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'08 USA Worlds Team Announced

General Lee

Turbo Monkey
Oct 16, 2003
2,860
0
The 802
Lopes on the team? Wasn't Vallnord his last 4x race?
he's automatically in since he is defending champ, but i haven't heard whether he plans to defend his title or not. Given his decision around 4x racing i'm guessing he is choosing to go out on top and not contest it. Better to walk away the champ than get beaten on your way out the door.
 
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norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
So downhill avalanche races for now on only? I guest it now it will be possible for a lot more ppl to get on "his black list" :P
 

Dylan Dean

Monkey
Oct 12, 2007
608
0
southern California
i'm personally just curious to see why RICH HOUSEMAN wasn't on the list. He is in fact the US National MTX/4X champ after all. Even if he did decline the offer, wouldn't he have at least had a "*" next to his name stating the fact that he declined it. or maybe USA Cycling just didn't want people to know that they aren't paying for the national champ to attend the worlds, so he's elected not to go? i know the answer... .. just ranting.
 
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Dhracer3

Monkey
Jan 10, 2006
155
0
Fletcher NC
I find it quite hard to believe that in order to be selected we must race the Western races such as MSC or the NMBS.... so if I'm riding east coast races there is no possibility of getting selected... even if the races out east have way better tracks. absolute Bull#@$%
 

SuspectDevice

Turbo Monkey
Aug 23, 2002
4,157
359
Roanoke, VA
I find it quite hard to believe that in order to be selected we must race the Western races such as MSC or the NMBS.... so if I'm riding east coast races there is no possibility of getting selected... even if the races out east have way better tracks. absolute Bull#@$%
Plattekill was a qualifer.
 

Eastern States Cup

Turbo Monkey
Feb 29, 2008
2,465
2
East Coast
in addition to the Plattekill Pro win and being the highest finishing American pro at the US open, he won the Canadian Cup Pro Class at Bromont beating Steve Smith in the process and qualifying him for a spot on the Canadian team if he was Canadian
 

General Lee

Turbo Monkey
Oct 16, 2003
2,860
0
The 802
I find it quite hard to believe that in order to be selected we must race the Western races such as MSC or the NMBS.... so if I'm riding east coast races there is no possibility of getting selected... even if the races out east have way better tracks. absolute Bull#@$%
Maybe you should go to the first Canada cup run on the new Bromont WC track and win against a better field than will show up at most US races. . . wait never mind, that won't work either.

you should def. be on the team.
 

ekozy39

Monkey
Apr 27, 2005
312
0
IMO, it's not BS if you know the selection process in advance, and elect to travel to non-selection races anyway especially if you think you have a good chance of making the team. Kevin Aiello went East to get on the JrX team, so why not come West? Not aimed at anyone in particular, but just saying.
 
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drkenan

anti-dentite
Oct 1, 2006
3,441
1
west asheville
in addition to the Plattekill Pro win and being the highest finishing American pro at the US open, he won the Canadian Cup Pro Class at Bromont beating Steve Smith in the process and qualifying him for a spot on the Canadian team if he was Canadian
He also won Mt Snow #1 last weekend - but who's keeping track, right? :crazy:

Geritt - you've had an incredible season so far - keep it up man and definitely don't be too discouraged.
 

Red Bull

Turbo Monkey
Oct 22, 2004
1,772
0
970
IMO, it's not BS if you know the selection process in advance, and elect to travel to non-selection races anyway especially if you think you have a good chance of making the team. Kevin Aiello went East to get on the JrX team, so why not come West? Not aimed at anyone in particular, but just saying.
There was far too much emphasis placed on angelfire, a track that is flat and nothing like the world champs in val di sol Italy. The fact that Geritt didn't make the team is rediculous.
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
There was far too much emphasis placed on angelfire, a track that is flat and nothing like the world champs in val di sol Italy. The fact that Geritt didn't make the team is rediculous.
Agreed. I know a few of the kids that did make it.

Geritt.......uh....yeah.......most definitely should be on that list.


No...not really
Thanks for the insight.
 

TheInedibleHulk

Turbo Monkey
May 26, 2004
1,886
0
Colorado
I'd say right there with Kain and Lars there are any number of deserving riders who could probably do just as well. Gerritt, Benedict, Gwyn, Heath... the list could go on. The way the US talent is right now picking 7 is a really hard task, there are a ton of riders right on the brink, but no one really standing out ahead of the pack. A few of those picks are obvious, but for the last 3 spots or so you could find plenty of good candidates. Personally I think Gwyn will probably prove to be one of if not America's best downhiller, just wasn't given any time to prove it for this year.
 

dh gangster

Monkey
Jul 31, 2006
366
0
P en Doubleyou
My stupid separated shoulder didn't work too well on one of the roughest American tracks. No worlds qualifying for me this year. (I'm kicking myself for not having the money to go to plattekill)
 

DH Rules

Chimp
Jul 13, 2006
90
0
On the trails of WNC - Mostly
The criteria which USAC lay out on their website for World Champs DH Team selection is clearly stated. However, none of the selected riders met any of these criteria and nowhere do they state how they go about selecting the team when no rider meets the criteria. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I can gather the next priorities in selection are:

1. UCI points gathered from WC events and other UCI events (in current calendar)
2. Success at the USAC designated qualifying events
3. Success at other USAC recognized events contributing to overall ranking (in current calendar)
4. Success at significant independent events - ie , US Open

If this is the case, then can USAC explain why Geritt Beytagh was not part of the team selection?

So far this year he has gained more UCI points than any other USA rider, he won the Plattekill race, the Canada Cup #1 and the Sobe Mt Snow #1. The US Open is arguably the closest the USA has to a WC standard race; Geritt was 7th qualifier and 8th overall beating all the other US riders.

As much as I love the guys, what have Strait, Riffle, JD, Warren, Steinberg done so far this year to merit their selection? Is this just an automatic West Coast and Colorado rider selection or is there a rational explanation?
 

MikeMac

Monkey
May 18, 2006
156
0
I know that a few of the selections that didn't meet automatic qualifying criteria petitioned to be included - that process is available to anyone.

East coast/west coast bias? Personally, I don't think so - as a Coloradan I want the best Americans on the team wherever they might be from. Geritt - sounds like you have a great case. Maybe you could petition for an extra spot or as an alternate? I think that Gwyn should do the same.

MM
 

fortenndu

Turbo Monkey
Apr 22, 2008
1,573
0
Boone, NC
Is anyone else pretty pissed about this list, Kyle Strait? He's fast and talented but he doesn't put the effort in at all. Gerritt should be on that list.
 

Fonzie18

Turbo Monkey
Is anyone else pretty pissed about this list, Kyle Strait? He's fast and talented but he doesn't put the effort in at all. Gerritt should be on that list.
No because he will probably be fastest American (him or JD).

You know, people hadto petition to get on the list, these are not just people who were chosen out of the blue...I think the only automatic qualies were Strait (for Maribor) and Lenard (for Angelfire?).
 

MikeMac

Monkey
May 18, 2006
156
0
Leonard was not automatic. USAC did not allow the highest American at Angel Fire (or the next eligible if the winner was already an auto qualifier) to get the automatic selection. He petitioned.

MM
 

Dylan Dean

Monkey
Oct 12, 2007
608
0
southern California
Leonard was not automatic. USAC did not allow the highest American at Angel Fire (or the next eligible if the winner was already an auto qualifier) to get the automatic selection. He petitioned.

MM
haha... i guess Kieran really better watch his butt! lot of guys were joking to him that if he won & took away the automatic spot, he'd get his *** kicked! hahaha :poster_oops: