NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Great to hear! I saw Pinkerton in the top ten but I guess I'm secretly hoping the US has a jackson goldstone in hiding somewhere. We haven't won a world cup in 4 years now and I'm starting to get antsy!
2022 pro gravity schedule
- Thread starter NJ-XC-Justin
- Start date
Sevenz
Well-Known Member
Its crazy to say but Jackson kinda came out of no where...when it comes to racing. He had very pedestrian results when he was younger and most thought he would just become the next great freerider. Even Trek didn't really believe he was going to become the racer he is by not offering him a spot on any of their teams...He had to jump on Miranda Racing out of Portugal. He has proven everyone wrong. Incredible Talent!!
mtbiker87
Well-Known Member
Alot to unpack here ! I'll chime in my two cents I guess.
I'll be chivalrous and do ladies first. As far as Miriam, I really didnt take her comments the way @serviceguy did, though I can certainly see how they could sound that way. To me, she sounds smart, like the experienced competitor she is. Knowing your limits is a big part of the game, especially if you want to last for awhile, which she kinda already has. Riding big picture is something all successful athletes must learn. Enter Vali here, as was mentioned by someone in another comment. Finding the line between to send, or not to send, is indeed the question if you'd rather not be just a one season wonder. That's how I took her comments, not as an insult to her competitors , or an excuse for not winning. In fact, I think this very thing is why Camille is seeing rapid success in her relatively short time racing DH. She pretty much keeps her nose clean, putting in solid, consistent runs, constantly improving,while the rest of the field has flashes of brilliance, tempered by gnarly crashes, and repeated injuries.
French Domination: Two major reasons stand out to me, aside from these guys just being incredibly talented riders regardless of anything else. One : Thier country/ sporting and education system, as well as thier culture, takes cycling as a serious, and legitimate sport. This provides young, up and coming athletes with the training and support needed to reach the top levels of the sport. Here in states, we do this for stick and ball sports, but not so much with cycling. Obviously NICA is a step in the right direction,but in it's infancy compared to the European model. TWO, particular to DH, Max Commencal. His factory team puts so much into not just the development of thier bikes, but more importantly, the development of it's riders. His willingness to support several secondary teams, speeds this development process.And let's face it, the majority of his riders are Frenchies.There is a reason Canyon is seeking to somewhat copy this model. It's working.
Bikes: See above statement. Not sure if the Supreme is the "best " bike, at least for every rider, but it's certainly the most developed, with constant input on it's performance from the largest amount of top level riders. They won the race for optimization of high pivot/ idler suspension system, as far as World Cup DH racing goes, and will reap those benefits untill everyone else either catches up, or finds something better. They take DH bikes, and racing, seriously, not just as a loss leader/ marketing strategy. That alone, is in my mind, as important, if not even more so, than the bike itself.
I'll be chivalrous and do ladies first. As far as Miriam, I really didnt take her comments the way @serviceguy did, though I can certainly see how they could sound that way. To me, she sounds smart, like the experienced competitor she is. Knowing your limits is a big part of the game, especially if you want to last for awhile, which she kinda already has. Riding big picture is something all successful athletes must learn. Enter Vali here, as was mentioned by someone in another comment. Finding the line between to send, or not to send, is indeed the question if you'd rather not be just a one season wonder. That's how I took her comments, not as an insult to her competitors , or an excuse for not winning. In fact, I think this very thing is why Camille is seeing rapid success in her relatively short time racing DH. She pretty much keeps her nose clean, putting in solid, consistent runs, constantly improving,while the rest of the field has flashes of brilliance, tempered by gnarly crashes, and repeated injuries.
French Domination: Two major reasons stand out to me, aside from these guys just being incredibly talented riders regardless of anything else. One : Thier country/ sporting and education system, as well as thier culture, takes cycling as a serious, and legitimate sport. This provides young, up and coming athletes with the training and support needed to reach the top levels of the sport. Here in states, we do this for stick and ball sports, but not so much with cycling. Obviously NICA is a step in the right direction,but in it's infancy compared to the European model. TWO, particular to DH, Max Commencal. His factory team puts so much into not just the development of thier bikes, but more importantly, the development of it's riders. His willingness to support several secondary teams, speeds this development process.And let's face it, the majority of his riders are Frenchies.There is a reason Canyon is seeking to somewhat copy this model. It's working.
