Results: Lošinj DH World Cup 2018

Apr 22, 2018
by Pinkbike Staff  
Results for DH Round 1 in Losinj, Croatia. All riders have posted and are recovering from the treacherous track.

Elite Men

1. Aaron Gwin (USA)
2. Luca Shaw (USA)
3. Dean Lucas (AUS)
4. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL)
5. Dakota Norton (USA)

Elite Women

1. Myriam Nicole (FRA)
2. Rachel Atherton (GBR)
3. Tahnee Seagrave (GBR)
4. Marine Cabirou (FRA)
5. Cecile Ravanel (FRA)


Junior Men

1. Thibaut Daprela (FRA)
2. Kade Edwards (GBR)
3. Kye A'Hern (AUS)


Junior Women

1. Valentina Holl (AUT)
2. Nastasia Gimenez (FRA)
3. Milie JOhnset (NOR)


Full Results:

Elite Men:



Elite Women




Junior Men


Junior Women



Author Info:
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Member since Jul 22, 2013
3,460 articles

303 Comments
  • 257 3
 Credit where it's due, the track was cool. A mountain bike race decided by how much speed you carry through the rocks is a proper mountain bike race in my book. Red Bull covered the whole track and it was FREE

Somehow though all you can read on here is a load of moaning about the start order. Was it really that bad?! In recent years there have been races where the big favourites started a long time before the finish after a qualifying incident so I think it makes sense. It was only an annoyance here because Brook is out of rank after some bad seasons
  • 17 0
 i thought the rocks were proper too, finding "flow" was really tough and one mistake really seemed to get someone completely off track. however, i thought it was way too short of a track for WC standards. that wood jump to flat and into the finishing street section was just a bandaid to add a few more seconds to an already short track. i think gwin felt like he was back at fontana. by the way, was hoping greenland would pull one off, he came out of the gate like a rocket and rode with wreckless abandon...
  • 17 77
flag TightAF (Apr 22, 2018 at 8:01) (Below Threshold)
 Brook was fastest Man on the mountain yesterday. He needed to go last. Absolutely retarded and screws sponsees and sponsers AND viewers enjoyment. Terrible.
  • 20 3
 Totally agree. Really good track and great coverage by Red Bull. I would like to see the fastest qualifier start last, but I think it'll take some time for the UCI and those involved to work out the kinks. Overall I think having protected status for last season's top finishers is smart. A guy like Gwin or Minnaar could have their campaign for a championship derailed by a freak mechanical in qualifying at the first race, and that doesn't seem fair.
  • 3 0
 Totally agree. To make if “fair” you’d have to be some kind of savant. The comparison that comes to me is Rude and the other top riders going last at the last Rotorua EWS. Saying it’s an advantage to go last ignores deteriorating conditions weather or no.
  • 12 0
 I'm with you. This was fantastic coverage of a great race. I'm really, happily surprised and looking forward to the rest of the UCI DH season! Big Grin
  • 9 0
 I think the track was a great addition to the series.
Think they tried to squeeze a lot of variety into a short track and that makes for an interesting race. It was notable that there was a lot of difference on the splits as to which sections riders were gaining or losing time over.. The track tested different abilities and strengths.
Perhaps the variety went too extreme at the road section, which was pretty naff..Urban sections work in places with enough stairs, gradient and obstacles to make it a spectacle.. This one just seemed to be making up the length of the run..
Don't think the short track length is necessarily a bad thing.. good to have variation in that regard as makes things interesting strategically.. Today first race of the season, fast, mostly dangerous, all or nothing track.. do you go all out to gain every split second and risk a bad start to the season or play it safe?
  • 11 0
 @jeth: I don't think they designed the track specifically to have an urban section, it was just the best route to the ideal finish line
  • 15 0
 @eblackwell: Fair race : equal chances for everyone entering the race. Having previous seasons rider having particular status is everything but fair, it's 100% to please big sponsors. I'm not even ok with previous years ''top 20 qualifies even if they sucked in qualy''. Yes, it sucks if one of our favorites crahes in qualy and don't make the finals, but a crash is skilled based. As for mechanicals, it's part of the game and many top rider won't use procore and other flat protection to save weight. It is a choice with big concequence. Tougher equipment comes with weight penalty and they need to make the proper choice for Qualification. The only thing I'm ok with is that previous top X (i think it is the top 80 or 50?) in world cup don't need to go thru local event to get UCI point to enter a world cup. They are automaticaly accepted and can proceed to qualy. but fair race is never going to happens in big sponsored event. Pressure from the sponsored to see their top rider in finals no mather what will continue

How to solve the top 20 starting order is actually very simple when considering qualification as important.

- Qualification results come first.
- Each protected rider who qualify in top 20 keep its position.
- If their is not enough place for protected rider in top 20 base on how many of them sucked in qualy, bump the 20th rider down to make place, than bump the 19th one and so on, until every protected rider fits in the top 20. If a protected rider is 20, bump unprotectrider who qualify better to make place.

