Results: World Cup Round 7 Meribel - Finals

Aug 23, 2014
by Pinkbike Staff  
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Member since Jul 22, 2013
3,460 articles

236 Comments
  • 174 3
 SAM HILLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! did it
  • 4 1
 netizen explode !!!!
  • 62 0
 Wow! What a season and what a great ending. So stoked to see Ratboy pull the overall and to see Sam take a 2nd win.
  • 94 3
 One thing not mentioned very often about Sam Hill is how great of a mentor he has been...just look at his list of proteges: Brosnan, Simmonds, Smith, Jones, Fairclough. He just builds great racers.
  • 12 1
 Hill!!! Fuck yeah!!!!
  • 37 5
 SAM HILL 1ST!!!!! YEEWWWW!!! SIMMONDS 2ND PLACE BEST EVERR!!! OMG RATBOY OVERALL CHAMPION! ATHERTON BACK IN FORM!! MINNARR TOP TEN TO EATING SHIT NOSE MANNYING IN THE FINISH!! holy crap there's just too many incredible moments that came outta this race. That and this whole season has been so epic. Well done, that was so entertaining.
  • 33 99
flag Protour (Aug 23, 2014 at 8:08) (Below Threshold)
 2 big wins for Hill on two of the toughest tracks, impressive. Ratboy on V10 wins the overall and also 2 wins on the season. This was an exciting season of changes. But despite the hype, tthe new Demo disappoints as usual, some things never change. Concentric bottom bracket pivot losses.
  • 4 2
 #jiberjaber totally agree!
  • 2 1
 !!!!!!!!
  • 34 3
 @protour ... come on man. With the narrow margins of error separating the top of the field as well as the physical and flexible track there is no way in hell you can call out a bike. To have a Demo top ten shows it can hang and give the riders the credit on here rather than reducing them to their equipment. I feel like this pole has already been run around...gone silent when riders on demos performed well (as in most of this season) and now reemerged on an off day (if you can call 6th in the world on a tough track an off day).
  • 4 0
 I'd love to see a consistent season from him and the other top riders next year. Every one of them had one shit race. Here's to everyone being healthy and at the top of their game next year!
  • 25 2
 Protour: putting the "special" in Specialized.
  • 48 1
 Protour lives in his own world where "the new Demo disappoints as usual" and Gwin takes second place overall and Brosnan takes 3rd overall. Gwin clearly made a line choice error after the rock garden, getting sucked into a deep berm at the bottom of the off-camber which robbed him of time and Brosnan fell. At this level, blaming bikes is ridiculous. Winners make less mistakes than the losers and the machines are all amazing. As snl1200 said, give these guys more credit rather than reducing them to their equipment. Winners win, losers lose. Do yourself a favor and get your head out of your ass.
  • 28 0
 Sam Hill ftw!!!! Flats and Tatts
  • 8 0
 SAM!!!! Big S wishin they held on to you mate, good work!
  • 6 0
 Don't forget Peaty too!
  • 9 0
 I seem to always find myself looking for Peaty's name in finish list before I really take a good look at all the standings.
  • 34 1
 Stoked for Ratty, but can we have a moment of silence for Annefleur Kalvenhaar who tragically died on Friday from her injuries as a result of a fall during the elimination rounds for the XC event....proper sad.
  • 14 1
 @ protour - whatever your personal agenda is, you should try to keep it in check. Makes you sound like a lunatic.

By your standard, the V10 disappointed for several years, the new GT continues to disappoint, Devinci disappoints, and Trek, Commencal, Kona, Giant, Scott, Polygon . . . . all overhyped disappointments. Man, how do you find a bike that meets your standards?

Have you produced a WC capable bike? If so, I'd love to see it - and know who's riding it. It would have to be a piece of engineering genius the likes of which the world has never seen.
  • 8 5
 But you would have a new demo any day. Shut up you dick.
  • 4 5
 That's such a well thought out response. So glad you chimed in to enlighten me. Funny thing is - once your mind matures beyond early adolescence, you'll learn that, when people know they're wrong, they tend to respond with nonsense and name calling.
  • 4 1
 moabrover- he obviously wasn't referring to you. Now please, chill out and stop continuing this childish crap everyone. He writes crap like that just to get rises outta people who take the internet too seriously. And you can PM if you care that much to carry it on, the rest of us (except ProTour) hate getting updates about it. For the love of Satan please stop.
  • 5 0
 Hill's bottom section was unreal!
  • 7 1
 I'm just stoked to see Protour back doing what he does best...
  • 2 3
 DHMF is spot on. Hill won that race on the piste at the bottom but Simmons run overall was easily the best of the day, crazy precision.
  • 4 1
 This Protour fella sure seems to be an idiot.

Anyone have any evidence to the contrary?
  • 1 0
 Nope he's a right wrongcock.
  • 2 0
 He's been right about a few things, but always voicing against particular things with undying consistency, whether super outlandish or pointing out small things people normally don't believe to be true, which sometimes turn out to be right. In the end, who cares.

If anything, the athlete is main factor and really try to argue frame's potential is a lost cause. The DH/AM bike business and it's racing teams have all reached that competitive point where all top-end frames/bikes will ultimately perform almost identical to another top racing frame, whether simple or VPP. While one frame may be slightly better suited for one section of a track, another frame will suffer in that same area but perform figuratively better in another section. It's just crazy how each Mfr's makes you believe how really "different" all bikes are (within the same class/price range) and why their frame is all that much more specialized than A, B, C, etc.
  • 5 9
flag Protour (Aug 24, 2014 at 7:39) (Below Threshold)
 MoabRover, the new V10 did not discount, it had a much more impressive debut than the Demo.

