Pinkbike Poll: Who Will Win DH World Champs?

Sep 3, 2015 at 11:49
by Mike Kazimer  
It won't be long now until the victors are crowned at this year's DH World Championships in Vallnord, but before those final runs take place it's prime time for some speculation. Who will have the skills to lay it all on the line and earn the coveted rainbow stripes? Can Gwin maintain his dominance, or will the title continue to elude him, going instead to a threat like Minnaar, Bruni, Brosnan, or Thirion, just to name a few.

For the women, even though Rachel Atherton's been in top form this year, Manon Carpenter and others are close behind, and would surely like to finish off the year with a win. The competition between the junior men will be one to watch as well, giving spectators a glimpse into the future of the sport, and an idea of who we'll be seeing at the front of the pack in the years to come.

The start ramp has been elevated and steepened ready to tip racers into a 5 minute blur of exhaustion.

Who will win the men's 2015 DH World Championships?



Beautiful soft loam and savage tear-you-a-new-one slate tossed in between.

Who will win the women's 2015 DH World Championships?



Not a bad view. For the riders it will all be a blur.

Who will win the junior men's 2015 DH World Championships?



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178 Comments
  • 155 3
 Voted for two people I've never heard of, just because I like to see the world burn
  • 30 0
 "what doesn't kill you makes you....stranger?"

im the same. I mean who is this 'Caty Kurd'
  • 39 9
 I am with you brother, there's more of us. I voted for the mysterious "Other" hoping him to be an Antichrist in Giro Switchblade helmet. One who hates Peaty and hopes Sam Hill will crash. Now let us open a tap in a public bathroom at night, block the door with 16 ton block of granite and watch the world get flooded
  • 24 0
 One on an Enduro bike with 26" wheels.
Burn i say BURN
  • 5 1
 If someone gets down THAT course on an enduro bike with 26" wheels faster than the other riders, then Gwin really deserved to win. Big Grin
  • 14 4
 Gwin has effectively 50mm of travel in his suspension, he may as well ride the S-Works Epic with 34, angle set, 200mm rotors and Butchers
  • 2 0
 I'm thinking he should go unicycle, so much lighter
  • 4 2
 This is a bit of a spoiler but this design got approval of three Specialized team members... www.pinkbike.com/photo/12645101
  • 2 2
 Actually I've wondered about Gwin using a shorter travel bike as well if he isn't going to use the suspension. Seems like Specialized would have the shop abilities to get him on a 7inch Mini-DH type rig that he liked. Although, if they were going to do it, they needed to do it the last two years while he was transitioning from the Session to a Demo that he liked.
  • 10 0
 That's enough of this XC banter
  • 3 0
 That's awesome WAKI. Didn't they have people on enduros with DH forks at PMB or some other less gnarly race? Heck, I think he was racing Sea Otter on a Stumpy 29.
  • 6 1
 If it rains, if any one's race
  • 3 1
 Top 10 should run twice.
  • 2 0
 @groghunter - he didn't just race on a 9'er at Sea Otter...he won.
  • 3 0
 Martin Maes is my bet in the juniors. Faster than a sh!t after a curried laxative!
  • 6 1
 Track is wet Gwin won't win.
  • 2 0
 lot's ruling out Mr.greg and Sam .. that's probably a risky move
  • 5 0
 would be sick to see a rando midpacker grab a win
  • 1 1
 Why would gwin use a short travel bike for the World Cup / championship?
  • 1 0
 faster for pedaling sections
  • 1 1
 Because rumor has it, that he rides his suspension so stiff he doesn't use the full travel anyways, so all he needs is slack geo Razz
  • 1 0
 Stiffness, progression, weight distrubution, bike length, etc. Don't matter right waki? Just travel? I should email loic and let him know. He could have won by a bigger margin.
  • 2 1
 Bejesus, don't react as if I said he could totaly win on a Stumpjumper... I am not his mechanic I have no clue, that was a frickin joke. Gawd Alfrighty, his bike gets more sht than trailer of a tractor on a pig farm. What is wrong with you people? Gwin complex or Gwin syndrome that is.
  • 1 0
 I guess u can't take a joke lol.
  • 2 0
 He uses all of his travel it just looks like he prefers it set to deal with big hits.
  • 56 0
 Hoping Warner has a couple of sneaky sips before commentary begins in earnest.... i want to hear excitement as well as watch it........ and of course, the classic one liners ! 'with balls that big !' etc etc... Would love to see Danny reign in the rain, Sam on the inside of the inside, Rat pull one from the trap....... but i think Gwin may have the edge, the guy is on fire at the moment.... gonna be a great Sunday !
  • 18 1
 Sp with this comment, Warner's commentary has been so lackluster since he got all professional and such!
  • 16 1
 Unfortunately, I can imagine he has been told to 'tone down' his commentary a bit since Redbull are trying to make DH a bit more accessible to the general public. Shame, but only better for the sport. Then again, his commentary over this season has been outstanding!
  • 26 21
 Calling BS to this, its so much better to watch now, drunk warner was annoying and too shouty, the mrs is much happier me watching it now, so job done, she's not like "arrgh what is that shouty drunk bloke doing commentating, turn it off"

