Windham Day 2 in Photos - UCI World Cup 2012

Jun 29, 2012 at 21:09
by Ian Hylands  
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Gwin went only a half second and change faster than Steve Smith in qualifying but was fifteen spots up on Greg Minnaar nabbing 40 more UCI points than Minnaar. Given how close last season s race was the loss of those precious qualifying points could be costly for Minnaar.
  Gwin went only a half second and change faster than Steve Smith in qualifying, but was fifteen spots up on Greg Minnaar, nabbing 40 more UCI points than Minnaar. Given how close last season's race was, the loss of those precious qualifying points could be costly for Minnaar.

Rachel Atherton on course. Rachel was only 2 seconds up over Emmeline Ragot but on a track this short that will be a hard nut for Emmeline to crack.
  Rachel Atherton on course. Rachel was only 2 seconds up over Emmeline Ragot, but on a track this short, that will be a hard nut for Emmeline to crack.

Elliot Jackson keep your peepers on track
  Eliot Jackson: keep your peepers on track!

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The glare in the woods is ruthless you re pinned. It s dusty as hell. The rider in front of you scrubbed hard the wind isn t blowing the resulting dust off track and as a result you can only see about half the track.
  The glare in the woods is ruthless: you're pinned. It's dusty as hell. The rider in front of you scrubbed hard, the wind isn't blowing the resulting dust off track, and as a result, you can only see about half the track.

Lucky number 13 on the day for Mick Hannah--testing the rock garden here as Cous Cous looks on from frame right.
  Lucky number 13 on the day for Mick Hannah--testing the rock garden here as Cous Cous looks on from frame right.

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Course holds had the riders cruising--it seemed as if anytime the riders got up to test speed someone would bin it in HARD. The medics were busy unfortunately. Brook Macdonald of MS-Mondraker rolling down after yet another red flag...
  It seemed as if anytime the riders got up to "test" speed, someone would bin it in HARD. The medics were busy, unfortunately. Brook Macdonald of MS-Mondraker rolling down after yet another red flag...

Danny Hart was getting it up to speed in practice seen here and was PINNED as he rallied past me but binned it in exiting a blown out corner down a bit lower evidently hard enough to pick up some 20 stitches.
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Back in the cowboy days the bars served whiskey that was distilled locally Often it was 130 proof or stronger. Come pay day ranch hands and miners would come to town and get shit-faced. It s hard to make money off of a piss drunk cow-poke so once soused the bar would cut the boys down to 86 proof liquor calling them 86 or cut off. Sadly Kazuki Shimizu was 86 d today as he failed to qualify.
  Back in the cowboy days, the bars served whiskey that was distilled locally, Often, it was 130 proof or stronger. Come pay day, ranch hands and miners would come to town and get shit-faced. It's hard to make money off of a piss drunk cow-poke, so once soused, the bar would cut the boys down to 86 proof liquor, calling them "86", or cut off. Sadly, Kazuki Shimizu was "86'd" today, as he failed to qualify.

Peaty is ageless.
  Peaty is ageless. He crashed here in 2010 on the section now known as Peaty's Plunge, and then came back to challenge for the win last year, only losing to Gwin. This is a good track for the old guy, and hopefully after numerous treatments to heal the hamstring he injured in Fort William he's back near full strength.

Rachel Atherton was flat out in practice today and flat out in her quali as well. First on the day. I approach quali pretty straight on. I go full tilt. I don t really hold back at all. My final is only faster because I ve had more practice and know the track that much better.
  Rachel Atherton was flat out in practice today, and flat out in her quali as well. First on the day. "I approach quali pretty straight on. I go full tilt. I don't really hold back at all. My final is only faster because I've had more practice and know the track that much better."

A mere half second down... Look for Emmeline Ragot to step it up Sunday.
She s only 2 seconds down after qualifying. Last week it was 2. 73 seconds . Look for Ragot to step it up.
  She's only 2 seconds down after qualifying. Last week it was 2.73 seconds. Look for Ragot to step it up on Sunday and try to put a few points on Rachel.