Being in the top 10 or top 5 or last man down has a HUGE psychological effect (good or bad depending on how atlhetes manage their stress) and riders must be tested properly in that regards.
  • 4 0
 100% agree people are too quick to rush to judgement. There is no perfect solution and the first race of the season is always strange after people switch teams and other things in the off season. If Brook had kept it together in his run, he would have become a protected rider going into the next race and it would be a moot point.
  • 16 24
flag WAKIdesigns (Apr 22, 2018 at 10:54) (Below Threshold)
 I just wanted to say that I came here expecting lots of complaining and I’m happy that I wasn’t wrong. I feel good aout myself being able to proexrlt such stufff
  • 8 0
 I hope more venues places a bid for dh wc round after seing how good a race you can get out of only 240 m in height difference. Good one on you losinj. Here's to 10 rounds 2019' cheers
  • 5 0
 @rocky-mtn-gman: May have been a short track but those dudes were blown out at the end, looked like Gwin could barely pedal after the last turn before the finish and he lost time on the last segment.
  • 6 1
 Race to win. Starting order doesn't mean Jack! You want to win? Then ride like it. Boo hoo
  • 1 0
 @TightAF: sure didn't ruin my enjoyment.
  • 5 4
 @lifeofloon: Fair enough. But that’s just an opinion. Riders will get screwed out of sponsorship money. That is a fact. You need to think about how important going last is in a race for racers, it is the penultimate position to be in, all the eyes will be on you. In terms of viewer ship the last 5 rides are going to be the most viewed. Sponsers will be less likely to cough up big bucks if they know that their rider is most likely not going to be last man on the mountain. Seems like the majority of Pinkbike is ignorant to the business side of racing. Shame really. Just know that racing is just now seeing the kind of money Shawn Palmer used to get back in the day.
  • 5 1
 @eblackwell: best qualifiers should oick their start time..like moto gate pick.
  • 2 0
 @TightAF: I won't argue with your point about sponsorship and the effect on the riders. You're right on that point.
  • 101 4
 Vali Höll's Junior's time would be #6 in elite women. This is amazing!
  • 36 1
 born in 2001, she's the future.
  • 8 0
 She’s mega rad! Someone that young & brave too! Totally crushing it. Mega skills and will most certainly be the future!!!! Go Vali!!
  • 8 0
 canadian boy lucas cruz and the rest of the jr men were flyin also............... 4th place for cruz in his first uci jr wc race. rad. check those times in jr mens against the elite mens............ whoa.
  • 83 4
 American DH is back
  • 4 0
 @dro-cfr: had the same thought.
  • 50 0
 @marqueski: Dakota Norton absolutely slaying!! Flat lander from the Midwest killing it! So cool.
  • 11 0
 Not only do we have a good field in WCDH but US-DH series like Pro GRT are drawing in some of the best riders from overseas as well. This event in Losinj proves that you dont need a ton of elevation (not to mention popularity of urban sections) to challenge the best, so those folks in the Mid-West, Appalachians, Puerto Rico and elsewhere have a good example of how to host a great event.
  • 17 0
 @mtbracer4098: Dakotah Norton has spend most of the past two years training at Windrock Bike Park in TN with Neko Mullaly and Windrock is the opposite of flat land!
  • 8 0
 @GunnyBailey: Windrock has some of the steepest runs I've seen.
  • 7 1
 @dro-cfr: nothing embassing about riding like a boss!
  • 9 0
 @marqueski: I've got to give you that. Three male athletes from the same country in the top five, I'd typically expect that from the French, British or Australians. Good to see another country right up there.
  • 7 0
 Not one European in the Top 6!

When is the last time that has ever happened?!
  • 7 19
flag Ryanfitz81 (Apr 22, 2018 at 13:00) (Below Threshold)
 About tine. You’ve got the rocky mountains and a population rivaling China. Good on you guys. ????
  • 1 6
flag Jurchek (Apr 22, 2018 at 13:29) (Below Threshold)
 @dro-cfr: this year they ve also played born in the usa when tim jitloff (or any american really) crossed the line in kranjska gora. It was quite retardet.
  • 4 0
 @dro-cfr: Did they play “Land Downunder” by Men At Work for the Aussies? I find that’s another trite rock anthem played at international sporting events.
  • 4 5
 @Jamminator: This is a dark day. But I'm mainly happy everyone's still in one piece. So many close calls. Watching through gritted fingers. Wicked for the underdogs and fresh faces, Blenki, etc.
Gwin? Yeah...
  • 12 7
 USA USA USA!
  • 6 1
 @Ryanfitz81: ummmm China has 1.4 billion people. The USA has just over 300 million.
  • 3 0
 @GunnyBailey: Where one trained for 2 years is not where one is from. Davison, MI is as flat as flat can be.
  • 2 6
flag Ryanfitz81 (Apr 23, 2018 at 12:03) (Below Threshold)
 @humoroususername: Third most populous country in the world. That makes it a rival. I guess you would say it’s like third place in the last EWS was no rival to Sam Hill.
  • 2 0
 @Ryanfitz81: If Sam Hill has well over four times the number of points as the third placed rider, then yes. As it was last season, no.
  • 1 1
 @vinay: EWS event i meant. You know the one where he creamed the whole field?
  • 2 1
 @Ryanfitz81: that's just a really stupid analogy to be fair. Makes no sense.
  • 2 1
 @humoroususername: I can’t help you.
  • 70 0
 I hope you liked our rocks.
  • 91 30
 What......am I the only one that think that start order is bullshit??? Can U imagine Lewis Hamilton or Valentino Rossi making PolePosition and starting the race in 10th position?
C’mon guys......
  • 6 0
 Can someone explain this? I'm lost.
  • 9 1
 It was explained by Warner that last years results protected the Top 20, so if you qualified fast but didn’t have a good 2017 you would start outside the top 20 - bonkers @cmkneeland:
  • 10 2
 it is a sit,Why they made qualification runs?Macdonals made the first time,it must be the last man down the hill,that´s why Gwin was cruising,not so pinned in the qualis.
  • 27 6
 @homerjm: UCI always finding ways to F things up.
  • 20 3
 I think the new order makes it so the people most likely to win will ride the track at about the same time, so when it starts raining in the middle of the race, the top riders all have the same conditions.
  • 21 0
 it's something that was wanted by the teams/sponsors. they want to have live coverage of the best 10 athletes from last season + 10 best athletes from current season. so fastest 10 protected riders get starting numbers 1-10 and 11-20 fastest non-protected. at least thats how i understood it^^
  • 6 0
 @jollyjared: that could be a legal reason, but thats was the case already with the old protected riders format. Protcting riders that had a good season last year would be ok for the first race of the season, but not further on. and lastly, protecting riders is ok and somehow legit, but f*cking around with the start order is not and has only one reason, that was mentioned by rob: to have the nearly the same racers on the broadcast every race, so that newbie viewers could remember the names, and see their "Stars" on the broadcast. According to red bull the usual dumb viewer would not understand why a top rider is not on the broadcast, if qualified low. just srew you red bull and uci for giving a f*ck
  • 5 4
 @chainzuck: I completely misunderstood the rule change. What a shit show. Total f*ck up, that rule is. I tuned in for the top ten and thought bulldog must have pulled out, since he wasn't in it.
  • 7 1
 @BeerGuzlinFool: Except it wasn't a UCI decision.
  • 6 3
 What is the problem? Since in DH the riders have the course alone it is no problem to start last. Gwin did not care lol.
  • 3 2
 @fiatpolski: it's so they know what time they need to get, it's easier to chase a time than set one that no one else will beat
  • 4 0
 @homerjm: its mind games. Everyone knows he's the man to beat but when he qualifies lower then people expected it f*cks with they're heads.
  • 18 1
 I kinda liked the fastest guys being spread out in the coverage, kept me glued to the screen for about an hour straight! Usually its a "peak" of excitement as the final 5 guys come down. This way, the excitement is spread out a bit more.
  • 4 16
flag fecalmaster (Apr 22, 2018 at 9:41) (Below Threshold)
 You can take the pole position if your into that but GWINNIN, GWINNIN, GWINNIN! Then holy Luca WTF almost missed it by a dry fart. USA 1-2 how ya doing!. Surprised about Rachel but she has all season to battle. Never bet on McDonald's.
  • 4 1
 @BenoNZ: well, UCI are the boss and have the final word/rule. Peer presure or not, it IS the UCI decision and they are liable for it.
  • 2 0
 Well, if Rossi would start to do one single fastest lap as the race, he wouldn‘t mind starting number 10.

