[Pslide]

The first WC is only 2 months away, I'm starting to get amped. Great variety of tracks this year, no doubt loads of drama to unfold!

23.04 – 24.04 UCI – Pietermaritzburg RSA
04.06 – 05.06 UCI – Fort William GBR
11.06 – 12.06 UCI – Leogang AUT
02.07 – 03.07 UCI – Mont Sainte Anne CAN
09.07 – 10.07 UCI – Windham USA
06.08 – 07.08 UCI – La Bresse FRA
20.08 – 21.08 UCI – Val di Sole ITA

31.08 – 04.09 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - Champéry SUI

So.......

Who will have break out performances?

Who will be the one to infiltrate the top 3 of Minnaar, Hill, and Gee?

Is Peaty still hungry enough to keep him at the top?

Has Fairclough spent enough time in the gym?

What about the NZ threats Blenky and Cam Cole?

2011 the year for Fabien?

Will Gwin get his win?

Who has been doing the hardest off-season training?

 

[zdubyadubya]

I've always wondered... Is it World Cups or World Cup? I thought the whole event (the summation of all the stages) was called the World Cup? Therefore, the individual stages would be called... World Cups?

For example, soccer has the World Cup. Its the event, not the matches. So is it really the Windham World Cup, when there is a greater whole? Or is there really 8 World Cups in our sport as opposed to soccer's 1?


Or is it another brit thing where forks actually means fork?







*Edit* Go Gwin!!!!

 

[Pslide]

Hmmm, this is not the type of chit chat I had imagined...

It should be World Cup in the title...

 

[DHPeteinSC]

I think Gwin will got on top of the podium in '11. He works hard and is super fast, just needs a bit of good luck. Also it remains to be seen if it will be Freecaster or will they try the "Pay'' caster thing again.

 

[bdamschen]

Fairclough will be fast this year and spend a lot of time on the podium. That's my only prediction.

 

[William42]

Hill will be back on top, and its gonna be a tight series between hill, atherton, minnaar, with peat, blenkinsop, gwin, and fabian if he's come back bringing up the rear with the occasional upper podium finish. Hill will take overall and champs. The end.

 

[jonKranked]

I will be at Windham, doing the citizens race (if they hold one again), and generally being a loud drunk super fan!!!

 

[Pslide]

Fairclough will be fast this year and spend a lot of time on the podium. That's my only prediction.

He's got so much talent, but I'm not sure he has the discipline. I hope for his sake he's been hitting the gym like crazy all winter. Sam is a great mentor, but how much time to they spend together in the off season? They don't seem like a super tight team...

 

[jnooth]

very excited for 2011

the new track in south africa looks awesome

le bresse is back, that was one of my favorites.

I hope to see more riders taking a shot at the podium this year but i think its going to be the big 3 in the points chase. I really would like to see the strong return of fabian. That guy is one of my favorite riders and it would be amazing to see him come back on top.

in juniors it will be great to see a full season battle between Neko and troy. The both have seemed to step their game up and things could get interesting.

 

[freeridefool]

Gwin will get multiple wins. He has such an amazing attitude about riding, racing and life in general. Just following his fb, he really is thankful for where he is at. Hopefully this is the year for him to find that next gear.

I think Sam will kill. After missing a bunch of last year and taking worlds, he seems like he finally has the right mindset... Kinda like bubba this year in supercross.

I really hope to see and emergence of USA jr talent. The guys have serious speed.

 

[Pete..]

2011 will be a good year. Hopefully Fabian will be back at 125% and win a round or two. I'm also rooting for Gwin to do well. Hopefully the change in dress room affects him positively. I'd like to see Lew Buchanan do well as well. Kid is incredibly talented. The UK breeds crazy fast kids.

 

[John P.]

2011 will be a good year. Hopefully Fabian will be back at 125% and win a round or two.

I wouldn't bet against him, that's for sure. Assuming he stays healthy, there are few guys on the circuit who are as methodical and professional as Fabien. From training, to bike setup, to studying tracks, to meticulously watching what he eats (I couldn't even get him to have a beer during our meeting at Interbike, and the season was 6-7 months away!) the guy just exudes professionalism. I'll be pulling for him to climb back to the top of the podium.

--JP

 

[illnotsick]

I want to see Blenkinsop on top

 

[jonKranked]

I really hope to see and emergence of USA jr talent. The guys have serious speed.

this year and coming years. some of the riders you are referring to still aren't old enough to race jr class.

 

[Commencal-guy]

Fabien

 

[monkeyfcuker]

Can't wait to see what Danny Hart does, very impressed withhis first senior year, he's a future contender for sure!

Very happy to say that the juniors should be just as exciting as the mens this year with Troy/Neko and Lewis Buchannan battling it out!

Also hoping Rach comes back and smashes the women!

 

[wood booger]

Fairclough will be fast this year and spend a lot of time on the podium. That's my only prediction.

Agreed, Brendan rips and is training hard this year!

Keep an eye out for him in your neck of the woods. He has been around for the last month or so. One of the funniest guys I have ever met.

His teammate looks to have developed a nice little beer gut. Peaty training program?
Mr Hill
Saweeet!

The Troy/Neko battles should be good this year as well.

 

[Pslide]

Agreed that Sam doesn't look like he's in the best of shape, but that photo shoot might have been a while back and he's still got a couple months work it out.

Almost forgot about Stevie Smith, he had a great World Champs, would love to see him in the Top 3 a few times this year.

 

[Tdiddy]

almost too many threats to keep track of. The usual suspects of course, but I think Cam Cole had a breakout year last year before getting injured, and now he's paired up with Blinky, so I would expect to see them both have a good year. Blenky did win just about every qualy last year, hopefully he can put it together for the final runs this year.

