Overall Standings After the 2021 Nove Mesto XC World Cup

 This reminds me of the 90's when the 19 year old Miguel Martinez was battling the young Cadel Evans for WC XC wins, throwing the old guard into history and establishing themselves as the new contenders.

 @DoubleCrownAddict: Don't forget Ryder Hesjedal. He's "only" 40.

 It did get me thinking if replacing the brake lever was the faster option versus just running without a rear brake. I know I've done an hour ride without my rear brake just because I had driven 10 minutes to the park. Get pretty used to only using the front brake quite quickly.

 @bruvar: exactly what I was thinking. she probably would have ended up with a better result if she kept going. i know I would rather have front over rear brake any day.

 @DylanYeo: Yeah I don't think you wanna ride that course in these conditions with no rear brakes!

 @parkisatool: lol thats also true

 Thanks for that! I’d say in dry conditions it MAY be possible to race with just a front brake but it would be quite sketchy on that track; in the wet conditions yesterday I don’t know if she would have survived on a front brake alone! But I’m happy she got back on and keep racing to the finish, that was a great attitude despite the hardships— I think she passed 57 riders after the lever swap!

 @bbcopeland: haha yea np and I agree it would depend on the track. That's amazing that she passed so many people, kate is an animal!

 @bbcopeland: I just saw the video and didn't realize how quick that swap was possible, I'll take a two minute time penalty for a working brake. With how the coverage cut away it seemed like 10 minutes had passed.

Great example of how important having the best team support can be. That will be a major recovery ride looking at the end of year standings.

 @parkisatool: I rode half an enduro stage once with only front brake, in muddy conditions. It was a learning experience, for sure.

 not sure how much weight it holds, but Pidcock did say after his race that he feels like he was born to race mountain bikes which is a pretty serious thing to say in an Inneos kit

 @mllachance: Thought the same thing. I wonder how that post-race debrief went with management.

 @Dopepedaler: I'm sure they don't mind, as long as he still performs on the road. Plus, mountain bikers are now talking about him and mentioning Inneos.

 @mllachance: His Instagram caption from the race seemed to be sending a message to Ineos too, but maybe I'm just reading into it.

 @mllachance: If this keeps up it may once again be fashionable to be a well rounded "Cyclist" and all of this juvenile, asinine, BS, infighting between XC, DH, Enduro, Road, BMX, Free-Ride, etc. will thankfully come to an end.

 Pidcock will likely not race till Tokyo so no problem there

 @jeansebille: Only if GBR qualify to go to Tokyo.

 Nino might be "old" for XCO but I bet he'd dominate the longer format endurance events.

 Matt will stand back now and win some road races, before the Olympics comes down to him and Thomas. Then it's off to another CX season and world title. Ya'll have fun with the cosplay routine until these two return.

 Could also participate in U23 category.

 It means he is small but also very strong. Like asterix.

 Total rank is based sum of points on Short Track and Sunday Race. Pidcock Albstadt (-/5th), Koretzky Nove Mesto (4th/24th). Same total rank on different weekends does thus not imply same pionts.

 @tomonda: Absolutely hate that they use a combine XCC and XCO for overall, especially since only top 40 get to ride XCC.

 @tomonda: Ok that adds up now, but I agree with @mrkkbb below, it doesn't make sense that they use the XCC for point accumulation for the very reason they stated.

 @mrkkbb: Agreed. Not much logic there.

 It's their new prototype xc bike but it hasn't been released to the public. PB has done an article on it.

www.pinkbike.com/news/santa-cruz-teases-new-xc-race-bike.html

 You CAN race up, if you want to. You can also race the U23. Just like it's always been.

 In the British system, once you race in the elites as an U23 you can't go back, so it's a big commitment. It's also often better for rider development to be a big fish in a small pond for a bit rather than going straight into the big show.