Bikes: See above statement. Not sure if the Supreme is the "best " bike, at least for every rider, but it's certainly the most developed, with constant input on it's performance from the largest amount of top level riders. They won the race for optimization of high pivot/ idler suspension system, as far as World Cup DH racing goes, and will reap those benefits untill everyone else either catches up, or finds something better. They take DH bikes, and racing, seriously, not just as a loss leader/ marketing strategy. That alone, is in my mind, as important, if not even more so, than the bike itself.
Ian F
Well-Known Member
I also get the impression that course was an easy one to make mistakes on and one of the tricks to winning was not letting those mistakes affect your run. Amaury's run was definitely an example of that. Loris getting 12th with a crash another one.
Kerr's post race comments have been interesting. He posted his run on IG and said he had a technical issue at some point and didn't ride the bottom of the course at 100%. "I know it looks fast, but trust me I was holding back." Curious what that technical issue was as I haven't seen any further explanations.
There is definitely something to be said for having ultimate faith in your bike. I know this from my own experiences riding DH. Part of me wants another DH bike for that reason (and watching these races sends me shopping). Another part of me also asks if I'm willing to accept the consequences of rider errors on a bike that capable. Since my answer to that question is "no..." I'm fine with staying on an enduro bike that while still far more capable than I am as a rider, is a bit closer to my skill and risk levels.
Kerr's post race comments have been interesting. He posted his run on IG and said he had a technical issue at some point and didn't ride the bottom of the course at 100%. "I know it looks fast, but trust me I was holding back." Curious what that technical issue was as I haven't seen any further explanations.
There is definitely something to be said for having ultimate faith in your bike. I know this from my own experiences riding DH. Part of me wants another DH bike for that reason (and watching these races sends me shopping). Another part of me also asks if I'm willing to accept the consequences of rider errors on a bike that capable. Since my answer to that question is "no..." I'm fine with staying on an enduro bike that while still far more capable than I am as a rider, is a bit closer to my skill and risk levels.
You know the answer and i always knew also when I put that playe number on.
" it's not a matter if I get hurt and when I get hurt"
2 separated shoulders and the constant season of thumb contusions left me with ride for fun not for sport. I was already long in the tooth by that point. Plus the fact in that day everything broke including my wallet 🙃
Ian F
Well-Known Member
I've pretty much accepted my racing days are behind me. I'm not even sure if I want to do enduro events anymore. But even the idea of riding a full-on DH bike at a bike park is something that gives me pause. The Megatower is already capable of speeds that feel pretty comfortable, but if something goes wrong, they'll probably go wrong in a big way. I don't see that situation improving riding a bike that makes it easier to go faster.
When I was racing, it felt good to get a minor crash out of the way early in the event. It seemed to help me relax. But now in my 50's, I don't bounce back so quickly so I'd rather avoid crashing entirely.
Oddly enough, my worst biking injury wasn't at a bike park or on one of the gravity bikes. It was on the Spot at White Clay when I mis-judged a tree gap at speed and gave myself a grade 2 shoulder separation.
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serviceguy
Well-Known Member
It appears the question for this weekend at Fort Williams is 'guess who does not have a concussion?' ....
serviceguy
Well-Known Member
Also, will Rachel Atherton race? The racers listed her as well as Dan (?!?!), is it supposed to be some placeholder ?!?!
So many questions and not much in terms of articles/news to find out.
Has the the long pause of the DH Circus after the 'preview' at Lourdes chilled the interest for the sport?
So many questions and not much in terms of articles/news to find out.
Has the the long pause of the DH Circus after the 'preview' at Lourdes chilled the interest for the sport?
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
I think this is the case. Not a permanent issue im sure. But yeah the sport has got to try harder to craft a schedule that builds and sustains momentum, because agreed I'm seeing so little activity right now online, and even my son seems kinda meh on this weekend. It's Fort Bill! Some of the greatest DH memories of all time are from this finish line. And we should be over the moon given we haven't races here in years.
I would add that the concussion thing is a huge worry for the sport. Our pros are going at the absolute limit just to place top 30, and probably close to half of the falls in a race result in injury in some way. I dont want our riders to retire early like boxers or nfl players out of fear of permanent injury. Worrisome.
Ian F
Well-Known Member
Rachel posted on her IG account she will not be racing at Fort Bill. She doesn't feel like her fitness is "there" yet and she doesn't feel strong enough to handle a crash - "I would so pissed at myself if I crashed and got injured..." Unfortunately, that could be a hard thought process to overcome. It's possible the team submitted a registration for her months ago just in case she did feel ready.
