some of the track doesn't look much like a track, more like a path that some goats had trodden down in a grassy meadow that are now connected by race ribbons. this is going to be cool
At first it was hard to see the flow in the track, when just looking at the pictures, but after watching the video I am convinced that it's going to be a good weekend!
21st picture..... some bloke has her in his arms, looks like Minnarr but no other syndicate riders around him.
Good luck to all the riders, nice to see a change of track, even if it's in Europe again
Agreed, looks like a track Gwin definitely can do very well on (a somewhat stupid comment though, he seems to do well on any track!), he'll probably rip those corners! Can't wait to watch the race.
reminds me of sams run where he won but like wrecked and it started raining on him when all of the other fast riders had already gone in the dry. Hopefully same results this time eh? except for the wrecking part
@ mtbrider02 www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIOzsX1dUl0 this is the race you were thinking of. It seems Gee was right with what he said at the end! I really hope we get some rain at this race cause it would be great for sam hill to take a win away from Gwin. Never rule out big Peaty though!
oh yea that was what i was thinking of. idk why i thought he won, though its been a long time since that race i must have thought that his run was so awesome that he won
I'm thinking we could have ourselves a good old fashioned Hill and Peaty battle here. Minnar's in it too no doubt, and Gwin's the man to beat as always. Stevie's got balls of steel and this track looks fast and sketchy, so who knows there either. Going to be an exciting race.
Wow...we suck! Not one of ANY of the above names in the top-3 today. All the same, that was a solid day of racing - as I only saw the final 5-or-so riders this morning, I'm freaking dying here waiting for THE REPLAY!!
It's like they have used a time machine, looks like a crazy DH track from the 90s. I'll put my money on the old guys : Peaty, Minaar, Sick Mick and Mick Pascal if it rains, and Camellini or Gordianengo (if he wont win he'll go to the hospital :p) as outsiders. I'm dreaming of a wild car for Vouilloz, if there is one track for him this year this is the one!
But as usual Gwin should be strong enough to contest the win.
BLASPHEMY! You cover it then with all of your cameras and crew, oh wait, you don't have either. Don't hate on Red Bull for the coverage, it's free, convenient and replays throughout the day.
True, RED BULL needs better coverage - Freecaster was much better, more coverage, more racers. Just because it's free, (so was Freecaster except for worlds - which is nothing to pay for the whole season live!) doesn't mean we should be satisfied with mediocre coverage.
the only thing that they are really fucking up is only showing the top 30, and not letting Rob say what ever he wants, i think they actually have 2 more cameras than freecaster did
that's exactly it, they're not showing a great deal more track, but they're cutting out so much of the race and the commentary just isn't as good. Say what you want, I'd rather have freecaster back.
Yeah, they put a muzzle on Rob - just ain't F@%*Kin' right!! And if they just show the top 30 - show us MOST of their runs!!!!!! At least a lot more than out of the gate "there he goes..... and "look at him at finish line!"
Not sure why redbull would put a muzzle on rob. I mean I could see why perhaps but then I look at those "robs dirty business" webisodes, which are also produced/sponsored by redbull and the dude is as raunchy as ever.
I hope world cup riders will like this track... In France, after several French DH Cups, the Val d'Isere track is called Val Misere which means Val Misery. The riders gave this name because there are no woods, no roots, no rock section, only one line to ride,... It's not fun... But OK, it's deep and spectators can watch riders from the bottom of the track....
We miss La Bresse...
Normaly, it'll rain on Saturday and the sun will be back on Sunday...
I don't disagree with you... But I'm asking why is it called Val Misere by the french riders ?... I rode that track for the french cup in 2003 and it hasn't change a lot... But MTB has change a lot...
You're right dude! Mountain bike has changed a lot but not always in the right way imo, look at (not the time ) how stereotyped DH tracks are nowadays. I remember Big Bear, Kaprun or Mammoth, these were fast tracks and sometime I miss them! I'm not asking for more than one track like this in the season but you have to admit that can't be that bad to watch the fastest guys on the planet hitting this track.
You are old school !! But I'm too ! ;-) You convinced me ! Maybe the new generation riders will be lost on that old school track (but I fear the coments after the race)... But I'm not sure if Gwin will not be the winner... La Bresse was an old school track but it seemed to be more fun but that track was complete, with woods, different lines, rockgarden...etc Pascal will be back in the top 10 this week-end (I hope) ---> www.pinkbike.com/photo/4738797
My two favorite riders. Maybe smith will finally reach the top step. But then there
Is hill with flat corners and off camber sections he could do good 2
Watching this fellows' course run, all I could think was "WWGD" (What would Gwin do) in terms of line selection. What the heck is up with that roof-drop, it looks kind of full-90 to get on to it...? Anyway, I'm Canadian- GO SMITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this track looks tricky, just as you get some speed going, you would have to try and take some pretty interesting corners. looks tough, cant wait to see what some of the times are on this puppy.
