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Val di Sole 2012 - Official Thread?

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,288
5,028
Ottawa, Canada
So I guess I'll kick it off since it's coming up this weekend...

start off with this news: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/brosnan-sidelined-by-injury sucks for T-Roy.

Will Hill's head be into the racing, or will his thoughts be with Junior at home? (wasn't his partner due in the weeks before Val di Sole?)

Minnaar beat Smith, Gee, MacDonald, and Hannah in Leogang this weekend... that's got to be good for his confidence? Though I must admit I was surprised Gee was racing at all... that fracture can't be healed 100% yet can it?

Gwin raced at Mountain Creek a couple of weeks ago, but was it rocky and rough enough to be considered good training for Val di Sole?

Is Blenki out again with injury? I can't remember...

Anyways, here's my top 5 men:
Minnaar
Gwin
S Smith
Hill
Hannah

Top-5 ladies:
Hannah
Atherton
Flying banana
Ragot
Pom pom

I think Jonnier is an unknown commodity right now due to injury...
 

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
Minnaar is strong this year I think. Hart will definitely be dangerous on this track. It looks to be raining this week, so we'll see an exciting race!
 

big cal

Monkey
Nov 18, 2001
177
0
Melbourne, Australia
I can't believe no one has put Brosnan on the podium, i'll be surprised if he doesn't make the top 5, i don't think he needs to bulk up much more going by his pedal power at South Africa..
 

Santa Maria

Monkey
Aug 29, 2007
653
0
Austria
I can't believe no one has put Brosnan on the podium, i'll be surprised if he doesn't make the top 5, i don't think he needs to bulk up much more going by his pedal power at South Africa..
Troy will not race the coming WC, injured himself last weekend......
 

BigBoi

Monkey
Oct 31, 2011
310
50
Long Island, NY
Watched the replay of the last 2 years this morning that I have DVR'ed.(?)
Gwin would have won '10 if he hadn't crashed. And he crushed it there last year.
Smith is super fast there as is Hart. Minaar, not as much. I would put Gee in there but he's not 100%.

1. Gwin
2. Smith
3. Hart
4. Hill
5. MacDonald
 

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
Needs CG sneak into third with something big over the last jump.
Unfortunately there is only the small one left before the finish line. But yeah, that would be cool.
Also Brendog NacNacing it...:rolleyes:

I wonder what Hart will do in the last corner this year...
 

EVIL JN

Monkey
Jul 24, 2009
491
24
I am thinking it will be Hills revenge this time.

Track seems as rough as ever, going to be a nice race i think.
 

richgardiner

Monkey
Aug 19, 2008
224
26
judging by the chest cam on tri ride, have they slightly skipped out some of that wild shoot in the woods that spits you out into the finish area? doesnt seem to look as rough as last year around that bit! looks sick all in all mind. i really hope hill pulls off something unbelievable, would be awesome to see!
 

aenema

almost 100% positive
Sep 5, 2008
305
111
Watched that Graham Agassiz New Zealand adventure vid that featured Sam Blinki and Nico. Looks like Blinki cut his hand pretty good filming for it. Wonder if gloves are in his future after it heals and somebody was mentioning him maybe being injured for this race. Related?
 

thad

Monkey
Sep 28, 2004
388
21
1. Gwin
2. Hart
3. Smith
4. Cole
5. MacDonald

I really would like to see Hill return to dominating form, and this is the track for it. But it seems like his head is not in it, and that everyone else has stepped up their game.

None of the usual top 3 guys, Gee, Greg, Sam in the top 5. Gee would be top 5 if not hurt. It is a shame that Brosnan is hurt.
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
1. Gwin
2. Hart
3. Smith
4. Cole
5. MacDonald

I really would like to see Hill return to dominating form, and this is the track for it. But it seems like his head is not in it, and that everyone else has stepped up their game.

None of the usual top 3 guys, Gee, Greg, Sam in the top 5. Gee would be top 5 if not hurt. It is a shame that Brosnan is hurt.
And why exactly is Sam's head 'not in it' according to you? He is actually training this year, he is nearly fully recovered from injury, he is happy as hell with his new family, stoked on riding bikes, digging his sponsors, did better at the aussie series than he ever has, was closer time wise to the winner at SA world cup than in past years...do tell.
 