A Grand prix race doesn‘t compare to a race one agaimst the clock. When the weather is the same for everybody, it is not important when you start.

Last man on top has the most presuure though...
  • 3 0
 The perks of grand prix pole position are that you start at the front of the pack. In DH theres no pack. If you do go last you get a busted up trail. If anything Brook got a fresher trail and for all we know was pleased to get his run out of the way.... despite binning it massively. Condolences. I wanted to see him smash it so bad.
  • 1 0
 @homerjm: There's points that still count. Quali is just not about finals race posi.
  • 54 0
 So gutted for Pierron, what a run! And what the hell did Norton do in that penultimate section, did he just fly over it?? Untouchable there.
  • 1 0
 For a minute there I thought the folks at Commencal were about to end up very very happy...
  • 52 0
 The Bulldogs crash...ouch!
  • 36 1
 Man so gutted for him Frown
  • 20 1
 That was brutal. Glad to see he rode it out. I very dislike that he wasn't last man down the hill. I like the idea of the protected riders but I still don't get how they mix in with qualifications.
  • 2 2
 Crazy try to scrub that drop... don't know if anyone or himself successfully did it before...
  • 6 0
 @PauRexs: yeah, a few of the other riders scrubbed it, looked like he just slid his front wheel a bit too much off the top, got off balance and had to bail
  • 7 2
 @PauRexs: were you even watching? The rider right after him did it
  • 4 0
 @mollow: Not really it was really pixelated my screen at moments!... :X
  • 43 3
 USA representing! How about Luca and Dakota!
  • 33 0
 Neko had a great showing too
  • 4 0
 Making us proud!!!
  • 6 4
 Terrific!
  • 6 0
 Dakota! Welcome to the top5
  • 40 1
 Gwin is just 1 win away from Greg Minnar's record. When it's all said and done in the end, we are all witnesses.
  • 36 2
 Except next is Fort William, make it 2.
  • 4 9
flag WAKIdesigns (Apr 22, 2018 at 10:48) (Below Threshold)
 Gwin rides a goat as his everyday bike. He’s a goat...
  • 5 4
 Minnaar also has some 20 years worth of podiums and a few rainbow stripes. How about Gwin? He might be the best of recent times, so let's call him the GORT!
  • 3 8
flag WAKIdesigns (Apr 22, 2018 at 23:11) (Below Threshold)
 Who gives a shit, using others people success by starting a “this dude is best” team to boost your own ego is really low...
  • 39 0
 Dear Redbull - that race coverage was outstanding. Showing the whole track really makes a difference. What a race!
  • 36 0
 bulldog just broke the floor
  • 9 0
 Incredible how he still can grab his bike after smashing his shoulder from 4 meters at least...
  • 35 6
 WTF is with the starting order??? Brooke - 1 st qualifier starts one of the first. Minnar 3rd overall last year goes in the middle???
Don't get it at all
  • 26 3
 Yep, complete joke from where I'm standing.
  • 7 30
flag reverend27 (Apr 22, 2018 at 7:22) (Below Threshold)
 Are you saying that's why he didn't win? Was weather a factor? It's a not a team sport you ride fast when your number is up.

