Five Things We Learned in Leogang

Jun 13, 2017 at 11:08
by rasoulution  
Leogang, Austria hosted the third Downhill (DHI) stop of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano. Cloudless skies, hot temperatures, and a bone-dry high-speed track meant a welcome change for riders and teams after the first two World Cups of the season were heavily affected by the weather. Tahnée Seagrave (GBR) qualified in second behind World Cup Overall leader Tracey Hannah (AUS) but showed the fastest pace on race day to take her first ever World Cup win.

The men's race saw some insanely tight racing until Loris Vergier (FRA) blew away the crowd with a run that seemed unbeatable. Aaron Gwin however never got the memo and well and truly proved that Leogang is his territory and took his third straight win in Leogang. are the 5 things we have learned from the third DHI World Cup of the season:

Missed the race? Fear not. You can re-watch the entire live broadcast and all the highlights from Leogang on-demand and anytime on Red Bull TV!
Aaron Gwin performs at UCI DH World Cup in Leogang Austria on June 11th 2017 Bartek Wolinski Red Bull Content Pool P-20170611-01607 Usage for editorial use only Please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com for further information.
Aaron Gwin pinning it down the 'Speedster'


1. A Perfect Day for Racing

Leogang greeted riders with cloudless skies, hot temperatures, and a bone-dry 2.6-kilometer-long high-speed track. After the first two UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cups of the season were heavily affected by the weather, the hot and dry conditions in Leogang provided a welcome change and equal conditions for all riders. The result was an awesome day of tight racing for the sports-mad Austrian fans and livestream viewers.

2. Seagrave Wins Her First World Cup

After being in contention over the last couple of seasons and several podium finishes including two 2nd-place finishes in Leogang, British rider Tahnée Seagrave stormed to her first ever World Cup victory, celebrating the biggest win of her career just days before her 22nd birthday. Tracey Hannah and Myriam Nicole (FRA) took 2nd and 3rd respectively.

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3. If Minnaar is Mr. Ft. William, Gwin Must Be Mr. Leogang

In what can only be described as a heavyweight battle between the top riders in downhill Aaron Gwin smashed the competition for the third time in a row. The last rider of the day on course, Gwin bested a lights-out run by Loris Vergier that many thought was the ride of the day. The current World Cup Champion has now won his 17th World Cup and ended a nearly year-long dry spell with his victory over Vergier and Greg Minnaar (RSA).

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4. Tight Competition for the World Cup Overall Standings

The battle for the season-long overall World Cup title it's truly on but so far no one has managed to carve out a comfortable lead. One result off the podium could be the difference between leading the ranking and finding yourself outside of the top five on both the women’s and men’s side.

Having not finished off the podium this season, Tracey Hannah defends the number one plate with her 2nd place in Leogang, and is in the lead with 635 points. Tahnée Seagrave and Myriam Nicole round off the Top 3 and are only separated by four points, having 504 and 500 points respectively. Missing the races in Fort William and Leogang with a shoulder injury, defending World Cup Champion Rachel Atherton (GBR) has fallen to sixth place with 290 points.

On the men’s side of things, Gerg Minnaar (472 points) defends the number one plate but has Aaron Gwin (434) hot on his heels. The consistent performance by Australian Jack Moir this season sees him move into third with 349 points, just three points ahead of Marcelo Gutierrez (COL) who has 346 points.

5. The Crazy 2017 Season Continues

The 2017 UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup is one of the most competitive seasons in recent history with 3 different winners in each of the 3 first stops in both the women and men’s races. Tahnée Seagrave, Tracey Hannah, and Rachel Atherton have all been on the top of the podium this year. On the men’s side Aaron Gwin, Greg Minnaar, and Alex Fayolle (FRA) each have won in a distinctive fashion. So far no rider has managed to truly separate him- or herself from the competition and the result is an exciting, close and very entertaining season still lying in front of us.