Edit: And it now seems like she has changed her mind... maybe... as she was spotted taking practice runs today: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/rachel-atherton-returns-to-racing-at-fort-william.html
Most DH racers do retire at about the same average age as NFL players - typically in the mid-30's when they stop getting competitive results. Minnaar is an outlier in the same way that Tom Brady is. The drop in speed is due to a number of factors, but a lingering mental block from compounded injuries is definitely possible.
This Fort William event does seem different for some reason. There have been the usual flurry of videos posted (and I've already watched all of them) and I definitely plan on watching the race live on Sunday, but it seems like the biking community as a whole is sort of "meh..." I don't get it.
From one video I saw last night, it does look like Nicole feels recovered from her concussion and is ready to race.
Edit: And it now seems like she has changed her mind... maybe... as she was spotted taking practice runs today: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/rachel-atherton-returns-to-racing-at-fort-william.html
Most DH racers do retire at about the same average age as NFL players - typically in the mid-30's when they stop getting competitive results. Minnaar is an outlier in the same way that Tom Brady is. The drop in speed is due to a number of factors, but a lingering mental block from compounded injuries is definitely possible.
This Fort William event does seem different for some reason. There have been the usual flurry of videos posted (and I've already watched all of them) and I definitely plan on watching the race live on Sunday, but it seems like the biking community as a whole is sort of "meh..." I don't get it.
From one video I saw last night, it does look like Nicole feels recovered from her concussion and is ready to race.
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Ian F
Well-Known Member
Looks like Rachel is on the qualifying start list, although who knows if she'll trip the timer.
Fun fact: Rachel is the oldest woman on the list - by three years. Next oldest are Myriam and Camille. She is also older than a majority of the men - same age as Gwin and Wyn Masters. Only a few are older - and by only a couple of years or so (and Minnaar by 6 years).. If/when she decides to call it a career, she deserves it.
In other rumors I saw on PB: Loic might have injured his wrist.
Fun fact: Rachel is the oldest woman on the list - by three years. Next oldest are Myriam and Camille. She is also older than a majority of the men - same age as Gwin and Wyn Masters. Only a few are older - and by only a couple of years or so (and Minnaar by 6 years).. If/when she decides to call it a career, she deserves it.
In other rumors I saw on PB: Loic might have injured his wrist.
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Rachel is available on the pinkbike fantasy team.
Btw I had finn on my team so I swapped him for Matt walker. Kept pierron and dak.
Btw I had finn on my team so I swapped him for Matt walker. Kept pierron and dak.
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Annnnnndddd..... Bruni broke his collarbone and is out. This sport ain't easy.
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Fort Bill qualies today. I wish we could watch them. Hopefully the new streaming partner will air them next year.
Ian F
Well-Known Member
Damn... neither Gwin nor Neko qualified. Dakota Norton did make the show at 23rd, with Luca at 9th winning "top American".
Rachel didn't try, although from what she said in the Dialed video, not surprising.
Of the "YouTube racers", Bernard Kerr did really well with a 5th and Cathro made the show with a 37th.
I don't know if conditions were the same, but Jackson Goldstone's time would have qualified 4th in Elite. 😳
Should be a great race tomorrow, and not terribly early at 7:30 AM EDT for the women.
Rachel didn't try, although from what she said in the Dialed video, not surprising.
Of the "YouTube racers", Bernard Kerr did really well with a 5th and Cathro made the show with a 37th.
I don't know if conditions were the same, but Jackson Goldstone's time would have qualified 4th in Elite. 😳
Should be a great race tomorrow, and not terribly early at 7:30 AM EDT for the women.
Soundguy
#SenditGuy
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Very happy for kerr who is a cool guy and talks to my son on insta. Also the only racer/team manager i know of. (Gwin is more team owner I think)
Not only goldstone but the 2nd junior as well -- he would have been third in the elites
What a wacky qualie overall. Charlie Hatton 2nd, both vergier and hart outside the top 5, bruni out, dipraela 15th, Reese wilson 35th...
Not only goldstone but the 2nd junior as well -- he would have been third in the elites
What a wacky qualie overall. Charlie Hatton 2nd, both vergier and hart outside the top 5, bruni out, dipraela 15th, Reese wilson 35th...
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Apparently the V10 is the ideal bike for Fort Bill in these conditions.
serviceguy
Well-Known Member
I see what you did there, you clever sneaky devil! About time too!