The opening round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup didn't disappoint, the new round packed all the punches as the riders fresh into their season tried to tame the rock-strewn course.
Mr President, there are 3 Americans on the podium of the last round of DH World Cup, what do you have to say?
Good day Claudio, it’s terrific, it’s uuuuge. A great day for the greatest Country in the World. Real downhill race that wasn’t rigged, you know, I prefer downhillers that don’t race Enduro, and those are the kind of real American MTBers that won today. I’m very happy, it’s very beatiful, tremendous. Enduro riders come to our trails, these are not nice people making French lines. Those are often French people. And Aaron, I know everything about Aaron, I’ve been at his housem rode his bikes, nobody knows more about Aaron than I do, we use same hair color. Mine is a bit more gold, and more slippery, and I think you find it to be faster. But yes, Aaron is a hero, real hero because he’s never been captured, Ok? The interview is over Claudio, no, no I say it’s over.
@stefanfresh: You can find it in the replay at around 30 minutes, can't believe how he walked away. I also don't understand those spectators that rushed with their phones filming it right away, I was there and some (quite drunk) guys were yeling where to get the best shot
I'm interested in where the differences in speed were coming from in the first sector and that last wooded section. So many riders lost huge time in one or both sections even when they appeared to be ride it well. Maybe it was just the camera angles but I couldn't see much difference between riders. I like how Rob and Claudio were as confused as I was!
It made me realize how different mountain biking is compared to something like F1, where the drivers not only get 75+ laps of practice but the teams can also analyze their performance and their competitors performance in very accurate details to see where they're losing ground. The split differences here made it feel like many riders just didn't even know what was faster or not and which parts of the tracks could gain or lose the most time. Which makes sense given the lack of practice telemetry and such. So I learned that these races aren't just a test of bike handling skills but of experience and seat of the pants feelings to know if their line choices are actually fast. Which is refreshing coming from following the details and the split times of F1!
@showmethemountains I was also confused by both sectors' time differences. But for the first sector - it was not only first straight, but also first corner. And it made huge difference. Hitting it properly also gave more speed for the rest od the track.
The 'forest' sector was bit more confused. Maybelline because of the camera angles... However there was that one tricky drops that cathrovision analyzed in one od the videos. It could be few other such features...
Gwin isn't invincible, but on race weekends like this one, he sure seems better than everyone else. Everyone else has to push themselves and their bikes to the ragged edge and hope for the best.
That was a lot of fun, except for the street part, which was expected. I thought of this venue more as a slalom race than a downhill (sorry for the ski racing analogy). Still with only 7 races I will take anything UCI gives. 39 LONG days and nights to go. Cant wait. UCI needs a May race.
We have concussion protocol to stop rider from risking further damage. Then we have The Bulldog who finishes his run with a broken collarbone. No protocol for that haha!
The current state of DH - "Highlights" video showing power rangers sprinting down a street corridor. Brook Macdonald coming down the track and a sudden cut to him walking - They didn't even show the reason why he was walking and not on the bike... Something needs to be done about the UCI.
Coverage has been great with Vital and Cathro really stepping it up but how come no Wyn TV post race interviews? Also any reason (besides Claudio having a massive off) RedBull didn't end up showing Claudio's course preview?
Was it just me or was the coverage done with as few cameras as possible? I mean if you cover a looong race, wouldnt a short race deserve better/more cameras per section? And i felt like they could be placed better. Maybe its just that it was first time and they were still learning about the track and all...?
Good day Claudio, it’s terrific, it’s uuuuge. A great day for the greatest Country in the World. Real downhill race that wasn’t rigged, you know, I prefer downhillers that don’t race Enduro, and those are the kind of real American MTBers that won today. I’m very happy, it’s very beatiful, tremendous. Enduro riders come to our trails, these are not nice people making French lines. Those are often French people. And Aaron, I know everything about Aaron, I’ve been at his housem rode his bikes, nobody knows more about Aaron than I do, we use same hair color. Mine is a bit more gold, and more slippery, and I think you find it to be faster. But yes, Aaron is a hero, real hero because he’s never been captured, Ok? The interview is over Claudio, no, no I say it’s over.
understatement of the year? That crash was like a scene from Godzilla
It made me realize how different mountain biking is compared to something like F1, where the drivers not only get 75+ laps of practice but the teams can also analyze their performance and their competitors performance in very accurate details to see where they're losing ground. The split differences here made it feel like many riders just didn't even know what was faster or not and which parts of the tracks could gain or lose the most time. Which makes sense given the lack of practice telemetry and such. So I learned that these races aren't just a test of bike handling skills but of experience and seat of the pants feelings to know if their line choices are actually fast. Which is refreshing coming from following the details and the split times of F1!
The 'forest' sector was bit more confused. Maybelline because of the camera angles... However there was that one tricky drops that cathrovision analyzed in one od the videos. It could be few other such features...
You know... 29ers are the future, rolling smooth over the rocks and ruts, carry more momentum...
Maybe its just that it was first time and they were still learning about the track and all...?