Results: Val di Sole Men's DH Finals - UCI World Cup 2012

Jun 3, 2012
by Ian Hylands  
photo

Aaron Gwin, absolutely pinned and on his way to winning this race by an insane 7 seconds...


Men's Top 5

1. Aaron Gwin
2. Greg Minnaar
3. Gee Atherton
4. Marc Beaumont
5. Cam Cole

photo

Complete Results at bottom...

Junior rider Loic Bruni put down a fast run with a time that would have put him near the top of qualifying. Fairclough, Bryn, Cous Cous, and Camellini couldn't beat him, and while Nick Beer looked fast in practice he came down slower and ended up 3.8 seconds back. A big surprise Andrew Neethling was about 10 seconds back at the first split and couldn't make it up. Jared Graves up next and while he's been looking fast this season he ended up 12 seconds back of Bruni. Then it was Steve Smith's turn. After breaking his hand in practice and missing qualifying Stevie was fastest through the first two splits and finished half a second up to take the hot seat from Loic Bruni. Way to go Stevie, riding with a broken hand to take the hot seat! Then it was Mick Hannah's turn but he was back at the first split and after making a few solid mistakes he ended up 7 seconds back and into 14 spot. Peaty had a good run, but couldn't do it, 1.2 seconds back and into 3rd spot on the hot seat, Stevie Smith still in first spot. Josh Button looked really fast on the top part of the course but ended up 5 seconds back. Stevie's teammate George Brannigan up next, back a bit at split number one and 2.5 back at the finish, not enough to get on the hot seat. Justin Leov started off a bit back and looked smooth moving into 5th place at the second split and then finished 2.5 back to stay in 5th spot. Next up the Bulldog, Brook MacDonald was half a second back at the split and 1.3 back at the line, not enough to move into the top 3. Damian Spagnolo had a quick run, fastest enough to move into 3rd and bump Peaty off the hot seat. Then it was Bernard Kerr's time but he couldn't do it, then Richie Rude, another Junior to look out for. He qualified 11th here in his second ever World Cup, but had a few bobbles on course and finished 4.9 seconds back, 10 riders to go.

With 10 riders left it was still Stevie Smith in the hot seat and Loic Bruni in second. Sam Blenkinsop up next, he was back a little bit at the splits, but absolutely hammered the bottom section to beat Stevie by 0.08 and take the hot seat. Sam's teammate Cam Cole went next and was fastest at split number one, fastest by 1.9 seconds at split number two, huge drift through the last corner, and 1.5 up at the finish to take the hot seat. Danny Hart, he did well here last year, and was fastest through the splits. Could this be his first World Cup win? Two wheel drift through the last corner but not fast enough, half a second behind Cole with 7 riders to go. Josh Bryceland slipped a pedal and went down early on, then it was Sam Hill's turn. A lot of pressure on Sam to do well here, how would he do? Getting crazy loose he was fastest at the first split, .15 up at the second split, but .75 back at the line. Such a crazy ride, dabs and drifts everywhere, so stoked to see him back in form.

Five riders to go, Remi Thirion on course, but slow on the top part of the course, 1.5 back at the finish. With only 4 riders to go it's Cam Cole still in the hot seat, Danny Hart in second, and Sam Hill in 3rd. Gee Atherton took to the track on fire. Recovering from a broken leg Gee was fastest by a fair bit at the first split, 1.35 ahead at the finish to bump Cam Cole from the top of the hot seat. Gee's teammate Marc Beaumont won here in 2010 and he loves this course. Fourth at the first split, 1.8 back of Gee at the second split, but Gee was slow at the bottom. He was looking fast at the bottom, but he couldn't do it, 0.5 back to move into second behind Gee. Greg Minnaar and Aaron Gwin left at the top. Minnaar was first in South Africa, and first last weekend in Leogang, a tiny bit back at the first split and 1 second back at the second split, could he make it up? Yes, a super fast bottom half to put him half a second up at the finish and into the hot seat with only Aaron Gwin left to go.

Aaron Gwin, last rider on the course, fastest by a lot at the first split, 6 seconds up at the second split, is he unstoppable, only a full on crash could take the win away from him now. What an amazing run by Gwin, 7.85 seconds ahead of the rest of the world at the finish, no idea how he does it, he's in a class by himself!


A huge round of healing thoughts to Cedric Gracia and Troy Brosnan who are out and in the hospital. Troy injured himself in Leogang last weekend and will be out for a bit, and Cedric had a horrific crash in practice a couple of days ago. Out of control CG went over the bars and into a tree, fracturing his femur and shattering his hip. Heal up fast guys!