I'll remind you clones that Gwin's best result in the last two years was on an Enduro, not a Demo. After winning over 70% of the World Cup races over 2 years on a Trek, he is now at least 0 for 10 on the Specialized Demo.

I don't have a problem with Specialized, but I know a poor suspension design when I see it, and no bike in the history of downhill racing has a worse axle path balance than the new Demo. That is the problem with this Nike, and I predict it won't be around long. There is a reason nobody uses this low of a BB Pivot anymore in DH, and the only stupid reason Specialized did it was to lower the center of gravity.
  • 3 0
 You know Bryceland wasn't the only one riding a V10 right? Were we to reduce it to bikes, which is asinine, the Demo under Gwin beat all but five other bikes including V10's, sessions, your mom, aurums, nuke proofs, and the list goes on. This is such a pointless bit of armchair quarterbacking... write it on a napkin, stamp a date on it, and leave these sections to be filled with positive comments on how amazing the performance of current riding is. The quality of athleticism and skill in the World Cup currently is so amazing and all that gets belittled when we reduce performances, including all the hours Bryceland and Gwin and all the others spent in early morning training, pushing through injuries, reriding lines, etc., to the height of a BB pivot. It also calls out people who spend their lives designing these thing and testing them. Let it die. We've heard your point. Good. Some will agree, others will not, let it go now. You have been heard. What a fantastic season that was.
  • 3 1
 Protour, a guy who thinks axle path and main pivot placement are the most important factors in DH suspension design...
  • 1 3
 Snl1300: "The quality of athleticism and skill in the World Cup currently is so amazing and all that gets belittled when we reduce performances to the height of a BB pivot."

The athletes are sooo amazing, so don't talk about the bikes? Are you a technological fascist? Considering most people think the bike accounts for about 30% of performance there is nothing wrong with acknowledging the fact that Gwin would be faster on a different bike.

@jclnv; I absolutely do think main pivot placement and axle path are two crucial factors of DH suspension design, and the fact that nobody on here can say anything to defend the concentric bottom bracket pivot or counter my claims as to the weaknesses of the design is noted..... The new Specialized Demo has the worst axle path balance of any production DH bike ever produced. You have nothing.
  • 1 0
 How do you think it compares to the Trek's "axle path balance"?

What's wrong with a concentric main pivot?

People won't take you seriously if you just say they're crap. Give us your expert opinion.
  • 2 4
 I feel like I make a pretty solid case against it here:

m.pinkbike.com/news/specialized-demo-2015-2014-comparison-demo.html#cid934232

Watching the wheels bounce all over the place in the YouTube video is quite frankly, shocking. The axle paths are in completely opposite directions so the wheelbase is constantly changing, resulting in obvious instability:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2gZ0aulUt0

Yes, I know the shock damping is not accurate. But the instability created by the opposing axle path direction is so bad it makes it look as if the axles aren't in the center of the wheels.

When your wheels are constantly moving toward and away from each other so dramatically on steep terrain it compromises traction because the front wheel is forced to surge ahead with all the weight behind it, especially if you have the front brake applied.
  • 1 0
 What do you mean "when your wheels are constantly moving toward and away from each other"?

Again,what do you think of the Trek 88 axle path?
  • 1 1
 The constant change in wheelbase due to the opposite angle of the axle path as the shocks go through their travel. The Trek axle path is not as good as a DW Link bike, but not as bad as the new Demo, which has the most immediately upward-and-inward axle path I've ever seen on a DH bike. Especially when you consider how low the Demo BB is and take into consideration the suspension sag.
  • 1 0
 most of the time rider's skill, technique, strength and control plays more important role
..such as single pivot is poor on square edge, then rider will fly over it => problem solved
  • 1 0
 Okay, what do you think about the location of the Horst link pivot on the new Demo and how that effects axle path compared to single pivots like the Trek?
  • 1 0
 guys it´s cool! Does nobody feel like 7 races is not at all enough?
  • 1 1
 It has a very minor effect on the axle path. Adding a Horst link makes the suspension more active while braking or pedalling. Regardless of the Horst link being a little lower, it doesn't even come close to improving the axle path caused by the dumb concentric BB Pivot that is about 3 inches too high. It's the worst axle path ever, none of your redundant questions will change that.
  • 2 0
 Surely you mean the concentric pivot being too low?

So the Horst link location is lower relative to the BB and rear axle than the main pivot was on the previous Demo but you don't think it's new position has an effect on axle path?

What about the length of the link being longer than the previous Demo?

Keep looking at this stuff, eventually the light bulb will go on inside your head and you'll see that you've only been looking at half the picture.
  • 1 2
 jclnv, Yeah I meant too low.

The Horst-link is lower but the rear axle isn't lower, and the slight rotation of the Horst-link doesn't even come close to making up for the dramatically lower concentric bottom bracket main pivot which largely dictates the axle path.

I don't need to study the pictures anymore, you do. My turn for a question; What big-brand bike in the history of DH racing has a worse rear suspension axle path than the new Demo? There are none.

Not to mention axle path imbalance between front and rear suspension, where the new Demo also gets the 'worst ever' billing and which is even more crucial in the steep terrain of DH racing.

Another interesting point about front and rear suspension imbalance: The effect of instability as the wheelbase is constantly changing in tough terrain is exaggerated by the bigger 650b wheels because the relative wheelbase is shorter in comparison to having 26" wheels.

