[Tdiddy]

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!

I'm not too sure how much I'd read into pre-season national races, and how well the Australian tracks transfer to world cup offerings. Otherwise we could expect to see Rick Boyer atop the world podiums.

I think O'Connor did quite well last year and may have more support this year. I hope Atkinson gets some consistancy this year as well, and I agree that the junior racers will be great fun to watch.

 

[MrPlow]

I will be interested to see how Graves goes wrapping up his final 4X years and how he goes in his DH "taster" rounds this year before his move to full DH 2012.
Wonder how his style, fitness and precision will equate back to DH.

Has Hill been training hard?

 

[ph4se_1]

The same questions are asked every year and the same riders deliver really.. Hill, Minnaar, Gee and I think Peat will be top 4 at the end of the year. Would love to see Aussie junior Connor Fearon get some top 15 results too, kids ridiculously fast!

 

[nmdher]

Being from NZ, I'll just comment on the Kiwis. I do acknoledge though that theres probably about 20 riders now that are capable of winning a world cup if they put a good run together, so its anybodys really.
I think both Blinky and Cam Cole will be right up there consistanly throughout the season, it will be good for them having another fast rider on the same team to practise with. Coles already had big results at, South Africa, Fort Bill and Leogang, and tracks like Mont Saint Anne and Windham should suit him, I reckon a top 5 overall. Same goes for Blinky really, hes already had podiums on half the tracks, and If he rides to his potential in race runs is a real threat for the win at any round.
Justin Leovs been looking pretty good at the NZ national rounds, and is certainly capable of big results, especially on the longer and more pedally tracks.
Brook Macdonald, had some awesome results in the second half of last year, definately capable of big results, especially on the more technical and loose tracks. Could be an outside podim chance at Champery, more so if its wet
Matt Scoles, should also climb up the ranks if he stays on the bike.

 

[gemini2k]

Being from NZ, I'll just comment on the Kiwis. I do acknoledge though that theres probably about 20 riders now that are capable of winning a world cup if they put a good run together

Ya...sure. There's maybe 20 people in the WORLD capable of winning a WC, tops.

 

[Akula_7]

Aussie and Kiwi National Champs this weekend, will be a good indicator of form. Most guys will be gunning for it, as national champs no longer have to wear the jersey. One Sleeve only now!

 

[primo661]

Here's how I'm gonna call it.
The top 3 will be Minnaar, Gee and one of the other top riders(Hill, Peat, Gwin or Blenki. With the overall going to The top two finishers from last season with my tip going to Minnaar.
When you think about it, almost no weight can be put on Hills world champs result from last year, not because it doesn't count but because on a level playing field, he world most likely not have won, he didn't even put that much time into the other dry riders, almost all of whom have never challenged for a podium. Not to say he won't dominate this year though but it seems like a stretch to say that was a great performance and definately not one we can say is proof he is back. Had any of the last 5 riders to go had a dry run, Sam would have had a very slim chance of taking it. Although worlds this year will be a completely different matter with that track being Hill's stomping ground. With the top 3 sorted, I believe Gwin will most likely get a win this season with Fairclough off the pace again. I have put my hopes on him for too long and been diappointed too many times to see why things will change now. Having said this, I hope he proves me wrong! Neethling has slowly been losing pace the last few years, I can't see him being a challenger for podiums. Other than that, any number of things could and will happen within the top 10! (P.S.although no one has said it, you die hard Kovarik fans will not have there way!! I just jinxed it, didn't I?)

Oh yes, keep an eye on Tim Bentley who signed with Morewood United a few weeks ago. Looking at his splits from worlds last year before his crash, he may prove to be a thorn in the side of the other juniors on more than one occasion.

 

[EVIL JN]

Hard to count out Gee, Greg or Sam for anny given race so my guess is that they are goint to battle for the overall and Sam to school everbody at champery. Other than that there are far to many threats to judge anything so personally i am just going to sit back and enjoy the racing. Being a swede i have my fingers crossed for Robin Wallner to really show what he can do.

 

[slyfink]

When you think about it, almost no weight can be put on Hills world champs result from last year, not because it doesn't count but because on a level playing field, he world most likely not have won, he didn't even put that much time into the other dry riders, almost all of whom have never challenged for a podium.

were you even at the track? caus' those who were said that in the woods, the conditions hadn't deteriorated that much between Sam and the last riders.... apparently it looked worse than it was. Sam plain and simply killed it.

Nevertheless, I think we'll see the usual 3 in the top 5 (Minnaar, Hill, Atherton). I'm not sure about Peat, if only caus' I can't see having the fire within for so long... Then there'll be new faces consistently in the top 10: Hart, Fairclough, Needles, Gwin, Smith, Cole, Blenki (though he's actually consitantly top 5 already). Hopefully Barel can keep in top 5 consistently too.