After the first two races Gwin and Minnaar are now tied for first place in the World Cup circuit, complete standings after Val di Sole are here

42220 DHI ME Results


Author Info:
IanHylands avatar

Member since Jun 23, 2008
588 articles

125 Comments
  • 69 0
 INSANE run off Gwin. good show from the GT boys ! and Redbull didnt mess up streaming it Razz good times !
  • 134 2
 Got to like the boob shot just before Gwin's run, way to go RedbullSmile
  • 11 3
 Yeah really. Red Bull cameras the chicks!
  • 18 13
 America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, bad-ass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt GOOOO GWIN!!!!
  • 10 1
 Cam cole had a great run to
  • 4 1
 Gwin is totall insane!!!
  • 12 1
 Gwins run absolutly blows my mind,how can he be that fast it's unreal.
  • 6 2
 If you aint first you're last! Gwin killed it and I was waiting for blenky to podium but everyone did great!
  • 4 0
 ^^ tough break for Ratboy too
  • 19 39
flag Icculus19425 (Jun 3, 2012 at 7:58) (Below Threshold)
 Great Racing to watch on this sunday morning. Amazing run from Gwin to just smash the leader board. USA USA USA USA USA
  • 2 0
 yeah it looked pretty bad!
  • 14 54
flag mumbuff (Jun 3, 2012 at 8:21) (Below Threshold)
 Is anyone else getting a bit bored of the same old result?
  • 9 1
 man, i thought greg was looking quick down there, but gwin was just INSANE
  • 19 1
 Most dominating World Cup performance ever. How did he do that? I could see someone creating a gap like that in a mud race, but not in the dry, no way!