Warner does a great job, the voice of downhill, long may it continue
  • 9 27
flag Ziph (Sep 4, 2015 at 5:13) (Below Threshold)
 I'm not the only that gets annoyed when warner fails to string a sentence together.The commentary is usually littered with mistakes.I love him but it does grate after time.That's what long term drinking does for ya kids!
  • 40 2
 I think Rob & Claudio do a great job.
  • 8 12
flag Ziph (Sep 4, 2015 at 6:20) (Below Threshold)
 Ok fair enough, but listen closely tomorrow & you'll see exactly how many mistakes are made.I'm not making it up.
  • 15 2
 ok im going to say it again...I want warner on the verbal tear up but....look...I lov Claudio but I think he slightly holds warner back...they cant go back and forth quickly cause of the language barrier(even though claudios English is brilliant). he doesn't always understand warner and it gets a little awkward at times. FREE WARNER
  • 6 0
 it's not only that he doesn't shout as much anymore, I have the feeling that he actually has less background info than in previous years and that he doesn't pay as much attention anymore. The last few races there were so much moments where you could clearly see something was happening and neither he nor claudio said anything. I miss the old days where he was just drunk and yelling into the microphone, but I wish he would at least have more background information on the riders and pay more attention and actually do more commentary. This season it has mostly been silent, sometimes he didn't even say anything about the split times.
  • 3 0
 Don't forget about Brosnan....
  • 1 0
 Who would be an option?
  • 2 0
 ziph- Here's a sentence for you...

Shut the hell up; Warner speaks very well good.
  • 2 0
 I'm a fan of his passion, ok, he does make mistakes, but he's watching a small screen ffs... Claudio is there to correct him anyway... just think of where we were before Warner :-O and need i mention Rampage ? Oerrrrrrrrrrrr
  • 5 0
 @ziph you'd make mistakes too if you had 30 pages of stats in front of you and are expected to recall who won what where and when, AND watch the current race.
  • 2 1
 Well he may be a pro in the booth but out of it he's a mess
  • 1 0
 Did they, and by they I mean Jesus cancel his web series?
  • 1 0
 Maybe they can bring in Tristan!
  • 3 0
 Dunno what others think, but i feel Rob nailed it on Sunday, the level was about right (missed the one liners though).. his input on the Bruni run just got me on the edge of my seat (ok, the run as well... sick !) Talk is of Red Bull going to satellite ? anyone confirm ? one last thing, who like me was just amazed at Minnaars vault off the bike into his supporters ? Brilliant... you just have to love this sport ! :-)
  • 2 0
 Greg had a Lambo leap!
  • 36 0
 monsieur bruni whispers sweet nothings to the rough and ascends to frenchie greatness where the brie flows like wine and beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of capistrano
  • 4 0
 Hard to argue with that logic. Smile
  • 28 0
 I'm 100% sure I'm not going to win.
  • 20 1
 Gwin if it dries out, Bruni or Troy if it keeps raining, Hart if it becomes a mudfest again.
  • 18 2
 I'm surprised no one has voted for Marcelo Gutierrez yet, hes for sure the strongest rider pure machine, and a long track like this will suit him! Smile
  • 30 7
 Immoral basterds without an ounce of insight! Everyone change your vote for Marcelo right now. He worked so hard for this!
  • 6 0
 lol
  • 5 0
 To be fair I didn't vote Marcelo, although I want him to win so bad, same as Bruni! They both deserve it so much!
  • 4 0
 it is who we think will win not who we want to win.
  • 1 0
 I'm surprised Hart doesn't have more votes
  • 3 0
 Everyone confuses him with Harry Heath
  • 19 1
 Sam Hill FTW !!!!
  • 14 29
flag amirazemi (Sep 4, 2015 at 4:57) (Below Threshold)
 i like how people still root for him, even tho we all know he doesnt stand a chance anymore Smile (prolly gonna negproped)
  • 13 0
 Haha what did you expect? Of course he has a chance. What do you think racing is??
  • 15 1
 Two world cup wins and a crash on a (probably) winning world champs run last year is not standing a chance anymore...wow.
  • 3 4
 alright tomorrow is close Smile we will see, as much as i would like for him to win. You guys forgot about Gwin didnt you ?? he is an animal.
  • 5 1
 To be frank, Hill is not fully up to speed yet after his recent injury, hate to see him making his comeback after so many years and get injure again
  • 21 3
 GO THIRION !
  • 2 0
 +1, Thirion for the win!
  • 2 0
 Go french team! On va tout plier!
  • 6 1
 Lannister ?