Micayla Gatto got fast somewheres. It s nice to see her coming more or less out of nowhere and putting the wood to the rest of the ladies.
  Micayla Gatto got fast somewheres. It's nice to see her coming more or less out of nowhere and putting the wood to most of the rest of the ladies.

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Hot as f-k here today. This was well after qualifying and doesn t measure the heat index as corrected for the humidity. Add thtat and likely it was well over 100F.
  Hot as f-k here today. This was well after qualifying, and doesn't measure the heat index as corrected for the humidity. Add that, and likely it was well over 100F.

Spoon full of love Andy Lund of GT scraping the last bits of the lunch salad up for dinner in the pits as he works over the Atherton machines.
  Spoon full of love: Andy Lund of GT scraping the last bits of the lunch salad up for dinner in the pits as he works over the Atherton machines.

Ooooh baby-it hurts. Sam podiumed in pain at Mt St Anne and fought through the pain today to qualify fifth.
  Ooooh baby-it hurts. Sam podiumed in pain at Mt St Anne, and fought through the pain today to qualify fifth.

The smudge by the M on the top originally read GM 3 00 as in Greg Minnaar 3pm Josh Bryceland 3 04pm Steve Peat 3 15... you get the idea start times. Written on the back of Syndicare hardman Dougie Fresh s left hand.
  The smudge by the "M" on the top originally read "GM 3:00", as in "Greg Minnaar: 3pm, Josh Bryceland: 3:04pm, Steve Peat: 3:15... you get the idea: start times. Written on the back of Syndicate hardman Dougie Fresh's left hand.

I made a couple mistakes and it cost me said Greg Minnaar after the qualifying round. A short track like this is completely unforgiving. It d sll about real estate at Mt St Anne Fort William You have a lot. Le Bresse Not so much. Add Windham to that list of you can t make mistakes tracks.
  "I made a couple mistakes, and it cost me," said Greg Minnaar after the qualifying round. A short track like this is completely unforgiving. It's all about real estate: at Mt St Anne, Fort William? You have a lot. Le Bresse? Not so much. Add Windham to that list of "you can't make mistakes" tracks.

I haven t raced true World Cup since last year. For here the hits come so fast and so hard... my suspension was set up too soft. I went over the bars somewhere and on a track like this that s it. -Chris Kovarik mid track on failing to qualify.
  Chris Kovarik made a mistake or two as well, and as an unprotected rider that's all it took to keep him out of the main event. "I haven't raced true World Cup since last year. For here, the hits come so fast and so hard... my suspension was set up too soft. I went over the bars somewhere, and on a track like this, that's it." -Chris Kovarik

How d your guys do So-so Yeah same here Sean. We got second seventh and fourteenth. Sucks.... counting coup amongst the wrenches.
  "How'd your guys do?" "So-so" "Yeah, same here, Sean. We got second, seventh, and fourteenth. Sucks...." counting coup amongst the wrenches.