To those who said other racers would close the gap on Gwin, you were wrong. Some others may have equal fitness, but his skills are on a whole different level.
  • 3 2
 Man, where was troy brosnan?!?!
  • 5 0
 Injured himself in Leoganag last weekend hes out for a while still in hospital
  • 4 1
 What do you mean the same old result mumbuff? So far this season, Greg Minnaar won a race, and Aaron Gwin won a race. So out of two races we have two different results. Or are you just pissed Gwin won?
  • 1 10
flag ktmmxrider (Jun 3, 2012 at 16:09) (Below Threshold)
 He's referencing last season smart one.
  • 2 1
 Yeah, and that's last season. This is a completely different season sport. If he's still hung up and upset over last season, maybe he should get over it. It seems most everyone else isn't dredging up the past season just to complain.
  • 1 5
flag ktmmxrider (Jun 3, 2012 at 16:27) (Below Threshold)
 Nothing in his post made him sound upset, just saying its the same as last season. Just because its a new season doesn't magically make everyone on a level field again.
  • 6 0
 Unless I'm retarded, which is up for debate I suppose, when people complain about something it means it's bothering them.
  • 1 7
flag ktmmxrider (Jun 3, 2012 at 17:06) (Below Threshold)
 Or he was just stating a fact...
  • 4 1
 Haha... To quote the great Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
  • 2 0
 I think he's just predicting the future, how gwin somehow miraculously managed to find 7+ seconds over everyone else at val di sole, and will probably continue to make similar results all season. It's actually mind blowing, however a little samey, I guess. I just find it incredible that he's managed to keep such a lead after last year. I'd at least have thought that the big players would have closed the gap a little over the off season. I guess not! Gwin is truly at the top of the game.
  • 4 1
 I for one love watching Gwin win so much, and no its not because he's from the US (maybe a little..). I just like when someone that works as hard as he does is seeing results and that this is a truly honest sport. You get out what you put in. And on top of that hard work, he seems like an awesome person, always smiling and never hating. You can't help but root for him..
  • 1 2
 I agree with everyone here, I love Gwin, especially with his moto background. Was simply explaining what the other guy was saying.
  • 2 0
 Well when he wins, he most definitely wins.
  • 2 0
 Gotta admit, I root for the brits, but there's no denying that Gwin is an incredible rider.
  • 33 0
 Thank you Red Bull and Pinkbike for broadcasting the race !!! All the riders are amazing ! Gwin is unbelievalbe, congratulations on the gwin!!! Steve Smith you make us Canadians very proud !!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Smith still has a chance to get one this year. Nice write up here on PB, considering how quickly it was posted. greatest sport on earth!
  • 31 1
 So stoked to see Sam Hill back in the game this season and in 7th spot. Not a win, but definitely a start after missing most of the past two seasons!
  • 3 2
 i'll be so happy if Hart could make it again, but GWIN was just not human... he well deserved the win! congratulation to Gwin, Captain America!
  • 1 0
 I was really stoked to see Sam coming down looking pretty hot, shame he couldn't have pushed it further, he looked reallllly loose in his run though. Gwin is literally beyond belief!
  • 1 0
 I reckon Hill would be on the podium if he didn't get super loose near the end. I think that would of cost him a fair slab of time. But Gwin, what can you say, that man was untouchable!
  • 29 0
 How is it possible to take 7.5 sec from an already supidly fast time?
  • 8 2
 7.85 Wink
  • 16 1
 That run from gwin was incredible. you could see that he was twice and fast as everyone else in some sections. As much as i want to, you cant take that away from him.
  • 14 0
 Great footage from Red Bull and great commentry from Rob and Cunny.
  • 9 0
 Thanks Red Bull and Pink Bike for posting the race. fast recovery's to Cedric Gracia and Troy Brosnan!!! Awesome riding by all, Congrats to Rachel Atherton and Aaron Gwin on their wins!!! Good luck in Scotland!
  • 11 0
 "He needs a check up from the neck up!" Awesome line!
  • 10 0
 Very impressed with redbull coverage!!!!! hats of to gwin sick run
  • 9 0
 props to cam cole ya legend and blenki too!
( anyone else notice spagnolo death gripping down half the track?! INSANE!!!!)
  • 2 1
 Yeah, noticed it too, insane is really the word...
  • 8 0
 That was so much fun to see Stevie in the hot seat for so long he really does make us Canadians proud
  • 11 1
 Y u no Gwin Sam?
  • 2 1
 That is a hilarious comment, I almost choked on my lunch reading it !!
  • 2 0
 Thanks dude !
  • 1 0
 Lol. I had to do it.
  • 9 0
 No Dope No Booze A clear head makes a big difference. Way to go Gwinn.
  • 2 0
 You forgot No teeth...
  • 5 1
 This is gonna be another great season. I'm about as sick of seeing Gwin dominate as I was of seeing Sam Hill dominate a few years back... Not sick of it at all!!! It's awesome!!! What happened when Hill consistently crushed the field? The whole field got faster to keep up and it changed the sport... Excited to see that happen again. Would also like to see Steve Smith podium or win this year too.
  • 4 1
 Gwin's run was just sick but was really stoked to see Beaumont up there as well. He seems to have this track figured out. Also how about Gee broken leg a month ago and third place today what a true competitor. Thanks PB and RB for putting tis on live and for free.
  • 6 1
 The podium was the Hot Seat, and the winner get the flowers in front of a sign at the side on the grass.. Huh?
  • 2 0
 Watch it on RedBull App... Watched the run of Slugger until Gwinny. Slugger have a good run also but not enough to irk out his team mate Gee. Also Greg is flying and enough to go ahead of Gee, but when I see the run of Gwinny it was blisteringly fast! The places 2-5 are all less a second difference but compared to the 1 it is almost 8 seconds! Fox Racing Shox will be very happy because the top 5 are all on their suspension, Shimano as well, they have the top 4.
  • 5 1
 I would like to see the capture pics of girls who were viewed just before GWIN's run.
  • 5 1
 Who wins WC races by seven and a half seconds? Aaron is insane. Way to go!!
  • 2 0
 Most excellent! He destroyed his very own qualifying time by so much! ZA ZEN RIDING from Gwin! It was a really stunning show from all the girls and boys! Thanks so very much to everyone involved. What a great day!
  • 4 0
 Does Monk just cut Gwin's brake lines before every race? That was blazing...
  • 2 0
 maybe more people will start to run their suspension as stiff as gwin's so they can try and hit warp speed too. i don't think he used more than 3/4 of his fork's travel at any point haha
  • 1 0
 Gwin was insane but also seemed to be the one who made no mistakes during his entire run everyone else dropped feet or missed lines etc but gwin just killed it all the way down which would explain 7.85secs. I think other riders are as fast as gwin but no one can link a run together with such concentration and so little mistakes as he can. Master class in riding an insane track right there hope minnaar can step up his game and make it an interesting season.
  • 1 0
 He definitely made a mistake in the rooty and tight right-left after the second split. He checked up and was off line for that turn.
  • 1 0
 My boyfriend broke up with me 4 weeks ago after we been friends for 4 years and we were in a relationship for 7 months. I did everything for him whenever he needed help with something if I could help I came through for him. Out of nowhere he surprisingly left me to be with someone else. I love him so much and cared about him a lot. I never asked anything from him. I have no kids and a good well paying job. Everything was so perfect and good between us. He told me he would take me ring shopping and we would settle down and have a baby together. Everything was great. We met each other families and everyone told us we were perfect for each other. He met some other girl. so a friend gave me this email of this spell caster dr.marnish@yahoo.com to contact him, i contacted him because i was so heartbroken and don't know what to do with myself but after 3 days of contacting dr marnish, my lover came back to me
janeparker
  • 4 0
 Could tell he had won before he even got to split one. That was insane!
  • 3 1
 "...the rest of the guys are living in the real world." - R. Warner. Can Gwin be beat on a technical track like this? Only if its raining or he crashes.
  • 1 1
 Turns out I was half right when I predicted times would drop and give Gwin a run for his money. Times were definitely quicker, but Gwin ....man, he just dominated everyone! Seems like he's gliding down the course ''on auto-pilot'' he says... Soon we'll have jokes of Gwin collapsing buildings from breaking the sound barrier Razz Seriously though, 7 seconds ahead of everyone else... That's insane. In the famous words of Rob Warner: ''LOOK AT THE TIME!!''
  • 4 0
 Aaron just punched a hole through Val di Sole!!!!!!
  • 4 1
 Wow 7.8 seconds up. Super run for Gwin, Congrats on the win!!! Get well CG!!!
  • 2 0
 I'm sure he cut the course. The one section that there was no tv. I'm sure he didn't do those corners and just went strait. Ha right on Gwin see ya at the pub.
  • 1 1
 Ya gwin just getting started on these fools. He going to smash windham(the real balls track) and take over the points lead as usual. He going to take the overall again and he didnt even do all the races. Thats how we do and a big inyaface to rest of the field.
  • 3 0
 aaron gwin's run is awesome !!
  • 4 0
 Killer run by Gwin
  • 3 0
 Wow!!!! Gwin for the win!!!!!! FAST!!!!!
  • 3 0
 Rob Warner for Gwin : He is actually human !!!
  • 2 0
 Gwin, A class amoung boys! That first split and everyone knew - holy smokes
  • 3 0
 That guy is the fucking boss. Period.
  • 3 0
 Gwin is "New type human"

