Pietermaritzburg World Cup 2012 - Helmet Cam

 would be interesting to get 2 time measurements - one before and one after this section

 Its just goes on forever 0_0

 riders will taste blood

 It's definitely going to sort out the men from the boys!

 i just feel tired watching that!

 3.12 - is that rat boy taking a piss????

 no lol my bad. a. its not rat boy and b. its a photographer haha, nearly though

 @timlake, well, in this case, f*ck is very, very fast.

 Those table tops are huge! And I like how they paint the rocks red so they can see them while they're riding at mach 5!

 only reason he is going fast is because there is a massive frog behind him.

 Brosnan is going to wreak havoc on that pedaling section...

 cant wait to see danny hart on this ! just imagine the whips :O

 I don't understand why these guys are running dropper post...at their level, I would have thought they'd be standing up through ALL the pedaling sections...at least the winner will.

 i think danny'll die on that peddally section

 look at the standings from the timed session today. gracia got 1st and im sure its because he has been enduro training he gunned the peddally section

 I think there is a little bit of evolution going on with DH right now and that flat section is evidence of it. In order for a sport like this to progress there needs to be some real competitive athleticism and by making race courses that reward BOTH skill and fitness it forces riders to bring their best game to the table on both the skill and fitness fronts.

 @ synaptonaut

With all due respect, this is WC DH racing, not Enduro or Super D. For real evolution of DH the DH part should be progressing.

 So maybe we should require dirtbikers and nascar/racing drivers to get out and run 3 miles in the middle of the race. You know, reward athleticism and all. I personally think DH should be 95% downhill technical skill and 5% pedalling

 Eh, it's just one track so I think it's completely fine to have one that has way more pedaling than others because it does show the best all-around DH racer or the one that's best at adapting to different situations. The differences between this track and Val di Sole, for example, are staggering (one extreme in cardio, the other in steep/tech) and at this level it is what is needed to really push these guys to their limits. There's no need to coddle these guys they can take it, haha. But Wil, I think some run the droppers because they don't mind the slight weight addition for the more power you get in pedaling strokes from sitting down as opposed to standing where some power would be lost in suspension travel bobbing. Personally I find that's the case in Enduro racing anyways so I can only assume.

 the top athletes pedal through tons of techy stuff too! thats how you win finding those extra strokes. I believe this is the longest pedal section in the world cup this year as most other tracks are steeper throughout.

 seriously when he hit that first table its like "where is the landing? where is the landing? oh there it is"

 he was flying, imagine if he over landed! weren't they the same jumps that cg almost hit somebody in the air with his foot last year

 Cedric...

 Wicked fast - this track is WFO - the F1 of dowhnhill! It sure would be fun to ride it, even though I'd never clear those tables and gaps!

 Lots of DH ski races have flatter sections in them, it's called gliding and it's part of the sport

 its so sickk?!!

 come on CG!

 One reply two words: Steve Smith

 Loud Music . . . . I don't get your reference

 It usually rains for Glastonbury.It then gets really horrible and sloppy, possibly how that track would be if it rains hard..

 So your saying;

If it rains, the track will turn to sloppy loud music filled with English people?

What tyres will the riders need for those conditions? Cut Minions, Dirty Dans?

 its not that bad because you can hit the smaller ones with it up like the sx jumps

 You know they don't run right... they ride bikes. But I know what you mean, my best hiking boots and my legs would still hurt if I tried to run down the course

 ^^^^LOL!

 that middle section, thats going to sort out who has put in the time in the off season...

 It's so people in the section ahead know a rider is coming so they get the hell out of the way! Or prepare to take a picture etc...

 its to warn the next post that a rider is coming...

 what do you mean post

 post = Next person with a whistle / track 'official'
(Note that official is a loosly used word in this circumstance)

 i believe they paint the sharp edges on them so riders avoid them or bunnyhop them or whatever to reduce chances of flats

 When you can ride that fast it will make perfect sense. Sun spots and rocks look exactly the same, and going from open sunlight into the woods you are running blind for a moment. A little orange paint goes a long way in helping to spot lines and stay on course. Small details that help keep the speeds for everyone watching at home.

 my question is why they whistle when the pass

 because blowing a whistle takes less effort than yelling "get the f--- outta the way!!!" in 4 different languages.

 they blow the whistle every time a rider passes the whistle guy so the rider in front can hear whether or not theres a rider close bihind or if the rider behind is gaining on them.