Seven rounds have brought us to this point where we arrive on the Italian coast in Finale Ligure. Cecile Ravanel has wrapped the women’s title while Richie Rude is looking good for the men’s, but it’s not over until the clock stops ticking on Sunday afternoon; can he secure his second title?
in a way its cool...but it would have been good to see his performance on a level (pre-practiced) playing field with others. Maybe he should do the same for next years DH world cups?
@Monkeyass: I am more than sure that he is still wounded by Barel passing him by in Punta Ala 3 years ago. And I am more than sure that he has good reasons for it. Justin Leov is not a bloke you just sneak up on in a matter of a minute, when he says he has a decent run. Yet Florian Nicolai did just that in Samoens. When it comes to Nothern Italy/ Southern France area, it doesn't take a detective to figure out that if many of top riders live there, then they are at a certain advantage and at a certain incentive...
It is the inevitable problem of Enduro Racing and the only way they can mitigate this is by organizeing races all over the world, which they are relatively good at.
@GeeHad: yes, drug pumped super trail-dog is the future of Enduro cheating. We will call him Cedric... Cedric The Dog. You can also employ a large number of guys dressed up as onion sellers standing by the track in critical spots, pointing lines with baguettes or lifting the tape on the insides of switchbacks.
You could see that at the last round - how did the Alien come back and get a second? Answer: He has the Strava KOM on one of the stages and lives around the corner.
@headshot: I wouldn't go so far to name particular people, just an observation how universe seems to spin (or expand). You must admit that Nico has enough stuff under his belt to be able to deliver such results anywhere on the planet, he is not some dude jumping from 50th place to the podium, it never works that way. So credit is always due to any of these guys.
I'd leave finger pointing to riders themselves if so they wish, it is after all their problem, they represent their sponsors and want to do best. We are here to enjoy it, for free, not perform recreational outrage. It never does good to anyone. And it is the factor that makes people on the spot, like Matt Wragg or Dave Trumpore, to sit quiet. They are well aware of the fact that if they step in to clarify something they put their head under the sht shower, no matter how close to truth it is. People don't want truth, they want drama and drama always involves a victim and a villain.
The worst thing that could happen to any sport is some tight rules because as soon as you introduce them it is when people really start to fk with the system and with each other. I'm not cool with cheating but I am strongly against people who would try to eliminate it.
@WAKIdesigns: Agreed on Nico V's skills but he hasn't really been up there this season and has just come back from injury. I am not pointing fingers just mentioning an example. If they held an enduro on my neighbourhood trails I'd have a massive advantage over someone riding blind. Its unavoidable that some riders will have home turf advantage especially where the trails have been used for years for enduro races...
@headshot: it wasn't directed on you, sorry for that. Just a rant on regular trend of shittin on people. I actually wondered what would have happened on bike internet if he won. I'm sure there would be some sht bomb flying at him for practicing tracks on E-bike, stealin' the win from people's hero Sam Hill...
I was at Finale Ligure this summer, and this brings some happy memories The terrain is mental there, one of the hardest places to ride, and it's a true biking heaven for anyone that looks for natural trails! Good luck to all the racers!!!
I want so badly to have live coverage of the EWS ala the Downhill. Always a good weekend when a race is on. Long ride, go home, chill, get some food and watch a race
I watch redbull on track with Curtis keen. And the racing is awesome. Big jumps fast crazy steep sections. I then watch the ews footage and all the pick is peddling sections. And the. Seems lame. Come on guys get some better footage.
It is the inevitable problem of Enduro Racing and the only way they can mitigate this is by organizeing races all over the world, which they are relatively good at.
I'd leave finger pointing to riders themselves if so they wish, it is after all their problem, they represent their sponsors and want to do best. We are here to enjoy it, for free, not perform recreational outrage. It never does good to anyone. And it is the factor that makes people on the spot, like Matt Wragg or Dave Trumpore, to sit quiet. They are well aware of the fact that if they step in to clarify something they put their head under the sht shower, no matter how close to truth it is. People don't want truth, they want drama and drama always involves a victim and a villain.
The worst thing that could happen to any sport is some tight rules because as soon as you introduce them it is when people really start to fk with the system and with each other. I'm not cool with cheating but I am strongly against people who would try to eliminate it.