Pinkbike Predictions - Les Gets World Cup DH 2019

Jul 10, 2019 at 7:22
by James Smurthwaite  


It's time to consult the Pinkbike crystal ball as we head into the second half of the downhill World Cup season.

Men

1. Troy Brosnan

Troy Brosnan thundering down the finish strait

Brosnan is the only rider to ever go under three minutes on this track and has put nearly a second into the field the previous two times he has raced here. If it's dry, dusty and flat out, it won't be too dissimilar to Aussie conditions so he should feel well at home on the slopes of Mont Chery. Brosnan has been on fire all season and alongside Danny Hart is one of only two riders to have been on the podium at every round so far this year. It has now been more than two years since Brosnan won a World Cup but I think he could steal the Frenchies' thunder and change that in Les Gets.

2. Amaury Pierron

Amaury Pierron on his way to second place. he was going like a mad man into the finish.

The closest terrain we've had so far this year to the grassy turns of Les Gets has been the final sector of the Vallnord track last week. Pierron won that split by nearly a second, marking himself out as a clear favourite here. Pierron will also have the support of a French crowd who will be desperate for a home rider to win on the weekend of Bastille Day.

3. Loris Vergier

Loris Vergier rode to third place today.

With Vergier on such good pace through the woods in Vallnord, it's really hard to not back him for a high finish in Les Gets. The young Frenchman also has a strong history here, finishing second in 2017 and third in 2018 on this very track.


Women
1. Rachel Atherton.

Rachel Atherton bounced back from qualifying with a bang.

Rachel seems to be on a tear this year again this year and has really gelled quickly with the new Atherton Bike. Rachel made a rare Crankworx appearance here last year and took the win here by more than three seconds with a time fast enough to take some decent scalps from the men's race too. Rachel will be hoping to reclaim the leader's jersey she gave away Leogang here in Les Gets and a win will be the best way to do just that.

2. Tracey Hannah

World Cup overall leader Tracey Hannah was disappointed with her in and would have to settle for 2nd today.

Tracey Hannah has been a dominant force in the Crankworx downhill events having won 8 out of the last 9 she's started in but she's never been able to bring it to Les Gets as much as the other venues. She hasn't tasted victory here in three attempts and was beaten by a different woman each time. She still holds the leader's jersey in the World Cup though and will have plenty of motivation to cling on to it with a good result.

3. Marine Cabirou

Marine Cabirou rode strong all weekend in these tough conditions. She d finish second behind Atherton.

Marine Cabirou earned her best-ever World Cup result with a second in Vallnord but there's no doubt she's at her best when tracks get steep and tech. Les Gets is a different beast entirely to Vallnord with flat out, fast corners and high speeds that won't necessarily play to Cabirou's strengths. She'll no doubt be pushing hard for a win on home soil but I think she'll just be pipped by Hannah and Atherton.



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Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

29 Comments
  • 17 0
 Bah, I'm betting the Goat will show up the young'ns with his experience on the corners, and Nina's been on a heater of a season. Down with pinkbike predictions!
  • 3 0
 That'd be awesome.
  • 3 0
 That'd make my weekend for sure. He was pretty quick in the flats at the bottom of the last race. Let just have a Syndicate podium sweep. honestly though... I would not be surprised at all to see a repeat of last year. But Bruni is on fire this year. The French are gonna be pumped for this race. Vergier Bruni Pierron Brosnan Hart
  • 1 0
 Agreed! I'd MUCH rather see Troy win, but my money is on Greg. Greg has so much speed!
  • 11 0
 Results: Downhill - Crankworx Les Gets 2018
Men:
1st. BROSNAN Troy 2:59.15
2nd. PIERRON Amaury +0.97
3rd. VERGIER Loris +2.04
  • 8 0
 And the odds of getting the same top three again? - not likely. Bruni isn't going to give up that easy and Danny will be loose. And of course, you can never count out...
  • 4 0
 .....the GOAT
  • 3 0
 Most of the other top racers were absent so there will be far more competition for this WC race.
  • 12 0
 Ed Masters for the win!
  • 7 3
 Wooow that's one helluva picture to choose for Brosnan with the guys in the background tucking it in! Haha!
  • 2 0
 Ah man they changed the pic. C'mon it's just dudes being dudes.
  • 3 4
 @joepax: Can you find a link to it?

No homo
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: aaarrgh
this is what Budweiser does to people
  • 1 0
 The amount of off camber in this track is going to make it super exciting. This will be a race of skill, not brawn or courage.
  • 4 1
 How do you pick Loris and Amaury over Loic?
  • 8 0
 From the article: "The closest terrain we've had so far this year to the grassy turns of Les Gets has been the final sector of the Vallnord track last week. Pierron won that split by nearly a second, marking himself out as a clear favourite here."
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: And Loic beat Loris in that sector...

EDIT: I get the logic though
  • 4 0
 allez allez!!
  • 2 0
 Really went out on a limb here...
  • 2 2
 Allez Tracy Hannah!!! You`ll be the queen this year, for sure. I cross my fingers for you.

Allez Troy Brosman!!! Kick those french asses on Bastille Day please!!!! Smile
  • 1 0
 I'm not changing my Fantasy! Hart Brosnan Minaar Trummer
  • 1 0
 Not a bad line up. Trummer was big big value last weekend. 3 of those 4 in the top 10. All 4 could be top 15.
  • 1 0
 Rachel 1st? Has she suddenly got a new leg?
  • 2 0
 Minnaar Pierron Brosnan
  • 1 0
 You can change the women predictions. Sending good vibes to Rachel!
  • 1 0
 Today reading this article today was painful to read today.
  • 1 0
 Goat Goat Goat Goat Goat
  • 3 5
 "My boy Gwin still has a chance!!! "

I cry as I sob in the corner.







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