Tech Randoms: Lourdes DH World Cup 2022

Mar 24, 2022
by Ross Bell  
The 2022 Downhill World Cup race season has sprung into life here in Lourdes with teams and riders busy prepping bikes and bodies as the steep and challenging slopes of the Pic du Jer lay in wait. We've been for a lap of the pits to see what's fresh for the new race season:

Old faithful the Pic du Jer funicular.
Old faithful, the Pic du Jer funicular.
Beautiful rustic scenes from the start gate.
Beautiful rustic scenes from the start gate.

Snow free to the top a great result for the earliest northern hemisphere WC in recent memory.
Snow free to the top, a great result for the earliest northern hemisphere World Cup in recent memory.

Lourdes is surrounded by a brutal landscape leading into the Pyranees.
Lourdes is surrounded by a brutal landscape leading into the Pyrenees.

The first track walk of the year is a go.
The first track walk of the year is a go.

The final touches to a bike build in the Commencal 100 pits.

The Commencal 100 race bikes sitting pretty.

Tahnee Seagrave's fresh Canyon Sender.

Complete with pink Crankbrothers Mallets.

Commencal going the extra mile for rider customisation.


Myriam s bright white Commencal build coming together.
Myriam's bright white Commencal build coming together.

MacDonald s idler-equiped Summum taking shape.
MacDonald's idler-equipped Summum taking shape.

Pinkbike Racing. You know it.
Pinkbike Racing. You know it.

There were a few interesting looking unmarked TRP mechs lurking around the pits today.

The idler on Amaury Pierron's Commencal Supreme.

The bridge on the new Supreme's seatstay can be swapped to help tune flex and stiffness characteristics.
Another seatstay bridge option in the Commencal Muc-Off pits.

MTB royalty Camille Balanche and Vali H ll heading out for a spin together
MTB royalty Camille Balanche and Vali Hoell heading out for a spin together

John Hall recounting tales of Lourdes Gwin wins. 2 out of 3 belong to AG here in Lourdes.
John Hall recounting tales of Gwin's Lourdes wins. 2 out of 3 belong to AG here in Lourdes.

A satisfying box of brake spares in the Commencal Muc-Off pits.

Finn Iles' shock ready to be put through its paces.

Loic Bruni is the one who carries the number one plate into Lourdes. Will he keep it after this weekend?

Junior World Champ Izabela Yankova's fresh paint job for the opening round of the season.

The number 1 plate sitting pretty on Izabela Yankova's Demo.

The first sighting of the new Raaw DH bike in the World Cup pits.

It shares the same silhouette as the Madonna and Jibb.
It'll be interesting to see the Raaw up on track tomorrow.

A stack of Pirelli rubber in the Rogue Racing pits.

A prototype linkage getting fitted in the Santa Cruz pits.

Finn Iles' Specialized Demo getting a brake bleed.

Finn Iles very pink Demo

Nice touch eh
Nice touch, eh?
3D printed Magura brake levers.
3D printed Magura brake levers.


Prototype Cannibal T9 rubber for the Specialized rig.
Prototype Cannibal T9 rubber for the Specialized rig.

You know you ve made it when..
You know you've made it when..

There looks to be some new aluminum cranks coming from TRP, or maybe e*thirteen.

Aaron Gwins prototype high pivot Intense infront of the formiddable Pyrenees.
Aaron Gwin's prototype high pivot Intense in front of the formidable Pyrenees.

A closer look at Gwin s raw sled.
A closer look at Joe Breeden's raw sled.

Gwin Sherlock and the two new additions to the IFR squad - Dakota Norton and Joe Breeden.
Gwin, Sherlock and the two new additions to the IFR squad - Dakota Norton and Joe Breeden.

Motion Instruments telemetry on Joe Breeden s Intense will bring all the data straight to his phone.
Motion Instruments telemetry on Joe Breeden's Intense will bring all the data straight to his phone.

The first rule of Syndicate always look professional. The job s on here in Lourdes.
The first rule of Syndicate; always look professional. The job's on here in Lourdes.

One of the few significant changes to the track is the somewhat soft Hollywhoops section right before the finish drop. Tired rides will have this brutal test of grip strength at the end of their runs.
One of the few significant changes to the track is the somewhat soft 'Hollywhoops' section right before the finish drop. Tired riders will have this brutal test of grip strength at the end of their runs.

Wallace s fresh threads and rig.
Mark Wallace's fresh threads and rig.