Just because it's a big company doesn't mean they don't make mistakes. History has proven that and will prove it again. I
think they got to caught up in the low center of gravity factor and missed the big picture.
  • 3 0
 Protour- "I don't need to study the pictures anymore, you do. My turn for a question; What big-brand bike in the history of DH racing has a worse rear suspension axle path than the new Demo? There are none. Not to mention axle path imbalance between front and rear suspension, where the new Demo also gets the 'worst ever' billing and which is even more crucial in the steep terrain of DH racing" - you have yet to actually PROVE anything. All you do is spout conjecture and loosely based opinion on NO FACTUAL DATA about their axle path or any other suspension kinematics whatsoever.

The only factual data any reader here has are the race results. And while yes Gwin has not won on a Demo, the new 650b Demo is without a doubt a top level bike given its results this year. Just because a racer has not won on board a design, it does not discount the design. If that were true, Brook MacDonald is on an inferior product as well since he has 1 win on board a Mondraker and ZERO wins on board a Session. Does this mean the Session is an inferior bike? Of course not. Gwin had a bad year last year for sure- all racers do. No one has been dominant for over 2 years in a row- Gwin is no different to Gee or Minnaar or Hill in that matter. But you take the easy way out and blame the bike.

Once you start proving your points versus loosely basing them on your feelings concerning suspension, then we will begin to take you seriously. Sure big companies can make mistakes, but I am sure as hell going to listen to actual suspension engineers & designers who have tested every bike on the market and made decisions based off facts and data rather than to internet wizards who argue primarily based on feelings and opinions.

Will they convince me to stop riding my Undead or Gambler? Probably not, but they are sure as hell more convincing than you.
  • 2 0
 Okay the rear axle and BB locations are fixed but the Horst link location relative to those fixed reference points is lower than before and I imagine the link length, angle etc are modified to give similar kinematics to the previous Demo. Overall I would imagine the axle path (which I'm not saying is critical to suspension performance) is slightly less forward, especially in the first 50% of travel, than the old Demo.

Why do you assume a rearward axle path (BTW literally no bike currently with the exception of the Zerode has a rearward axle path) is advantageous?

I've never heard anyone in the history of vehicle dynamics use the term "axle path balance". How do you explain the exact same characteristics occurring in Honda, Yamaha, Kawazaki etc motorbikes? They don't seem overly concerned by the phenomenon.

If you're seriously interested in this subject (which I assure you is vastly more complex than you realise) past your usual Specialized vendetta? Then I would suggest you do some reading regarding instantaneous centres.

Every design is a compromise but once you understand the numerous factors involved you'll begin to see that Specialized have a very good understanding of the subject.
  • 1 2
 Ka-brap, no data is necessary, the new Demo has the most upward and inward axle path of any full suspension bike created and also has the worst front and rear suspension axle path imbalance of any full suspension bike in the history of mountain biking. Nothing you say can change that. Gain is 0 for 10 on the Demo after being the most dominant rider the World Cup has ever seen. That is not even a decent result, his move to Specialized has been embarrassing to watch.

jclnv: "I imagine the link length, angle etc are modified to give similar kinematics to the previous Demo. Overall I would imagine the axle path (which I'm not saying is critical to suspension performance) is slightly less forward, especially in the first 50% of travel, than the old Demo."

You imagine? How utterly unconvincing. Stop using your delusional imagination because it is dead wrong, like pretty much all your desperate points.

Of course you don't think axle path is important, your #1 priority in life is defending Special Ed and the retarded decisions they make at times. But most suspension designers actually do think it is crucial, if you listen to them talk or read online discussions between Weagle and others.

Axle path isn't as important in moto. They have engines. They don't coast, so momentum isn't as important. You keep getting more desperate to make a point but have yet to actually accomplish that. You are just making it obvious you don't know much about the subject at hand.

ps. You never answered my question.
  • 2 0
 This really is a waste of time but I'll quickly reply.

Specialized said they've kept the kinematics the same so yes I imagine they achieved by the lower Horst link location, shock link size and position etc.

An axle path's manipulation has vastly more to do with manipulating anti squat than impact absorption.

No the reason Honda and other multimillion dollar R&D programs don't care about "axle path imbalance" is the phenomenon only occurs in your mind.

Anyway this is pointless as you don't even understand the basics. I tried to provoke questions that would make you understand the subject has more factors than you realise but you didn't seem to grasp anything which is a shame as it's really quite interesting. Probably best you go and talk to the Specialized engineers at Crankworx next year. I'm sure they would have a great time listening to your comments.
  • 1 0
 Protour- you're doing the same exact thing you are critiquing jclnv about- you haven't EXPLAINED or SHOWN anything. Only commented on. You are simply saying it is obvious without showing that it is obvious. So far, you are arguing in circles and only spouting random thoughts on the subject without backing them up. This convinces no one.

You actually need to show the axle path of the bike- this is the data I am looking for and YES you do actually need it to prove your argument. Without it, you are just being an annoying loud mouth on the internet and that is embarrassing to watch, far more so than Gwin's disastrous move to FSR which landed him in 2nd overall this year WITH A FLAT TIRE. No data, no case.

The only big brand that has been less successful since Gwin left Trek, is Trek actually. With Gwin and Brosnan on Specialized they have done far better than Trek has and this is the only factual information I can see so far. Does it have to do with which brand has the worse axle path? Do you think axle path matters at this point, looking at the overall standings? Given that real world results matter more than imaginary debates on the interweb, I would say Specialized and their racers are doing pretty damn ok so far.
  • 2 1
 ka-barp, Protour is a really strange guy. I just can't work out his motivation. He seems hellbent on posting anything anti Specialized and usually comes out looking a bit nuts. Something must have personally happened to him that causes him to be so negative. It's bizarre.

He's right that I do defend Specialized as they make great bikes but so do Trek, Canyon, Giant, Mondraker and many others but it's only Specialized he ever (negatively) comments on so it seems like I'm always defending them.
  • 1 2
 jclnv: "Every design is a compromise but once you understand the numerous factors involved you'll begin to see that Specialized have a very good understanding of the subject."