I think too many US flags in the top 5 for you euros. IMO.
  • 3 15
flag reverend27 (Apr 22, 2018 at 7:29) (Below Threshold)
 Good day for me no matter what 4 out of the top 5 on my fantasy team.
  • 8 0
 @reverend27: what are you even talking about?
  • 25 1
 Beautiful coverage RedBull! Thank you!!!
  • 24 2
 Minaar got f*** by the AssGuy, damn. Bye Bye Fantasy League
  • 8 0
 Ahh same here. Getting points for Blenki though!
  • 2 0
 me tooo !!!! f***
  • 6 0
 @Luniapuanrider: it could only be worst if I had Bulldog on the team as well... Oh, wait.... shit.
  • 16 0
 Amazing race, Gwin in a different league! Pompom amazing also, it’s good to see Rachel being challenged.
Pretty Challenging track that caught a few out, suspension set up was key to keep speed. Excellent coverage from red bull after a few ropey races last year, keep it up!
  • 22 3
 GWIN GWIN GWIN GWIN GWIN GWIN GWIN! Dude is a beast!
  • 14 0
 We're back for sure. Big congrats to all USA riders. Special shout out to Dak. So sick. Thank you also to every single sponsor, race team, racer and local race scene series out West, down South and in the East for everything you've done over the last 10 years and beyond to promote this genre of mountain biking. We stuck with it, we threw in our time, contributed our cash resources and it's paid off. Directly or indirectly, whatever. We're back!!!
  • 2 0
 It's always good for an industry when the USA does well at it. Look at what Lance's TDF victories did for road cycling. Demand increased, and so did brand competition and bikes got better and cheaper real fast. Can you imagine what a DH bike would cost if a million were sold in the USA? When NORBA was big everyone did well.
  • 17 0
 We need a live fantasy league points table.
  • 12 0
 What's up with Claudio's comment at the end of Gwin's run? When Warner asked how he manages to pull out the win and Claudia said he could say but doesn't want to get into trouble?
  • 7 8
 They dont want a doping scandal
  • 6 7
 My guess is that he would say Gwin is doping.
  • 14 0
 Yeah that sounded odd... Probably nothing though, Claudio is known for talking shite. Like the time he announced that Rachel Atherton was retiring. And today he also said brook McDonald always rides out of control- not true, he rides aggressive and loose
  • 14 6
 I feel like doping in this sport would make very little difference. Like, doping isn't going to help with your line choice.
  • 19 0
 Nothing more than referencing the crap he got regarding Rachel winning races & her brothers.
Salute
  • 2 4
 Aderrall... perhaps loll
  • 11 1
 It was controversial when he answered that question about Racheal’s dominance. He said that growing up and riding with fast brothers helped. Some interpreted that as taking credit away from a woman or her efforts to achieve what she has.
  • 23 1
 or he just said something he thought is a funny thing to say... no point in looking for hidden meanings.
  • 6 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Have you forgotten the rules, if it sounds like plausible on pinkbike then there's some truth in it.
  • 6 4
 @jamesdunford: Of course it would make a great difference... not only at their races, but also on the ability to train harder, rest faster, have more endurance on longer races, sprints etc...
  • 2 0
 @fatduke: yeah truth, like Ellsworth Truth
  • 14 0
 @onemind123: @awholeparade: Doping? That’s where your mind went? I’ve heard his coverage of Gwin for years and he’s nothing but always über-impressed with him - hard to believe he’d be giddy over Gwin if he thought he were doping.

My mind went to him saying something along the lines of, “well, the guy doesn’t party, never drinks and is all-out 100% serious about training and racing, all the time. . .” Which would have offended some people.

Certainly not doping. Maybe he’ll clear it up.
  • 1 18
flag bermroller (Apr 22, 2018 at 12:59) (Below Threshold)
 Well a certain rider who has won many world cups has said, off the record, that Gwin's win without a chain at Leogang was impossible. Not just in the way people say "He's done the impossible!", no, literally impossible. Even breaking top ten shouldn't have been possible, let alone winning. He said there is something very wrong with that time. If that's the opinion of one of the top DH racers in the world, then I wouldn't brush off Claudio's comment as meaningless.
  • 11 2
 @mecabeat: exciting isn’t it? Russians hacking the times? UCI taken hostage by Russian mafia? Really? Thanks to comment like yours very few people take Pinkbike seriously and people running other sites feel so much better about themselves. You just made someone at Vital happy. People can read it and go, oh I am not the dumbest person, take a deep breath and start a day feeling better. The very fact that Claudio would need to explain himself shows how fkd up some of us are.
  • 1 10
flag bermroller (Apr 22, 2018 at 13:19) (Below Threshold)
 @WAKIdesigns: I'm just repeating what one of the top world cup racers said.
  • 3 0
 @jeremiahwas: exactly what i thought
  • 4 1
 @mecabeat: well have a walk around the pits on a World Cup once, you may find they aren’t college professors. They focus on riding not solving worlds mysteries Wink
  • 1 9
flag bermroller (Apr 22, 2018 at 14:22) (Below Threshold)
 @WAKIdesigns: I would think someone who is regularly next to Gwin in the top 5, and sometimes beating him, would be a pretty good judge of what he's capable of.
  • 1 0
 @jeremiahwas: my mind went what can i say that will get the pinkbikers most upset.

I was down to doping, YT is ballz, e-bikes are the best, or maybe gwin was on a yt e-bike.

Thanks for playing!
  • 4 0
 Doping talk again - not drinking is kind of like doping - you get a boost in testosterone, mental clarity, endurance, faster recovery, protein growth, far better sleep quality . . . the list goes on. Kind of fascinating actually.
  • 3 0
 @jeremiahwas: Imagine how good Peaty and Palmer could have been. ;-)
  • 1 0
 @metaam: No joke.
  • 6 2
 I think you'll find Gwin has two big sisters.

