Inside The Tape: Ben Cathro's Full Line Choice Breakdown - Val Di Sole DH World Cup 2018

Jul 6, 2018
by Pinkbike Originals  

We've stolen Ben Cathro from his own channel to give the Pinkbike viewers an extra taste of some of the key line choices the riders will be making this week. Join Ben as he chats to the likes of Aaron Gwin, Rachel Atherton and Danny Hart on just how they are taming the black snake.



MENTIONS: @pinkbikeoriginals


Posted In:
Videos Inside The Tape World Cup Recap Ben Cathro


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125 Comments

  • 1023 7
 Ben Cathro deserves all the praise that he's receiving right now. His content is top notch.
  • 48 2
 everyone upvote to hit +1000 so PB really gets the message.
  • 19 0
 So f*cking good! Do team managers get involved and track all the line options, or is this left soley to the rider?
  • 4 1
 TRUE THAT
  • 21 0
 Positive proof that hard work and persistence pays off in the end. Well done Ben Cathro. But can we get a full 60 minute episode please. That was awesome and super informative.
  • 19 4
 subtitles needed for Danny Hart please
  • 4 0
 Excellent stuff.
  • 9 1
 @grantschooling: its "inside the tape" but I'm outside the tape so you cant film me for my video. Well I seem to have gotten through this very well every time and I don't know how. so I've just come to look to clarify its all right. ....smashes corner.
  • 2 0
 FINALLY!!! Well done Ben!
  • 1 0
 @sevensixtwo: It would depend on the team and or racer's I'd imagine. Not many people on par with say Gwinn on what a better line is...
  • 1 0
 @grantschooling: He's definitely made an effort to be better at talking to the camera lately!
  • 1 0
 We make it past a 1000! Record? @brianpark
  • 355 2
 Thank you Pinkbike for recognizing Cathro's talent. Please keep using him!
  • 3 2
 This needs more upvotes.
  • 4 0
 I'd say talent is just part of his success here. Tons of knowledge, experience and no bullsh##ing. And we have a result!
  • 135 0
 Brilliant, some recognition for Cathrovision. Ben's analysis videos are worth watching over and over.
  • 11 0
 For sure, it's one of only a couple of YouTube channels I subscribe to and he surprises me with how interesting he keeps his videos time after time
  • 103 1
 hey redbull execs give this guy a show, 4 cameramen, 100% access to everything, and you just made yourself a sic world cup show that will certainly draw in way more interest into the sport we love... ben is great. he is real and knows whats interesting to us... come on redbull.. and ben, you should live stream on twitch at the WC practice events if its possible to get that kind of connection in these areas. that would be unreal
  • 37 4
 Please not. The moment he gets an official show it will be a high polished "castrated" skripted piece, loosing it's original flavor.

Castrovision is good for exactly the reason that it is being done, the way it's done right now. Don't get me wrong. Ben deserves every recognition and positive feedbacks, but don't break down that creative non corporate style.

I love RB for all they do for sports but as with every large company there is processes and corporate responsibilities, liabilities and other stuff in place, killing the creativity and originals.
  • 34 1
 @sprecks57: hopefull we can strike a good balance with this type of coverage. Smile
  • 12 0
 @brianpark: you do indeed and I really appreciate that, as long as you let the man do the things in his way. Even if that includes suggestions on how to properly drink whiskey Wink
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: how much corporate bullshit is just enough?
  • 106 1
 "I'm outsid the tape, so you can't film me for your video!" - Danny Hart
  • 4 0
 That one was cool!
  • 4 1
 It was great Shows that Danny watches Cathrovision. Line analysis. I bet they all tune in to see what line works best and who is riding what. Awesome stuff from the giraffe.
  • 58 1
 Happiest, least dissenting Pinkbike comments I've ever seen. And rightly so. Cathro has united Pinkbike. Never thought I'd see it in my lifetime.
  • 53 1
 I look forward to Ben Cathro's World Cup analysis almost as much as the World Cup itself. It's insightful, educational, and he's not even remotely annoying. Seems like a good guy. Go Ben!!
  • 1 3
 Might be worth trying to suck him off if you feel that strongly.
  • 1 2
 @murfio: Clever. I was thinking about it, but seeing as how that is the first thing that popped in your head, don't stand on ceremony sailor, "send it", as they say.
  • 28 0
 Good stuff!