Steve Smith will hopefully not crash and make some more podiums, he has the speed. I'm also expecting Shaun O'connor to have a top ten year, with Danny Hart moving into the top five. And Gwin, third overall.

 

[Uruk-hai]

I predict torrential downpours at the world championships in Champery.

 

[Total Heckler]

I hope Gwin gets consistent on the podium this year.

I think Brendan Fairclough will also be a top 5 rider this year too.

This should be a pretty interesting year...

 

[KavuRider]

Danny Hart is one of the craziest riders I've seen.
Always on the very edge of blowing up completely. But very entertaining. And fast as hell.

Hopefully this will be a close race this season! And I hope all the top guys can stay healthy. Too many injuries last season.

 

[OGRipper]

Pretty stoked to see the big hitters duking it out again and the young guns keeping them honest. Sort of obvious but I suspect Hill/Minnar/Atherton will be fighting for the top spot all season, should be some very close finishes (again). Also curious to see if Hill can stay motivated enough to be consistent for an entire season. And, like others I'm psyched to see the younger guys moving up. Hart is a kick to watch and I'm looking for Mitch Ropeletango to make more of a mark, he's still young but that dude is someone to watch for sure.

 

[Runner]

Did anybody go to La Bresse in '09? I'll probably be in France when it's going on (missing Windham ), is it worth the trip?

 

[NY_Star]

Did anybody go to La Bresse in '09? I'll probably be in France when it's going on (missing Windham ), is it worth the trip?

From what i observed via videos and interviews it was one of the most well attended WC rounds of 2009. Lots of people lining the course top to bottom. Beer gardens up and down the slope. + you know how the french are about cycling of any kind.

 

[JCL]

Another Brendan supporter here. But IMO it'll be Gee and Greg on top again in the overall. Those two are consistency machines. Hopefully Sambo will loose his beergut before the season starts

 

[Uncle Cliffy]

This year is gonna be bonkers...

First off, Gwin to win.

Next, I love watching Danny Hart smash his way down a course. He ended up 8th overall this year. I'm stoked to see Neethling on the same team, and I hope he gets another podium.

Too many riders to root for...

 

[Mo(n)arch]

I think it will be a battle between Hill Minaar and Atherton. Maybe Gwin and Barel will make them the life harder. There are definitely a lot of guys out there good enough for the podium. Personally I hope that Smith will do well. Tis guy is such a beast

 

[Steve M]

Hart to get on the podium at least once. Hill to smash the living dick out of worlds - unless he gets injured first. Minnaar or Gee to take Pietermaritzburg. Fairclough to be "promising" all season and never win anything.

 

[Mo(n)arch]

Fairclough to be "promising" all season and never win anything.

"If you didn't whip and pedal, you could've been second, you clown" Sam Hill to Fairclough in Schladming 09 after qualifying(The Entree).
Fairclough is a brilliant, fast and stylish rider.
I just think, he hasn't that "race head" like others have.

 

[toodles]

If it pisses rain at Champery and Hill isn't injured then I reckon we might see the biggest World Champs margin ever.

Fairclough ought to get one sooner or later, he's got the natural speed and race head or not, one day he'll hold it together and flatten the field.

Hart in the top 5 overall despite having a near death moment 3 times per race run every race.

Gwin, Gee and Greg will or a combination thereof will be on every podium all year.

Barel will win at least one I reckon.

 

[norbar]

I really hope they change that track in Leogang for 2011. Of course some of the riders were happy but a large part was complaining and I'm not suprised why. It would be great if they had something new. Not only because it's the closest wc track from me



As for the riders. I really hope that some of the unlucky guys in the previous years get their chance. Not only Hill, Cole and Minnaar but I'd really like to see Matti at it again. Him and Brayton.
The tracks themselves don't seem to favour any single rider too much this year - for the overall cup but for the Worlds it's going to be Sam.
Blenki will probably win or podium one cup, same for Brendog. I still don't see them as focused on winning as Gwin, Gee, Sam, Greg. I really hope for a Sick Mick win this year too.

 

[worship_mud]

i'm expecting to see big things from Hart and Fairclough, podiums at least and if they are a bit lucky even a win.

overall WC will be dealt in between Gee, Minaar (my tip!) and Hill, worlds will go to Fabian.

 

[monkeyfcuker]

We need some sort of docu following Barels prep for Worlds!

 

[Tomasis]

my bet is fabian.. will be fun watch duel of sam and other riders g, g, g are boring. want to see new faces. fairclough, blenkinsop yeah

 

[ballr]

Neethling

 

[Cant Climb]

Shaun O'Connor will be the new face consistently in the top 10...

 

[Steve M]

Shaun O'Connor will be the new face consistently in the top 10...

Dunno about that, he hasn't been doing that amazingly at races back in Aus. I'd be more inclined to keep an eye on Troy Brosnan and Connor Fearon.

Also it'd be ****ing sick if Danny Hart won one!

 

[toowacky]

My e-speculation:
-Spagnolo continues moving up
-Good year for juniors, with some surprise top 10 finishes (Brosnan/Buchanan/etc.)
-Wins for Stevie Smith
-Sam Hill = great year
-Gwin? Fairclough? Dunno, but *want* them to do well, just don't know, though...
-Podium for Graves somewhere (stoked to see him roll some DH this year)
-Can't count out Fabien for Worlds...

 

[sethimus]

Did anybody go to La Bresse in '09? I'll probably be in France when it's going on (missing Windham ), is it worth the trip?

do it, 09 was so much fun! the french crowd is mad