NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Did you guys see Laurie's course preview on red bull TV? The boy had no air for commentary.That course requires all 200mm of travel to survive. Front and back.
Did you guys see Laurie's course preview on red bull TV? The boy had no air for commentary.That course requires all 200mm of travel to survive. Front and back.
I have the bike. Now I just need to learn French and grow a mustache.The only thing I didnt like about this world cup race was pierron's terrible mustache.
If you were a privateer and could choose any bike you wanted, how could you choose anything other than the Supreme. I know its the rider first and foremost but the bike is so common atop the podium that it must be the pinnacle of DH bikes. V10, demo, sender and session all following close behind.
Now that the border appears to be open, go spend opening month at Highland - pretty sure you'll have learned French by osmosis by the time you leave.I have the bike. Now I just need to learn French and grow a mustache.
Really? Interesting. I haven't been to highland before but I've skied in that area before and haven't heard much French. My son goes to highland this summer for the academy camp and I'm legit excited.Now that the border appears to be open, go spend opening month at Highland - pretty sure you'll have learned French by osmosis by the time you leave.
I actually had to squint to see there was a mustache there, the guy is freaking awesome on a bike but trichologically challenged.The only thing I didnt like about this world cup race was pierron's terrible mustache.
If you were a privateer and could choose any bike you wanted, how could you choose anything other than the Supreme.
Awesome race, unfortunately I've only seen Vali run from the women's race. On a side note, while I do acknowledge she's on a different level, I didn't particularly like Miriam Nicole's after race comment about not pushing and just trying to finish the race for the points due to her previous crash...seemed a little condescending toward the winner, don't you think?I think we can do race chat now since most of our thread regulars have commented saying they've watched it. Some wrapup from my view:
A lot will be made about the french domination taking it to a new level. And they're right as France won and had 3 of the top 4 riders. But did you see that england placed just as many riders in the top 10? They each had four, and while the frenchies took more top spots (and vergier surely would have also been top 3 had he not washed out), I think the bigger story is how the two nations almost own the sport right now with only 2 Americans and finn iles also in the running.
Vergier finished 12th while crashing. Amazing. That warrants an individual callout since I think he would have won it otherwise. Crashed and still finished 4 seconds ahead of gwin ugh.
American roundup -- Dak on the hot seat woop woop. Yes I'm a fan but if they can get the m29 sorted he should be on the podium. Luca looked amazing and is a top 7 rider right now. Charlie harrison another crash ugh. Poor guy. Legit top 10 talent. Gwin, eh, probably done. Sucks but it's been just too long for him now. But the worst news for Americans is there isn't a junior who is killing it. We need to see the next riders now and we aren't.
Kade Edwards -- yes please. We need this guy killing it at every world cup. Love these freeride crossover guys when they're legit fast.
Bikes -- take away the supreme and the demo and your race is completely different. Those bikes just look sorted. Bruni said they haven't touched his demo in years and he's fine with that. The v10 and session are obviously capable, but if you're a mondraker or intense rider are you confident your bike can help you get you to a win now?
Martin Maes and the forbidden guys -- good luck with those enduro rigs at the tougher courses guys. Like riding a hardtail on the new breed of XC courses -- not ideal.
Overall such an exciting race.
Early in the season the Canadian riding areas are still covered in snow. Plus, Highland is just within the distance from Canada where a day or weekend trip isn't a big deal. When I was working in NH back in 2016 I bought a season pass to Highland, so I was there a lot - including opening weekend. Easily half or more of the riders there were Canadian and most of my lift rides were done listening to French. As the season goes on the crowds are reduced and become less Canadian.Really? Interesting. I haven't been to highland before but I've skied in that area before and haven't heard much French. My son goes to highland this summer for the academy camp and I'm legit excited.
Ben Cathro basically focused his post-race video on Loris' fall:Vergier finished 12th while crashing. Amazing. That warrants an individual callout since I think he would have won it otherwise. Crashed and still finished 4 seconds ahead of gwin ugh.
I'm sure she's pissed she keeps crashing. She's the best when she doesn't crash, a step above vali IMO. But thats the sport for ya. And its something vali learned early on. Miriam is older but maybe she needs to take a cue.Awesome race, unfortunately I've only seen Vali run from the women's race. On a side note, while I do acknowledge she's on a different level, I didn't particularly like Miriam Nicole's after race comment about not pushing and just trying to finish the race for the points due to her previous crash...seemed a little condescending toward the winner, don't you think?
Don't agree with you here...USDH is alive and well and there are a bunch of really fast kids coming up in the next few years. Kenneth "Ryan" Pinkerton (first year JR from Cali) is on GT Factory and finished 7th this weekend (his first world cup ever). Kid is the real deal and that is a great result for your first ever race in Europe. He has been in a few of Bernard's LSD's recently. Andy Driscoll has had some bad luck with mechanicals and such both last year and at Lourdes. He has battled Tristian Lemier (Commencal Muk Off JR) locally at ESC races for years. The female side will also have some really strong talent coming up...Riley Miller just switched from the Liv Factory team to Commencal USA to focus on world cup DH...She finished 10th. Finding proper support is the biggest thing holding back the US talent. They are truly at a disadvantage compared to what is available to the Euro kids. That is starting to change...Fingers Crossed it continues.But the worst news for Americans is there isn't a junior who is killing it. We need to see the next riders now and we aren't.