[toodles]

a section of a race track for a bicycle race that requires this "pedaling" activity? What a novel concept.

Thirded.

Downhill might be the only sport in the world where the "fans" complain because a venue requires a higher degree of athleticism.

Only because it sucks and is boring. Besides, UCI regs stipulate that DH should be contested on technical and bike handling skill rather than pedalling. Otherwise they'd just hold the World Champs in a velodrome wouldn't they.

Track looks pretty sick regardless, didn't think it looked too pedally.

 

[Lions]

Boring? Sheesh. Go watch NWD. That part of the track is going to separate the pack into skilled athletes and pinballers.

If DH is ever going to make to the next level of recognition it needs more riders like Minaar, Atherton, or Barel who take as much pride in their athleticism as they do in their ability to ****ing pin it.

 

[toodles]

Boring? Sheesh. Go watch NWD. That part of the track is going to separate the pack into skilled athletes and pinballers

You missed my point. That section would suck completely if it was televised using the limited cameras the Freecaster and UCI guys have to work with. Which is a pity because its wide open and would allow the best bang for your buck in terms of camera placement and viewable ride time.

I understand that fitness needs to be a considerable factor, but I think the pro-pedalling proponents often forget that pedalling sections are actually easier for most downhillers than the rest of the track is, as it gives them a chance to recover and move their body out of the attack position and get some feeling back into fingers and forearms.

It will favour the powerhouse riders a little bit, but its such a small section that there's plenty of time to be made up in the technical sections which is afterall, what DH racing is about.

 

[Sandwich]

You missed my point.

quit it with that whole "logic" rigamarole.

 

[alfonz]

um pedals an cranks are for pedaling, no? seems as though those who think the pedal section is lame are either fat ****s an lazy asses..

 

[Cant Climb]

The track is fine.

Good to see the WC on a nontraditional continent.
That will help the sport.

 

[Transcend]

um pedals an cranks are for pedaling, no? seems as though those who think the pedal section is lame are either fat ****s an lazy asses..

As mentioned, there are certain stipulations that a track has to conform to. The UCI has overlooked these numerous times for lame venues.

 

[Scrub]

I wonder if Freecaster is going to have a remote heli-cam for the long pedalfest section, would be kinda cool to see that angle for the top 15 riders.

 

[FarkinRyan]

Track is far from fine. 75% awesome, 25% lame is not what World Cup level DH racing is about. Yes it's great to have World Cup DH racing in the southern hemisphere, yes it's great to have World Cup DH racing exposed to non-traditional markets. No, it is not great to have a 40 second pedaling section in the middle of a World Cup DH track. "Good enough" is not good enough at this level.

 

[norbar]

As mentioned, there are certain stipulations that a track has to conform to. The UCI has overlooked these numerous times for lame venues.

Ca$h

Not to mention that using the "dh bike has pedals" argument we can make an XC track, slap a dh badge on it but that's not the point isn't it?
For me WC tracks should be tracks that are either great to watch or tracks that most of the downhill community would want to ride (not only because it's a wc track)

 

[rayhaan]

at least it's better than canberra...

 

[banj]

It'd be interesting to have a split time before and after the long pedal section to see how much of an effect it has on the race.

 

[William42]

It will be interesting to see what riders think of it when they get there. La Bresse got some pretty solid e-hate from fans and riders alike based on the helmet cam video from absalom? and then it turned out to be a rider favorite and everybody thought it was pretty awesome. I recommend holding off judgement and massive diatribes

 

[Transcend]

It will be interesting to see what riders think of it when they get there. La Bresse got some pretty solid e-hate from fans and riders alike based on the helmet cam video from absalom? and then it turned out to be a rider favorite and everybody thought it was pretty awesome. I recommend holding off judgement and massive diatribes

The biggest part that everyone loved about la bresse (like Schladming) is that it was literally directly in the middle of town. It gives the event an insanely cool vibe.

 

[sethimus]

btw la bresse, anyone got infos if they reuse the track from 09?

 

[gemini2k]

at least it's better than canberra...

Uhhh, worlds at Canberra was some of the best most intense racing. Courses don't have to be like Champery to be interesting to watch. I don't really care how much fun the athletes are having in the pedal section. Besides, they'll probably just not film that section anyways.

 

[Cant Climb]

It will be interesting to see what riders think of it when they get there. La Bresse got some pretty solid e-hate from fans and riders alike based on the helmet cam video from absalom? and then it turned out to be a rider favorite and everybody thought it was pretty awesome. I recommend holding off judgement and massive diatribes

La Bresse looked fine.
Was just covered in vegetation initially.
Monkeys realized that....

La Bresse did have that pump pedalfest out of the gate....was impressive watching the top guys destroy it too.

 

[norbar]

Wasnt it still too short under UCI regulations? I know they have that * next to them but even on a nice trails when they are that short there is little margin for error.