Ok, i'm out.
  • 5 0
 Bruni, Thirion et Pompon. Tous sur le podium. Et là, on fait péter le Champagne, on debouche un bon Cognac, et on vide le cellier; en chantant la Marseillaise.
  • 2 0
 Oui Oui Oui!
  • 5 0
 i speak zero french, but I agree with @Bragelonne on Champagne, debouche and cognac
  • 11 0
 That women's poll should be "who is going to get second behind Atherton?"
  • 5 0
 Kind of funny that more than twice the number of people vote that they think Brosnan and Bruni will win rather than Minnaar, who this season alone has won twice as many WC' races as Brosnan and has proven himself to be the greatest the sport has ever seen. Meanwhile Bruni is still searching for his first win. I'm not slagging these young bucks who I hope both go onto Minaar/Hill/Gwin greatness, I'm just pointing out why "the house always wins."
  • 5 0
 I think part of the reason so many people voted for Loic is pure sympathy: we're all tired of seeing him be on blazing runs only to get screwed by some mechanical or some such, & really just want to see him finally get that win that's he's been so close to for so long.
  • 8 1
 I think Hill has a chance to slay here, long course and super technical. awesome.
  • 5 4
 Last year yes, but 20 seconds back at mt st Anne doesn't make me think he is a contender for the win
  • 2 1
 He was still hurting there tbf, and much like remi he made his bed got this race long ago. I'm in for the hill or bruni win
  • 3 1
 But I'd be more than satisfied to see Danny or gee banger :-)
  • 10 4
 Go Danny, Go Ratty, Go Brendog, GO BRITIAN !!!! And if all else fails, Gwin Or Stevie Smith. I'M SO FUCKING STOKED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rachel , no contest !
  • 22 0
 I love Britian so much that I don't even care how it's spelled!!
  • 11 0
 omg, i hang my head in shame, it must be the Stoke Factor lol
  • 8 0
 That's okay, you get half-props for naming Stevie as a backup.
  • 2 0
 Steady mate, breath..... The Brits in their natural environment.... MUD ! The boys and girls of our little island will be there, i'm thinking if conditions persist ? Hart ? gone real quiet on the run up, is he waiting for it to get even wetter ?
  • 6 0
 Loic is not going to let this one go, he's been fighting hard for wins all year. He's been so close so often that I think he's hungrier for it than anyone on the hill!
  • 8 0
 Anybody else here wants to the Fairclough lad destroy it...
  • 4 0
 It's more possible than not that he can and will. Would be phenomenal if it came to be!
  • 9 2
 I want to see Troy with a win!
  • 5 2
 Of course Remi will ! He have the self-control, he loves the track, and he badly wants to party at home with all the commencal team mates ! Sure he's just back from injury, but remember Fabien Barel at the last EWS 2014 round...
  • 1 0
 Alleeeez Rémi \m/
  • 2 0
 He is on fire ! ; video-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xft1/v/t43.1792-2/11417599_820433634740854_14989755_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjI5MjIsInJsYSI6MTAyNH0%3D&rl=2922&vabr=1948&oh=f0cc0bb62887274d578103d9157999df&oe=55EA0953
  • 6 0
 Voting purely emotionally based....done
  • 2 0
 Not gonna lie, that's why I voted for Loic.
  • 3 0
 Is there any other way to predict the future?
  • 2 0
 Troy in the top 3 last two races with a crash?! he knows what he has to do and how to do it, and that gives him a lot of motivation and confidence, dude can hang it out when needed, i still remember watching the video "the next sam hill?" and thinking "THis kid shreds!!!"
  • 4 0
 Yeah dude. I remember racing against him when he was about 12 or 13 at some local meets. He smoked most of the elite field then. Its just a matter of time til hes world champ!
  • 5 0
 ratboy deserves this after last year...COME ON RAT...im going to be screaming
  • 6 0
 Bruni in 2nd place on the poll now too! Poor bugger deserves the win.
  • 2 0
 He just can't catch a break!! lol
  • 7 0
 Steve Smith, I hope!
  • 5 0
 Mark Wallace!
  • 2 0
 Cairns 2014, Gee got the number 1. Danny Hart 2009 (How does he sit down with balls that big!!), Sam hill obviously. Ratboy seems be having fun this weekend. These my wild cards/ im going for this weekend. But this is downhill.