 

[primo661]

were you even at the track? caus' those who were said that in the woods, the conditions hadn't deteriorated that much between Sam and the last riders.... apparently it looked worse than it was. Sam plain and simply killed it.

Aha! I was waiting for that, no, I wasn't but I'm merely echoing other RIDERS sentiments. Guys that raced on that track and apparently the moisture on the track made it feel like you had your pads set so the brakes were dragging and it was noticably slower. But hey, they could be wrong.

Edit: I must clarify, I was talking about when they were pedaling, obviously it would be impossibly for it to feel like that the whole way down.

 

[MFrider]

Aha! I was waiting for that, no, I wasn't but I'm merely echoing other RIDERS sentiments. Guys that raced on that track and apparently the moisture on the track made it feel like you had your pads set so the brakes were dragging and it was noticably slower. But hey, they could be wrong.

Edit: I must clarify, I was talking about when they were pedaling, obviously it would be impossibly for it to feel like that the whole way down.

I spoke to a few of the riders who said the track was fine, the visibility especially on the section under the lift where the speeds were getting up there was horrible, most said their googles were covered but the track held up really well but visibility got bad.

Again, this is what I was told

 

[slyfink]

Aha! I was waiting for that, no, I wasn't but I'm merely echoing other RIDERS sentiments. Guys that raced on that track and apparently the moisture on the track made it feel like you had your pads set so the brakes were dragging and it was noticably slower. But hey, they could be wrong.

Edit: I must clarify, I was talking about when they were pedaling, obviously it would be impossibly for it to feel like that the whole way down.

those sound like the riders making excuses...

 

[Tdiddy]

I was there watching the whole week, and if anything the conditions were the worst for the juniors and the ladies, especially the wooded sections as the periodic rain didn't seem to infiltrate the trees as the race progressed. I can understand the visibility aspect in the open though, but peaty and minnaar still had the fastest speed trap times, so I don't know.

 

[Routier07]

those sound like the riders making excuses...

No kidding...

I was also lucky enough to stay up in MSA for the whole worlds weekend... It was absolutely beautiful from monday-friday and then come saturday it rained quite abit. To be perfectly honest though, Sunday wasnt THAT bad... Freecaster made it look alot worst than what it actually was. Sam seemed very focused all week long and it was all business that weekend, he was there for one reason. Hill killed it, Stevie killed it, Minaar killed it. nuff said.

Im hoping Stevie Smith gets a win this season... Apart from that, it should be business as usual for the Top 10 guys.

 

[Steve M]

When you think about it, almost no weight can be put on Hills world champs result from last year, not because it doesn't count but because on a level playing field, he world most likely not have won, he didn't even put that much time into the other dry riders, almost all of whom have never challenged for a podium. Not to say he won't dominate this year though but it seems like a stretch to say that was a great performance and definately not one we can say is proof he is back. Had any of the last 5 riders to go had a dry run, Sam would have had a very slim chance of taking it.

I was actually at the race - conditions weren't really very different at all. Hill also won by almost 3 seconds. He's also won 2 world championships before, plus two junior titles, and he's won world cups at MSA before, so I think it's fair to say he probably WAS capable of winning on a "level" playing field. Dismissing that guy is usually a bad idea, hell he even got 5th at Stromlo - ahead of Gee - on the most fitness/pedalling oriented world cup track we've seen in like a decade!

Disclaimer: yeah I'm a bit of a fanboy.

 

[blackohio]

writing Sam off always seems like a bad idea, plain and simple the dude is a ****ing beast. I bet if you looked at WC times over the last 5 or so years he's put more time into wins than anyone else. I want to see he murder it this year, I just like watching him race when he's one. His MAribor 08(?) run was ****ing ridiclious.

 

[epic]

I'm hoping to see Gee take the overall, Hart get a win (I like to see some new blood on the podium) and for Bryceland to finally step up.

 

[primo661]

I was actually at the race - conditions weren't really very different at all. Hill also won by almost 3 seconds. He's also won 2 world championships before, plus two junior titles, and he's won world cups at MSA before, so I think it's fair to say he probably WAS capable of winning on a "level" playing field. Dismissing that guy is usually a bad idea, hell he even got 5th at Stromlo - ahead of Gee - on the most fitness/pedalling oriented world cup track we've seen in like a decade!

Disclaimer: yeah I'm a bit of a fanboy.

Maybe my wording was a bit strong, along with being a Minnaar fanboy, I may have come across completely bonkers! I didn't mean to dismiss him, I did say he's probably kill it but I was trying to make the point that saying that his worlds result is a basis for saying he'll smoke it this year. I'd say more than anything his history and past achievements are a basis to say that he'll be back at the top!
I may be wrong about the conditions at worlds, I was just repeating the sentiments of guys who rode that day. As for the notion of riders making excuses, the riders I spoke to weren't any who lost out due to their runs being on a wet track.

