Quantcast

WC#6 Val D' Isere (FRA)

davetrump

Turbo Monkey
Jul 29, 2003
1,270
0
besides the french that are using that track now for years for their cup?
Right... And none of them are in the top 15 overall WC standings so that's a pretty moot point

They have plenty else to work on before having a few extra runs down the hill will help any.

And once a field of WC riders tears into it there will be no resemblance to the original anyway (see kidwoo's post above).
 
Last edited:

freeridefool

Monkey
Jun 17, 2006
647
0
medford, or
I've been out for awhile with a broken collar bone. So I've tried to stay away to keep me from going nuts. What happened to Hart?

I gotta believe Gwin will take it. The track looks wide open. I'd like to see Hill win I miss seeing him win races. And spagnolo has been fast all year, he just hasn't kept air in his tires.
 

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
Hmm, watching the videos of that track I bet the speeds are going to be psychotically fast. Probably even faster than Windham, which was scary to watch. Also, why do all these alpine tracks just look so insanely fun to ride?
 

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
Maybe it's time for Spagnolo to get a good result. He probably raced it and he likes steep trails. He may not be considered a contender but look how it worked for him last year in champery.

Wasn't he on a banger run in Windham until a flat? This man definitely gets a wildcard.
 

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
Wasn't he on a banger run in Windham until a flat? This man definitely gets a wildcard.
Ya he was no.1 at the first split I think, ahead of Gwin. This could be his chance to shine. IT'll be cool if he can give Gwin a run for the money. He's a gnarly rider that's for sure.
 

Verskis

Monkey
May 14, 2010
458
8
Tampere, Finland
Right... And none of them are in the top 15 overall WC standings so that's a pretty moot point
If the UCI ranking means WC standings (not sure if the ranking counts also other races than WC), there are 3 French riders in the top 15. Spagnolo, Pascal and Thirion. Also Bruni is is in the top 20, so it's not like the frenchies are doing bad at the Word Cup.

http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template3/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUxNjU&LangId=1



And then there are the women, where 1/3 of the top 15 are French.


But I don't think it will give the French riders much advantage even if they have raced the same course before, I'd think the top riders can learn a new track pretty quick.
 
Last edited:

William42

fork ways
Jul 31, 2007
3,908
634
seems to me that the more gnarly, rutted, steep, and monster truckin the course is, the more gwin seems to like it. I'm predicting solid results from gwin, minnaar, hill, gee, and smith. And spagnolo and brook mcdonald will hopefully kill it. So pretty much same ole same ole.

I'm hoping gwin wins another. If not gwin, I'd like to see peaty win another one before he gets too old.
 

milohead

Monkey
Dec 9, 2008
754
0
Johnson City, Tn
I'm hoping gwin wins another. If not gwin, I'd like to see peaty win another one before he gets too old.
As much as I like Peaty I don't think he can/will ever win again. Father Time caught up with him last year and his run is done. Even on a perfect run he would still be outside the top 10.
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
Right... And none of them are in the top 15 overall WC standings so that's a pretty moot point
Yeah because Bruni, Therion, Pascal and Spagnolo had no top10 results this season. None at all. Not to mention Spagnolo is inconsistent but mighty fast and some extra training seems to help him (Champery?)
 

jackalope

Mental acuity - 1%
Jan 9, 2004
7,596
5,894
in a single wide, cooking meth...
As per the usual, I have no idea who will be on the podium, but I will say this track is a stark contrast from the Beech Nats course which Gwin just won on last weekend.

On another note, I would guess this course would lend itself to better camera coverage given the dearth of tree cover.
 

BigBoi

Monkey
Oct 31, 2011
310
50
Long Island, NY
As much as I like Peaty I don't think he can/will ever win again. Father Time caught up with him last year and his run is done. Even on a perfect run he would still be outside the top 10.
Unfortunately, I think you are right about never winning again. But you are silly to think on a perfect run, on a fast open course, that Peaty couldn't manage a top 10.
 

