juweb

@phops: Swiss is Not EU and never was. And during a World Cup at all venues safety issues should be handled the same and under restrictions of the UCi and the race promoting and according to the national law. So If needed, the race organisation should bring the higher standards for professional athlets at high speeds.

Wyn has some valid points. The exit of B Lines is a critical point and this is old knowledge to track builders. At many races the gap between slow and fast is bigger then at World Cups. Getting rid of hardtails is not solving this problem. I think good marshalls could help, if DH adopts what is standard in many motorsports - the blue flagg. The marshall inform slow riders whats going on behind them and advise early to give way. I still believe, slow riders dont want to end in the line of fast guys. It is danger to them and the fast rider. Some here mention tape. Well I think the taping has more options to lead and define clear corridors. As well it would help me as a TV spectator and consumer of pictures to have reference points. Good educated people are key. As well for the running order in Q1. Ahead of the gang of fast former Juniors was the that group of riders without any UCI Points including the Koreans and the Hardtails man but the 30 sec gap continued. Why?

Bring Back Then Tape! I Miss It As A Optical Reference. For TV and Photo Coverage It Contained So Much Better Information.

RIP, what an inspiring man.

Sports disability, what a occupational disability mean - things that Red Bull should insure all participants against if this event is still there and want to continue to inspire.

Allmächt sei mit Rapha!

I had a little chat about this detail at the shiow, as I had the same questions in mind. but my believing is, a mech educated German mountainbiker able to build a bike like that would know this as well. So I mentioned my next interpretation. It may be there in all knowledge of drivetrain losses and for a better reason, so could it be for kinematic decoupling. Like a Q Ring that engages just after a certain degree of crank movement. And the answer was yes. They wanted to have such effect and rather tested it this way then spending extra money from the very small budget for a non custom solution. I like that.

You are absolute right. I once after seeing many World Cups decided to stay at the start area. This is a blind spot but a very intime area to watch the fastest racers, also very interesting to see each preparation and feeling the empty mountain with last rider at the top. Back then we no livetiming or stream but only had some mechanics had walky talky connection because mobile phone run out of connections. Then heading down with the gondola with a bunch of team stuff into the very different party crowd and winners celebration world at the bottom.

No better way to close the Qualification Day. Best spectators event. Best value for spectators.