Myriam Nicole performs at UCI DH World Cup in Leogang Austria on June 11th 2017 Bartek Wolinski Red Bull Content Pool P-20170611-01613 Usage for editorial use only Please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com for further information.
Myriam Nicole racing to third place in Leogang.

Re-watch round three of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2017 free of charge and on-demand at redbull.tv/uci and get the latest on everything bike related on the Red Bull Bike Channel at redbull.tv/bike. Red Bull TV is available on connected TVs, gaming consoles, mobile devices and more. For a full list of supported devices, visit this page.

Watch the 2017 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano – LIVE on Red Bull TV
April 30: Lourdes, France (DHI #1), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
May 20, 21: Nové Mesto, Czech Republic (XCO #1), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
May 28: Albstadt, Germany (XCO #2), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
June 4: Fort William, Scotland (DHI #2), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
June 11: Leogang, Austria (DHI #3), Replay of live broadcast available on demand, anytime
July 1, 2: Vallnord, Andorra (XCO #3/DHI #4), Live on Red Bull TV 11:00am/10:00am UTC
July 8, 9: Lenzerheide, Switzerland (XCO #4/DHI #5), Live on Red Bull TV 11:00am/10:00am UTC
August 5, 6: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada (XCO #5/DHI #6), Live on Red Bull TV 5:00pm/4:00pm UTC
August 26, 27: Val di Sole, Italy (XCO #6/DHI #7), Live on Red Bull TV 11:00am/10:00am UTC

Author Info:
rasoulution avatar

Member since Oct 25, 2010
483 articles

95 Comments
  • 150 10
 6. Wheel size doesn't matter.
  • 67 4
 Wait are you saying it truly depends on the riders skill? That's not what the PB consensus is saying.
  • 11 4
 Not at all, though truly proper sizing of frames to include wheel size will...
  • 21 4
 @ov3r1d3: Given Minnaar's success in previous years on 26 and 27.5 bikes even that's debateable.
  • 42 6
 "26 for life"

AG
  • 15 9
 7. 2017 is a trolls feast. I got up 20 pounds on boost 20x110 and 40 on 29" DH bikes then some more on Juliana womens specific SC. I am so full I didn't even want talk about Jesus and downhill racing even though occasion was there...
  • 5 4
 #wheellifematters
  • 5 4
 Doesn't matter if you ignore Jack Moir's run from split 2 on down. He's not pulling back 2 seconds if he's not on a 29er.
  • 14 1
 @NickB01: everybody else was on 27,5 and ratboy and minaar were winning on 26.
Then they jumped to 27,5 and kept winning.
Now on 29 guess what???
  • 11 9
 @donpinpon29: If wheelsize didn't matter, everyone would still be on 26.
  • 13 0
 @cmkneeland: It's not just the 29er. Jack is in incredible form this year and beat Brosnan and Fearon to win Aus National Champs and Crankworx NZ on a 27.5. He is that good!
  • 13 6
 @cmkneeland: 26 were winning races to the very last race they were used on it. They were abandoned because of industry marketing, not because they were slow.
  • 11 0
 @cmkneeland: Wheel size needs to be faced more as a personal preference, not as a standard.
  • 2 5
 There's no bigger BS than the wheelsize doesn't matter theory. Everyone who's tested them said the times were seconds faster on the bigger wheels. But all of a sudden, oh wait, they're not, it's just a "fit" difference.
  • 6 3
 @cmkneeland: it matters. Not as much as skin suit or having no visor on the helmet. I don't see those anywhere... if you are so much into performance that you see a 29" DH bike and it makes you sell your 275 bike, then please put your money where your mouth is and wear some god damn lycra. Oh and by the way I comment solely on performance bullcrap talking. When it comes to racing, 29" DH bike? Thank you, these wheels are faster. When it comes to bikes being sold, why not? unlike 275 over 26, the 29ers do offer some fine qualities to the way those bike ride. But I just can't stand this online expert speculation bullsht... what a fkng bag of bollocks by people majority of whom cannot deliver consistent lap times. They want to win a second while their race runs over the course of the day cannot get 5s close to each other...
  • 1 5
flag ov3r1d3 (Jun 14, 2017 at 6:09) (Below Threshold)
 @NickB01: so if Minaar wears a size 12 shoe 5.10 can send him size 10 or 14 just because he's that good? He's said himself of the XXL he's never had the right sized frame now he does, looks like Moir either eh?
  • 2 0
 @migkab: AMEN!
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Thank you for making my point for me. Wheelsize matters. IMO 26 offers better qualities, but unfortunately that choice was taken away from us for no damn good reason.
  • 1 0
 @mentalhead: interesting comment
  • 3 0
 @cmkneeland: 26 was only taken away due to consumers 'fear of missing out', everyone felt they had to have the newer 27.5 and therefore 26 presented a diminishing market. Luckily 27.5 is close enough to 26 for people like us to get along with it from a handling perspective, 29 is simply a step too far for my personal preference. I'm not against 29ers in DH, I simply fear the very real possibility that 27.5 options will just the same be taken away based on information that has so far proven to be inaccurate.