Completely lame Specialized suck-up statement, of course you don't want to admit some suspension designs are better than others because you are defending an inferior one. What are the negative trade-offs of the DW Link?

I love the complete trust you have for Specialized in the last part of the statement. Yeah, I understand the factors involved, it was pretty well explained in article Pinkbike did where the Specialized engineer explained that the goal was a lower center of gravity, and that they thought the Ohlins shock would make up for the admittedly inferior suspension design. Of course he didn't talk about axle path like Dave Weagal or most other suspension engineers would, because this bike obviously has an atrocious one. Specislized admitted they sacrificed suspension design performance for a lower center of gravity, that is the main "factor" here. Did you miss that article?

m.pinkbike.com/news/specialized-demo-2015-troy-brosnan-tech.html

Its as if you guys don't have eyes when you tell me to produce 'data' that proves this is a bad axle path when it obviously moves up and down at nearly the complete opposite angle of the front suspension. How could any axle path be worse, or even more out of balance with the front fork? The main pivot would obviously have to
be even lower than the BB, but of course no suspension engineer is stupid enough to do that. Though if Specialized ever did it, I'm sure you guys would be convinced it was am improvement.
  • 2 0
 I personally think short dual links like the DW tend to have a more prescribed instant centre arc which I feel makes them a little insensitive to small bump.

Yes they lowered the centre of mass of the bike and kept the kinematics the same as the previous Demo. Quite an achievement.

Again, axle path manipulation is a product of anti squat. Suspension designers are not concerned about the effect of axle path on bump absorption. Say bike A has a 10mm more forward axle path than bike B at sag point. Impacts of various sizes are impacting the wheel at various velocities and often in very high frequencies. Bike A and bike B both have the same vertical displacement of the suspension regardless of axle path.... Think how ridiculous your argument is.

If suspension designers were concerned about axle path they would be far more worried than the effect on the rebound stroke than compression. Going by your logical bikes with rearward axle paths (which BTW don't exist) would never be able to recover on repeat impacts as they're extending into the impact. An insane argument.
  • 1 3
 jclnv "Specialized said they've kept the kinematics the same so yes I imagine they achieved by the lower Horst link location, shock link size and position etc."

It would be impossible to have it be the same if the BB is that much lower. Again, the Horst link only rotate slightly. Are you capable of understanding that the Horst-link is NOT the rear axle of a bicycle?

I like the "etc" part of your quote, thanks for filling in all the details.

jclnv "An axle path's manipulation has vastly more to do with manipulating anti squat than impact absorption."

What is your definition of anti-squat?

jclnv "the reason Honda and other multimillion dollar R&D programs don't care about "axle path imbalance" is the phenomenon only occurs in your mind."

No, the results of the instability it can actually be quite disastrous on the race track.

m.pinkbike.com/news/troy-brosnan-crash-video-2014.html

jclnv "If suspension designers were concerned about axle path they would be far more worried than the effect on the rebound stroke than compression."

They should be, but not at Specialized. The new Demo is s a bucking bronco in steep rough terrain, just waiting for that upward-and-inward axle path to rebound and eject the rider.
  • 1 3
 ka-brap: "The only big brand that has been less successful since Gwin left Trek, is Trek actually. With Gwin and Brosnan on Specialized they have done far better than Trek has and this is the only factual information I can see so far."

What about salary, is that "factual information" Gwin is definitely making more money per year than the entire Trek DH team, and Brosnan probably isn't far behind. In terms of expectations, Gwin's move to Specialized has been the biggest disappointment in the history of mountain bike racing. For the salary he is making, Championships are expected. I think he is on his 5th Specialized DH bike in less than 2 years, not counting the enduro. They can't make a Demo that works for him, and this one won't be around long either.
  • 1 0
 Protour you're arguing from ignorance. When you understand instantaneous centre and then you will realise the main pivot location is a small part of the picture and how common the change in wheelbase is through the travel range.
  • 1 1
 "Speaking strictly about static chassis reaction and negating dynamic concerns:If your IC is above your ground plane and in front of the rear axle you will have some a suspension compression reaction during braking. If your IC is below your grond plane and in front of the rear axle you will have a suspension extension reaction during braking. If your IC is below your ground plane and behind the rear axle you will have some a suspension compression reaction during braking. If your IC is above your ground plane and behind the rear axle you will have a suspension extension reaction during braking." Dave Weagal

Suspension extension during steep terrain, when you are behind the rear axle, is the problem with the Demo. The wheelbase on the Demo changes more radically than any bicycle in the history of mountain biking. This is what creates the "bucking bronco" effect that I have described on the Demo, because of the extreme upward and inward axle path, when it extends, creates what can be best technically described as a 'rider ejection machine', when you consider the angle of its axle path in steep terrain.

Not to mention the traction issue it creates with the the front tire surging ahead when you touch both brakes and the rear suspension extends. On steep, rough terrain, this bike simply is not well-grounded, it is a bucking bronco.