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71 Comments
  • 43 2
 I'm sad for Kovarik. That dude is pure legend.
  • 8 0
 agreed, he deserves a lot of respect for his earlier achievements
  • 10 0
 Bravo,Kovarik is an animal wearing no pads in general on a track like this, That's balls
  • 7 0
 The top riders wear protective gear and it simply boggles my mind that Kovarik doesn't!! He's not getting any younger and when you are racing at this level, one mistake can send you into a world of pain and for a long time. Dave Garland stated in the interview yesterday that he was 3-4 years in rehabilitation for his femur as a result he never went back to racing.
  • 4 0
 Sounds like he's lucky he didn't get broke off yet. He must be outta his mind. z05m- I highly doubt any padding that the WC guys wear would prevent something as serious as a broken femur, haha.
  • 1 4
 I'm pretty sure everyone has to qualify in order to make it into the finals. There's qualifications to race at a WC stop but at the actual race there's no passes. I could be wrong in that though.
  • 6 0
 the top 20 in the overall points standings are protected, they get into the final no matter what.
  • 2 0
 ^ Thanks for clearing that up for me.
  • 49 19
 That #1 plate looks right at home on Gwin's session Big Grin
  • 23 14
 get ready to get hit up with the negatives on this comment of yours! People hate on Gwinn cuz all he does is Gwin! I gave u a props Wink
  • 9 5
 Thank you good sir!
I was also stating it more for the fact that Gwin is currently over 500 points ahead of Minnaar, so that #1 plate ain't going anywhere. And for the record, my favorite racer is Cam Cole, not Steve Smith as my flag would have most believe. Though Smith taking a win here would be amazing and well deserved Smile
  • 9 0
 500 points? Isn't it 175?
  • 6 0
 RealC you are correct sir
  • 6 1
 It may as well be 500 - that number 1 plate still isn't going anywhere. Would be nice to see Sender get a result though. I also think Gee really deserves a win - he was so unlucky with mechanicals last season and has fought through a broken leg and some massive stacks this year.
  • 3 13
flag gombo8 (Jun 30, 2012 at 1:46) (Below Threshold)
 that wasnt gwins rig. why would he have a blue crown? and those arnt the 40's top caps. proven wrong...
  • 8 0
 That pic is Ragot's bike, as suggested by the caption. People were talking about the first shots.
  • 5 0
 gombo- you're completely right. Gwin's rig was stolen Thursday night so he doesn't have a bike for Windham. Luckily he was able to borrow his friend's bike that looks exactly like his. I guess it wasn't good enough to fool guys like you though Wink
  • 1 0
 Bum deal for gwin. Although im trek, fox, and shimano will be getting him nice and dialed back up before Sunday.
  • 3 0
 I hope i can call this Gwindham after tomorow!
Or if Stevie wins its just as goodSmile
  • 2 0
 Anyone want to buy a new carbon trek 9.9 I got from a buddy? $1,600 complete bike with 40's
  • 2 0
 Well I am about the new part. It's used but in great shape. He got it in NY I think
  • 1 0
 Pics or you're a communist.
  • 1 0
 c'mon man. just a joke! as in I have gwins bike, but not! Wink
  • 6 0
 Minnar still has a chance here but needs a full nights sleep, he can't go out partying with Peaty and Warner the night before. Too many guys blow up on Sunday cause they went to hard Saturday night, that's part of why Nico would win back in the day; at some races he was one of the few racers not hung over. Ask Peaty before you give me neg props...true story.
  • 7 0
 Frankly I think you have to be an idiot to go partying the night before a race , sorta thing I would ditch riders off my team for.
  • 4 0
 ^ Sounds like you wouldn't have made many friends on the older WC circuit Wink
  • 2 0
 Haha maybe not but my riders would of had one less excuse Smile
  • 4 0
 I have been using the term 86'ed since i first started serving tables in high school never knew why it meant that something was cut of or out of stock....awesome thanks for the education pinkbike. This site is so full of knowledge...or a bunch of drunk bikers...not sure which
  • 5 0
 I really hope Bernard does well here purely because of that suicide no-hander... Smile
  • 2 0
 The party going on upstate and i in the city working with 100° hell. Maybe make it up sunday for finals to see gwin do it again. Is Ernie Reale doing the opening run for the finals again ?
  • 1 0
 Ernball did run the course as a second forerunner.
  • 1 0
 Ya go ernie, he a wild man. Yo they should have me run the corse next year. I true blue american also and will at least hit most of the jumps. Maybe not wc speed but i going to clear everything. Big props to ernie but he already had 3 chances to open the track for race, let someone else rock next year. Maybe a local pro even who could rip a nice run instead of going around jumps.
  • 5 1
 Gwin and Rach Up on the top step this weekend I will be cheering them both on!!
  • 1 0
 Greg already knows he'll most likely go second to Aaron again in the overall. It must suck - 4th yr in a row 2nd overall!!! If he can't dismantle Gwin - who will? It's not enough to win occasionally for anyone else - with two races left, Gwin may get six wins - next year Maybe all seven. He's unreal.
  • 8 0
 sam hill
  • 5 0
 hope CG's back on the circuit soon,I miss CGFrown
  • 1 0
 "Her and Stevie Smith compare tire marks post run."