Claudio's bump on the head made f*ck all difference to his repartee. Who did he sell his soul to for this gig? He's loose as hell in the booth. It's negatively affected Warner too. The chemistry is awful compared to any other combination of commentators we've seen. Is it just me?
  • 7 6
 @BenPea: claudio has always been, and will always be an asshat.

lets be honest, when it comes to color commentating, claudio sucks.

great pumptrack builder and team owner/manager, no doubt................

announcing?............not so much.
  • 2 1
 @metaam: missy giove in the commentating box
  • 10 0
 I think Claudio wanted to joke about how God is on Aaron's side that's why he always wins. That would have gotten him into big trouble.
  • 1 0
 @mecabeat: it might be suspicious if nothing like that has ever happened before, but we all saw Neko almost medal at the World Champs when his chain broke out of the gate. Also, I think it was Julian Camellini who once qualified fastest with a chain broken early into his run. For myself (and probably anyone who is serious about training), I have a section of trail where my non-pedalling time is only a second or two behind my pedalling time.
  • 1 6
flag bermroller (Apr 22, 2018 at 18:18) (Below Threshold)
 @iamamodel: I'm not the one saying this. I don't know what to think. All I know is a guy who has traded wins with Gwin before said it's impossible at Leogang.

I've never ridden Leogang myself. I rode the Hafjell track, where Neko had his amazing chainless run, and I could see it working there for sure.
  • 1 0
 @almacigatrailrider: yes! That was fkng smart
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: How many times did he say a run looked slow only to be contradicted by the clock? Rob was losinj it too ("he's on speed!......... up to speed". I'm watching in German next time. Just the crowd noise alone was intense enough tbh.
  • 3 8
flag humoroususername (Apr 23, 2018 at 1:24) (Below Threshold)
 @BenPea: Claudio is a crap commentator. I have no idea how he got the job. His English is good but not good enough to have proper banter with Rob. Claudios reading of the performance on screen seems to be poor compared to Rob's too. Rob notices little mistakes more than Claudio I think.

They need someone who has English as a first language to commentate. Claudio doesn't even seem to have much of a sense of humour so I really have no idea why he is in there.
  • 5 0
 @BenPea: I must say, when I watch a football game, which is like twice in a year (I hate that bullsht and I do it purely out of courtesy to people I spend time with as sometimes there is no other way to spend time with them) I just can't listen to the crap commentators are saying, more often than not it is a sel serving art. Same with TDF, F1, volleyball, NBA, whatever. Commentating is a damn hard job and sometimes like with polish commentator of TDF it's best to just chat and not go too deep into details of what's going on. That's what the dudes are doing in Polish Booth. Just talking like you were listening to a podcast, sometimes responding to what is going on.

Warner is decent, Claudio is whatever, Page is quite fine, but Andrew Neethling and Cam McCaul are bloody great. We have to bear in mind that it's a hard job and not many want to do it. So we get what we get. Like in Politics.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Maybe nobody else is willing to sit next to Warner. Or it's unpaid. That's all I can think of.
He doesn't even need to commentate, he's supposed to be a "consultant" as they say in French. And if he can't explain the technical stuff and just blurts out "have you seen that!" with usually questionable grammar and rubbish platitudes, then what's the point?
  • 2 0
 @BenPea: I just meant that we have Claudio because it is highly possible that nobody else wants that position. And I can't blame him for that. Can't say he is terrible either. He also did enough to deserve to sit there. It's good there are two dudes in the booth, I bet Rob wouldn't like to sit there alone. So I'm not going to rant on Claudio while it is highly possible that he isn't blocking way for someone else. If Redbull can pay Ben or Needles, fine, I will still be happy Claudio was there through these years. Again, he said something cryptic - and so freaking what... I'd rather have that than sounds of Warner pissing in the background in Freecaster years. He got on my nerves a few times and now he's Mr Proper. Then he walks out of the booth and does the regular damage Wink

*I am not saying it solely because I would love Claudio to come and build a pumptrack in my town! Big Grin
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Not bothered about the "cryptic" thing, it's just one of the symptoms of a wider problem.
Where we really differ is that I would have the old drunk Rob back in a heart beat, preferably with a different buddy each round, CG, Page, Peat, Ratboy... Until then it's Deutsch for me, and I don't even speak German. As long as they make the right noises at the right time. Das ist schnell, ja ja JA! Looken acht die timen!!
  • 3 0
 @BenPea: I dont think he is terrible. He does offer a little bit of insight about the track to plebs like me. Better companion to Rob would be someone like Ben Cathro maybe?...but then we might have some you yanks complaining that you cant understand him Big Grin
  • 2 0
 My mind went to YT and Fox Susp. Outside of Minnaar, no rider has major sponsor's bending over backwards for them like the Gwinner.
  • 3 0
 @stretchza: Ben cathro would be a great commentator! He has shown with his #cathrovision that he really knows what he is talking about and proved it by beating Adam brayton at a DH race the other week. Funny guy too
  • 3 0
 @piersgritten: get him in there. He's probably not that far from Fort Willy.
  • 4 0
 @BenPea: Find an old Crankworx race and see how long you can listen to Brad Jay. It'll put things into perspective.
  • 1 0
 @metaam: I've erased all memories of shutting front doors and the like (was that him?).
Claudio could have avoided all this just by shouting "CHREIST ON A BEIKE" as AG crossed the line (that's his actual accent - I don't mean to spread hate speech).
  • 1 3
 @metaam: you are confussing brad ' shut the front door' eweing with brad 'x games' jay.

brad eweing was like a pro wrestler announcer.
brad j is one of the best hosts(waaaay harder to be a host compared to color commentary) to ever do extreme sports announcing.

to be honest, brad j as host and rob warner as color commentator would be the best thing ever for the sport of dh.
  • 4 0
 @stacykohut: No, no I'm not. Brad Jay joining Rob Warner would be my worst nightmare. I can bear to listen to the commentary of Crankworx DH races now he's gone. Even if his replacement Bernard Kerr does say "that's it Cam" 500 times, still a massive improvement.
  • 9 1
 I heard Rob's weak explanation of the protected riders and I understand the premise, however, how is the start order determined?