In addition to being unstable, a bike with that axle path, and the wheels constantly fighting each other, is also not going to carry momentum as well.
  • 105 1
 Thank you RedBull. Awesome stream here
  • 26 0
 I agree, the coverage was awesome
  • 13 1
 agreed as well. Some pretty awesome sections were covered, though I wish I was able to be there in person to see the sheer steepness of it all.
  • 10 0
 agree thanks red bull
  • 5 0
 Iam so grateful for the coverage. How long will we enjoy this for free?
  • 5 1
 as long as people keep drinking em
  • 8 0
 Many Many Camera Angles. Coverage was top notch. Amazing Job.
  • 84 1
 Josh Bryceland just gave the best interview ive ever seen....... Foooookin ell
  • 24 1
 the party started before the interview haha
  • 15 0
 Nothing like an interview being cut short by beer and rampaging fans
  • 44 0
 Outstanding coverage of various portions of the race! Best coverage yet by RB
  • 10 0
 They hit the key sections for sure. Solid footage for sure!
  • 38 0
 Seriously? Does it get any better than that? Amazing course, tight racing, josh taking the overall and Sam with the win - how the hell he rode that open bottom section so fast is a goddamn mystery. The sorcery that is Sam Hill. No way I can go to sleep now!
  • 6 0
 ...and Pipped by a point by Troy!
  • 14 0
 That lower section was vintage Sam Hill.
  • 15 0
 Three wins for flat pedals this season too. Awesome
  • 17 0
 I want to send Troy a big handshake. Did you see even if he wento to third place and not having the best race how happy he was for Sam?????

that only comes from a true Gentleman.
  • 14 0
 Agree. Troy has proven to be such a great sport this season.
  • 8 0
 He will be world champ many times and time will prove. Cheers Australia
  • 3 0
 I'm happy about the result too. Shame Steve Smith wasn't in it. Troy is a true gent hey. Gee loooked happy too. I guess everyone's happy too see the people's champ back on top!
  • 32 1
 Those Chinese dudes were wrong about the horse-thing. 2014 is obviously the year of the Rat! And god damn is it great to see Hill on fire again!
  • 2 0
 Yeah but they were right about him peaking!
  • 2 0
 Nah listen to the interview he was nervous and stiff. Not his best run yet still killed it. Great coverage for once. Feel like I saw the whole track well done RB.
  • 1 0
 Yeah I was just joining with the Chinese themed jokes. Unbelievable that he crashed in quali and got 2nd and had a sub par run and got 2nd again. I hope this form carries over to Champs and next season. Amazing.
  • 20 0
 Congrats Manon on the overall. Props to Rach though, some bad luck for her this season. Was a tight one. GL in the World Champs though! Ratboy just needs to be on the podium to clinch his overall title. Wonder if he'll play it safe and go for a clean run, rather than go for a huge win.
  • 12 0
 this is ratboy, safe isnt an option ..
  • 2 1
 Congrats mannon,this goes to show when rach is fit she's pretty much unbeatable! Worlds next.
  • 2 0
 *manon
  • 1 0
 welp, microlab called that one out, haha. He was hammering down.
  • 21 1
 Hill with the win, Rat with the overall and Matt pretty much as close as you could get to winning. Today was a good day.
  • 15 0
 So much for the death of flat pedals, I count three races won on flats this year..
  • 4 0
 Considering the number of people using flats or clips. You could say that flats win races than clips.
  • 4 0
 And even a few pros who normally ride clips switched back to flats for this race. Awesome to see!
  • 13 0
 WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dunno even where to start.....first off, this has been the best most exciting intense an amazing season of DH racing! 2nd........congrats to=The Thunda from down unda= The Wizard of Oz- SAM HILL for todats win!! AN 3RD, major congrats to RAT-MAN for takin the overall.......so sick, he may be sponserd by monster, but hes a fu**ing ROCKSTAR toda.............! 2014 season was outstanding! NOW wheres are worldcup DVD! lol Its on for worlds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 16 0
 Congratulation Loris! Never out of the top 3 at each round is super impressive!
  • 16 0
 Plus he's hilarious and looks high as a kite all the time, which makes it even more awesome
  • 2 0
 Consistancy is the name of the game with such a tight racing all season long! Congrats Loris and congrats to all the french guys!!
  • 15 0
 Best world cup season in years.
  • 6 4
 other than Stevie Smith not being in it!
  • 1 0
 You're right, wish Stevie was there to stir things up. But besides that it was a wicked year of racing.
  • 11 0
 Look at all the nationalities of your comments chaps. We've got yanks bigging up the Brits, Brits giving props to everyone, French and Australasian dudes dishing out the love for riders from other countries.......... Sorry if I missed anyone out. Our sport is different, it's the fucking best!!!
  • 2 0
 I am a yank and don't know what to think of your comment. What is "bigging?"
  • 1 1
 To 'Big': (verb). To think someone is so gorgeous you want to kiss them on the face.
  • 5 0
 If that is the case then bigging is alright in my book! forse69 is spot on, though. Our sport is unique in that tons of different types congregate to celebrate a bad-ass sport. cheers to you all! The World Championships is all we have left this year! I am curious as to what the track will be like! If it is like France, then Sam Hill for the win; if not, it is anyone's race! As a yank I am biased, though: Go Gwinn!
  • 9 0
 Sooo stoked!! What an epic season. Great that Rach & Sam won today and brilliant there are two new overall series winners. Mega congrats to Manon and Josh, and they are both British. I sooo wanna go ride now...
Please please please Red Bull bring out a season DVD this year....!!
  • 11 0
 Steve Peat that old bastard still top 20 he is the shit!!!
  • 16 0
 I loved the story about him helping out Pardal in practice! Peaty class act, top role model and father figure of modern DH. 40 years old and still ripping!!!
  • 2 0
 Pity he had that bobble up top...I had him potentially on the podium since this is the kind of track he's thrived on thru his career.
  • 3 0
 In Mexico we call the big bosses like Steve " El Caca Grande"