Bernard Kerr s Phoenix and in the background the school bus he shipped back from the states after Snowshoe.
Bernard Kerr's Phoenix and in the background the school bus he shipped back from the states after Snowshoe.

Greg the Goat s fresh paint.
Greg the Goat's fresh paint.

Spacers and machined headset cups.
Spacers and machined headset cups.



Phoebe Gale s rig coming along at the FMD pit.
Phoebe Gale's rig coming along at the FMD pit.

Hot pink and orange for Tahnee Seagrave.
Hot pink and orange for Tahnee Seagrave.

The rising star signing at MS Mondraker Tuhoto Ariki-Pene will have to sit this one out after puncturing a lung a few weeks back at the Portuguese national.
The rising star signing at MS Mondraker, Tuhoto Ariki-Pene, will have to sit this one out after puncturing a lung a few weeks back at the Portuguese national.

Luca Shaw under new management will be one to watch this season.
Luca Shaw under new management will be one to watch this season.

Jackson Goldstone will be looking to crush the junior competition this season but it ll be no walk in the park with Jordan Williams among a few others still to contend with.
Jackson Goldstone will be looking to crush the junior competition this season, but it'll be no walk in the park with Jordan Williams among a few others still to contend with.

Loic Bruni starts the season on home soil with the number one plate. Expect some ludicrous fan behaviour for the big show.
Loic Bruni starts the season on home soil with the number one plate. Expect some ludicrous fan behaviour for the big show.

Mark Wallace s all Sram big-rig with some beautiful paint.
Mark Wallace's all SRAM big-rig with some beautiful paint.



Remi Thirion is a one-man-band for the forseeable future at Giant. A new bike should be on the way very soon.
Remi Thirion is a one-man-band for the foreseeable future at Giant. A new bike should be on the way very soon.

Dan the man.
Dan the man.

Max Hartenstern s Cube with new idler configuration and a telemetry set-up.
Max Hartenstern's Cube with new idler configuration and a telemetry set-up.




The 2022 Propain team set-up that will piloted by the Meier-Smith bros.
The 2022 Propain team set-up that will piloted by the Meier-Smith bros.
New kid on the Atherton block Dominic Platt will get his World Cup baptism of fire on the gnarly course tomorrow.
New kid on the Atherton block, Dominic Platt, will get his World Cup baptism of fire on the gnarly course tomorrow.

Seems legit.

A closer look at Mondraker s idler pully. More info on this as the season progresses.
A closer look at Mondraker's idler pully. More info on this as the season progresses.

Well equiped over at Specialized.
Well equipped over at Specialized.

A modified saddle complete with a dash of extra grip in the Specialized pits.
A modified saddle complete with a dash of extra grip in the Specialized pits.

Dakotah Norton is happy to be back with the circus even if it s a tad early.
Dakotah Norton is happy to be back with the circus, even if it's a tad early.

Nina Hoffman new ride getting assembled.
Nina Hoffman new ride getting assembled.

Jackson Goldstone keeping his skills sharp and the Syndicate staff on edge.
Jackson Goldstone keeping his skills sharp and the Syndicate staff on edge.

Bike builds everywhere as new frames have finally been delivered. Full steam ahead in the Norco tent.
Bike builds everywhere as new frames have finally been delivered. Full steam ahead in the Norco tent.

Something new cooking up at the SRAM pits.
Something new cooking up at the SRAM pits.

Fresh Fox 40 seals ready for the weekend ahead.
Fresh Fox 40 seals ready for the weekend ahead.

Jordi eyeing up the influx of forks for in service today.
Jordi eyeing up the influx of forks for in service today.


Posted In:
Racing and Events Randoms World Cup DH Lourdes Dh World Cup 2022 World Cup Dh Tech


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126 Comments

  • 170 2
 My wife came around the corner expecting to catch porn on the screen with the noises I was making. Holy hot damn the new rides are sharp!
  • 20 3
 I think I might have a good idea of what your pleasure dungeon looks like...