@ov3r1d3 Shoe size is an odd comparison, as shoe size is not really up for debate. Framesize however is, just look at how rapidly reach's have been changing - Gwin is now riding a frame almost the same size as Minnaar's despite being quite a bit shorter. As stated above Jack Moir was on a roll before switching wheelsize, he's young and full of confidence.
  • 2 0
 @NickB01: I disagree. I know more people on pre-2015 26in DH bikes than I do on newer 27.5's, who don't race, and couldn't care less about riding a bigger wheel size. The industry took 26 away because they made it obsolete in the race world. So why would bike companies not do the same to 27.5 at this point?
  • 2 0
 @cmkneeland: They might, that's what scares me. I liked 26, and have found 27.5 to be a good middle ground, but 29 is too far for me. The industry did take away 26, but ultimately WE are to blame - as we may be again. How many people do you think actually bought the Session Park / Kona 167 / Transition Suppressor?
  • 1 0
 @NickB01: I largely agree I don't want to see what was done to 26 be done to DH bikes, my comparison is spot on w shoes it's all about fit, not ability, it's not my opinion that that a long wheelbase fits 29 wheels properly it's pure physics...
  • 4 0
 What we learned:
1. It was sunny.
2. Without main competition anyone can win.
3. If Minnaar is Mr. Ft. William and Gwin is Mr. Leogang, the author of this article is Cpt. Obvious
4. Duh.
5. Keep studying.
  • 1 0
 @ov3r1d3: Whether it's 26 or 29 inch wheels, fit is only related to contact points, not wheel size. Bottom bracket height and reach can be the same on both wheel sizes. Moving to a bigger wheelsize is only about going faster and smoothing out rough sections, not fit.
  • 1 0
 8. It is the rider that matters
  • 1 0
 so Minaar saying he finally has a bike that fits w the 29s is just him kiddin himself? Scale and proportion effects wheel size whether you like it or not , I'm 6 2 before riding 27.5 wheels I never felt inside the wheelbase always on top of it @cmkneeland:
  • 1 0
 @ov3r1d3: No, he's covering his ass for using cheater wheels. First they come out saying the clock doesn't lie, testing was seconds faster, and he even convinced Loris to get on with the 29's, even though he clearly "fits" better on the 27.5. But then after everyone starts to point out the unfair advantage, he starts talking about this fit bullshit.
  • 1 1
 @cmkneeland: cheater wheels? Enjoy your mental cancer mate, you belong to Nascar and football fan demographics. I like it how you know what is good for Loris and highly probably for everyone else in the world. Take a read on Dunning Kruger effect
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Yup, cheater wheels. Like if someone ran a cruiser bike in the 20inch class, they'd be cheating.
  • 1 0
 @NickB01: I'd stick my neck out and say they didn't sell many because 1. people were being told by everyone that 275 was better. 2. People were being told that production of 26 tyres was going to stop. 3. The vast majority of people who can get the cash together for a new bike at today's prices wants the best (or what they think is the best) and a good supply of the right sized tyres. The whole thing was industry driven to increase profits. That's how the world works
  • 53 1
 Wait this article doesn't say anything... Checks author. Written by rasolution Communication Agency. Ahhhh okay
  • 8 1
 pure BS!
  • 11 4
 fake news
  • 25 0
 Learned yet again why we call Brook the Bulldog. I still can't believe how these WC guys can crash and get right back on it. When I go up to Whistler and have a bad wreck, even if I'm not really that hurt it still seems to throw me off my game big time. I guess that's why they're professionals.
  • 7 0
 @dro-cfr: Hard to say really. I've jumped on a couple pro bikes at races and it's all setup so unbelievably hard it's mind boggling that they can make it down the hill. You watch a replay and it looks like they're bottoming out constantly. It's another level.