Next suggestion would be a post race analysis video with @eliotjackson...
  • 16 0
 The line choice inter-comparison w/timing is great. Regardless of the rider and their true commitment on the run, it provides a relative entry, exit and obstacle speed based on line. Good stuff
  • 19 1
 Best piece of Pinkbike content of anything that I can remember
  • 1 0
 True that
  • 13 0
 Nice job Ben! Keep it up. This is what PB needs. Good analysis of strategy for various corners, where to drop the brakes and maintain momentum out of turns.....all of it adds to the WC DH coverage by a mile (or is it kilometer?).
  • 12 0
 Kudos to whoever that Pinkbike commenter was early last year who turned me and a lot of other Pinkbikers on to Cathro's WC stuff. Glad to see Cathro getting bigger.
  • 13 1
 just to clarify, no one beats RW at race commentary
  • 26 7
 They need to replace Claudio in the booth though - he adds nothing. Cathro or needles would kill it.
  • 3 2
 @russthedog: i would totally agree with that setup...
  • 3 2
 @russthedog: I like Claudio, I think he works well with Warner, but switching it up with Needles would be awesome, he kills it at Crankworx on DH commentating. Would be curious how Cathro would be.
  • 1 0
 @gramboh: when you watch it tonight, consider his contribution and I bet you'll change your mind.
  • 8 0
 Best WC video yet, keep cathro on staff pinkbike. Lets see some drawing lines on the trail to show off the line choices, like a painted mark. like they do in football to show off where the players go.
  • 4 0
 As much as I like Claudio, he gives very little insight and quite often says stuff that is just downright nonsense. And dont even get me started on the poxy interviews carried out by the girl at the top of the hill ???? Especially when they cut away from a run to hear a pointless question ????
  • 8 1
 Thanks PB for stepping up and giving Ben more exposure. His commentary and insight is top-notch no matter whether you're an OG or a grom. Looking forward to more!
  • 8 0
 Sooooperb! Great work Cathro!!
  • 8 0
 It's been a long time coming.
  • 5 0
 Now go Ben Cathro, he makes World cups so much better for everyone including the racers, but does not make it any easyer to tame the black snake, but definitely makes for an eventful race!
  • 8 1
 Scientific dh. I love it. Just give him some more whisky
  • 3 0
 After watching Cathrovision yesterday, was this segment really just because he happened to be there at the right time filming his own version for youtube? Either way he really deserves a PB/RB deal because he gives us so much more insight to the tracks than anyone else. Oh and he seems to be friendly with all the racers, which cannot be said of other interviewers.
  • 5 0
 Great job and analysis of what I would call a punisher track. I mean my forearms hurt just watching Brendogs run.
  • 2 0
 Awesome work Ben, and thanks PinkBike could not think of a better man than using Ben's excellent knowledge in world cup racing!! Was a bit funny seeing three REDBULL riders go down at once in that corner "Bruni, ILES, Brook..hehe!
  • 5 0
 Yis is pure magic ya dancer
  • 3 0
 Been following Ben for a while now. Really glad he’s getting some recognition. Kudo’s Ben. Props to PB for airing this level of content. Give the guy a show.
  • 1 0
 Like everyone said, great content very informative and great to watch before the race!
I'd also be interested to see these line comparisons on actual race day. So when Rob & Claudio mention a rider lost one sec, we could actually see *where* it happened.
For those that asked for longer, there's a "making of / behind the scenes" slightly longer vid on Ben's channel.
  • 4 0
 A man so Scottish his girlfriend manages a whisky distillery. Great to see the exposure Ben. Loving it
  • 2 0
 Another great vid from Ben. Don't know why his you tube channel doesn't have more views than it does. Hopefully this type of exposure will help. A good shout by PB to run this excellent content.
  • 2 1
 Epic vid. Remember Ben letting asking me if I wanted to jump in front of him at an enduro last year because he was waiting for better wind conditions and thinking this man is definitely thinking about this in way more detail than I am. Didn’t know who he was at the time - great to see tech knowledge shared in the vids Smile
  • 1 0
 Bens videos are just fantastic. Been catching up with a few recently. His vlogs when he is actually racing are really insightful and you really get to see what goes on in a race weekend and how it feels to be the last man on the hill with the pressure on. Great to see him carving out an opening for himself. Well done Ben, keep doing what you are doing
  • 4 0
 Ben is the goods. Great getting the track rider comments too
  • 4 0
