Beneke's going back to Sea Otter to defend his 2007 Super-D title there.
Um, don't you have to win to have the Title?
oster_oops:
Um, don't you have to win to have the Title?
oster_oops:Beneke vs. Weir
- Thread starter NJMX835
- Start date
I just read the article- the drama thing is pretty stupid and probably not real- which is kind of insulting. But people are doing whatever they can to drum-up participation I guess.
I did like the schedule comparison. I also like two old guys (my age) duking it out. Why can't some 22 year-old college student become the teacher and tear up the course?? Don't you young guys want to hurt??!!!
I did like the schedule comparison. I also like two old guys (my age) duking it out. Why can't some 22 year-old college student become the teacher and tear up the course?? Don't you young guys want to hurt??!!!
speaking of cage fighting.... tattoo lou would whip both their asses and then beat lopes up for the hell of it. He'd give stik the stink eye and snap his spine.
Heath, How does Jurgen come off as sounding immature?
He wanted to race, his sponsors (new....after his consistency racing as a privateer at Diablo last season) wanted him to, but the race was sold out. Only way in: a contest; "How will you beat Weir?" email contest. Jurgen fires his off, somewhat tongue in cheek, Weir actually responds to it, as if it had been a serious email, and not something "interesting" enough to maybe win the entry spot.
There it begins.
As for a chip on his shoulder, Jurgen is just pointing out the truth. As a former "insider" who raced professionally for a long time, with many different sponsors, he knows what it takes to show up, weekend after weekend, fighting off the locals at every venue, and maybe having a preferred venue of his own; racing, even though injured (sometimes quite seriously), away from his wife and home.
He "gets" what it's like to have a full ride, like Weir does. He also knows the demands of travel, bad food, crappy conditions etc, He also didn't get to cherry pick his events. He has shown up, since he was about 14. Game face on, ready to go.
Now, as a partially sponsored privateer, and someone who has a real full time job, not in the bike industry, he can look at races, promoters, and other racers, and see the whole picture. That's why he was really surprised, as someone who actually works full time, that even though he finished on the podium, he didn't even get the entry fee back.
Weir's fame is somewhat predicated on his ability to win at Downieville. It's big enough to get him a full time gig as a rider. He's a professional rider. Yet, when the event gets big enough to start drawing big names, and big PR, he cries foul. "No, let's keep it small..."
Kind of having your cake and eating it too. Not unlike John Stamstead, the original "Hard Man" on a bike who ruled the Iditarod, and the 24 hour race scene, until real racers, not endurance specialists like himself (count Tinker, and Rishi, showed up, and smoked him...) He was awesome, but was a big fish in a small pond until, the pond got bigger....
Maybe Weir will kick Jurgen's ass next year. Good for him if he does. Maybe Jurgen will kick Weir's ass. Good for him, if he does, ( and I'm Rooting for Jurgen...)
At least it's interesting!!
He wanted to race, his sponsors (new....after his consistency racing as a privateer at Diablo last season) wanted him to, but the race was sold out. Only way in: a contest; "How will you beat Weir?" email contest. Jurgen fires his off, somewhat tongue in cheek, Weir actually responds to it, as if it had been a serious email, and not something "interesting" enough to maybe win the entry spot.
There it begins.
As for a chip on his shoulder, Jurgen is just pointing out the truth. As a former "insider" who raced professionally for a long time, with many different sponsors, he knows what it takes to show up, weekend after weekend, fighting off the locals at every venue, and maybe having a preferred venue of his own; racing, even though injured (sometimes quite seriously), away from his wife and home.
He "gets" what it's like to have a full ride, like Weir does. He also knows the demands of travel, bad food, crappy conditions etc, He also didn't get to cherry pick his events. He has shown up, since he was about 14. Game face on, ready to go.
Now, as a partially sponsored privateer, and someone who has a real full time job, not in the bike industry, he can look at races, promoters, and other racers, and see the whole picture. That's why he was really surprised, as someone who actually works full time, that even though he finished on the podium, he didn't even get the entry fee back.