I love the guys like Brook, Brannigan, Conner ect ect... I feel like they approach racing in a manner that says, "I'm gonna win or crash out." Plus they seem like fun, genuine guys. I think it was in Canada (MSA) two years ago where Brook roached his knee and barrowed Peaty's carbon brace and had a terror of a run. He spent some time on the hot seat if I remember right. I just really respect guys with that attitude.
  • 3 0
 That get off was crazy. He ain't called the bulldog for nothing! ! !
  • 23 5
 Put Gwin on 26" wheels so that this 27.5 vs 29 bullshit stop....
For Jesus shake.....
  • 9 9
 Or 29?
  • 22 5
 Thank God I'm an atheist
  • 4 0
 he'd still take it
  • 9 1
 Jesus shake... is that an ice blended Jesus Juice or a Jesus bobble head?
  • 6 5
 Jizzus Christ not this again...
  • 1 0
 I told that Greg before Fort Bill. He liked my comment but obviously didn't listen to my extremely useful advice
  • 1 1
 Psst.......Don't put Gwin on a 29er. He's the final piece of puzzle. Don't tell anyone.
  • 22 8
 Wheel size does matter or they'd all be on 26" wheels still.

By far the most excitInc season of DH racing in recent history. So may good and well matched riders, and so many good bikes.
  • 16 3
 imo the first race was awful
  • 8 2
 They screwed us on 26 lol and it seems not to matter much after looking at the results of this last race.
  • 3 2
 @JoseBravo: The second was pretty awful too with the ridiculous mud section.
  • 4 1
 because marketing...
  • 4 0
 I'm no expert. I read an interview with Fabien Barel that he claimed that smaller wheels make it easier to generate speed from the ground. I do consider Fabien an expert and I get what he's saying. On very rough terrain where you can't follow the terrain and you'd only be fighting it, bigger wheels will help you filter it out. On smoother terrain where you can actually pump, smaller wheels allow you to use the smaller features on the trail to your advantage. Not sure how much this really matters on the very high speed stuff but it probably works in the slower sections. I view the biggest problem with large wheels is that the current UCI rules dictate that front and rear wheels have to be the same size. So a lanky fella like Greg Minnaar probably doesn't really mind the bigger rear wheel, but for smaller riders it will be in the way when they want to get low and the suspension compresses.
  • 15 0
 Aaand Leogang is the chainbreaker
  • 2 0
 Ain't that the truth!!! So many broken chains...
  • 16 1
 bring back 26" wheels and also more technical tracks with more turns.
  • 5 0
 I am finding it really off putting that every other comment, articles, announcer jibe is about wheel size, every Facebook post from trolling bike media magazines, on here, on vital, in short EVERYWHERE!!! and its just killing the vibe completely, even if you try and avoid it you can not, unless you don't bother with downhill at all that is,, which is becoming a viable option!!!
  • 7 0
 Maybe the answer to the wheel size question is:
"What ever fits the rider best" will be best?
  • 7 0
 That Minnarr is the ambassador we all know he is and that Thirion has best wishes and love from a community
  • 4 0
 Agree. I haven't read any details but if the riders were saying that jump was wrong and it took a crash like RT's to make it obvious and a change to occur, that's a bummer. It's OK if it was off to start, but fix it before someone hits it at 50mph when they are wide open on a race run. I will be very happy to see Thirion riding again.
  • 5 0
 My question remains: How does the accent on the first e of Tahnée affect pronunciation? I'm actually curious.
  • 5 0
 Phonetically it's pronounced: Tar-naieouieouaiy.