^^*)
  • 3 0
 Did anyone else notice that Gwin put his teeth back in after his run?
  • 3 0
 Gwin show to Isaac Newton what is gravity! Amazing run!
  • 1 0
 Well done Redbull.tv !! There was still a little bit too much bla bla between runs but a huge improvement over South Africa !
  • 2 0
 Love it! That course looked wild! How Gwinn found 3% on some of the fastest racers in the world is nuts!
  • 2 0
 Everyone thought "Can he repeat that time?" and he f*cking smashed it. Stepping the game up in o12
  • 1 0
 Can anyone still beat this guy in the over all rankings? Gwin is so pinned! He just doesn't want to hold back He's like not braking at all...
  • 2 0
 Well done Mr.Gwin, much deserved, fine coverage. Roll on Fort Bill. Cheers pinkbike.
  • 2 0
 wow fast dude 7 sec beats the lot ~Big Grin
  • 2 1
 I don't think there will be anyone who's capable of beating Gwin on this track for the next decades.. Unbelievable...
  • 2 0
 What was the average speed of Gwin?
  • 2 0
 +.850 or +1.850 gap, I understan but +7.850 gap is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 Come on Sam you have it in you!
  • 2 0
 I thought the Nick Beer, needing a Beer joke was hilarious
  • 1 0
 Gwin is not human, way better joke
  • 1 0
 Looks like Cam Cole has his hand on Gee's arse, anyone have any info on that? In other news: Gwin isn't human.
  • 1 0
 Impossible, o yeah but over all rankings I think Gwin will still nail it. This guy is really unstoppable.
  • 1 0
 Nice to see Lapierre International riding strong! Well done Loic and Cam, Blenki too...
  • 2 0
 Like a boss. (Team) Athertons' ass whopin.
  • 2 0
 Friggin' insane run by Gwin
  • 2 0
 Hill's run was the most outta control, so stoked for the coverage by RB
  • 1 0
 It looked like he was trying to adjust his feet on the pedals at every mellow section, the flat pedals definitely don't suit this course anymore with how rough it has gotten.
  • 2 0
 he was so much faster!
  • 3 1
 Gwin is a Terminator !
  • 4 7
 Great WC, Gwin's run was actully fun to watch for a change. He looked flat out loose and smooth at the same time. One complaint tho, Wish Redbull Could do a full top to bottom show of the top 10 riders. Hate watching them leave the gate and then switches into being about a minute and half into the run already. I thought Live means Real Life time show. Unless Redbull has a time machine I don't know about!
  • 7 1
 You do know that there are as many 2 to 3 riders on course at the same time as there is 1 to 3 minute gaps in start times eh? If they started each rider after they finished their run it would take all day hence the start footage then move to a spot further down the course. Ever raced dh before yourself? It's like 30 second gaps on the amateur races.
  • 2 0
 ownage
  • 1 0
 Doesn't hurt to have God behind you. And by 'God' I mean John Tomac...
  • 1 0
 you mean god
  • 8 7
 Gwinning!
  • 2 1
 Holy sh*t!!!
  • 2 2
 MERIIICCAAA!!!! So stoked
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