Weir's fame is somewhat predicated on his ability to win at Downieville. It's big enough to get him a full time gig as a rider. He's a professional rider. Yet, when the event gets big enough to start drawing big names, and big PR, he cries foul. "No, let's keep it small..."
Kind of having your cake and eating it too. Not unlike John Stamstead, the original "Hard Man" on a bike who ruled the Iditarod, and the 24 hour race scene, until real racers, not endurance specialists like himself (count Tinker, and Rishi, showed up, and smoked him...) He was awesome, but was a big fish in a small pond until, the pond got bigger....
Maybe Weir will kick Jurgen's ass next year. Good for him if he does. Maybe Jurgen will kick Weir's ass. Good for him, if he does, ( and I'm Rooting for Jurgen...)
At least it's interesting!!
I wasn't talking about the overall title...just the DH race.
Somebody tell me why they don't write an article about this guy?? Did I miss it?? Seriously, is it politics that the best overall guy is just boring or doesn't have the skinny on a big sponsor?? Please direct me to that article b/c I would indeed like to read how that guy lives as would most average bikers I believe.
Go Weir!
perfect scenario to use RM's credits!!!! make your bets people, 1000credits on weir (got more $$ on my bank account)
wrong, jason mo will win it all again, just like the last couple yrs
Something tells me Lopes.
This is on his schedule.
July 11-13 Downieville Classic Downieville, CA TBD
This is on his schedule.
July 11-13 Downieville Classic Downieville, CA TBD
Commencal needs to bring in Remi Absalon.
Hey,i'm 35 like these guys. So i can relate to wanting cash to pay the bills. Both want to be in the spotlight to impress thier sponsors probably.
Seems like Mr "facial hair of the week" Wier didn't like the idea of a helicopter,etc at the race. Heck,put that race on ESPN !
The fued thing seems a little high school girlyish to me.
Edit: I'm betting on Lopes to win it.
Seems like Mr "facial hair of the week" Wier didn't like the idea of a helicopter,etc at the race. Heck,put that race on ESPN !
The fued thing seems a little high school girlyish to me.
Edit: I'm betting on Lopes to win it.
They did a couple years ago...
Thats who I meant, sorry.
Remi Absalon.
PRO MEN Mark Weir: #1 0:38:57 1 40
PRO MEN Jason Moeschler: #2 0:40:22 2 40
PRO MEN Ariel Lindsley: #17 0:41:01 3 40
PRO MEN Tim Olson: #3 0:41:06 4 40
PRO MEN Curtis Beavers: #20 0:41:32 5 40
PRO MEN Henry O'Donnell: #18 0:41:43 6 40
PRO MEN Remi Absalon: #19 0:41:57 7 40
http://app.obra.org/results/racer/7776
http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?compid=90775&all=1
Looks like he does really well at the local races, but not quite as well whenever he travels to race at nationals?
Would love to see Adam Craig do Downievile. That could definitely upset the apple cart.
I'm having difficulties believing those two were serious and it's just a fun exercise in marketing.
If Lopes was going to enter and win it, I don't think stiksandstones would bet on Weir.
Either way it looks like a great event with some cool locals and big guns. IMO it warrants a big helicopter coverage!
(thanks for the USCF link- working full time makes traveling to races more stressful and I can see why his results would be all over the place. Especially if the guy (jason) has any kids.
If Lopes was going to enter and win it, I don't think stiksandstones would bet on Weir.
Either way it looks like a great event with some cool locals and big guns. IMO it warrants a big helicopter coverage!
(thanks for the USCF link- working full time makes traveling to races more stressful and I can see why his results would be all over the place. Especially if the guy (jason) has any kids.
i would want to see henry O win.....great kid......lopes is so fit its sickening but does he fare well at longer events though? he is more of a powerhouse than an endurance guy.....