 Where is the $$$ hat? Great video Ben!
  • 3 0
 Thank you for this, wonderful content for every rider and makes watching the racing even more fun.
  • 1 0
 Good onya Ben, some good points made there that even us mere mortals could use to improve our riding, Will be watching the race with beer and my best riding mate, bring it on.
  • 1 0
 In a digital world with a billion things going on, it's difficult to keep people's attention. Cathro's had mine for all 8 minutes (and
for his longer, earlier Cathro Vision edit) - great work!
  • 1 1
 At 6:57, comparing 4 riders starting all at the tree. Then a short section of course later comparing who's further down the course. The issue is that at the starting point, yes they are all at position 0, the tree. However, they are also at 4 different speeds. It would be better to compare differential speeds through the section. Computing ground speed using 2 trees at start of section then ground speed at end of section.
  • 3 0
 Good work on that Ben, interesting look at line choice.
  • 3 0
 This is the balls and the taint. The whole region.
  • 3 0
 sick skills coach for a sick skills vid!
  • 2 0
 I’m Scottish, so you can guess what I think, legend and all round good guy.
  • 2 0
 Danny Hart just so chill. Ridin' fast, not sure how, but I'm definitely quick.
  • 1 0
 Awesome to see this being produced for Pinkbike, also fantastic to have a longer video than the ones he'd been producing beforehand at the WCs. .
  • 1 0
 Yes Cathro! Stoked to see this getting picked up by Pinkbike, definitely the best World Cup videos around! Keep up the quality work dude.
  • 2 0
 Great work Ben! Just don't let them 'style' you.. looks like they already made you brush your hair weird!!!!
  • 1 0
 This is the best and most interesting MTB commentary I have ever seen. Plus I am learning stuff that will make me go faster.
  • 3 0
 Yesssssssss.
  • 2 0
 Awesome insight Ben - keep it up !
  • 2 0
 Can't praise this video enough. Well done.
  • 2 0
 Lol@ Danny Big Grin and we'll done Ben, more of this please
  • 3 0
 More of this
  • 2 0
 Pinkbike & Cathro, great match up!
  • 3 0
 Fantastic!
  • 2 0
 Really well done! Higher resolution video would make it even better.
  • 3 0
 Pay this man!
  • 1 0
 Suuuuper interesting! Really neat seeing some of the different lines and approaches. Well done Ben!
  • 1 0
 So much better to actually see technical riding rather than just people avoiding the camera. Top work Cath
  • 2 0
 Even the frenchy, like you Ben, more stuff like that.
  • 2 0
 This is awesome beyond words. Thanks Ben!
  • 1 0
 I noticed Rob Warner started calling it Val di Solay last year. So is it pronounced Sole, or Solay?
  • 1 0
 Val di Sole in Italian not English. It means Valley of Sun and has a hard E at the end like may Italian words. But seeing your ignorant view of the word displayed in another thread and obsession with your own country and language, why would you even bother to understand how another countries words would be pronounced in English. One could say it would be a ridiculous assumption to make for someone like you.
  • 2 0
 Great video! Good on you Ben, keep doing what you do!
  • 1 0
 this isn't relevant. how do you know they were running full clip. you don't. so its hard to say who's line is better
  • 2 0
 Yaasssssss!!! Finally!
  • 2 0
 Great coverage!
  • 3 1
 Cathro for President!!
  • 2 0
 luv it!
  • 2 0
 fantastic
  • 1 0
 The guys riding this weekend surely watch these videos??
  • 5 0
 You better believe it. And right now Shaw is re-considering the high line on that left hander Pierron took.
  • 3 1
 4 or 5 lines? I saw 1.
  • 1 0
 Awesome! Just spot on! More!!!!
  • 1 0
 que trabalhão fazer essa porra, parabéns
  • 1 0
 I love geeking out on this! Cathro is awesome
  • 1 0
 great video! so excited to see more of this really love cathros vids!!
  • 1 1
 Ben needs to do commentating for MotoGP and F1 also. I might just start watching it again, Great job Ben!
  • 1 0
 this is literally gold. really good job
  • 1 0
 F**king awesome stuff fella.
  • 1 0
 Just shows how multiple line choice is what makes a track truly technical
  • 2 0
 great work Ben Smile
  • 1 0
 More Cathro. We need more Cathro.
  • 1 0
 Big Ben, never misses a second.
  • 1 0
 PLEASE KEEP BEN GOING!!!!
  • 1 0
 awesome work dude...thanks for that
  • 4 3
 Fust git up
  • 1 0
 Awesome stuff
  • 1 0
 awesome, cheers
  • 1 0
 Awesome !
  • 1 0
 #CathroIsKing
  • 1 0
 I like this
  • 1 0
 Another level cool stuff
  • 1 0
 Thore sumb! Love it!
  • 1 0
 Nice work Ben
  • 1 0
 HIRE THIS MAN!
  • 1 2
 Literally no one is having fun on this course.
  • 1 0
 Yet they are - and they all seem to love it! I know we do.
  • 2 2
 N1
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