Video: The Hardest Corner from EWS Rotorua Practice

Mar 23, 2019
by Max McCulloch  
2019 Rotorua EWS - The Hardest Corner

by maxmcculloch
Views: 58,617    Faves: 38    Comments: 8


Video & words: Max McCulloch

Unfortunately, I injured myself in practice (fractured hand and wrist) so I decided to film one of the tougher sections of the course during the second day of practice. Really disappointed to not be racing, but being a spectator isn't terrible. This specific corner seemed to wreak havoc on many of the riders. It is incredible how the top racers can carry speed when so many others are having trouble.

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72 Comments
  • 154 1
 this way way more entertaining than I anticipated. Good vid. Heal up soon
  • 1 0
 Glad you liked it, and thanks!
  • 37 1
 Awesome video Max! Still gutted for you about the crash
For anyone who doesnt know Max this kids fast as f*ck and gets results!!!
  • 9 3
 Is he the new “Randy”?
  • 3 1
 @charmingbob: after watchings this video I sure as shit am
  • 22 1
 Dude! That crash, you are HAULING, I live in Roto (rode the EWS100 today) and that trail is one of my favs in the forest, but I've never seen someone riding it that hard, I've always wondered if that bit was triple-able. Would love to see more helmet cam from practice!
  • 1 0
 Thanks man! I was feeling great on the bike (and the trails in Roto are amazing). I have a few more practice videos on my Instagram (@max_mcculloch) if you want to check it out!
  • 12 0
 Excellent fun video. More of this type of content PB. Raw, unfiltered reactions from real riders. Reminded me of being out in the woods with my buddies trying to make sense of a sketchy section. Has that kind of realistic vibe to it. Great to see this stuff. You learn a lot too. Mainly that pro riders are humans just like us with various levels of ability. Really enjoyed this vid. You absolutely made the best use of your downtime due to injury here Max. Heal up soon and get back at it.
  • 1 0
 Glad you enjoyed it! Also, thanks. Hoping to recover fast from this!
  • 18 7
 Having ridden that trail quite a few times, I think that while it is very tight to get past that rock, surely as these are the best riders in the world they could just slow down a bit like everyone else does??
  • 33 1
 maybe the reason they are the best in the world is because they don't know how to slow down?
  • 6 1
 Yeah they definitely could, there’s no doubt they could ride it as we saw a bunch of them get past it here in practice. But it’s a safety concern as it’s taking a bunch of people down. Would rather see a clean race where everyone makes their run than keep one rock on the trail to make it more difficult.
  • 3 1
 Rock doesn't standout much. I'm sure they remember it now. Glad they painted it.
  • 5 0
 @zephxiii: I smashed it in media recce on Thursday and still can't bend my pinky finger. You simply can't see it as you come around the corner until it's too late so not an issue of "just going slower" would make it safer.

Definitely not a good thing to have sticking out the hill on a blind turn.
  • 16 3
 "Aw f*ck thats a big rock" "YEA big rock"
  • 2 0
 Smile 2:11, so funny!
  • 3 0
 Clearly an Aussie.
  • 9 2
 At 4:42 I was like, "what woman is that?" but then I realized it was Cody Kelly
  • 24 1
 But how about Isabeau Courdurier at 3:17? Longer hair *and* faster line!
  • 7 1
 I like the one guy as he's about to slide out to the right, "F*ck me that's a long way down" hahaha
  • 8 1
 Sick video!
  • 6 1
 Glad you liked it!
  • 6 1
 Dude that crash was gnarly! Healing vibes!

Great vid and way better headwear than Cathro Wink Razz
  • 5 0
 Haha thanks mate
  • 5 1
 Wyn Masters at 4.35 "Get the rock out of it....stupid C***" haha brilliant!
  • 5 1
 Great video, ugly crash.

Caught a glimpse of #thepeopleschamp Jeff Beeston in there!
  • 4 0
 Cheers! Had to have Jeff in there! He nailed that section
  • 5 1
 Man, Jacob hit the ground hard there! Nice work behind the camera, Max! Heal up quick!
  • 2 0
 Thanks Derek! And I was glad Jacob got up quick after that one!
  • 3 0
 2:27 that's exactly what i say to myself every time i get to a steep techy section where i could get hurt.

except i'm a 48 yr old male....
  • 2 0
 Why do race series always take out parts of the corse that are challenging? Its a pro series, they are good enough to ride that or at least try to.
  • 2 0
 Good to see stuff that's challenging, but not from being gnarly. That's what it's all about! Giving riders a hard time without trying to kill them.
  • 2 0
 dude that's rough, broke my fucking foot on friday. time for healing. see you in a few rounds
  • 2 0
 Ah bummer man, heal up quick!
  • 5 2
 its like vital raw with more selfie footage!
  • 8 1
 So you're saying you want more selfie footage? Wink
  • 3 0
 Didn't know Carl Gallagher did EWS?
  • 1 0
 Cool vid Max. Sucks that you got injured but all part of the game eh. Get loads of sleep, fruit and veg, and you'll be back fast.
  • 2 0
 Love those kinds of videos. thanks. Looks like a painful crash - have a speedy recovery!
  • 1 0
 Thanks, hoping I'll heal quick!
  • 1 0
 Great video. Loved seeing the different lines and seeing Jeff Beeston ride that section like a boss. Keep these kind of videos coming. Heal fast.
  • 1 0
 Sweet video Max, always interesting to see how a bunch of pros ride a section differently.
  • 1 0
 Nice one Max, hope you heal up quick. Have a great time in the land down under!
  • 1 0
 Thanks! Looking forward to checking out Tas, even though I won't be riding!
  • 4 1
 Headphones Warning....
  • 2 0
 That audio spike didn't show up till it was uploaded to pinkbike. Weird.
  • 2 0
 @victoriabiker13: yeh my ears were ringing
  • 1 0
 sorry to hear about your injury Max. Thanks for the vid; keep em coming! Brett from Hornby woooot
  • 2 0
 Does EWS leave funding behind for post race trail rehabilitation?
  • 2 0
 I'm pretty sure a portion of all entries goes to the local trail association for maintenance and what have you
  • 1 0
 Champion effort Max, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Heal up soon, looking forward to seeing you in Derby
  • 2 0
 Awesome video
  • 1 0
 Cheers!
  • 1 0
 Gutted for your injury. Heal up fast! Excellent video though!
  • 1 0
 Great video Max. Sending healing vibes your way!
  • 2 1
 Super sick man! Heal fast!
  • 1 0
 Thanks! Hoping to be back for the Italy EWS.
  • 1 0
 I did enjoy that video, it was decent! ????
  • 1 0
 Damn, watch it till the end, great vid an vibe..
  • 1 0
 Great video Max!! Heal up soon
  • 1 0
 nice riding video right here!!
  • 2 1
 great video Max! Keep these coming while you heal up, hopefully quickly!
  • 1 0
 How often do they have to replace the tape on the sides?!?!
  • 1 0
 Shame about the arm Max but a bloody good vid, thanks.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for the vid, heal up!
  • 1 0
 great stuff. One guy rode a new Santa Cruz V10.
  • 1 0
 I would definitely go for the outside line!
  • 1 0
 @victoriabiker13 Nice video Max, sorry to hear about your wrist!
  • 2 1
 Nice vid! Heal-up fast!
  • 1 0
 Thanks! Should be back in no time!
  • 1 0
 Great stuff!
  • 1 0
 Outside line for sure







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