 

[slyfink]

Maybe a bit off-topic, but on a related note; Ozzie Nats results were interesting. Connor Fearon (http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Hannah-Picton-and-Fearon-take-DH-titles.html) beat out Troy... I hope that boy can make it out to the World Cups, as he'd certainly add an extra element of entertainment to the series, and the chase for the Junior title. I seem to recall he mentioned he still has to finish high school, and I imagine the World Cup season is during the school year.... bummer. still, I hope he can make something work.

And Mick seems like he's on form. Let's hope for another good season from him...

 

[Tdiddy]

Maybe a bit off-topic, but on a related note; Ozzie Nats results were interesting. Connor Fearon (http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Hannah-Picton-and-Fearon-take-DH-titles.html) beat out Troy... I hope that boy can make it out to the World Cups, as he'd certainly add an extra element of entertainment to the series, and the chase for the Junior title. I seem to recall he mentioned he still has to finish high school, and I imagine the World Cup season is during the school year.... bummer. still, I hope he can make something work.

And Mick seems like he's on form. Let's hope for another good season from him...

Kona needs to pony up and pay for a tutor for the kid so he can race all the world cups.

 

[JCL]

That kid is obviously a massive talent. 15 years old!

 

[jrewing]

Kona needs to pony up and pay for a tutor for the kid so he can race all the world cups.

That's a great idea..

i heard on the aussie forum he will be going to some W/C's. Lets hope its true.

Come on Kona..

 

[Steve M]

 

[monkeyfcuker]

fook me!!

 

[FlipFantasia]

loooooooose!

 

[Dogboy]

So bada$$!

 

[Pslide]

 

[RayB]

 

[Steve M]

Yeah my money is on that guy for Jr Worlds. Somehow Brosnan edged him out at that race, but Connor beat him pretty convincingly at the Nationals last week...

 

[jrewing]

Yeah my money is on that guy for Jr Worlds. Somehow Brosnan edged him out at that race, but Connor beat him pretty convincingly at the Nationals last week...

Hahaha. Yuck Feah.

He comes in real loose but exits with perfect style.

 

[Steve M]

Hahaha. Yuck Feah.

He comes in real loose but exits with perfect style.

Yeah the kid is unbelievable. That "he just made..." comment that gets cut off at the end of the clip was me, my jaw was on the floor after seeing that. I must have watched that clip 50 times as well!

 

[Jorgen]

How about Cam Cole? he started off smoking last year, but got injured.
New bike and team, better support, and a bit more experience and proof last year that he can be up there. I think he will be very good...

It is fair to say that the level of competition is higher than ever, the number of guys capable of winning is pretty large... but I guess it comes down to what is going on in the old noggin, and a bit of luck

Looking forward to the season for sure!

 

[Jeremy R]

Yeah the kid is unbelievable. That "he just made..." comment that gets cut off at the end of the clip was me, my jaw was on the floor after seeing that. I must have watched that clip 50 times as well!

That was awesome. I can't believe he kept his momentum after his back end came around in the beginning. He must have a super custom very low clicking rear hub.

 

[was?]

That was awesome. I can't believe he kept his momentum after his back end came around in the beginning. He must have a super custom very low clicking rear hub.

nice! and i always thought the margin for error in gravity biking was small. pinball wizardry at its best.

 

[Harry BarnOwl]

That was awesome. I can't believe he kept his momentum after his back end came around in the beginning. He must have a super custom very low clicking rear hub.

Plenty of yaw too

 

[slyfink]

nice! and i always thought the margin for error in gravity biking was small. pinball wizardry at its best.

filming him and Danny Hart following each other would be pretty sick! pinball wizardry indeed!

 

[Steve M]

That was awesome. I can't believe he kept his momentum after his back end came around in the beginning. He must have a super custom very low clicking rear hub.

Where he dives in right at the start there was entirely intentional. Scary as **** at that speed though! Entirely due to his silent clutch hub

 

[SupaTone]

Looking at the stats Fearon is 1st year Junior this year so will be good to see how he goes... Juniors is gonna be good to watch as there is also the French kid Loic Bruni who is on Lapierre - he has some skills.

 

[huntandride]

With all the talk of so many riders being possible podium contenders it should keep the points tighter which will make things more exciting

 

[William42]

With all the talk of so many riders being possible podium contenders it should keep the points tighter which will make things more exciting

there is always tons of talk of so many riders being podium contenders, and then gee, minnaar, hill, and sometimes peaty battle it out and take 90% of the wins between them, with somebody else snatching one every once in awhile.

I predict this year will be no different, and that the "somebody else" will include smith, gwin, blenkinsop, and barel.

And seriously, if the dude is healthy, it won't even be between gee/minnaar/hill, it'll just be between Hill. Comes back after massive knee destruction and wins worlds, mental!