Mark mentioned how Sram muscled JB in. Must have been some $ involved because I won the" smear the Weir" contest. So they must have used that to make it sound legit or there were two winners. Mark was a really nice guy and I noticed Zero "Pro racer cool guy" attitude. You guys are getting all bent about some tabloid crap. It’s on the net so it must be true! Bottom line is: let the race decide and unless you know someone personally, it’s all a bunch of gossip crap. They both are in the news and that is what sponsors want, publicity. The whole robe thing is funny and was there before any rivalry. It makes good press. And he bent his lever because he crashed. That’s the deal, hell I beat Nathan Rennie ( who was super cool and really funny) because he flatted 3 times. Is he faster than my Joe shmoe middle 30 something expert arse? hell ya!!! He’s light years faster, but you got to keep it together to be fast.
Bottom line is: Downieville is tough! And both these guys are Animals! Let the ride decide and who really cares, I’m going riding.....
Bottom line is: Downieville is tough! And both these guys are Animals! Let the ride decide and who really cares, I’m going riding.....
And then they strip out of the spandex and drop down into some hot shaved-junk oiled man love. We are talking Rome here right?
that would be sweet
As long as the lightening kept going I mean........
Man this is crazy, thought this was all done with...i roomed with Jurgen at D Ville last year and witnessed the argument between both, was very tense
Mark had some good points of how the event is a grass roots type of event and that it's not about the prize money.....it is a bit ironic though that Mark hypes up the D Ville event and his domination of it but is insulted when other big names come to race it. i think the biggest thing that bugged Jurgen was Mark being Mark...he likes to rub it in and talk smack and he backed it up....i can tell you after reading that story that Jurgen will be fit and ready...keep in mind last year was his first try... and we did a total of 6 runs down that trail...i think Mark has done that in 1 day. Jurgen will be way more prepared this year, just don't know if he will get the course dialed?
i agree with Mark the Sram boys came in a bit big for the event, what Weir does up there is incredible...it's a very hard course and a very hard race....but i really think if Jurgen, Lopes or Adam Craig (some of the more fit guys that can descend) had the amount of runs that Weir or Moschler have they would be faster then those 2 guys....not taking anything away from them, they are super fit riders who have put the time in to know the course so they deserve the advantage...anyone can ride those trails at any time.
All that said i can't wait to get back up there...i think i had more fun at this event then any other i have been to, i really didn't care what place i got... the riding is awesome and the whole atmosphere is all about having fun....if your not to worried about some rivalry.
Mark had some good points of how the event is a grass roots type of event and that it's not about the prize money.....it is a bit ironic though that Mark hypes up the D Ville event and his domination of it but is insulted when other big names come to race it. i think the biggest thing that bugged Jurgen was Mark being Mark...he likes to rub it in and talk smack and he backed it up....i can tell you after reading that story that Jurgen will be fit and ready...keep in mind last year was his first try... and we did a total of 6 runs down that trail...i think Mark has done that in 1 day. Jurgen will be way more prepared this year, just don't know if he will get the course dialed?
i agree with Mark the Sram boys came in a bit big for the event, what Weir does up there is incredible...it's a very hard course and a very hard race....but i really think if Jurgen, Lopes or Adam Craig (some of the more fit guys that can descend) had the amount of runs that Weir or Moschler have they would be faster then those 2 guys....not taking anything away from them, they are super fit riders who have put the time in to know the course so they deserve the advantage...anyone can ride those trails at any time.
All that said i can't wait to get back up there...i think i had more fun at this event then any other i have been to, i really didn't care what place i got... the riding is awesome and the whole atmosphere is all about having fun....if your not to worried about some rivalry.
I volunteered at the Downieville Classic last year, and I was at the after party on Sunday night, where I drank with other volunteers, organizers, Mark Weir, Jason Moeschler, as well as a bunch of pros, the owner of Santa Cruz, and a downhill World Champion.
That night, I heard the complaints from other racers about Beneke and his "no payout", alot of them coming from Weir. But while I am friends with and in admiration of Mark Weir, I am an impartial listener, even with him.