And I’m guessing you hide all of the receipts from your wife...and that she probably wants you to sell at least half of your (two wheeled) toys =P
  • 16 1
 @WRCDH: I’m not the only one hiding receipts? Thank jibbers.
  • 18 0
 You honestly can't go wrong with DH bikes nowadays, they're almost all lookers. Nearest lift access park is 3.5 hours away from me and I still want one just to look at it every day.
  • 6 3
 If outside+ included an actual bike porn site would I join....just googled it to see if it was a thing and apparently not. Just like fox orange doesn't match frames, porn and mountain bikes don't go together either I guess.
  • 15 12
 @pink505: nowadays the fun is gone but in the late 90's and early 00's some female DH riders were keen to do photoshoots very very lightly dressed, also the Marzo grils and so on, one or two steps away from it basically. But today just to even consider it would mean getting instantaneously canceled or whatnot, yet IG and OF are thriving on exactly that go figure.
  • 1 0
 THIS^^^ thank you PB, some GREAT coverage/pics...

When you say "fresh paint", you mean new frame right?
  • 4 8
flag drjonnywonderboy (Mar 25, 2022 at 1:37) (Below Threshold)
 @Ryan2949: agree, but a 170mm 29er or mullet will be 80-90% as good and have a much wider use range. I was knocking out regular fastest of the day on Strava in the Alps pre covid on a 160mm 29er. Unless you are racing at a high level DH bikes are no longer necessary.
  • 8 5
 @Balgaroth: agree with you. Reminds me of muc-off employing pit girls a few years ago, and then they kick off when the Commencal team support African American music artists.
  • 2 0
 @pink505: On Reddit there’s r/bikeporn
  • 6 1
 @Balgaroth: Getting marginally paid to walk around in a bikini around a bunch of mountain bikers vs. laying around at home taking selfies and making real money on ad revenue…. Hmmm let me see, tough tough choice. I think it’s less about cancel culture and more about cash flow dawg
  • 3 2
 @Chondog94: this has been slowly disappearing for at least 10 years so I doubt OF is the reason why. I'd say those platforms have been a blessing allowing them to keep doing what they do despite the massive reduction in job opportunites. I'd be curious how much they are/were paid. I doubt it is pocket change and with the added benefit of just having to do you gig and go home (employement) unlike social media that you need to keep growing day in day out (entrepreneur). Big difference in cash but also in workload.
  • 2 0
 @pink505: Pivot’s orange frames would like a word Wink
  • 1 0
 @Ryan2949: I agreed with you until I just saw that new Orange DH bike that was announced today. Yikes.
  • 2 0
 @ChanceFuller: prolly Transitions Spire as well
  • 1 0
 Good thing the new Orange DH rig wasn't included in this article...
  • 1 0
 I prefer the silent type.
  • 1 0
 Friday. Starting to get STOKED!!! YEAH BOYZ!!!!!
  • 73 0
 3D printed seatstay bridge on the supreme for 0.1% more stiffness than without anything Big Grin
  • 77 2
 There’s actually an exotic shape-memory titanium / stainless steel nano-laminated alloy bar embedded in the plastic bridge that changes its grain structure, grain orientation, and interlaminar interface electron spins according to the stresses it sees on runs over the previous 48 hours...creating an adaptive anti-roll-bar-like effect, thus tailoring the rear end stiffness for lateral flex and lateral suspension effect when the bike is leaned over. Pretty clever, hiding it inside that 3D printed plastic like that! =P
  • 14 0
 We need Commencal to make a bolt on rear fender for that spot.
  • 2 0
 @WRCDH: lol, but for real I bet you could use a non newtonian fluid contained in some sort of tube connecting them to act like speed/ force sensitive tune. TM TM TM TM TM #getatme @COMMENCALbicycles
  • 3 0
 Ah but you failed to consider the speed boost that aesthetics provide. Taking that into account this bike should be at least 5 seconds faster than everyone else's.
  • 1 1
 It's a place holder and only used when the bike is shipped.
  • 2 2
 @MTB-Ohana: 3D prints are a bit expensive for that.....
  • 32 0
 Cube, specialized, commencal, trek, all alloy. Is carbon overrated?
  • 26 1
 Yes. Also looks like Scott are running alloy Gamblers.
  • 8 0
 Yes
  • 5 2
 The Atherton rigs look perhaps... not as much an advance anymore, given the exotic nature of their carbon manufacture.
  • 10 0
 How dare you question our holy carbon supreme superiority !!! Repeat after me, carbon is the best material is the best material in the galaxy and alu should only be used for cans.
  • 6 0
 @Yerts: Atherton bike is so advanced it looks simple...sickness
  • 2 0
 @Balgaroth: Im still waiting for the day when i can pay an extra for my fully carbon car to match my fully carbon bike.
  • 3 0
 @cjmdefo: Atherton bike looks like scaffolding... weighs the same too from what I've heard..
  • 34 7
 It’s interesting how the Fox Orange contrasts so bad with the pink, so they just thought “well, we’ll just put some orange by the headtube “ problem solved.
  • 17 4
 I think it looks great, effectively ties the frame in with the fork and orange coil shock.
  • 12 2
 If you squint it looks ok. But I mean really squint. Squint so hard your eyes are closed. Then it looks ok.
  • 26 1
 Can't wait to see A.G. do his thing on the prototype intense
(FLY)
  • 8 0
 Fingers crossed...and arms, hands, legs, toes. Even my eyes are crossed...
  • 20 0
 Gregs bike has a beautiful paint job.
  • 3 0
 So good.
  • 2 0
 Cupcake sprinkles?
  • 15 2
 I miss actually reading on this website..
  • 5 0
 Come on! Nobody wants to do actual reading these days. Too difficult, only pictures, memes, gifs, emojis...
  • 2 0
 @pioterski: tl;dr
  • 5 0
 We're constantly updating the comment section for your reading pleasure Smile !
  • 12 0
 That Pivot is actually the Junior females bike. Bernard’s is a sick gray color this year.
  • 13 1
 Maybe this is old news but I'm noticing a comeback with the alloy frames and less carbon. Loving it!
  • 9 0
 Finally the 29er Glory EVERY bike magazine publisher has known about is being hinted at. When will you allow the curtain to drop on this Giant???