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,288
5,028
Ottawa, Canada
And why exactly is Sam's head 'not in it' according to you? He is actually training this year, he is nearly fully recovered from injury, he is happy as hell with his new family, stoked on riding bikes, digging his sponsors, did better at the aussie series than he ever has, was closer time wise to the winner at SA world cup than in past years...do tell.
so he is a poppa now... I remember when my little guy was born, nothing else mattered (still feel like that, actually!). I'm curious how that affects his racing. It'll either give him wings or distract him totally. I hope it's the former. Either way, congrats to him and his missus, couldn't be happier for them. (and I don't even know them!)
 

aaronjb

Turbo Monkey
Jul 22, 2010
1,105
659
And why exactly is Sam's head 'not in it' according to you? He is actually training this year, he is nearly fully recovered from injury, he is happy as hell with his new family, stoked on riding bikes, digging his sponsors, did better at the aussie series than he ever has, was closer time wise to the winner at SA world cup than in past years...do tell.
Pro Rider Defense Force

Get some tees printed...
 

General Lee

Turbo Monkey
Oct 16, 2003
2,860
0
The 802
And why exactly is Sam's head 'not in it' according to you? He is actually training this year, he is nearly fully recovered from injury, he is happy as hell with his new family, stoked on riding bikes, digging his sponsors, did better at the aussie series than he ever has, was closer time wise to the winner at SA world cup than in past years...do tell.
Because the same people write and repeat what they want to believe w/out so much as an second thought to anything factual. But why would they, the only thing they know is what they made up in the first place.

It's not like Sam himself has come out and addressed the topic himself:

You just can't fix stupid, Stik, but I certainly appreciate your efforts
 

thad

Monkey
Sep 28, 2004
388
21
Ummm, have you been paying attention to racing the last few years? There was a period where Sam was THE fastest rider on the planet, hands down, smoking everyone by 7-10secs. His World Champs run at Val Di Sol, and his Champery run in the rain were flat out amazing.
Then Gee and Greg figured out how to go Sam speed. Then Sam got injured. Then Gwinny came on the scene, and it was like a new "Sam Hill", where everyone is scrambling to figure out how to go that fast. Then the new crop of riders comes up, with Hart, Brosnan, Cole, Brooke becoming top contenders, and looking faster every year.

Watching Sam's interview footage, it is clear he is disappointed and confused about his results "I need to figure out how to go faster", a far cry from "I don't want to just win, I want to win by 10 seconds".

Sam is my favorite rider to watch, and I am rooting for him to win on all the gnar tracks. I was thinking last year, the World Champs at Champery would be his venue for a dominating return to form. 7th, well 8th if you include Brosnan's junior time.

I honestly hope he blows everyone's doors off this weekend. I would not put money on it, though....
 
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stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
so he is a poppa now... I remember when my little guy was born, nothing else mattered (still feel like that, actually!). I'm curious how that affects his racing. It'll either give him wings or distract him totally. I hope it's the former. Either way, congrats to him and his missus, couldn't be happier for them. (and I don't even know them!)
Yes, Bam Hill, 2 weeks old.
I have spoken to some proud papas before, myself included, but he is winning this one. I agree, having a child will have an effect, but I can tell you his head is certainly in it, he knows he is riding for a family now.
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
Ummm, have you been paying attention to racing the last few years? There was a period where Sam was THE fastest rider on the planet, hands down, smoking everyone by 7-10secs. His World Champs run at Val Di Sol, and his Champery run in the rain were flat out amazing.
Then Gee and Greg figured out how to go Sam speed. Then Sam got injured. Then Gwinny came on the scene, and it was like a new "Sam Hill", where everyone is scrambling to figure out how to go that fast. Then the new crop of riders comes up, with Hart, Brosnan, Cole, Brooke becoming top contenders, and looking faster every year. Watching interview footage, it is clear he is disappointed and confused about his results "I need to figure out how to go faster", a far cry from "I don't want to just win, I want to win by 10 seconds".
Sam is my favorite rider to watch, and I am rooting for him to win on all the gnar tracks. I was thinking last year, the World Champs at Champery would be his venue for a dominating return to form. 7th, well 8th if you include Brosnan's junior time.
I honestly hope he blows everyone's doors off this weekend.
7th, well 8th, with 4 days of riding under his belt, recovering from shoulder injury.