Beneke complained about not receiving compensation for his 4th place? Well, I have volunteered for 3 years in a row, and I have received a bunch of goo shots, a few socks and shirts, and 2 spaghetti dinners. Last year I paid for my camping and I paid for my dinner after the race (everyone did).
So fvck that guy if Beneke didn't get paid for his podium. I didn't get paid to pick up the shuttle U-Haul from Grass Valley or load the River Jump ramps into the truck. I'm happy to marshal or to drive fellow riders to Packer Saddle (actually, I angle to drive a shuttle because I get to pick the music). And if my crew didn't show up in the middle of winter to dig trail, you'd be rolling down wash-outs and around fallen trees.
I also think it is sad about the hating on Weir. I know his rep is larger than his palmarès, but he is the local hero in the largest cycling community in the world. I see that guy on the trails I ride and he has made me laugh a hundred times with his bullsh*t. And I ride his tires too.
The Downieville Classic is an amazing race, an one of a kind in America. I feel fortunate to be involved in any way, and I will be back. I think it is extremely well run and organized and I feel that my efforts are matched a thousandfold by G-Willie and Wayno.
Finally, I watched Frank Shamrock's antics leading up to his biggest payday, his fight against Cung Le. I knew some of his rants were BS, but I congratulate him for increasing popularity in the MMA. I hope this battle between Weir and Beneke does the same for Super-D.
That night, I heard the complaints from other racers about Beneke and his "no payout", alot of them coming from Weir. But while I am friends with and in admiration of Mark Weir, I am an impartial listener, even with him.
Beneke complained about not receiving compensation for his 4th place? Well, I have volunteered for 3 years in a row, and I have received a bunch of goo shots, a few socks and shirts, and 2 spaghetti dinners. Last year I paid for my camping and I paid for my dinner after the race (everyone did).
So fvck that guy if Beneke didn't get paid for his podium. I didn't get paid to pick up the shuttle U-Haul from Grass Valley or load the River Jump ramps into the truck. I'm happy to marshal or to drive fellow riders to Packer Saddle (actually, I angle to drive a shuttle because I get to pick the music). And if my crew didn't show up in the middle of winter to dig trail, you'd be rolling down wash-outs and around fallen trees.
I also think it is sad about the hating on Weir. I know his rep is larger than his palmarès, but he is the local hero in the largest cycling community in the world. I see that guy on the trails I ride and he has made me laugh a hundred times with his bullsh*t. And I ride his tires too.
The Downieville Classic is an amazing race, an one of a kind in America. I feel fortunate to be involved in any way, and I will be back. I think it is extremely well run and organized and I feel that my efforts are matched a thousandfold by G-Willie and Wayno.
Finally, I watched Frank Shamrock's antics leading up to his biggest payday, his fight against Cung Le. I knew some of his rants were BS, but I congratulate him for increasing popularity in the MMA. I hope this battle between Weir and Beneke does the same for Super-D.
San juro....that's awesome you volunteer it's guys like you that make events happen....but thats the point...you knew going in that it was voluntary...
Jurgen races the Pro class and is of the mind set that being in that class you get paid to be on the podium....i personally would have cared less about getting paid as i know that D Ville is not about prize pay out and is more about the experience.....just giving you his view point that he expressed to me after the event.
i like you disagree with Jurgen and think the event is organized well, everyone seems to be laughing and smiling the whole day not like World Cups or NMBS where it's either super tense and serious or complaining all day.
Jurgen races the Pro class and is of the mind set that being in that class you get paid to be on the podium....i personally would have cared less about getting paid as i know that D Ville is not about prize pay out and is more about the experience.....just giving you his view point that he expressed to me after the event.
i like you disagree with Jurgen and think the event is organized well, everyone seems to be laughing and smiling the whole day not like World Cups or NMBS where it's either super tense and serious or complaining all day.
I have no idea what Jurgen is like. You stayed with him in the SRAM mansion while the peons slept in the baseball field!
