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Val Di Sole World Cup - Live Thread

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
Holy crap, Beaumont! did he look amazing or what?? Stoked for him, first time a full carbon bike wins a dh?

Gwin still with a wicked time with that nasty crash.

And Emmeline Ragot! just got her M9 friday and wins the quali AND final. Going to have to edit my PR to say the bike is a world cup winner!

What a race.
 

William42

fork ways
Jul 31, 2007
3,908
634
was gwin the only one up on marc in the 1st split? he was crushing it, super bummed he went down.
 

JCL

Monkey
Aug 31, 2008
696
0
As a Brit myself I must apologies for our domination of World Cup DH :)
 

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,289
5,029
Ottawa, Canada
Gee up on points, by 7 points. 1007 to 1000 for Minaar. Windham is going to be an exciting final to the season. Kinda hope Gee gets it, caus' he's been working so hard and keepin' it consistent. Though Minnaar's natural talent and work ethic also deserve it...

Freecaster feed was perfect, it stayed up to whole time. Thanks to them and to IMTTO for stepping up to the plate. This season has been awesome so far, and I'm super stoked to have been able to watch it.
 

Akula_7

Monkey
Nov 15, 2004
917
0
Gutted for Gwin, his pace, race craft and physical preparation are so good for someone so new to the sport. He has more to learn and will be a world cup and world champs winner. He was easily on pace for top spot today.

Gutted for him, gutted for Cam Cole, Rankin and Leov, not a good day for NZ.

Minnaar steps up to the pressure again and delivers. True champ. Where this idea that Minnaar can't ride technical courses as good as others came from. I remember when Minnaar was a skinny young fella in 00/01/02/03 and he was a weapon in the mud/tech/steep loose tracks.

Downhill racing is finally getting old enough that there are lots of newer riders and fans coming in who know very little of the sports history!

Awesome for slugger today, Neethling also backed up his promise today.
 

tomacdaddy

Monkey
Feb 2, 2005
224
0
Minturn, CO
was gwin the only one up on marc in the 1st split? he was crushing it, super bummed he went down.
Yes, he was up about a second and a half and looked like he was feeling it. Ended about 7.5 seconds down after a pretty significant crash. Too bad... but Windham might be his destiny??
 

ph4se_1

Chimp
Jun 17, 2008
71
0
Dublin, Ireland
freecaster was flawless other than the mic problems, anyone complaining about the feed obviously has a **** internet connection.

gwin was flying, crash was ridiculous! hes a definite danger man for worlds if sam is not back for it
 

primo661

Monkey
Jun 16, 2008
412
0
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
How do you know what financial arrangement he has with the team? For all we know, he could be paying them.
Thats grasping for straws..... How many riders pay their teams to ride? The chances are so minimal its pretty safe to assume he's not.

Back on topic, GREAT win for Marc!! He's always comes across as a great guy and the only person I'd be more stoked to take the win would be Greg. Hats off:cheers:
 
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RayB

Monkey
Jan 31, 2008
744
95
Seattle
well if you had earned it racing domestically at 19 then maybe you would have had a shot :rolleyes:

comments from the peanut gallery here are funny... you have no idea how hard it is to do well in world cups. the tracks, the competition, the pressure, etc

I have managed to make it into finals and it is sooooooo hard.... Respect Joey

all you haters, holler back when you make it into a final... :thumb:
But don't tell that to the likes of Brad Benedict (2008 national overall series champion), JD Swanguen (2nd '07 Jr Worlds Ft. William ... Schusler... 41st), Ryan Condrashoff, etc. Or his own "support team" mates (Tyler Immer, Chris Boice) who have been putting up some solid results domestically and are probably salivating at the idea of moving onto the WC stage.

My original snide remark aside, let's be clear about something: I have a ton of respect for all "pro" DH racers, yourself included. But just like you, I am a fan, and am calling it like I see it.

Anytime an elite WC team (Yeti-Fox) lets somebody like Sam Blenkisop walk to be replaced by a guy who is 0-for-5 in qualifying when there are a slew of other capable US riders out there with virtually no factory support, the fans are going to start noticing.

Nobody here is attacking this kid or vilifying him (or "hating"). Best of luck to Joey (and it sounds like his luck has been crap lately) and I hope he absolutely tears it up @ final round in Windham.



...


In other news, Marc Beaumont is a f*cking beast. 'Bout damn time that guy put together a stormin' run for the final.
 

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,289
5,029
Ottawa, Canada
Did I see that right, is Blenki on his way to a 3rd or 4th overall? not bad for a "kid" who people seem to say doesn't ride consistently, and is only a contender on gnarly courses. I wonder if he's beginning to develop some race-craft and pull it together more regularly... I like his demeanor and his style, I hope he keeps it up.

Oh, and I'm also super stoked that Stevie Smith finally got his first podium. He seems to have had some pretty bad luck this year and it's good to see his hard work paying off. Go Canada!!!
 

William42

fork ways
Jul 31, 2007
3,908
634
Did I see that right, is Blenki on his way to a 3rd or 4th overall? not bad for a "kid" who people seem to say doesn't ride consistently, and is only a contender on gnarly courses. I wonder if he's beginning to develop some race-craft and pull it together more regularly... I like his demeanor and his style, I hope he keeps it up.

Oh, and I'm also super stoked that Stevie Smith finally got his first podium. He seems to have had some pretty bad luck this year and it's good to see his hard work paying off. Go Canada!!!
remember that sam hill is out, steve peat and mick hannah are off their game, and cam cole (who has having a pretty solid start to the season) is out with a broken wrist.

Basically, 3-5 of the normal top competitors who take those spots are either broken or or having sh1tty seasons. blenki hasn't really done anything different this year, and he still hasn't pulled it together in the finals.
 

trib

not worthy of a Rux.
Jun 22, 2009
1,456
388
I think that's harsh on blenki, he's definitely improved as an all rounder this year. He's also recovering from injury so has every right to be 'off his game' yet is pulling in some great results
 

monkeyfcuker

Monkey
May 26, 2008
912
8
UK, Carlisle
Manon Carpenter has walked the junior women's, looking forward to seeing what she does in the coming years! Awesome!

Anyone got the entry figures for the girls? Should they let more qualify or is there simply not the numbers?
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
Racing World Cup involves all sorts of things for you to do a full race schedule.

1. Time / money = food....meaning just because you're good enough to race the World Cup doesn't mean you can take a year off from real life and do the full circuit. I don't know any of the other guys names mentioned or their lives, but if the paycheck isn't what they need or they have other obligations in life (school, kids, jobs, college, internships, self employed biz owners), they aren't gonna do the circuit.

Maybe Joey was the most talented rider they have who has the time to do the full circuit and is willing to accept the risks associated with the paycheck he's getting.

Not everyone who is damn good at it can afford to make the World Cup their life.