Like a Chainsaw - DH World Cup 6 - Leogang

Sep 20, 2013 at 19:36

by Nathan Hughes

Yes, Stevie Smith was there in action, but there are other reasons for the title... Firstly things are heating up and the riders are already tearing the originally bland bike park trail to smithereens in a lot of places. Great news as it's made certain areas a hive of very photogenic looseness and general OTB activity.

The second reason refers to an event at the end of the day involving a near (premature) chainsaw massacre and ironically Dan Brown of Atherton Racing. One of the mountain workers was using his chainsaw to create the stand for the live feed, on the outside corner of a slippery turn near the bottom.... with training still in progress. Dan was first on the scene to try to halt this ACTUAL madness before riders' legs and arms were floating off in the mud. The guy looked at him puzzled, speaking no English, before pointing at the military badge on his t-shirt. Dan was doing a good job of portraying his unhappiness at this as justification for outrageous foolishness, as the guy was literally 3 feet back from the tape with the roaring blade facing oncoming riders. Think Heckler's Rock...but with the chain still attached. The mountain guy took a quick look over at Dan in his rage just as Fabien Cousine raced into view on track, pulled the cord and started it right back up. Everyone in a ten foot radius nearly got cut in half.

The misty goodness took over the top half of the mountain early in the morning.

Evil Vengeance high up in the hills. Luke Strobel right at home in the mountains.

Sic Mic looking dead ahead and keeping it tidy in the wet today.

Rehabilitation appears to be pretty quick and easy for the Italian national champ....

Neethling keeping the momentum after his trip to Scandinavia.

#gattobooty

Hill doesn't seem too much himself here although he is a self-proclaimed 'non-enjoyer' of the course.

Rude, full tilt.

Ray Syron dropping in high above the epic backdrop. Leogang might not be the best track , but it sure isn't bad to look at. Why don't you just look at it ?

Can't see the wood for the trees... it's distracting when there's mountains on the other side.

Noel looks great on this track. He excelled at Fort Bill and hey...there s grey gravel everywhere here too.

Noel looks great on this track. He excelled at Fort Bill and hey...there's grey gravel mostly everywhere here too.

Morgane Charre heading into the ghostly forest.

Blenky jumping up off the massive rut in the first woods section. What started out as a fresh loam section of track is now a twisted mass of roots and ruts, and it's only going to get gnarlier.

Reports of rat(boy)s on the premises have may riders concerned and whether true or not, there's clearly filth everywhere.

Rachel gets a foot out in what was supposed to be timed practice. She's shown she is fast enough to make a small mistake and still win comfortably.

Stevie Smith taking Nick Beer down the wrong path. Looks like Beer almost face planted a rock however he turned up alright.

Stevie Smith taking Nick Beer down the wrong path. Ultimate photo-bomb.

Marcello leaning over without leaning the bike.

Loam has risen from its grave.

Props to the clip-nac

Danny experiencing as much G-force as possible outside of a fighter jet.

Gee Atherton trying rake in the seconds on the course from Stevie. Every moment counts now for Gee even the qualy points could turn that 1 plate into a 2.

Gee Atherton trying rake in the seconds on the course from Stevie. Every moment counts now for Gee, even the quali points could turn that 1 plate into a 2.

Magic Fox suspension fluids.

The Muscles from Brussels strikes a pose while wrenching. Nice Blue Steel.

The Muscles from Brussels strikes a pose while wrenching for Marky Beaumont. Nice Blue Steel.

Mike going over his final tunes for the World Cup season. Two days until the big finale, then we all head home for a bit of well deserved rest.

George Brannigan is looking for a little extra grip in his grips. Solution: sandpaper.

Stevie and Nigel going over tomorrow's plans. Stevie was alternating runs on the Worlds bike, but without complete timed lap data, he wasn't able to get a concise answer as to whether it would save him time on Sunday.

Just doing a little casual helmet cleaning with a pressure washer.

I wasn t aware there were leprechauns in Austria but I may be wrong. Heaps of gold to be found in the valley below.

I wasn't aware there were leprechauns in Austria, but I may be wrong. Either way, at least Gee or Stevie should find gold this weekend.

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nathanhughes

Member since Jul 19, 2007
313 articles

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71 Comments

80 1

cthorpe (Sep 20, 2013 at 19:59)

I understand trying different things but something tells me Stevie should stick with his wilson.

27 4

nation (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:42)

As awesome as the battle between Gee and Stevie is, it'd be really cool to see a darkhorse put something stupid fast together and take the win...I'm talking Hart fast.

104 1

mnorris122 (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:50)

Lol, I'm rooting for Brendog. If he wins, pinkbike will implode

MarkleMedia (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:55)

Hard to say which bike would be better. There is a bit of pedal and jumps, but there is quite a bit of tech in the course too. I have a feeling he'll just stick with the wilson though.

lloydywill (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:09)

riejuspike (Sep 20, 2013 at 23:57)

there is a hungarian team in Austria too, I talked with them, they said that they saw Smith on the Worlds Bike and the Wilson too in a day, but it seems to them that he sticked with the Wilson and used it instead of the Worlds Bike...
Thats what I know

dogma13 (Sep 21, 2013 at 0:24)

as a leogang-local i have to say that 170 mm are enough!

ridethree (Sep 21, 2013 at 0:37)

Brendog should stick with 26 aswell

Danioel (Sep 21, 2013 at 0:51)

as a leogang-local I have to say you probably don't race at the same speed as those guys

fr33riding (Sep 21, 2013 at 2:03)

i really want a 170mm frame with a triple clamp 170-180 fork. oooohhhhh wait, stop that man, i want his bike!!!!!!!

dogma13 (Sep 21, 2013 at 6:54)

@Danioel they are racing way cleaner than us so they don't have to use their full travel !

23 0

Joeypalmer (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:29)

It's interesting how nobody is really talking about that massive frame failure Suding had last week. Slightly eluded to in the captions here. Think GT squashed that at all? After the incident the video showed the bike partially under a tree kind of hidden.

3 14

napguy FL (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:51) (Below Threshold)

I'm having a hard time reading your cryptic post. What frame failed last week? What are the hints in the captions?

Joeypalmer (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:52)

Check "British downhill series" facebook page for a link to the video. I already said whose frame failed.

lloydywill (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:11)

heres the link:
www.zapiks.fr/lorenzo-suding-ouvre-son-cad.html

acdownhill (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:15)

www.pinkbike.com/video/332120

video for reference

Enduro27 (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:24)

GT coverup!

ambatt (Sep 21, 2013 at 0:17)

While the whole GT frame breaking was a disaster, I'm not seeing any allusions in the captions? The connection between the frame fail and the photo captions is eluding me.

mikelee (Sep 21, 2013 at 1:12)

The frame was actually fancied in the flight over by airport baggage handlers. He decided to ride it anyway and we all know what happened. He's already been quoted as saying the frame was dented behind the head tube. But didn't want to wait for a new one to be built up.

mikelee (Sep 21, 2013 at 1:12)

Damaged!

sino428 (Sep 21, 2013 at 2:10)

I've seen coverage and mention of the frame failure all over the place. I don't think GT is covering up anything. I think the reason it's not being talked about more is because people realize that it's something that can happen to any bike when ridden that hard. It's not the first DH frame to break and it won't be the last.

Joeypalmer (Sep 21, 2013 at 5:08)

I used the term "squashed"...I'm not being so serious about this. The thing is that on this site we analyze every part from every angle and talk about it. The new GT frame was highlighted ever since the first BDS round with "spy" shots and discussed even more with every win by Gee. You would think with a failure/break that clean the issue would be talked about a little more, that's all. If you mention a "dent" then I guess we can expect a dent in a DH frame to mean I may be impaled on my next ride? I realize we are hard on these bikes and they can break. But this site, this site right here is for discussing riding news and products. If you watch any recap videos of Hafjell you'll see plenty of people hitting that jump just like Suding.

16 0

Pininator (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:30)

All I have to say is that was some banger-photography that I just witnessed! Is it just me, or is some of Paris' photos reminiscent of Gary Perkins? Just sayin'...

14 0

MiniReign580 (Sep 20, 2013 at 19:57)

Good old kiwi enginuity, sandpaper for grips. Good stuff George

larryssman7 (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:51)

Will that stay on? I mean, is he sponsored by a grip company? Can't he get some special made ones?

panaphonic (Sep 21, 2013 at 0:41)

The way its taped on leads me to believe its a joke. Moto throttle anyone?

bigburd (Sep 21, 2013 at 1:26)

Yeah thats clearly a joke

Skootur (Sep 21, 2013 at 3:53)

Damn right! Everyone knows that you have to wire it on, not tape it on!!

Lilshredman (Sep 21, 2013 at 14:39)

All a man needs to live:
Mountain bike
Sandpaper
Duct Tape
Hot Girls
Food
Refreshment
House
Clothes
Dog
Another Bike
Some more food
Surf/Waves
Fast cars
Big House
Strippers
More Hot Girls
Food
Duct Tape

And the list goes on...

13 1

adove (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:23)

Go Steve Smith!!! Also, what's the big deal about no timed practice? You can buy a Timex for $15...

dvp8 (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:33)

or just a garmin would do. its not difficult

scottrallye (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:43)

Not that easy to time runs down to a thousandth of a second accurately. Or compare your time with everyone else in timed practice. Even if you DID get an accurate time with your Garmin or whatever you'd have nothing to compare it to.

