Must Watch: Thomas Estaque's Take On the Perfect Track

94 1

FreeRadicals (Nov 18, 2021 at 10:04)

Shoutout to Thomas Estaque and the build crew for releasing the location and creating something that the local riding community can enjoy- that's pretty legit.

34 0

fasterthanme (Nov 18, 2021 at 14:04)

Thomas is not only a pro rider. He’s a member of a local MTB crew based in the French Pyrenees, Alternative VTT. The track has been built for this video project developed by Commencal. Very generously, they authorized Alternative VTT to sign a convention with the local council, landowner, in order to officialise the track. Many thanks to everybody involved (Thomas, Commencal, municipality of Moulis). Come and have a look by yourself. We’ve got many other punk rock tracks to show you.

2 0

x-rider (Nov 19, 2021 at 3:28)

We need more of this... trail wise and video wise! Great attitude and huge respect for doing trail work, comunity work and racing all year long! Sick to watch, lightend my desire to built up a DH bike again. (I know you can mostly do all by your enduro now adays, but the f*cking looks and speeds of a proper dh rig is something else)

2 0

danstonQ (Nov 19, 2021 at 4:40)

The good new is that it's very close to where I live; the bad new is that I don't have the level to ride this...

62 1

bananowy (Nov 18, 2021 at 9:12)

Commencal doing it right again. Most of their edits from the last couple of years should have the must watch tag.

1 0

Zuman (Nov 18, 2021 at 18:05)

As long as they stay away from "Race Issues" they are safe on the Internet, I'm joking of course, But outraged people are quick to forget.

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hg604 (Nov 18, 2021 at 21:24)

Estaque in general is such a sick rider to watch. That "key section" from the Andorra WC a few years back where he put like 2.5 seconds into the entire field in a 20 second stretch of track (and nearly killed himself in the process) was absolutely bonkers. I'm so glad there are people like him willing to risk their lives just so I can get excited and yell at my screen.

27 0

Struggleteam (Nov 18, 2021 at 10:03)

That moto style on/off rhythm section was tits! Can't imagine hitting that without a throttle! Love how Commencal embraces the punk rock too.

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crockpot2001 (Nov 18, 2021 at 11:50)

The music was delightful!

1 0

Wayners (Nov 18, 2021 at 12:19)

What Band?

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crockpot2001 (Nov 18, 2021 at 12:27)

@Wayners: Not sure it was a whole band. Might have just been the sound editor. "Music & Sound Edit: Leo Lunel"
soundcloud.com/leolunel

25 7

sburback (Nov 18, 2021 at 9:30)

I don't disagree. I quit racing downhill because of the lack of jumps in our local series. Wasn't worth the money and travel to ride mediocre trails. How are you going to call something a "Pro-Course" without a single proper jump? "I just like tech" is code for "I can't hit jumps."

5 0

NoahJ FL (Nov 18, 2021 at 10:02)

Haha yes! and then they build a pump track and some beginner "jump lines" and say that they already have a bunch of jumps.

1 0

pasteque51 FL (Nov 18, 2021 at 10:08)

And it is also a very good way to improve for young riders, you hit jumps you wouldn't do when you are on a race with lots of riders tanking it and it you know is needed to do a good time

15 0

BrambleLee (Nov 18, 2021 at 15:06)

I feel personally attacked.

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jackalope (Nov 18, 2021 at 18:21)

100% agree provided the jumps aren't jank AF. Seen my fair share of bobo jumps that were thrown into a track as an afterthought. I can also say that I've heard a lot of park bros say they just like jumps and flow trails which can be code for "I savagely suck at steep, technical gnar".

14 1

Dudeclimbsrocks (Nov 18, 2021 at 11:41)

upset by the lack of french rap music in this edit.

5 1

crockpot2001 (Nov 18, 2021 at 11:50)

Me not sad one little bit.

2 0

danstonQ (Nov 19, 2021 at 4:36)

Perhaps, but it could also feature a french noise/post-punk track as we have plenty of good bands in those styles.

1 0

amonas (Nov 19, 2021 at 5:52)

@danstonQ: Peste noire !!!! not punk though.... :-))))

1 0

danstonQ (Nov 19, 2021 at 11:21)

@amonas: Peste Noire = nazis. No thanks.
Better off listen to Psychotic Monks, Slift, Frustration, Doppler, Bästärd (former Deity Guns), Sexy Sushi, LTNO (former Les Tétines Noires), old Treponem Pal, Burning Heads, Les Thugs....amongst others...
Cheers!

1 0

Beaconbike (Nov 21, 2021 at 10:39)

@danstonQ: a big thumbs up for Slift!

