Qualifying is over and there are some obvious winners with Rachel taking the women's by 6.9 seconds and Steve Smith the men's by 4.8 seconds. Saturday's race is going to be an interesting one if this is anything to go by. Once again Aaron Gwin will not be one of the last riders down the track, he didn't finish his qualifying run today (He decided not to, he doesn't need the points and he's probably still feeling yesterday's crash) and as a protected rider he'll start 61st with 19 riders to come after him. He's already won the overall but you just know he still wants to win here, hopefully he'll be feeling strong enough to put in a good run tomorrow.
@petaypan, quote from above the qualification list "Once again Aaron Gwin will not be one of the last riders down the track, he didn't finish his qualifying run today (He decided not to, he doesn't need the points and he's probably still feeling yesterday's crash) and as a protected rider he'll start 61st with 19 riders to come after him. He's already won the overall but you just know he still wants to win here, hopefully he'll be feeling strong enough to put in a good run tomorrow."
Yeah - always liked this kid - he must be stoked for tomorrow!!! I wonder if he's the UCI's lowest ranked rider (46) ever to place so high in the finals quali - 2nd. Hope he rides that momentum!!
Couldnt agree more, I want them both to win really. I'd love to see Stevie take it because he's come so close before. But then again I'd love to see Sam take it as i think it would give him the confidence and the boost he needs to start getting on the top of the poium alot more.
I'm really wondering if Sam is as fast as he was before... I've already heard "this is sam hill's race" twice before this year, and he didn't win yet... I thought he could do it before seeing he's +7" back, now I'm a little bit hesitating! I hope he'll do it, he's my favorite rider!
Neg prop me if you want I would have done it myself on a comment like this before today, and I guess I did a few english mistakes then... Enjoy!
steve deserving of a win no doubt. I'd love to see Sam 1, gwin 2 though.. would leave some serious excitement for next season knowing the season ended this way.
Gwin punctured on his way to the start gate today, that's why he didn't qualify. Acoording to TWR he's fine though and will be racing at full speed tomorrow!
Every race this year people get on here and predict Hill for the win...never happens. Theres nothing wrong with it, but there is also nothing wrong for calling them out for being naive. The guy is healthy, hes still a legend and fun to watch, but everyone gets old, and the sport has absolutely progressed since the days he dominated. It would be cool if it happened, but he would need a perfect run.
doesn't it take a perfect run from anybody to win a world cup race? anyways, killer run by smith, and hill is not done winning on the world cup circuit. minaar just won worlds at 30, sam's 27, for all that he's achieved throughout his career so far, its ridiculous to say he's "old" and unable to keep up with the progression of the sport.
The times make me think that no everyone was going all out for qualifying. Not that Smith isn't capable of qualifying first, just he did it by so much. And Robin Wallner 2nd, and Brannigan 3rd well ahead of Gee, Minnar, and Hill? Should be an awesome race, I'm just not going to bet onthe podium looking the same for the finals (except make Steve in first, and Bryceland, thats certainly possible).
I think you may be right, but also this is not a typical World Cup track, I'm sensing big surprises. Doubt Gwin will win, probably too psychologically distracted from the rocky track, the crash, "Gwingate", his shiny new frame, and already having the series wrapped up.
Don't be surprised if it's young Bruni or Spagnolo, those are my picks for the win. Italians know how to ride rocks, and Italy is long overdue for a World Cup win.
@sino - you can bet Wallner and Brannigan where going all out! I'm sure they just out ran the big guns. Will it hold for tomorrow - should be great!! Only hope Gwin doesn't hold the hot seat forever coming down in 61st - but most likely will be there for a long time. That gets boring.
neimbc- Well yes thats what am saying. I'm saying that guys like Wallner and Brannigan (guys with more to prove) would still be going all out. What I was saying was that some of the other big guns like Minnar, Gee, Hannah, Beaumont etc may not have been. These guys are all established and pretty much set in the standings at this point. They want to win the race but there isn't that incentive to pin it in qualifying, especially on a new track.
@Protour - Bruni and Spagnolo are french, not italian..! If you want Italy to win you should probably cheer for Lorenzo Suding instaed. And he was actually better than both Bruni and Spagnolo in the quali, placing 13th...
Whats the deal with the womens point race? I'm not familiar with how many points are awarded for each race. Its pretty clear that f Rachel finishes before Ragot she wins, but what the margin for Ragot? Does simply finishing one slot above Rachel make up the gap? Or can Rachel still win the overall even if Ragot beats her?
I disagree, he probably didn't qualify because he didn't need to. Why would you give up the fast lines to everyone else, when there is no reason? Believe me, having talked to the guy at numerous times in his career he ALWAYS wants to win. This is his way to make that happen.