It's last years top 10 finishers are protected and the top 10 from qualifying get mixed in together to form the Top 20 start list?
  • 2 1
 There are a lot more than 20 in the finals?
  • 10 1
 @BenoNZ:

Yeah, there is 60 men (down from 80 last year)

However, top 10 overall last year get mixed into the top 10 qualifiers from each race to form the top 20 start list. I'm not sure how though as some of last years top 10 would also be top 10 from each race.

It's a bumblef*ck
  • 3 1
 @jeffakalucas: It didn't seem to bad. They should probably just lock Gwin in to ride last regardless.. ha
  • 1 5
flag andydhteam (Apr 22, 2018 at 6:59) (Below Threshold)
 Fastest non protected rider goes last
  • 11 0
 What a great effort from Cecile Ravanel..beating the likes of Hannah and Miller. Thats gotta hurt.
  • 10 1
 I didn't see Mirranda's run, but for Tracey Hannah, I would imagine hitting the rocky ground that hard hurt more than losing to one of the greatest riders in the sport of mountain biking.
  • 5 0
 Its only a good thing for women in MTB to see the field become more competitive. Not just this, but Ravanel is a good example of someone who loves to ride and compete, and who doesnt limit herself to just one discipline. When Rachel and Miriam try their hand at EWS that’ll be a good day.
  • 4 0
 Great performance and short track... she might be a real threat in upcoming longer steeper ones...
  • 5 1
 @PHeller: haha, not sure the transition from DH to EWS works well for everyone, Rachel perticipated in some local enduro competition (not sure where I saw, instagram stories maybe), and said it was way too hard (the transitions and endurance parts). We'll see, but I do believe DH and enduro are totallt different types of competition.
  • 6 5
 Its not like beating Miller is a feat. Hannah crashed. Your analysis lacks depth
  • 2 0
 @Globu: I reckon she'll do okay. Skill takes a decade, fitness takes a year.
  • 1 0
 @iamamodel: not to mention that it is easier to convert fast twitch muscles (BMX, DH) into slow twitch, and fast twitch work better for endurance than slow twitch for sprints and explosiveness. Simply put, don’t ride road bike before you lift weights kids.
  • 1 0
 @mollow: Salty? She beat the rider wearing the world champ Jersey and another top ranked elite rider in her 2nd WC race! Are you suggesting staying on your bike to finish a race doesn't require skill? Or Miller's championship win last year was a fluke?
  • 1 0
 @Mtb4joe: not salty and actually a Ravanel fan. Shame she wasn't available in the fantasy contest
  • 2 0
 @Mtb4joe: Let's see if Miranda manages to get in the top 3 at any WC event this season. Don't get me wrong, she's faster than most of us could ever hope to be and undoubtedly in the top 10, but I really don't think she can compete with Rachel, Pompon, Tahnee, Tracy and probably even Cecile when they are at the top of their game.
There was also something a bit dubious about the timing at the Worlds last year.
  • 1 0
 @metaam @Mtb4joe @mollow: Agreed. Miranda's time was 121% of the winning man's time. I checked the last 10 World Champs and the 2017 season and for the vast majority the woman was 112-115% of the man's time. Only 3 races were above 120%, and the other two were very wet (Danny, stay on yer bike!) The evidence shows that Miranda won in a slower-than-usual time. This is not an emotional response from me, I don't care one way or the other, I just wanted to see if it was true.
  • 1 0
 @iamamodel: that could be because every good woman crashed/had a mechanical tho
  • 1 0
 @mollow: then my method proves your point.
  • 10 0
 It says I won the Fantasy Leauge holy shit. The men I chose were Aaron Gwin, Luca Shaw, Sam Blenkinsop and Dakotah Norton. I can’t believe it
  • 3 3
 Did you just not choose any women?

I mean, sexist or not, congrats haha
  • 3 0
 @sosburn: Women were Marine Cabirou and Eva Battolla
  • 2 0
 @MoonboyMTB: congrats !
so basically it just shows that "you waste money if you use it for top rank women". Lesson learned
  • 2 0
 @zede: welli just realized my bike isn’t boost and they don’t make Line Pro wheels in standard... I’m not sure what to do lol
  • 1 0
 @MoonboyMTB: sell em, buy 2 sets of Light Bicycle wheels.
  • 1 0
 Nice one! That's the dream team right there
  • 1 0
 @MoonboyMTB: good call on Marine, did not expect that at all
  • 2 2
 @sosburn: lol i just picked randomly for the women
  • 7 0
 Fuck the haters! Starting formation was weird, track was short and the urban section was flat! So what! Race was a cracking start to the season! Red Bull's coverage was fantastic and I'm just glad that we have a World Cup series to watch for free.
  • 10 0
 Blenki and Neko coming up big!
  • 2 3
 My fantasy team was: Blenki, Neko, Amaury Pierron, Luca Shaw, E. Siegenthaler and Miranda Miller.