love the track, because this is where mtb comes from: a trail in the mountain who cares if it seems to be "oldschool" there was great biking before generation berm and park
Its wonderful to see a track on the WC circuit that isn't just another bermed up toboggan run with artificial rock gardens and well manicured kickers... everything looks rough and unkempt and super technical, the winner here will obviously still be Gwin, lets not get too excited, but 2nd place will be hotly contended, Petey always does well on the old skool technical tracks as he has decades of skill and experience, Sam Hill will be another one to watch for sure, not sure many of these new gen' younger riders will have ever seen an adverse camber corner before, everything has berms nowadays thanks to the inspiration of A-line... :-/
looks like a real downhill track. awsome. but why can't these guys wear appropriate shoes on a course walk. with flipflops and sneakers in the mountains is ridiculous. looks like japanese tourists
Not read all the comments. No one seems to be considering the altitude. Is this going to play it's part in the outcome? Balls of steel for sure required but I'm thinking a big set of lungs is going to help. Time for gee to hop on to the top step?
What people are forgetting is that Gwin is going to play it safe, in order to make sure to capture a couple of points to win the Overall. Though Gwin playing it safe might just land him second place With this track and the weather this race is going to be about balls and tires not technical skills and conditioning.
Going fast on this track it requires technical skills also. Does winning in kitzbuhel (the famous alpine ski race) is all about balls? Well maybe more than usual but not only .
it almost looks like the line around the shed is faster, you have to make a 90 degree right hander just to get on top of the damn thing. seems like you could just rip around the outside..
Looks like an incredibly difficult track to carry speed through, some of the corners look so flat, as demonstrated by the helmet cam, that rider is undoubtedly a good rider, yet he slowed down massively on large parts of the track and lost momentum. Should make for an awesome race
Looking forward to some footage of the racers rallying this track. Without seeing anything, I'd have to lean towards a rider with stellar handling-skills - basically any of the top-5 and a few fringe guys like Bryceland, Blenkinsop or Fairclough. Probably Gwin, Hill or Minnaar when all's said and done.
I'm a bit in a doubt with this track: is it a level of a World Cup track? At first it looks like an amateur track, designed as it was the backyard track of your country house. I feel that there's not enough safety in too many sections. On the other hand it looks very technical: it is steep, lots of tight turns, different lines to choice in some important sections. With heavy rain it will turn into a nightmare but with light one I guess that the dusty terrain will gain grip. I'm opinion it will the perfect track for riders like Hill, Fairclough and Smith. A race to watch, of course.
I can't wait to watch this race, I did a ski season there years ago and it is awesome, super steep. I've never seen the place not covered in the white stuff and it looks dangerous!! Sam for the win or Steve smith.
It's steep but with very limited line choices. I'm surprised that this is even a WC DH Course. With limited lines like this, for sure Gwin won't win. Trust me.
Gwin would remain on the safe side not risking to much. I guess it will end on 4th or around that; there's no point to crash and destroy a so spectacular season with the point margin he has. If you look deeper there are at least four spots where you can choos beetwen two or three lines with the fastest one is the most dangerous. Cheers
Agreed, if it gets sloppy, Hart loose style will do him well. Otherwise I see Gwin winning it, with a very rough ride with as stiff as he likes his suspension.
"Just a heads up for all of you race fans out there, Danny Hart will not be racing this weekends World Cup round in Val D'Isere France this weekend as he recovers from a crash while training at Crankworx Europe. Heal up quick buddy!"
It looks like and old crappy goat path in my opinion not a proper world cup track. By the same token it will be interesting to see races on a new course rather than the same old.
You can't be remotely serious. This is about the purest DH track we've seen in a while, not groomed or polished, just a mostly raw mountain side, and if you screw up, you're going to pay. You need incredible skills and huge balls to wreck this course. I don't think I would even attempt to ride this thing. It's like a big white rocky monster.
Having seen past races, this is Gwin's race.
Hickory Dickory Dock,
Val d'Isère has lots of rock.
The lift creeps up,
The riders rip down!
But no one can beat Gwin's clock.
But as usual Gwin should be strong enough to contest the win.
I rode that track for the french cup in 2003 and it hasn't change a lot... But MTB has change a lot...
La Bresse was an old school track but it seemed to be more fun but that track was complete, with woods, different lines, rockgarden...etc
Pascal will be back in the top 10 this week-end (I hope) ---> www.pinkbike.com/photo/4738797
Anyway this is dope you in a middle of legends like Sainz or Pascal, thanks for sharing this picture, appreciated .
With the skills they all have (alpine skiers in the WC)...yes it is...balls.
I'm opinion it will the perfect track for riders like Hill, Fairclough and Smith. A race to watch, of course.
F*ck going near it in the rain.
If you look deeper there are at least four spots where you can choos beetwen two or three lines with the fastest one is the most dangerous.
Cheers
Danny Hart's Facebook.