HTH
  • 2 0
 IIRC it means it's pronounced 'tahn-ay' rather than 'tahn-e'.
  • 2 1
 @gibbon-on-an-orange:

Makes sense - like Renée
  • 4 0
 @endlessblockades: more like tony, her father
  • 2 0
 @funkzander: lol I also think that's funny. tahnee sounds like someone from Brooklyn saying tony
  • 1 0
 @funkzander: Tohnée Seagrave? Hahahaha
  • 1 0
 29ers are just this year's obvious tech to comment on.
Last year it was lengthening bikes (XXL frames, offset headsets etc), before that it was 'big' wheels again, before that air versus coil.
EWS has wheel size and trail bike vs enduro bike, and XC has dropper posts and previously had FS v hardtail.
  • 4 2
 I recon level the playing field same bike same shocks same wheel size for all teams ,and have a one off race , only variables being tyre choice and suspension setup
  • 4 0
 I know its unpopular to say, but racing is about money. We could get a bunch of equal bike from an unknown manufacture and see who is the fastest down, and that would be fun to watch once. But races and all the glitz and glamor that surround them only exist because sponsorships. That's how they can afford to shut down bike parks, make edits, and host websites like this.
  • 3 0
 @ClaytonMarkin: Excatly, if companies couldn't try to differentiate their products through sponsorship there would be no money put into the sport at all.
  • 2 0
 Much like the song 'Ironic' giving not one example of irony, this article lists 5 glaring observations as opposed to 5 things we learned.
  • 1 0
 So true. Why is pinkbike resorting to publishing a listicle? It's not even a good listicle.
  • 2 0
 I've learned how much I appreciate Rob Warner's commentary. I hope he somehow never retires. He adds so much excitement !!!
  • 2 0
 what, no Pietermaritzburg this year? I wanted to see how well everyone pedaled their 29ers on that course...
  • 3 0
 Did we learn this or did you just tell us what we already know? #5 lol
  • 6 3
 Checks comments. Wheel size debate already. Just go ride people!
  • 6 0
 Greg, is that you?
  • 1 0
 Urg, what is this crappy article? I love pinkbike because it doesn't tend to write crappy articles with clickbait headlines.
  • 1 0
 Everything very fine, but why Brendog's run was not shown at transmition! Actually only rider that I care to watch.
  • 5 4
 we for sure learned that ""Mister prediction Aston"" is a Douchebag (with a big L)
  • 2 1
 I can watch Gwin's run over and over. So freakin fast!
  • 1 0
 Mr. Ft Willian was World Champion at Mr. Leogang home.
  • 1 0
 5 things, written hastily?
  • 1 2
 Agree, 5 things written hastily by.... who?

and ignores the fact that yes, times were tight, racing was fast but.......... I would rather have watched a re-run of a race at Schladming just as much as most of the riders would have enjoyed racing there.

Just thank goodness that the course didn't follow "Flying Gangster" (that's what the trail seems to be called) all the way down otherwise I'd have needed stronger coffee......dull, dull, dull.
  • 6 6
 I tell you, 30.375 is coming!!!
  • 5 5
 I am an atheist
  • 2 1
 I'm sorry..
  • 4 6
 27.5 vs 29 ?
  • 8 2
 Chain vs. No-Chain?
  • 1 2
 Derailleur vs Pinion?
  • 11 2
 WAKIdesigns vs The World
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