#ItsAllDownhillFromHere

Greg Minnaar-Never rule this man out.


Who knows..........


Best of Luck to Jacob Dickson and Sacha Bickerstaff.!!!!!!!!!
  • 7 2
 With the rain, I'm going for a repeat of 2011..."stay on your bike Danny!"
  • 7 2
 Greg Minnaar will take the win !!!!
  • 1 4
 (Before I get slammed with neg props, this is sarcasm) Greg Minnaar's too old to win
  • 3 1
 I'm gonna go with Danny on this one, for the one and only reason that it's most likely going to pour down on those guys come Sunday and THEN Danny will have his moment in the sun. Anyone else get that feeling?
  • 4 0
 Poor Gee! The defending champ can't get some love? He won in Cairns last year when it was a worse mudfest than Champery '11!
  • 10 0
 He also had to see ratboy's willy. That's gotta be worth some sympathy
  • 4 1
 It's because of his resting bitch face.
  • 4 0
 You can't just answer everything with Aaron Gwin, that's not how this works.
  • 8 0
 Aaron Gwin you sure about that?
  • 5 0
 Aaron Gwinn i dont understand
  • 3 0
 Gwin has the World Champs curse, just like Danny Hart has the World Cup curse. Loic will go full french toast and crush that track.
  • 1 0
 I cannot pick a clear favorite...I can honestly see any of the top-30 (even a dark-horse beyond the top-30) pulling off the win here. I literally blocked all the names off the screen for the men and just clicked a random button. I guessed Neko Mulally.
  • 1 0
 I love the fact that this discussion can even take place. There are so many contenders that potentially any of them could win it, that is such a healthy outlook for the sport and a treat for spectators. I hope that the top step is claimed by someone who has never been there before. Bruni deserves it so bad.
  • 1 0
 I just watched RAW#2 on Vitalmtbhttp://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/Vital-RAW-World-Champs-Andorra-2,29770/sspomer,2
And I have changed my vote from Troy to Remi. Thirion is owning that track in the mud! He is taking all kinds of kinds and carrying speed like a boss, can't see any sign of an ankle injury.
  • 3 0
 I hope Pagey is going to be in the box with Warner, nothing can top his excitement when a Brit is lighting it up!
  • 1 1
 Page? seriously?
I'd choose pretty much any of them over him.
  • 3 0
 'Year of the Fearon' He gets in a good one and he has as good a shot as anyone.
  • 3 0
 Bruce Klein is missing from the junior men list. I'm gonna assume all the "other" votes are for him.
  • 5 0
 MISSY G FOR THE WIN!
  • 3 0
 Arron Gwin and Racher Atherton. They have been strong and killing it all season. They are on a roll.
  • 5 0
 TEAM RATBOY.
  • 3 0
 Aaron Gwins front wheel is going to fall off and he's going to manual the entire course and win it.
  • 4 1
 Tracey, come on! I'm not alone here who believes you can win!
  • 2 1
 My two favorites, year after year, aren't there for the first time I can recall... Sik Mick and Emmeline. Almost no point in watching... Frown
  • 1 0
 I saw footage of Sik Mick on track...I believe he's racing.
  • 10 7
 I hope Gwin Crashes. There, I said it.
  • 2 1
 I WILL DRAIN YOUR SOUL
  • 1 0
 You gotta get in line behind protour then.
  • 2 0
 There should be two polls: Who do we think will win, and who do we want to win?