2 0

danstonQ (Nov 21, 2021 at 11:28)

@Beaconbike: Yeah, they're from Toulouse, my home town, and their psyche-rock kills!!!
The Psychotic Monks are a blast as well, especially on stage.
Excellent gig on KEXP: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLDCdXGi8v0&t=934s

1 0

Beaconbike (Nov 21, 2021 at 11:37)

@danstonQ: I'll check it out

1 0

JRevelator FL (Nov 22, 2021 at 12:42)

@danstonQ: IMHO the track sounds more like a garage band. Anyway, great to see this kind of music references on PB.

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tbone333 (Nov 18, 2021 at 9:14)

Insane edit! Estate is definitely one of the most stylish rider on the world cup circuit!

1 0

trippleacht FL (Nov 18, 2021 at 13:23)

Yeah. Yes, the Commencal edits are good - as everyone seems to like pointing out every time. It's the riders though and this was another prime example.

2 1

cool3 FL (Nov 18, 2021 at 17:54)

Estaque...

5 0

stalkinghorse (Nov 18, 2021 at 10:08)

Sick video. I love how the sounds he made while crashing at the beginning were so French I could tell his nationality before I even read the article.

5 0

darkpaul666 (Nov 18, 2021 at 9:10)

Commencal always with the best shredding videos

5 0

wishicouldridelikekade FL (Nov 18, 2021 at 11:19)

Would love to see a RAW version

3 0

Longroadtonowhere (Nov 18, 2021 at 13:19)

I’ve said it, before and I’ll keep screaming it. More MTB rhythm sections pleeeeeease.

2 0

rockdocjayhawk (Nov 18, 2021 at 10:38)

His ideal track seems to be one where you take all the doubles and make them into triples. Nice!

3 0

skimtb1 FL (Nov 18, 2021 at 11:31)

Finally, some good content on PB

1 0

ottifant (Nov 18, 2021 at 15:16)

Shovel's in the truck, so going to go building, an so going to f*n shred that fresh dirt and so going to feel estaquing good... And so going to suck. #estaqueattaque

1 0

J-sawtell (Nov 18, 2021 at 13:44)

He must have had his work cut out in the build phase with all those lips to estaque

2 1

fitnj (Nov 18, 2021 at 14:10)

wait...long chain stays and high pivots don't jump well and aren't flickable. lol

2 0

mastadon (Nov 18, 2021 at 15:32)

That last stepdown was enormous!

2 0

freeinpg FL (Nov 18, 2021 at 19:45)

Straight past ludicrous to plaid! 10 out of 10 flaming chillies.

1 0

Readochris (Nov 18, 2021 at 13:49)

You say Estaque, i say how high

1 0

lukep13 (Nov 19, 2021 at 16:13)

And they say DH bikes are dead, HA !!! Deadly video very nice trail

1 0

Nelson90 (Nov 21, 2021 at 4:54)

So good video of the year

2 0

juliuskliemmtb (Nov 18, 2021 at 10:24)

LOAMER!!!

1 0

habsfan2 (Nov 18, 2021 at 12:23)

Its amazing what these pro riders can do at that speed. Awesome!!!

1 0

Struggleteam (Nov 18, 2021 at 12:39)

man that tree at .25 seconds in could catch you out!

1 0

jomacba (Nov 18, 2021 at 16:09)

That track looks super fun

1 0

cool3 FL (Nov 18, 2021 at 17:55)

These were some serious Air Miles, there!

1 0

DutchmanPhotos (Nov 18, 2021 at 23:14)

Super rad!

Make this a world cup track! \m/

1 0

watchtower (Nov 19, 2021 at 3:32)

If that does not make you want to ride nothing will.

1 0

kerosen1 (Nov 19, 2021 at 5:05)

"Putain de merde!!" as we say in french!

1 0

amonas (Nov 19, 2021 at 5:48)

where is he from?
-France

..enough said already

1 0

galliwasp (Nov 19, 2021 at 11:43)

'Bit of a nut cake ain't ya, Thomas? *Tips hat*

1 0

Matt891 (Nov 18, 2021 at 10:48)

Yea BULLY

1 0

dudeism (Nov 18, 2021 at 11:54)

Send it Billy

1 0

oldmanhucking (Nov 18, 2021 at 21:12)

Absolutely beautiful!

1 0

styriabeef (Nov 18, 2021 at 22:51)

Wild man.

1 0

asbointeractive (Nov 19, 2021 at 13:54)

sweet

3 4

mcbaghette (Nov 18, 2021 at 9:09)

Putain il roule trop bien Frixfrix !

1 0

cool3 FL (Nov 18, 2021 at 17:54)