saludos
  • 1 0
 Good to see a mexican contingent, being a mexican-american. Hope y'all shred down south. Saludos
  • 4 0
 Calicol, we have been racing downhill since 1991 and world cup and world championship races since then but extremely high cost of the bikes and zero help from anybody here makes it hard to be there all the time needed for our young racers to get to the world level. Saludos a ti y gracias
  • 11 0
 someone have to smash the mobile phone of the girl with the black jacket
  • 3 0
 Yes, the one looking at her iPhone as Gwin machs over that boulder… I don't think she even saw him.
  • 7 0
 Yyyyyyyyeeeeeeeooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bbbbbbbrrrrraaaappppppp this is the best day for downhill since Peaty won world champs! Could not be better. No inside line will be left unshredded tomorrow I'm coming for ya mountains stokens fully stoked up yyyyyyyeeeeeeooooooowwwwww!!!!!!!
  • 10 1
 Yeeeeeeeesssss! Hill and Ratboy! And a not too much used spd shoe for sale!
  • 5 0
 Is it me or had this been the best wc in the last 5 years, it's been incredible on both the women's and mans dh (and xc). So pleased it's been covered as it's been epic what with hidden stars shining and new bikes surfacing etc!! Can't wait till next year
  • 8 0
 GO ON SIMMONDS ! thought he was gonna win it for a while ,what a result
  • 7 0
 When they were saying Bryceland only had to finish 25th during his run, I found it hard to watch. It was an invitation to disaster, such as a mechanical or a bad crash. I was REALLY hoping Brosnan or Gwin would have smashed out a solid run to turn the screws on Bryceland, just so we could have seen what kind of sick run he had in store. That would be about the only complaint about the race I can think of. Solid day!
  • 6 2
 Dammnnn... So stoked for Hill. Justa shame that overall Hill is 4th just 1 Point after Troy (1025 vs 1024). Sam on general podium would be sooooooooo cool.
Cheering for him at worlds.
  • 1 0
 I would love to see Ratty take worlds, but imagine the confidence after MSA and Meribel Hill is going to be a force.
  • 8 2
 Matt Simmonds deserved the 1st spot! Big congratz to Francisco Pardal, great result for Portugal.
  • 6 0
 He definitely deserved it, but Hill earned it. Great racing today!
  • 6 0
 FRIIIICK!!! Not a single one of us had that rat picked out to win the overall.
  • 9 0
 Most stylish is also the fastest,most enigmatic racer out there wins,great day for him and the sport.
  • 1 0
 I actually picked him....for last year! What a fucking legend, haven't been this happy for a rider since Pratt winning World Champs!
  • 3 0
 His body has finally caught up to his mind. He's in way more control than he's ever been to the point that it looks effortless.
  • 3 0
 This season has been the most exciting. Don't get me wrong, the "Gwinning" seasons were great but this season was f-in awesome. I have to ask, though, after Bryceland skidding out on Gwinn's bike the other week and the snubbing him for a high five after the end of his run if there is a grudge there? Watch the video and Bryceland intentionally ignores Gwinn when he finishes his run. I'm just being a good observer, maybe I'm wrong.
  • 2 0
 I think I heard Gwin saying congratulations to Ratboy too but he didn't talk to him. Well we don't know what happens off the camera.
  • 1 0
 True that
  • 5 0
 I saw it too. Though the dusting could be explained as just pure stoke, nothing intentionally mean spirited. And perhaps the snub was because Bryceland saw Hart and went to a fellow countryman first, then acknowledged Gwin's congratulations just after, and off camera. I hope this is the case, because I can't respect a sore winner.
  • 4 0
 Or maybe they've experienced another side of Gwin that we don't see. It's hard to get anymore down to earth than Josh so if he's got issues with Gwin maybe he's not all smiles and Jesus?
  • 1 0
 Or, maybe Ratboy is just a young, arrogant F@#k. BUT, You could be right about Gwin. Who knows? I don't know either of them, so I can only speculate.
  • 1 0
 He doesn't come across arrogant to me. A bit wild for sure but not arrogant.
  • 3 0
 For what it's worth, Aaron congratulated Josh via Twittergram. Probably just a friendly rivalry that can get a little awkward/tense during the hot seat musical chairs. Not to mention the stark difference in lifestyle probably doesn't leave them much to talk about.
  • 1 0
 I like your last sentence.
  • 6 0
 Sam Hill fuck yeah. Been on the beer for 4 hrs so stoked for an Aussie win
  • 6 1
 Sam only won it on the last couple of corners. Simmonds absolutely blitzed the middle. Epic race in all aspects.
  • 4 0
 Sam would have still been on the podium but, yes, those flat-out open corners at the bottom put him over the top. Great to see Simmonds deliver on his quali run from yesterday as well. He's been flirting with a top result for a while now.
  • 12 0
 Honestly, despite him being a top-10 rider, I was a bit surprised to see Simmonds follow up on his quali run. I'm glad he proved me wrong. Awesome job under insane pressure
  • 1 0
 check the splits. Gee was #1 at 1 & 2. Sam def won on the bottom, but you could also say Gee lost it…
Best race of the year on the best track!
  • 1 0
 A little of both...more Sam winning it than Gee losing it. It was a 1.2 second differential between Sam and Gee in that last 50 second segment and Sam was on rails in that last bit...one of the few riders with enough speed to clear the last knuckle above the wood sender.
  • 3 0
 Was that a can of champaign the Rat was drinkin' during the "interview"? Indeed best interview ever, met him n Peaty @ Windham- these guys are what mountain biking is all about.
  • 1 0
 Met Rat at Underworld Cup a couple of times. He's so chill, you'd think he was one of the Cat 1 guys.
  • 5 1
 Great great race. Simmonds killing it and Sam Hill, so awesome that he won it. Congrats to RatBoy as well on the overall.
  • 6 0
 YES MATT SIMMONDS !!!!!!
  • 3 0
 When Sam Hill makes a stratospheric run - one that only him can do - the last time trials are so exciting. Delicate pleasure.
  • 1 0
 Called it, nailed it. Sam Hill you legend, awesome Stoked too for Manon and Miami Bryce, congrats to both, its great to see too new young faces reach theyre potential and take the top step, totally awesome. Bring on World Champs!
  • 3 1
 And the Lord said unto Ratboy "Take thy name of Ratman for thou hast matured greatly this season." And Josh went forth and had away with everyones daughters. So ends the lesson.
  • 1 0
 WC season needs to have more stops: How about 12 stops or 14 stops ? 7 just doesn't seem to be enough ...many other WC sport have +15 rounds to the season...yes would it cost more ? of course...but massive $$ are already being spent by bike companies and other sponsors...this sport is too amazing...too full of incredible personalities, mind blowing equipment and exotic locations to let the season go by with this few races....The EU side could host far more events in far more countries with minimal travel time....the USA side could have a west coast / east coast event schedule....just a shame to see so much passion for this sport and so few chances for the riders and the fans to get to experience it ....
  • 2 0
 I've been wondering the same. Smith being down most of the season didn't help my motivation at all but the huge gap between the first and second half of the season was so long I just stopped caring about it almost entirely to be honest.
  • 3 2
 If anyone wants to spoil the Redbull stream, live timing: www.uci.ch/mountain-bike/ucievents/2014-mountain-bike-uci-mountain-bike-world-cup-presented-by-shimano/162153114/widgets/live-timing-165840