Aaron Gwin/Minnaar, and Bruni/Hill for me.
  • 2 0
 Yeah, I don't want Gwin to take it, but there's a very good chance he will. Can't argue with those results
  • 1 0
 Sure, but Gwin isn't nearly as consistent on soggy track conditions. I would say Minnaar or Gee. Hart has the skills, but does he have the fitness for this length of a track?
  • 4 0
 yank wank
  • 3 0
 Steve Peat! Fcuck yeah. Don't give a fcuck he's not racing. Legend!
  • 2 1
 Aron Gwin, although Hill the Sam seems to be close friends with mountains also and he is nukeproof!
  • 8 6
 Muddy party at Vallnord... Hart is the man
  • 3 1
 I'll be rooting for Brendog and Danny Hart
  • 3 1
 If the rain keeps coming Danny would be a strong contender, would love to see him take another champs.
  • 1 1
 Obviously the brits have the best chance if sloppy conditions exist.
  • 2 0
 Remi, Manon & Martin for the wins, but what do I win? Smile
  • 3 0
 You win a big respect from French peoples for voting for a French rider rather than a Brit !
To thank you for voting for my favourite rider, I vote for Ratboy Wink
  • 1 0
 Will pb be posting a replay page? There wasn't one for past couple races...
  • 1 0
 They always have it at www.redbull.tv
  • 1 0
 PB always posts "WATCH GWIN'S WINNING RUN" before they post the replay... stupid.
  • 1 0
 Ya I always go to redbull.tv. it sometimes hard to find there as well-super strange.
Ya pb has spoiled the results many times..thumbnail pic of results next to article header etc...commemts section on replay page when its there. Maybe that's y they did away w/it
  • 1 0
 They should ave a poll that says, "if you weren't to pick Gwin or Atherton, who would you pick to win?"
  • 1 0
 Did the Frenchies really fall off for all those years, or were they just letting the rest of the world catch up...
  • 2 0
 THE RAT! Come on Josh, show 'em who's boss.
  • 3 1
 Whoever's fastest is going to take it for sure.
  • 1 0
 Ratboy wins and then his hair goes on to become Prime-Minister of the UK and the British Isles party for a thousand years.
  • 3 2
 I wonder why no one votes for Marcelo
  • 1 0
 With track conditions as they are, Bruni has a great shot at the win.
  • 1 0
 i'm searching my ass of for the starters list. anybody knows???
  • 2 1
 Danny Hart, steep track and muddy
  • 1 0
 Loic, Rachel & Crimmins
  • 1 0
 can i say steve peat? i know he isn't racing, but there's always a chance
  • 1 0
 All these people who don't want bryceland to win... Shame on you.
  • 3 2
 Gwin Brendog
  • 3 3
 Lets go gwin, get that shit! Yeah buddy!
  • 1 1
 USA . . . USA . . . USA . . .
  • 1 1
 Will there be a live stream?
  • 1 1
 Gwin is a lock for the win if his chain comes off.
  • 4 3
 That's why I want him to crash.
  • 1 1
 Can Gwinning keep it up ??????? tup
  • 1 0
 got em all right!!! Razz
  • 1 2
 Matty G or Matt Lerton will clean up the juniors
  • 2 3
 And where is the junior women's DH poll ???
  • 2 4
 Myriam Nicole is just a dream girl on a dream bike. If you hear me pompon: wanna marry me? if yes, bring your bike
  • 2 3
 GWIN ZILLA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 2 3
 Gwin
  • 1 4
 #gwinning
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