Yeah, but as mentioned in some of the above comments, the track conditions really went to hell about 1/2 way through the Elite mens race. Sounds like the Jrs got their race in before the brown stuff hit the fan. That said, several of the Jrs are legit fast (as in Top 20 Elite fast, but not podium fast quite yet).
Not to takeaway from an amazing ride, but the track was a joke by the 2nd half due to rain. Zero traction to be had anywhere. I don't understand why the top seeded riders race last, just for viewing quality to keep people intrigued? How many times are track conditions better at the end than at the beginning... seems like it can only be a disadvantage.
Having the best riders go last makes sense. It's better for TV, and if conditions aren't as good, then it should make the results closer.
There has been instances in the past where a rider has thrown a quali run to make sure they didn't have to race in the rain the next day.
That'd make it kinda lame to watch. If the fastest qualifier goes first then the first run could be the winning run, and the slowest runs are at the end. Wouldn't have the same slow build up of the excitement. This only happens once ever 2 years or so, maybe 1.5 years at most. Plus some of the most memorable/exiting runs ever have been when a top guy overcomes the disadvantage of the rain to put in a good run. Gwin's MSA run for example.
Also going later/last can be advantageous, team mates that have gone before can warn a rider if a particular corner or run has blown out and the best line is different than it was. The coaches and such watch the live feed or trackside and communicate with the rider too if a particular section is causing lots of crashes. They may not be huge, but there are advantages to going last.
@ajaxwalker: That used to happen. Now there are points for qualies and also if you are a top rider you are going to race in the top 20 for the live feed anyways. Qualies are so tight to make the top 60 I don't think anyone is holding back that much these days. Imagine playing the rain game and then not able to qualify. These guys want those top 20 points.
His results from last race speak to his ability - this isnt a one off. However, Minnaar and Finn Iles probably had the best runs, just not the fastest.
Have you seen the video ?? I mean the conditions have gone really worse for the 15/20 last riders but it's not like he was riding in the dry either. Many good riders that came down in similar conditions have had far worse results.
Anyone else besides me (and Thibaut, and Mark Cavendish) ready to put the mask phase behind them? Ridiculous to see the podium winners behind a mask. And sad. That photo is what everyone pays to see, from sponsors to riders to fans. The UCI is politicizing the riders and dehumanizing them. Almost like they can’t wait to Zwift us into the digital age of avatar cycling…
@slippery: well considering most placers don’t require mask anymore (yours included slippery) i can see why people are tired of seeing shows and pics with everyone wearing masks in them.
@slippery: people like you love to ignore the fact that places that have done away with the need for masks have not had any spike in numbers. But places that have had masks have regularly experience spikes.
They don't work. I know some people seem unable to accept that despite everyone being able to see it. But that's usually the type of person who will accept any nonsense so long as it's been peer reviewed and then won't believe anything, no matter how obvious, if it hasn't been peer reviewed. Good for keeping idiots fearful though.
@slippery: oh yeah, and just by the way there are now more studies showing masks have not worked in the real world than ones showing that they have worked.
He was pounding his chest because he was proud to have recovered from a horror crash a week prior and was struggling on this track all week so was more likely just very happy to have made it down fast and clean in his race run. He didn't expect the win.
@batteriesnotincluded: stupidity would be not realising that all of the riders who went before and after him had horror runs because the conditions were already bad. Not one of the riders around him was able to set a competitive time.
Claiming that the guy who should have won in Leogang only for a small mistake shouldn't celebrate winning the next race is idiotic.
57 Comments
They don't work. I know some people seem unable to accept that despite everyone being able to see it. But that's usually the type of person who will accept any nonsense so long as it's been peer reviewed and then won't believe anything, no matter how obvious, if it hasn't been peer reviewed. Good for keeping idiots fearful though.
Claiming that the guy who should have won in Leogang only for a small mistake shouldn't celebrate winning the next race is idiotic.
Join Pinkbike Login