[Lelandjt]

I just had a look at Littermag's walk of the course with Jared Rando, http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/09-World-Champs-DH-Track-Walk,183/Slideshow,1425/sspomer,2. Lots of smooth berms and jumps, the rock garden looks pretty tame, there's no steep rooty section, and I see a lot of flattish pedaling sections. I'd say Lopes has a good chance and you know he's been training like crazy and really wants this.

 

[General Lee]

I just had a look at Littermag's walk of the course with Jared Rando, http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/09-World-Champs-DH-Track-Walk,183/Slideshow,1425/sspomer,2. Lots of smooth berms and jumps, the rock garden looks pretty tame, there's no steep rooty section, and I see a lot of flattish pedaling sections. I'd say Lopes has a good chance and you know he's been training like crazy and really wants this.

1. Reports from the hill seem to be to the contrary, and the rest of the track should be much rougher after its actually ridden.

As for Lopes, I wouldn't give him better then a top 10. This ain't A-line

 

[Leppah]

cool to see 2 home grown riders representing the US, obviously Strobel, but cool to see Luc in the junior mens!

It's cool to see local boy Ropelato on the list as a nominee.

 

[Leppah]

Besides, we have Ropelato to race 4x

 

[?????]

1. Reports from the hill seem to be to the contrary, and the rest of the track should be much rougher after its actually ridden.

As for Lopes, I wouldn't give him better then a top 10. This ain't A-line

That would be a good result for an American at worlds DH, no?

 

[Kanye West]

Lopes isn't a slouch in the rough stuff by any means. I'd expect him to do real well even if it gets all whooped out.

 

[Transcend]

Lopes was KILLING it today. Speculation over. He looks incredibly fast.

 

[RUFUS]

If we can put an American on the top of the podium at worlds, I couldn't care less who it was.

I hate Lopes with a passion but it would be cool.

Peaty for the win though!!!

 

[bizutch]

If we can put an American on the top of the podium at worlds, I couldn't care less who it was.

I hate Lopes with a passion but it would be cool.

Peaty for the win though!!!

I agree on all 3 accounts. Also, Lopes is the bike world's most freakishly talented athlete. I've seen that guy do things in a race that you almost couldn't follow with the eye. His reaction time in his twenties was so much faster than anyone else that racing was almost unfair at times.

 

[stiksandstones]

That would be a good result for an American at worlds DH, no?

The last time Lopes raced a DH world Championships was MSA 1998. He quit racing DH after that. He was 6th place at that race.