World Cup racing is serious business and so are the fans. If you've ever been to a race venue in person, you'll know just how wild it can be, especially when Americans and the French bring the party and the costumes. At Fort William, the downhill event brings in over 10,000 spectators on race day and the roar of the crowd at the finish line can be heard from the top of the mountain.
Whether it's cross country or downhill, there's nothing like witnessing the speed and competition up close. Trackside, the speeds and physical strengths of World Cup riders are put into perspective at arms reach from the tape. You also get a sense for the dirt, grade of the track, and how unforgiving the rocks are. Not to mention, you can walk through the pits and ogle over prototype bikes and meet the racers to collect a few autographs.
What keeps the races going and the teams alive though is the fans. Even the top athletes will be sure to shout out and thank the spectators for amping them up. These are the kind of people that aren't held back by weather. They bring their chainsaw, face paint and chants. Remember Greg Minnaar's super fan that followed along the World Cup series for a few years?
If you can't view it in person, watching the live broadcast is second best. In some ways, it could almost be better as you get to see the majority of the track and watch the slow-mos. Red Bull has brought mountain bike fans incredible coverage for more than a decade, allowing us to tune in from around the world. On some courses, we have the opportunity to watch nearly the whole lap or entire run. The quality of the footage has helped push mountain biking into the mainstream.
Just because they're not there in person, doesn't mean those fans are any less passionate though. For super fans that aren't trackside, social media spoilers can also come out of left field. There's nothing worse than overhearing the results while out on the trail either. I've even heard of public yelling matches where the podium finishers were listed in reverse order, almost erupting into a physical fight.
Then there are mountain bikers that skim through the news as it rolls out or couldn't be bothered to hear any of the race news. Certainly, mountain biking can be about checking out of the news and getting away, deep into the mountains, without any care for who finished first.
Either way, racing gets people stoked to go fast on their bikes and the first World Cup DH of the year is just days away. There is plenty of excitement surrounding team changes, prototype bikes, and the return to Lourdes, France. The last time a World Cup was raced there, the tables were turned for the top racers as the rain came down, making the best in the world look like amateurs in the nearly unrideable, greasy conditions. That meant that we saw fresh faces on the podium and one rider take their first victory. What will this weekend bring, and will you be tuning in or checking out?
Yes!
There is an app available for live stream and catch up for Discovery programmes, but it's all paywalled. You'll almost certainly have to pay to view WCDH race footage from next year onwards.
DH Racing is pure. It's you against the clock, against the track, against yourself. It's wholesome, everyone is stoked and just wants to ride. There's so much camaraderie, enthusiasm and good-natured rivalry. My wife (who doesn't ride) has got caught up in the passion and excitement the last few years. We both can't wait to hear Rob's voice screaming LOOK AT THE TIIIIIME! I'm holding my breath that the voice of downhill is carried over to the new network. It just wouldnt be the same energy without him. (The World's last year was practically unwatchable because of the monotone presenter. Truly awful)
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Believe it or not, the DH Fantasy league got me to pay closer attention to the racing and gave me a way to learn some of the names to watch for. I just cannot wrap my head around how to read the results (split times and such are confusing to an outsider... or at least for me specifically)
Will find out next year if others feel the same?
There's nothing funny about that...
And as for the time or the place.. its a PB forum, there's WAY darker shit on here if you know where to find it.
And it was known about, common knowledge, and covered up....
The only reason they've 'cleaned up they're act' so to speak is because they where caught...
Oh and the 'it was a long time ago an was thought to be the norm at the time' excuse just doesn't cut it with me..
EVER
religion Has been an excuse for too many horrendous acts throughout time but the late 20th century? like 20 years ago?? NAHHH f*ck That! those people knew what they where doing was wrong, they used their faith as a shield, built an organisation within an organisation and became a hypocrisy of what the faith was supposed to be.
I hope they burn in the Hell they believe in...
There is no debate, it's horrendous
Hail Satan
That was childish, but when you have structures within an organisation set up to protect pedophiles, the place will still stink for awhile afterwards.
As an aside, Satan is evil, but that's according to God, we never hear Satan's side of it.
Genocides of all living creatures because one species wasn't praying you enough attention:
God: 1
Satan: 0
I can see it now, he is Beast, I am Belle.
How is s teenage drama any different to any version of the bible?
The modern era begs to differ. The Catholic Church is still protecting pedophiles, resisting investigations, and lying about it.
www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/24/former-pope-benedict-statement-child-sexual-abuse-inquiry