Ezzz (Sep 20, 2013 at 22:24)

Doesn't need to compare to anyone else. Needs to see the difference between the wilson and worlds bike...

TomShark (Sep 20, 2013 at 23:01)

I think Gee is gonna take the win aye. He NEEDS this overall!

duskrider10 (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:04)

The chainsaw incident brings me back to the heckling of the underworld cup. aahh good memories

parisgore (Sep 21, 2013 at 10:08)

yes! I wish we could import the NW heckling crew to WC's

peeleydh (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:04)

Brendog is on 650b wheels and clips

22 1

mrgonzo (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:16)

wha? someone else reads the captions?!

panaphonic (Sep 21, 2013 at 0:42)

Next week were going to find out who the Dish ran away with.

Gweggy (Sep 21, 2013 at 3:36)

I really don't get why riders prefer to tape cardboard to their arms and backs instead of using proper protectors? All these guys are sponsored by some kind of clothing/protection company, I mean that's the worst advertisement you can make, because it implies the stuff from their sponsors is so bad, they prefer tape and cardboard.
When I ride at my home track (which is actually pretty rough and part of the German race series) I don't wear back or elbow protection either, just because I have to push up and I would get way too hot! But when I ride a lift accessed track I don't mind wearing safety gear. I think the stuff you can buy today is really comfortable and you don't even see it. I have that TLD jacket, with the foam pads, that you can remove and I just removed everything that annoyed me and now you don't even see I'm wearing it and I still got all the back, chest and elbow pads in.
Also if it's a rule at a race and everyone has to wear protection, it's the same for everyone, so I don't get why racers are complaining.
If I was a clothing sponsor of a team, I would forbid my riders to use cardboard!
Also pros are being a bad role model if they complain about that, but that's something they should get aware of themselves.

enduroswag FL (Sep 21, 2013 at 5:30)

i think they were not prepared for wearing this kind of armor... maybe they just have no bodyarmor with them and they had to find a solution.

Gweggy (Sep 21, 2013 at 6:42)

then they're just not prepared and that's embarrassing! But I don't think that's it, from all the statements I've heard, they do it because they think it's better than proper protection!

Denny1 (Sep 20, 2013 at 22:47)

Worldcup tracks have been getting worse. Six minutes of steep world class gnar is in order for every round. Anything less is holding the sport back.

v3sleeper FL (Sep 21, 2013 at 11:13)

I am not sure that I totally agree. Seems like at every race this year someone has gotten worked pretty hard. Heck, Minnaar may not even race this weekend.

nert (Sep 20, 2013 at 19:54)

Things are "hotting" up, indeed...

hollowing2000 (Sep 20, 2013 at 19:57)

come on sam!! take one for the road!!

enduroswag FL (Sep 21, 2013 at 5:30)

i heard hill is maybe out with a knee injury...

timrippeth FL (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:35)

Great photos. Props to the photographers. I'm digging the DIY body armor and sandpaper grips.

metong (Sep 20, 2013 at 22:44)

Gee and stevie".....the gladiators!

robmanzanares (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:55)

I'm with Nation, I predict (yes I am a certified predictor - not), I predict Danny Hart to win

sweet-bike (Sep 20, 2013 at 19:50)

Steve riding that on 170mm travel, my gawd.

viatch (Sep 20, 2013 at 19:59)

id say play it safe and ride the 'Son. he can overall here afterall.

tophHATESzmbies (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:29)

A lot of great shots in this one. I'm looking forward to race day.

Gfromars (Sep 21, 2013 at 5:46)

OH wow the ghostly forest is amazing! ahah now i wanna try the sandpaper on the grips...

v3sleeper FL (Sep 21, 2013 at 11:07)

Wicked knack knack pic! Rip it up Galen!

RickArmstrong (Sep 20, 2013 at 20:39)

come on Stevie!!!!

leifgiantxtc (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:12)

looks like good dirt !

lightningskull (Sep 20, 2013 at 19:59)

Go Stevie

ogdhnut (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:47)

Stevie Ftw. Bring on the mud.

easythereWill (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:55)

traction in that berm in noel's pic looks endless

erikwyattatmedotcom (Sep 20, 2013 at 22:11)

What time out west does all this start?

fatfingur (Sep 20, 2013 at 23:37)

So can anyone confirm if Hill or Minnaar will be able to race on Sunday?

daSteff (Sep 21, 2013 at 1:14)

I don't think so since he ripped off his ACL...

fatfingur (Sep 21, 2013 at 4:31)

@daSteff: who? Hill or Minnaar? Or both of them?

Sad news.

ZachTurple (Sep 20, 2013 at 21:23)

So many POD's!!!!!

mattpedley (Sep 21, 2013 at 12:56)

dirt nap ftw

TrinityTest (Sep 21, 2013 at 4:01)

I want some BlackGold BoXXers...