You keep the bike industry on a tighter leash than Zed kept the gimp on.
  • 1 3
 the current model is glorious enough for me - but I've heard the new changes are so giant you can't even fathom!
  • 4 0
 Yeah but Zed's dead baby. Zed's dead.
  • 2 0
 @ReubenSandwich: "who's bicycle is this?" "that's a downhill bike baby. " "who's downhill bike is this?" "it's Zed's." anyway, I digress
  • 1 0
 @marinshredder: that was so advanced it had me in a trance.
  • 9 0
 Have I missed the "truck check" of the new Pivot school bus? It looks legit.
  • 13 0
 Check the BK yt channel!
  • 11 0
 Bernard nice enough to make a 55 minute video on it. Normal youtubers would have made five 10 minute episodes, spread over five weeks to milk as much revenue as possible, but not the mad lad Bernard Kerr.
  • 2 0
 I have checked this out now. Really enjoyed the story behind the build of that truck. With stoke so high I thought Bernard would be cooked for racing but see he managed a solid qualifying today. Keep it up!
  • 8 0
 Canyon Downhill bike? I wonder what their excuse for warranty rejection on that one is.
  • 9 0
 Specialized cannibal tire? Or are we still ignoring that pit bit...
  • 2 0
 Yea I saw that too! There’s no comments about it on any Instagram posts too… I can’t seem to find anything about it …
  • 2 0
 @NickMav: trying to make something 99% as good as Maxxis DHR2? Saw them last year at World’s?
  • 8 2
 Go to Vital if you want real tech rundown/ nerd-ery
  • 1 0
 @NorCalNomad: they grazed over it too, was seen last year at world champs too hardly any info
  • 7 0
 @brookscurran, we've mentioned it in multiple tech articles at this point. There's not really much to say yet, other than it's still not available for purchase, and its tread pattern has some similarities to a DHR II.
  • 1 1
 @mikekazimer: some similarities? Like that it has knobs, period? The shoulders are quite different, angled and offset vs squared and inline, it has a 3x pattern on the center knobs vs 2x pattern, and none of the center knobs are as much of a paddle as on the DHR II. Probably could have found a better comparison.

