonracing"). It’s mountain bike racing, weather happens. It’s part of the sport and it’s never been a reason to cancel the races in years past. They didn’t bother to consult the riders before making the decision either. The riders should be the ones to make that call.

 

[RustyMTB]

Fwiw I think they should have run it. I remember Leogang in 2020 (I think) that was a muddy farce in the woods & the race stood. Last year, the uncertainty around the switch from Red Bull to Discovery had the riders forming a nascent union. BK has said publicly that the momentum ebbed away & he found that painful, since he'd backed it & put serious effort into it. May be that a few people are regretting not backing themselves tonight but there isn't one of them who doesn't understand getting hurt is part of the sport, so let them at it imo.

 

[JP-NZ]

Not sure about Europe but I really liked watching the racing on Saturday night over here. Not so great to watch Sunday evening like tonight

 

[Robstyle]

There's looking like more rain overnight, so track conditions tommorow will likely be similar. So kinda doesn't support their decision should they go ahead with elite

 

[Tubby G]

Anyone seen anything about whether the race is cancelled or not ?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Anyone seen anything about whether the race is cancelled or not ?

Not yet .... quite a few amusing video's from yesterday because everyone was bored/frustrated ...

Ed Masters vid, which had some junior practice content :


Dean Lucas Live stream chat from yesterday :



More relevant to your question :

UCI semi-final live stream at 10:30 here in French time .. 81 minutes ... not showing as cancelled .... YET !!!

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Zimmerframe]

Forgot this one .. some great practice footage :

 

[RustyMTB]

Pinkbike or Insta for race updates I reckon. Ben Cathro said last night an unnamed American privateer flew in at his own expense, went to sign on to race only to discover the UCI had moved the signing on window & he was out. If that's true, it's piss poor.

 

[Zimmerframe]

 

[RustyMTB]

Rick opening the women's semis said the UCI, Warner/Discovery & the riders had a meeting yesterday & decided to cancel the juniors between them. I'm fairly certain that never happened I reckon what did happen is Rick was handed a piece of paper to read out on air.

 

[Spin]

More lies. Like the "We didn't have 13 year old track Marshall's at Leogang" story.
F#ck the UCI.

 

[Spin]

Is it sprinkling rain ? I have the commentary muted so.....

 

[Zimmerframe]

Jacksons run/crash from yesterday. Stunning run .. crash is at about 2:30 :


Slo-mo's of bikes and riders being worked hard ... check those coils working.. :


Highlights from the Men's finals :


Highlights from the Women's finals :

 

[Tubby G]

I’m sure French spectators were throwing banana skins in front of the British riders wheels

 

[Onetime]

Man, the woman’s and men’s elite final were awesome! And with Gwin in the commentary box it was so much better! And Dakota, that was an amazing run! Merika! F-yeah!

 

[JP-NZ]

Was a brilliant race day. Bring on the next round this weekend and hopefully back to Saturday racing!

 

[RustyMTB]

Outside of an injury, can we see Nina Hoffman catching Vali now? Camille out until Snowshoe at the earliest is a major boost for both. The mens looks wide open, arguably anyone from the top 8 is in with a chance.

 

[Type1]

Good and balanced (as always) view from Ben Cathro on the Juniors being cancelled -

 

[RustyMTB]

Just putting it out there that if they ever remake Flash Gordon, Thibault Daprela is a shoo-in for Ming the Merciless.

 

[InRustWeTrust]

Jackson's crash in qualifying was sick,
Don't understand how he could get up and carry on after that crash and still get 2nd place in qualifying