Payet looks like he's going to be on the hotseat for quite a while, but I doubt it'll hold up when the top 15 qualifying men take their run. I wonder if the top riders will be able to break 3:15.
  • 1 1
 nice link real live thanks
  • 2 1
 Why do PinkBike no longer post the Watch Live link? Or even the Replay?

In other news...FCUK YEAH Josh Bryceland. SO good to see you smash the Series. And awesome to see Sam Hill take another well deserved win, back on form.
  • 5 2
 ....gosh! Every race this season has been covered by redbulltv.com.... So hard to go there directly or use google? Life is hard kidos, do not expect everything to be brought directly up to your nose for God's sake! Blaming anyone for your ignorance is just....well pick:
A - right
B - wrong
C - fucin' dumb
D - looking like session
  • 1 0
 Well said.
  • 5 1
 Don't assume because I asked a simple polite question about a change in PB website behaviour that:

A) I am angry/annoyed
B) I am complaining
C) I am ignorant
D) I am blaming anyone.
E) I 'expect everything to be brought up to my nose (!?)'.

Its very unusual for them to not post the link feed as they've been doing so for the past 5 years or so.

I see you had a similarly aggressive reaction to the same question elsewhere. Its a shame that you think this is time well spent getting angry at people asking simple questions. Enjoy your life.
  • 1 0
 Sorry Goblin. It's probably my age causing that I project you youngsters as people switching channels between UCI DH and High school musical or Pokemons every time I think that comment is irrelevant :]
No harsh feelings!
  • 1 0
 No worries. PS. I'm no youngster. I'm probably too old to be spending this much time on here! - Another assumption methinks! ;-)
  • 2 0
 My special congrats to Pekoll for a great top 10 result in 8th and to Pardal, for turning some heads with your awesome run and hopefully not having to buy your bikes next season.
  • 5 1
 Hill the race and Ratboy the overall. Perfect.
  • 6 1
 Ratboy becomes Ratman!
  • 7 0
 Or Rat King.
  • 2 0
 Holy crap what a season! Stoked for Josh and Manon but also great to see so many riders able to take a win at any round - brilliant!
  • 3 0
 For real. I'm sure most of us were like "oh, crap...Gwin's back" after he took the 1st race at PMB. Since then, it's been one hell of a roller-coaster ride. Already looking forward to '15 and Worlds hasn't even happened yet!!
  • 3 0
 The best season I have seen since I started following DH. Perfect end! Hill with the win and Ratboy overall!
  • 4 0
 Hey Pinkbike those are the qualifing results for the women!
  • 4 0
 pretty happy for Loris, is the best on real DH track !!
  • 3 0
 Amazing! I've never seen racing so tight and exhilarating as the 2014 UCI WC DH! Thank you and congratulations to everyone!
  • 1 0
 That's the kind of live stream I would be happy to pay for if it helps the sport. Perfect! And if paying helps to keep the racing so competitive in the future then it's all good with me!
  • 4 1
 CLASS IS IN SESSION AND THE MASTER IS TEACHING!!!!
  • 4 1
 Sooooooo fukn stoked for Hill and THE Rat yyyiiiihaaaaaa !!!!
  • 3 0
 Ratboys interview was the best!
  • 2 0
 FUk big smile you have there SAM HILL welcome back..Hope you smash it next year!!!!!
  • 3 0
 All hail the King, Sam Hill!
  • 4 2
 wtf. why is redbull showing the xce race from yesterday? 10 minuets redbull, chop chop!
  • 1 0
 whats going on!
  • 2 0
 Cmon why isnt it showing the dh yet!?!?
  • 1 0
 wtf....................
  • 1 0
 yeah its started!
  • 7 0
 The livestream was sooo good, massive props to RB
  • 2 0
 best WC race this year and clearly the best coverage of the race. Well done France, well done Meribel!
  • 2 0
 its official we can all call him Ratman now! congrats on the title and a great season.
  • 2 1
 It seems that Pinkbike usually posts links up for the live feed. Did I miss the links? Kind of hard to believe they would do it for all but the final world cup race...
  • 1 5
flag badpotato (Aug 23, 2014 at 12:07) (Below Threshold)
 All races have been streamed on redbulltv.com for whole year... Is it so hard to go there directly or just google it?
Is google or any other search engine forbidden in 'Murica or is it just.....you bitchin' with ignorance or inability to think?
If you need a link to neg prop me, you just prove my point ;]
  • 4 0
 Chill out man. Have a wank or something.
  • 1 0
 Wow, haha! Someone's got some deep seeded issues. I have to admit, your name matches your comment quite well though. You might be disappointed to find out that I actually caught the live feed on Redbull. No Google needed. Smile lol your comment made my day! Go eat a Snickers buddy. I was just making an observation. Im sad the race season is almost over.
  • 1 0