Looks like they wanted a Butcher with bit more straight line braking and just slightly less driftiness during transition to the edge knobs.
  • 9 1
 The pits are the best!
  • 3 0
 Is it just me, or did anyone else realize in the lead up to this event that they've been fundamentally confused about Lourdes and Chartres? Both have famous cathedrals but the Chartres is south west of Paris and it's super flat, so I was surprised they were having a downhill race there. Until I wasn't. Probably just me. As you were...
  • 9 2
 Snow free to the top is not a great sign!
  • 4 1
 Yeah, I don't see what's good about that indeed. Especially considering why there actually is a historical funicular over there... The whole reason they can now have a DH race weekend over there is because the people there could make a living out of a full winter of snow sports (and the tourism that came with it). A snowy or wet top part is part of early season WC DH racing. That, or just have the first race on the southern hemisphere again.
  • 3 0
 @vinay: I agree with the climate change notion but that funicular was never built for wintersports (it dates from around 1900), nor has there ever been any skiing resort on that hill.
But I don't see either why having a bit of snow on the track would be such a bad thing, as long as conditions don't vary dramatically from rider to rider.
  • 3 0
 @rarerider: Thanks for putting me straight there.
  • 5 0
 New boxxer? That arch looks similar to the Zeb design, maybe 38mm stanchions?
Also the RS coil shock has a new piggyback.
Noice.
  • 3 0
 More images of the BoxZeb on the site beginning with V... Surprised your the only person to have picked up on it here
  • 6 0
 Most flattering picture of Danny Hart. Ever. In the world.
  • 4 0
 so in the front there's a white bike with Cannibal tyres, and right behind, mimetizing with the background, there's the black one with sharpied Maxxis loool
  • 5 0
 Oh mer gerd, so much beautiful kit.
  • 3 0
 What's hiding under the carbon box on Loic's bike? www.pinkbike.com/photo/22272436
  • 5 2
 he says technology, I call it playing with an advantage...
  • 5 0
 I bet they are just playing mind games with people now.
  • 5 0
 Obviously the battery.
  • 1 0
 Projectile Banana peels
  • 3 0
 It's a lock out,
  • 1 2
 I wonder if it is choice of the other Specialized riders to not use the suspected remote compression adjuster/lockout or if Loic is the only one special enough to get R&D Ohlins parts. If I was a team member I'd be pretty bothered by not having access to equal equipment for all components the team uses.
  • 2 1
 This, this is what I've been waiting for! Absolutely love the first round buzz! I've taken the day off work to catch up on all the news + enjoy the weather ole blighty is having and get out on my bike. Stoke!
  • 2 0
 That bridge is the perfect example of a feature a bike you say "that's so cool" to I'm a bike should BUT never change.
  • 2 0
 Anyone know who will be next to rob Warner the first race? Claudio? Elliot?
  • 2 0
 Those new Commencals really make me want Evil to start making alloy frames.
  • 3 0
 An empty case of Slovenian beer working as a bike stand? Yeah! Big Grin
  • 2 0
 The clue to the colour of the new Pinkbike Racing team bikes is not in the name
  • 3 0
 copy paste from the last 8 years.... yes but where is the new Saint?
  • 3 0
 Shouldn't the Pinkbike race team be racing on...pink bikes?
  • 2 0
 Some pretty gangster bikes there this year
  • 2 0
 Minnars stack height is just wild!
  • 1 0
 You should see mine
  • 2 0
 That's not Gwin's bike, it's Joe Breeden's.
  • 2 0
 They need to start coming out with a main pivot below the BB
  • 1 0
 Revolutionary
  • 1 0
 There are a few designs like that, but I suppose you were aiming at the instant center of the linkage of a single pivot design with the pivot that low. Don't hold your breath. Just make your own instead.
  • 2 0
 What a stunning photo gallery! Thank you!
  • 2 0
 Blackbox double crown. Is this a sneak peak of a 38mm Boxxer?
  • 2 0
 Bruni staring at the camera with a Jack Nicholson crazy-face is something
  • 1 0
 Seeing a lot of CB Mallets in the pics, one pair of Saints, and whatever is on Gwin's bike.
  • 1 0
 pinkbikes been spamming the new intense DH bike and the new Commencal DH bike XDDD
  • 1 0
 Amazing photos - Its all very exciting, roll on the wkd
  • 2 0
 Hey! Good season to all!
  • 3 1
 The glory hole is back!
  • 1 0
 So stoked for racing finally coming back!
  • 1 0
 Custom coating on Finn Illes Ohlins shock damper shaft?
  • 1 1
 I know air forks are lighter but this is getting ridiculous

m.pinkbike.com/photo/22272473
  • 1 0
 I doubt they are e thirteen cranks when it has a MRP chain guide
  • 1 0
 The new Summum sounds...mean?
  • 1 0
 I see the PB team is still working on suspension sponsors.
  • 1 0
 Come on fox, stop the orange fork madness!
  • 1 0
 that pulley cover on the commencal
  • 1 0
 why do i really want to eat those fox 40 seals?
  • 1 1
 Good luck Pinkbike racing!
  • 3 4
 Specialized copying tires!!
  • 2 0
 @Rosstech Agree.
  • 2 0
 @trisquel Even a blind man could see it....
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