Transcend

My Nuts Are Flat
Apr 18, 2002
18,040
3
Towing the party line.
The steepness here rivals Champery. The speeds will be insane, there's a distinct lack of corners as well. It's corner, strait, corner, strait repeat. The strait parts are going to be scary. Off camber, balls out and in some cases, not much more than a goat path with a steep drop to one side. Good times.
 

numerik

Monkey
Jul 22, 2005
473
8
Slovenia, Europe
The steepness here rivals Champery. The speeds will be insane, there's a distinct lack of corners as well. It's corner, strait, corner, strait repeat. The strait parts are going to be scary. Off camber, balls out and in some cases, not much more than a goat path with a steep drop to one side. Good times.
So we will see tighter jerseys, pants and shorter helmet peaks...
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
The steepness here rivals Champery. The speeds will be insane, there's a distinct lack of corners as well. It's corner, strait, corner, strait repeat. The strait parts are going to be scary. Off camber, balls out and in some cases, not much more than a goat path with a steep drop to one side. Good times.
I must be dead tired because I didn't see it on the photos and on the helmetcam. Still I like it. Kinda wanted to visit Val D'Isere since they have a free ski pass this season (together with Tignes) but job obligations stopped me. It's good to hear it's super steep. That kind of track will probably make for some fun results.
 

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,288
5,028
Ottawa, Canada
there's a distinct lack of corners as well. It's corner, strait, corner, strait repeat.
I don't understand how those two sentences follow each other. Do you mean that there aren't corners where one can carry one's speed? is it more like a series of tight switch backs that rob you speed and flow?

either way, I'm looking forward to the pics and vids of this event. looks like a nice area.
 

iRider

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2008
5,648
3,089
I don't understand how those two sentences follow each other. Do you mean that there aren't corners where one can carry one's speed? is it more like a series of tight switch backs that rob you speed and flow?

either way, I'm looking forward to the pics and vids of this event. looks like a nice area.
You have seen the vid, so you know what he means. It is not corner after corner that kills speed, between the corners are actually long straights where you can open it up. Awesome, old school speed! :thumb:
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
The video looked pretty steep and fast to me.
I'm stupid with helmetcams and I can never assess speed and steepness on them. It's like go-pro daltonism.



As for Corner - straight - corner in most cases it is boring (at least when done in bikeparks) but if it is steep as hell it might be fun.
 

iRider

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2008
5,648
3,089
As is the case with all sanctioned races in France, I think? Hence the cereal box spine protectors.
With all the people that got their race seasons ruined by injuries I think it is a great idea to protect yourself only with a cereal box on a steep and super fast course! :rolleyes:
 

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
Looks impressive. Big mountain stuff on this track for sure. There are a lot of loose rocks and not theat much dirt in places like this. Otherwise the whole mountain would come down during longer raining periods.

Off camber + loose rocks + not much earth + steep = Rough track

No trees = Should be awesome to watch on RedBull TV
 

boogenman

Turbo Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
4,290
973
BUFFALO
The steepness here rivals Champery. The speeds will be insane, there's a distinct lack of corners as well. It's corner, strait, corner, strait repeat. The strait parts are going to be scary. Off camber, balls out and in some cases, not much more than a goat path with a steep drop to one side. Good times.
The pics from your coursewalk on pinkbike back that up! Holy hell it look steep, or everyone in the pics is standing funny.
 

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,479
4,719
Australia
Coverage should be awesome. Can't wait.

*edit* - wouldn't be surprised if Beaumont did well here. Given his previous wins at Vigo and VDS its clear he's good at holding it wide open over steep rough tracks.
 
Last edited:

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
That race was so awesome.

I still remember the commentating of the speaker when Hill came down.
"That was the best ride I have ever seen. That beats everything. Sam Hill is a legend."
 

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
Bummer.

Thumb injuries are fvcking stupid injuries. I had one last year. You are fine with everything, able to work, do other sports etc. But if you grab the handlebar of your bike the pain starts. You just can't hold on.
The badest thing is that they last long too.:mad:

It's definitely not his season. Hopefully he's able to get back in the top ten next season.