Too bad the girls f*cked up completely, and also Pierron had a flat, otherwise he was looking at a top five.
  • 4 8
flag mollow (Apr 22, 2018 at 10:41) (Below Threshold)
 @XC-SCRUB: what a tool choosing Miller lmao. Cabirou had much better value
  • 6 0
 Ok, there's my 2 cents.

Man, Greenland looked insane, I hope he has a good season he was giving it his all, he's young lots more to come I feel.
Missed Hart's run, what happened?
Expected a bit more from Troy, he is always good to watch.
Shame minaar flatter, he was looking good.
Gwin was insane, that top section if you look again he seems to float where everyone else pinballed,
Glad he won, the guy's a legend, always good to watch,
  • 4 0
 Hart looked really fast and smooth but lost time on the last wooded section before the tarmac. I think he slowed on a flat corner
  • 9 0
 Did I hear right ? Did they say Luca Shaw lives in North Dakota now?
  • 6 0
 Thats what they said. I thought he was down south or North Carolina or something. I think Rob messed up.
  • 8 0
 @jeffakalucas: had to of . I honestly couldn't think of a more terrible place for a WC downhill rider to live. As a long time ND resident I should know haha.
  • 4 0
 I think Warner meant North Carolina haha!
  • 7 1
 No no he's called Dakotah Norton
  • 1 0
 I really wanted Warner to say something about him being north of Dakotah in the rankings at that point.
  • 5 0
 Yeah all I'm saying is that Cecile definitely deserves the credit...she wasn't mentioned once this weekend and came in 5th. Cudos for her taking the time and am pretty sure the skills will help her for the rest of the EWS season....
  • 3 0
 Yeah because she needs to improve her skills to finally win some EWS Wink
  • 12 6
 Looking at how everyone ran out of gear at both the start and finish, maybe someone should make a second chainring for up front. Like, have a small one for slow stuff and a larger one for the fast bits.
  • 3 1
 Or even just change the gearing ratios
  • 4 0
 @Dropthedebt: I thought Gwin got stuck in gear at the end. He lost a second and a half trying to turn that monster gear down the last road section to the finish.
  • 5 0
 Gwinn says the extra ground clearance of a 32t is more advantageous than having a higher gear for sprints.
  • 6 1
 Look at BMX racing- they spin way faster than most of the DH riders do with no issues. I don't think anything good could come of having two front chainrings. There is a reason everyone rides single chainrings these days
  • 3 4
 @piersgritten: yeah but they don’t worry about hitting stuff while they pedal and they do it on flat surface often in straight line. Cannot really compare.

@dthomp325 - Gwinny easily had 36t there. Otherwise he’d spin out. Instead he was spinning slowly. I spin out 32-11 on flat asphalt without trying much
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I think you are forgetting that Gwin runs E13 wheels which have an integrated cassette, 7 speed 9-21. If he was running a 36t chainring with a 9t cog his top gear would be equivalent to a 44-11. He ran a 32-9 which is almost identical to a 36-11.
  • 2 2
 same sht
  • 9 0
 That Western North Carolina boy showed them how to pedal to the finish!!
  • 8 1
 Dam what a shame with Brooks Crash Frown I feel like he was in it to win it.
  • 7 0
 gwins runs never fails to pump my blood just by staring
  • 7 0
 Just got to say. Fuck ya Dak!!!!!!
  • 7 0
 Aaron Gwin for the win!
  • 7 0
 Devinci Dakota Day!
  • 5 0
 This fantasy league has been the best thing to happen to WC DH. So many people are now actively involved
  • 6 0
 Welp time to drop Finn Iles off my fantasy team.
  • 2 0
 Swap for Dean Lucas I recon
  • 3 0
 @piersgritten: I already got him so we're good there. maybe swap for Jack Moir.
  • 2 1
 What happened to him? He was getting top 10s last year!
  • 2 0
 @src248: last year Finn was a junior and got second in the overall. This year he moved up to elite and crashed in his race run I think. He was looking super fast and smooth in practice thought
  • 2 1
 @piersgritten: I know he was, but his times were good enough for top tens
  • 2 0
 @src248: that track does not suit his set of skills. It does not mean he won't be fast somewhere else Smile
  • 3 0
 @piersgritten: Actually Finn won 6 of 7 races and was first overall by quite a bit in Junior. 2 years in a row. His 3rd split yesterday had him around 12th fastest but he apparently clipped a stump with his pedal. you can see the crash at the beginning of the live feed.
  • 2 0
 @sooboyki: sorry my mistake, I thought Matt walker won the world cup but actually he won world champs
  • 6 0
 Gwin is always nice to watch. No one rides like him.
  • 2 0
 This was a great race equal opportunity everywhere the weather was good, now if the weather was about to rain or something then I can see people moaning about who started first and last but cmon your going against the chainless, flat tire defender, The Mob Godfather himself Gwinner lol great race champ nice to bring it back home!!!!!
  • 4 0
 Wow, scribd is a pile of garbage...unsearchable document. Seriously.....basics.
  • 1 0
 The protected rider thing needs to also allow for say 3 fast qualifiers who are not protected to start among the last few riders down, it doesn't often happen that someone who is new or usually way off the pace qualifies fastest so it won't be an issue very often.

The problem with not allowing the new guy who has a blinder in qualifying to run last is the lack of TV coverage etc. for him / her making it harder to attract the sponsorship required to get to the top of the sport. The net effect of protecting the top riders while making it harder for others to compete is that the sport gets worse for everyone.