 It's not about issues or being a d1ck Smile It's just that I am tired of people complaining about not giving them shortcuts or direct solutions. Maybe it's my age, maybe it's my country's history, but I am often shocked by lack of initiative for problem solving in youngsters these days Smile /or it's just my mood Smile
  • 1 0
 Maybe it's just me but I felt like pinkbike had a lot more coverage and posts on the first few cup races. It carries a bit more excitement. I really don't care about the links just the buildup. Like I said, I'm sad the race season is coming to an end...
  • 2 0
 Stoked for Matt Simmonds - great result and seems like a total standup guy!
  • 1 0
 Awesome race! Dumb question as I have only followed downhill this season, are the fastest split times the fastest ones or the splits for the current hot seat guy?
  • 2 0
 Good job Loris! Way to go
  • 5 3
 Auzzy auzzy auzzy, OI OI OI
  • 2 1
 What a final! Sam wins, Rat gets his overall and the crowd going crazy. So Nice! Smile
  • 1 0
 YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAHHHHHHHHH just like it should be! It couldnt end any better!!
  • 2 0
 One of the best world cups for a long time, absolutely fantastic racing!
  • 2 0
 yes another win for hill great to see the rat win the overall
  • 2 0
 Thanks red bull for the sweet stream!
  • 1 0
 I wonder what the overall standing would look like if Gwin hadn't flatted at Leogang
  • 1 1
 Maybe he would have bent a chainring at Pietermaritzburg and it would look the same....
  • 1 0
 I was there and the track was sick! Huge crowd all along the track. Sam Hill deserved the win!
  • 1 0
 Bottom line...everybody was HOPING to win. Except Sam Hill. He WANTED to win.
  • 3 0
 Fairy tale ending! Epic
  • 1 3
 I get really disappointed when they post the results. The first half of the season's coverage was so much better with rob and Richard commentating and watching the women's and men's final runs. This was the first season where I watched all the world cup replays, knew who the top twenty riders were, and actually gave a crap about the outcome of the season. Since the summer break they stopped playing the videos and we find out who owned before being able to watch it unfold during the course of the race. This list of results sucks compared to video coverage and really takes the drama and excitement out. Why did (pinkbike? Red bull?) take away the webcast of DH finals? Is anyone else disappointed with the change in coverage?
  • 6 0
 Not sure what you are talking about? It was live on Redbulls site, way early though 5:15 am PST this morning. I watched the replay which was up 30 mins after it ended which ended up being around 8am.
  • 1 0
 Well I guess it's all on me then. Previously I watched all of them on pinkbike, never thought to check red bull. It was my ritual on my day off. Thanks for the heads up, Chris, now I will catch the world's before I see the results.
  • 5 3
 Ratboy!
  • 8 7
 Hill for the win and ratboy for the overall!!
  • 13 1
 That's an original comment that I have never seen before especially on the This is Peaty helmet cam
  • 2 5
 what are you on about hahaha?
  • 3 1
 RATBOY GETS OVERALL!!!
  • 2 2
 Yeeees josh!!! Now on to hafjell for the worlds, can't wait Year of the rat no doubt
  • 3 1
 YES Sam Hill !!!!!
  • 3 1
 Fucking yes ratboy!
  • 4 2
 So it's RATMAN now!!
  • 1 0
 Wooo Ratboy defiantly deserved too win!!! #stoked
  • 1 0
 SAM HILL rules the big mountains!!!! Happy for Ratboy for the overall.
  • 1 0
 Sam Hill, master of inside line! yeahhh!
  • 1 0
 Fuuuuuu*k yeahSmile Sam was so close to the podium...!
  • 1 0
 Fuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkk yyyyaaaaaa Sam hill !!!
  • 1 0
 Congratulation "RATBOY" Hell Yeahhh
  • 1 0
 Awesome season, awesome track, awesome finale. Can't wait for the Worlds.
  • 1 0
 So 3 of 7 WC wins this year were on flat pedals... That's pretty cool!
  • 2 1
 Hope Josh wins it snd the overall, and Worlds too
  • 2 1
 Way to go Aussies…and welcome to BRYCELAND!
  • 2 1
 It's what every one wanted.
  • 1 0
 What happened to Troy? I missed the beginning.
  • 1 0
 Crashed in the upper half somewhere
  • 2 0
 The king is back!
  • 1 0
 This man is Hillstory!! I am glad for you congrats Sam! Smile
  • 1 0
 awesome race!!! great run from markus pekoll
  • 1 0
 Congrats to Martin MAES, 9 overall with only one race! ;-)
  • 1 0
 Sam freak'n Hill! called it! he is on fire!
  • 2 2
 Where can I watch this my phone won't red bull tv
  • 1 0
 Open
  • 1 0
 ratty you beauty
  • 1 0
 ratboy for world champs
  • 5 4
 Hill !!
  • 1 0
 That was one close race.
  • 1 2
 Loic BRUNI for te win !! He must honore his new LP 2015 !!! go loic GO !
  • 1 0
 He's not on the new bike this week. Loris was on it and kicked ass
  • 2 4
 Glad I put sam hill in my fantasy team last minute!







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