Just kidding. True story though: after the big party, I went back to the "luxury accommodations" at the end of town. I slept on the floor, a couple of people shared a bed, and one guy slept on the lawn until the sprinklers came on. Capm from Sac Brew stayed alone in the big house. His room had 5 beds, and the next morning, we found him snoozing in a huge king size. The first thing he said after he woke up was "how come no one stayed with me? There was plenty of room"
But my efforts are voluntary, not mandatory. I do it gladly, but I don't have to do it. Beneke complaining openly about his lack of payout does not say to me "thanks for volunteering". He is entitled to think he deserves cash but I don't want to hear it. And I could make the point that it is not very professional to complain about race management.
I wish everyone got paid like this was Daytona. But I peeked at the Bicycle Retailer today, and I noticed bike imports were down 10% the last 2 years in a row. We are lucky to still have an industry, because when prices go up 10% next year, we might not. So I like to think we are all in this together.
But I wasn't intending to make this about me. I think the more trash talk and the higher caliber of riders makes the Downieville Classic a better race. Trust me, EC, when I rolled in on Wedsneday and I saw you in the St Charles, I was like, "wow a world champion is here".
some fun stuff goes down in them hills of D Ville....you have a valid point about the complaining not saying thanks for the voluntary help.
thats funny ...when i rolled in to town on Wednesday i was like "man so this is how the guys who have fun and don't get all worked up about racing bikes do it"
hit me up this year and will knock back a couple PBR's
Only if you buy! And I was afraid to come up to you and say hi.
To be honest, if this thread did not involve my main man Weir, I would probably have passed. But I know too many of the players behind the Classic (actually, I know them all) for me not to stick up for them.
I hope Jurgen is a great guy but is playing at being a Reggie Miller type villain. We need characters like that too.
To be honest, if this thread did not involve my main man Weir, I would probably have passed. But I know too many of the players behind the Classic (actually, I know them all) for me not to stick up for them.
I hope Jurgen is a great guy but is playing at being a Reggie Miller type villain. We need characters like that too.
Jurgen is German...he doesn't play at anything.
But he is super nice...honestly i think the two are like water and Gasoline.....Mark is loud and likes talking smack and Jurgen is more reserved and more about just doing something then talking about it
I'm not slamming Mark here, i got to know him a bit last year and i liked a lot of his view points....i think both are good guys but they don't have to like each other and are entitled to their opinions.
But he is super nice...honestly i think the two are like water and Gasoline.....Mark is loud and likes talking smack and Jurgen is more reserved and more about just doing something then talking about it
I'm not slamming Mark here, i got to know him a bit last year and i liked a lot of his view points....i think both are good guys but they don't have to like each other and are entitled to their opinions.
g-e-r-m-a-n-y!
GO JURGEN!!!!!
bring back Francois Gachet!
I think it is pretty funny. I've never met Weir, but I have met Beni numerous times at the WC in the '90's and he was one of the nicest Pro's I've ever met. I like to see old skool guys come back and rip.
Go Beneke!
Go Beneke!
YES!!!! I think that guy was actually the fasted guy of all time, but it was so long ago and no one ever talks of him.
Mark may want to keep the race small and cheap for winners, but it's kind of hypcritical b/c he gets a salary, which I'm sure is partly due to the publicity of this event. Jurgen isn't a full paid pro, so I can see why he'd like a little somethin-somethin.I don't think any reasonable racer would disagree that a podium spot should at least get a free race fee.
so BC, this isn't just a marketing stunt in your opinion? weird- no pun intended
Correct, and to be honest if I paid $130 to race and podiumed, I would expect to get at least that back.
It's $185 this year (edit: for racing AM... XC/DH).Correct, and to be honest if I paid $130 to race and podiumed, I would expect to get at least that back.
Definitely worth it though.
Wait, the race entry for downieville is $185, are you serious? The one time I raced it we didn't even use their bus shuttle (for our 2 runs), we used our own team truck and camped in the middle of nowhere.
That's a little ridiculous.
That's a little ridiculous.