It's downhill, you should be able to roll up, throw your leg over a bike, smash it and then ride the finals along side the best in the world. The chance of this happening is one of the best things about the sport and something that needs to be protected as much as the sponsorship that allows the events to happen.
  • 4 0
 Well the redbull player didn't crap out on me so there is that, this season is already better than last Smile
  • 6 1
 Tegan Molloy not even race... my fantasy team oh
  • 2 0
 Valentina Holl WOW!!! Would have been 6th in elite on this gnarly track. Holy rising star! She can clearly compete in elite! YT better have her on the payroll and be giving her full WC team support cause she deserves it!
  • 40 35
 USA USA USA USA!
  • 22 15
 Getting neg propped from non-americas! ahahah Smile
  • 12 1
 Best Showing in a while!
  • 14 0
 Stock market's up, North Korea getting rid of nukes, Gwin wins again. USA is on fire!
  • 8 5
 Tremendous, ok? A real American hero, just how I like it, never captured, same color as me ok? Real white, a bit red hair, very powerful. Terrific.
  • 2 0
 @almacigatrailrider: negative, Kim just isn’t testing anymore because the ICBM is complete.
  • 5 1
 It's all right Aaron Gwin kicked everybody's @$$ again .
  • 5 0
 Yess Blenki back on top!
  • 3 0
 Did they ever post Claudio’s course preview? Or keep in on the down-low since he rung his bell? Glad to hear he’s ok.
  • 8 3
 #650BAINTDEADYET
  • 5 0
 It's looking like it's still king at the moment.
  • 2 1
 Seemed to me like the 29ers were faster on the bottom flat road part of the track, but the 27.5 was faster in the technical middle
  • 4 0
 Gwin’s new favorite track! UCI will find a new one next year!
  • 2 0
 But a shame the Bulldog didn't make it down the mountain without the crash. I really hoped it was his day. Now I hope he is OK and didn't lose his season on that one.
  • 2 0
 Danny isn’t wearing his leatt anymore during race runs? Had it on while on the podium only... unless I missed something...
  • 3 0
 Another flat tyre for Greg... Not believing Enve's hype on their puncture proof system.
  • 1 0
 Or minnaars new tyre...
  • 4 1
 Timing issues? I was sure Siegenthaler finished 6th when I watched it.
  • 3 0
 Grats to Luca! Kid was looking pinned!
  • 8 4
 USA is back!
  • 2 0
 Daprela on a top 20 run. Equaly impressiv ass Vali Hölla top 6 run. He is only 6 seconds of the winning run
  • 1 0
 Way way more impressive. Daprela had a big crash in quali and he was not riding at 100%.
  • 2 1
 USA, USA! Nice showing. American DH showing some real force. Intense boys killed it. Congrats to their team.
  • 1 1
 the track looked great on the first part, but i don't understand why they keep trying to push urban riding into the world cups
  • 4 1
 lets go USA
  • 2 0
 great track coverage!! Well done red bull!!
  • 2 0
 Real DH... they said last year was too easy... take that!
  • 1 0
 Where do we find the overall standings (including qualifying points) and the team results?
  • 3 2
 UMMMMM what happened to the Bulldog
  • 7 2
 He scrubbed the wrong end of a drop and ate it hard as shit.
  • 3 2
 What happened to Bulldog and Masters?
  • 7 0
 Bulldog crashed hard and Masters snapped his chain
  • 1 0
 anyone got a link to the replay?
  • 1 0
 Lucas Cruz!!!!! Atta boy!
  • 2 1
 Somebody knows why Bulldog was not the last man to go down the hill.
  • 1 0
 Because he wasn't a protected rider
  • 1 0
 Misspelled Dakotah Norton’s name
  • 1 0
 Anyone know what happened Jacob Dickson
  • 4 2
 Fuck Yeah Pon Pom !
  • 2 0
 Gwinning
  • 2 1
 Fantasy team is looking great Smile
  • 2 1
 I got 3 in the top 4 and 4 in the top 10! I'm stoked.
  • 1 0
 Me too
  • 1 0
 @luis-beri: Junta-te á Portuguese League
  • 1 0
 @XC-SCRUB: ok obrigado
  • 1 0
 Great coverage and great close races! Loved it.
  • 1 0
 Where the f**k is Wynn tv?
  • 1 0
 Look harder next time boyo
  • 4 5
 not sure why Mercedes is advertising for mountain bikers when we're all poor
  • 5 0
 How many formula 1 fans actually buy Rolex watches?
Don't complain about something putting money into the sport. Be grateful
  • 3 3
 @piersgritten: its ah joke
  • 2 1
 @shredderIII: your spelling is a joke
  • 2 0
 @shredderIII: What, do you want Toyota to sponsor the DH World Cup because a used Hilux is the only thing you can afford?
  • 1 1
 yes please and no, my spelling isn't a joke, its your sense of humor
  • 1 1
 So glad DH is back. Engayo is the pits.
  • 2 4
 Apparently I have scored 0pts although I have Vergier, Hart and Cabriou in my team. How the F__k does that work.
  • 1 1
 Yeah my points aren't coming up either
  • 1 1
 Same here, I should 883 points. Several hundred of us currently have 0 points when I looked at the bottom of the results.
  • 2 2
 nice enduro track :s
  • 1 3
 Did I miss the broadcast of the women's race?? Or did they not show it?
  • 1 0
 It was on an hour and a half before the men's
  • 2 4
 Y are the comments purple?
  • 3 6
 See, Ronald Rump made America great again! Wink
  • 10 5
 No, he just made WC DH racing seem like a good career. You get to escape from the USA for the whole summer!
  • 3 1
 @piersgritten: Was implying exactly that. In other words: Positive externalities Wink
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