Seriously? "Her"? That's the best pronoun fit for that sentence? "She" is a worse fit?

Embarrassing.

"Her" is POSSESSIVE. "She" describes the person. HER pants, SHE the person.
  • 5 0
 Nice correction, you gave me an excuse to go back up and look at she butt.
  • 5 0
 Ha Ha, go Bernard!!
  • 1 2
 i like to see the big jumps put into these tracks to push the men. it would be awesome to see the women progress and hit the same stuff but at the same time is always good to put some consideration into an alternate route so they dont kill themselves.
  • 3 0
 Brutal fucking rock garden -- this'll be one to watch.
  • 4 0
 Go Neethling!!
  • 1 0
 Did you see Ragots bar and stem set up the bars was over the center line of the stem,Custom or prototype stem?
  • 2 0
 Peaty for the win! You knows it.
  • 1 0
 looks like itll be a sick race tomorrow. wish all the riders luck and of course, GO GWIN and NEKO!
  • 1 0
 they need to bring the world cup back to squaw valley!!!! anybody remember that race???
  • 1 0
 There are some questionable photos in that lot, were all the photographers hung over or something?
  • 1 0
 Kerr's suicide no hander! What an awesome photo. Love seeing riders having fun and hauling balls.
  • 1 0
 loving the last pic, shaun repping the pluggers
  • 1 2
 Would have liked to see the ACTUAL U.S. national champ racing this weekend, Logan Binggeli! Nothing against Neko though, glad he's OK after his crash at MSA!
  • 3 1
 In what way is Logan the ACTUAL champ? Neko was faster, hence the recognition by UCI. Not a true Champion imo if you weren't the fastest on the day. UCI actually is thinking logically on something with this one.
  • 2 1
 Logan was still the Elite Mens champ, and Neko the Junior champ. It's great that Neko is getting the recognition, and yes he was fastest, but in the end Logan IS the champ. If the UCI wanted to do what they did it shouldn't have been done halfway through the world cup season. It just works out shitty for Logan in my opinion.
  • 2 0
 MITCH ROPELATO!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 kerr sending it!!!!
  • 1 0
 This is going to be good.
  • 1 0
 spare a thought for danny heart, i hope he is ok to race tomorrow
  • 1 0
 Good Luck Micayla! Great to see you back racing!
  • 8 8
 Leave it up to 'Mercia to have the sickest WC yet this season
  • 10 1
 I'm actually bummed it's not on the west coast, it's been on the east coast too long! There are bigger and better mountains in California, Colorado, Oregon,Washington, or New Mexico. Bring back Mammoth, bring back the Kamikaze! Same thing with MSA, great track but it's been too long in one spot considering Canada only gets one World Cup a year. Give Whistler a chance to host a World Cup, I think they have adequate trails and facilities.
  • 2 0
 I agree with Kamikaze, but remember the WC did a few year stint @ Angelfire, New Mexico.
  • 1 0
 Get the clubs in B.C. to organize a presentation for public funding. To my understanding, Quebec fronts a lot of money for the events so they get to host them.

You might get flamed for saying all those mountains are "better" too, just saying
  • 2 0
 It is truly shameful there isn't a WC in California or Colorado.
  • 2 2
 anybody know how big that finish line jump is?
  • 15 1
 Somewhere between Huge and Large
  • 8 0
 Hurge ?
  • 1 0
 Good write up.
  • 1 0
 #1 and no chain. unreal
  • 2 3
 Maaaad!
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