2018 Very Respectful World Cup #1: Lošinj
- Thread starter sethimus
- Start date
Who's arguing? I'm agreeing that DH is waaaay more competitive. In fact those top 5 riders are just doing the enduro riders a favour by not showing up to a couple of EWS rounds and stealing all the prize money and endorsements.
DH racers literally practise the same track multiple times for days beforehand coaxing ever millisecond out of every section. Of course its more competitive, those guys have to be super dialled and not make a single mistake or their run is over. Enduro is just where they go when their bones hurt too much and they want to ride some rough cut, janky trails with a raw, natural vibe about them.
In other breaking news, the 100m sprint is a higher level of competiton and easier to televise than a marathon.
Such a shame the WC is still run by Union Corrupt International
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/course-preview-from-european-dh-dup-1-maribor-with-troy-brosnan-and-brendog.html
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/course-preview-from-european-dh-dup-1-maribor-with-troy-brosnan-and-brendog.html
oh my god...were they having...FUN?!?!?!
Love Hill and what he has done on a bike but yeah you are right he wont be near a podium on a full on wc track today. Hill did and does remarkable things on a bike but racing a dh is very different from enduro, and I think Hill's area were he shines is being able to tackle new/hard terrain as he goes. His skill was always based on feel and being creative with lines but I dont think he is the best at pushing his absolute limit and hold it together.
And I agree that going from EWS wont be as easy as going from wc dh to EWS, wc dhillers still have a soild foundation of stamina training etc, what you will lack from enduro is just final gear of going all in on a run
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I watched that clip and was like "oh he's sketchy, then oh, he saved it, then oh nope ragdoll off the pole". He's lucky it wasn't worse.
At last, some new content
https://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/Losinj-2018-World-Cup-Track-Preview,11679/Dropping-In,121294/iceman2058,94
Getting hyped, dude who's there sounds pumped, if he's pumped I'm pumped.
https://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/Losinj-2018-World-Cup-Track-Preview,11679/Dropping-In,121294/iceman2058,94
Getting hyped, dude who's there sounds pumped, if he's pumped I'm pumped.
It would be real cool if there were truck tours, some of the team trucks look amazing
Looking at those rocks, anyone who crashes is gonna want to have blood donors ready. Looks like one of the nastiest tracks to have an off-line incident on...
i feared the carnage from dem rocks from the moment they started showing the track last year...gonna be interesting for sure.
^Think anyone will wear a body armor jacket? I'm guessing no cuz it's so uncool. Marco Osborn is the only fast guy I've seen lately wear real armor.
Troy or Loic perhaps?
Vergier as well. And I recently saw a vid with some other fast guy also wearing full protection, just doesn't spring to my mind who it was.
Been wearing this for years now after not wearing any for a while (used to rock the 661 and later the Dianese) and even though it might not be as safe technically as an old school Dianese Gladiator suit im a little less worried about damaging my spine.
Took out the shoulder pads and it pretty much feels and wears like a tshirt.
Dont really understand why people wouldnt wear one unless its a super hot shuttle day maybe.
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Been wearing this for years now after not wearing any for a while (used to rock the 661 and later the Dianese) and even though it might not be as safe technically as an old school Dianese Gladiator suit im a little less worried about damaging my spine.
Took out the shoulder pads and it pretty much feels and wears like a tshirt.
Dont really understand why people wouldnt wear one unless its a super hot shuttle day maybe.
I have one. When it's nice and cool out, ie mid 50's-mid 60's it rocks.
However, when it is warm / hot out, it is a bitch cause you are encased in insulating foam.
Those little vent holes don't work worth shit, especially when they are filled with and leaking sweat.
I find it is actually worse than a pressure suit because it so heavily insulates your core.
I found I had to take it off in hot weather, as I got a bit loopy with the excess heat.
Felt it was safer riding with a clear head as opposed to with a good heat fog going.
But then again, I do sweat when I see a picture of the sun, let alone the real thing
Just my opinion, and yes, it is worth exactly what you paid for it.
Quite hot here in the tropics. Some DH guys wear the chest/back protector over their jerseys similar to what ratboy wore at the wc races.
Been wearing this for years now after not wearing any for a while (used to rock the 661 and later the Dianese) and even though it might not be as safe technically as an old school Dianese Gladiator suit im a little less worried about damaging my spine.
Took out the shoulder pads and it pretty much feels and wears like a tshirt.
Dont really understand why people wouldnt wear one unless its a super hot shuttle day maybe.
My prognosis:
Folks:
1- Gwinn
2- Troy
3- Minnaar
Lads:
1- Rach
2- Myriam
3- Tahnee
Folks:
1- Gwinn
2- Troy
3- Minnaar
Lads:
1- Rach
2- Myriam
3- Tahnee
Part of the tracks have changed. Creative lines no longer win you races. I've seen a few WC race tracks where people tried a risky line and it sometimes came out slower than the plow line.
I kind of agree with you for regular conditions, but then there was Gwin at MSA 2017 with crazy inside lines at several places.
I've actually watched the last 10-12 riders of that race 2-3 times last winter to satisfy my riding and WC craving. Such a good show!
Yeah I know there are exceptions but it's no longer so much about hiding your line choices and taking the risk. To me it's a bummer since I liked to ride like that instead of hardening my suspension as much as I can and training so winter so I can hold on to my bike while plowing through the rough and destroying my wheels
Call me dumb, but I don't even bother with armor (other than knees pads and hydration pack (sometimes)) at our DH spots anymore. Like you said, its horrible when its hot out, especially when you have to stand in that gondola baking in the sun and then pedal across the entire hill.I have one. When it's nice and cool out, ie mid 50's-mid 60's it rocks.
However, when it is warm / hot out, it is a bitch cause you are encased in insulating foam.
Those little vent holes don't work worth shit, especially when they are filled with and leaking sweat.
I find it is actually worse than a pressure suit because it so heavily insulates your core.
I found I had to take it off in hot weather, as I got a bit loopy with the excess heat.
Felt it was safer riding with a clear head as opposed to with a good heat fog going.
But then again, I do sweat when I see a picture of the sun, let alone the real thing
Just my opinion, and yes, it is worth exactly what you paid for it.
And on the other hand, lets be honest, our DH trails are not any gnarlier than any of the trails that we ride any other day, on less capable trail bikes. If anything, they are safer with less random crud, trees, hikers, directional trails and are much wider.
I still can't get past showcasing the world's best DH talent down a 692 foot descent with a urban finish.
first vital pit bits of the WC season. stoked!
https://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/2018-Losinj-World-Cup-Pit-Bits,11680/Kona-Prototype-27-Mode,121382/iceman2058,94
https://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/2018-Losinj-World-Cup-Pit-Bits,11680/Kona-Prototype-27-Mode,121382/iceman2058,94
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At least it was all on dirt. Well, Georgia red clay.
Wow, that Kona has me interested.
Yes! Hardtails were back out for that race.
If buckow is still involved in kinematics, I'm sure it rides well/better. But hiding it from cameras....... I guess that lower shock mount is kind of special