[iRider]

I'm also excited to see intense put out a top notch group this year, first time in a long time that intense has had any bikes represented anywhere near the top, I guess making the switch to foreigners carbon bikes instead of crappy aluminum bikes really was the answer.

I don't think the bikes have anything to do with it. Firing all welders and outsourcing everything including the engineering (Cesar Rojo, Seeed) gave them significantly higher margins, freeing up enough cash that they used towards a serious WC team effort again. As much as the lizards want to make you believe it is the bike, I bet the riders would have had similar results on M9s.

 

[boogenman]

I'm also excited to see intense put out a top notch group this year, first time in a long time that intense has had any bikes represented anywhere near the top, I guess making the switch to foreigners carbon bikes instead of crappy aluminum bikes really was the answer.

Didn't they race all but Lourdes(Carbon M16) on aluminum frames with the exception of Moir today on carbon?

 

[Da Peach]

Greenlands run was bonkers. That kid is a nut.

 

[Westy]

All 3 suck. I blame them all.

Entropy bitches. Yo tire don't wanna be on no wheel.

 

[Sandro]

Entropy bitches. Yo tire don't wanna be on no wheel.

These cosmic time scales only apply when it's me trying to ride downhill.

 

[Bikael Molton]

Where was mulally?

 

[Westy]

Where was mulally?

He got disqualified after trying to start with a USPS flat rate box on his head.

 

[Bikael Molton]

So many confusing rules in euroland. It's a lot for a southern boy to figure out.

 

[slimshady]

He got disqualified after trying to start with a USPS flat rate box on his head.

Got a pic of it:

 

[iRider]

Got a pic of it:

Clearly fake news and picture! It was an Oskar Blues cardboard beer box!

 

[Westy]

Got a pic of it:

corrugated for her pleasure his protection.

 

[Nick]

I spy a huck norris type thing ... didn't work so good.

 

[Nick]

 

[Mo(n)arch]

I spy a huck norris type thing ... didn't work so good.

It's something from Jason Marsh, his mechanic. When was the last time a Syndicate rider got a flat tire, though? I honestly can't remember.

 

[KAZHA]

It's something from Jason Marsh, his mechanic. When was the last time a Syndicate rider got a flat tire, though? I honestly can't remember.

http://www.mtb-news.de/news/2017/08/24/downhill-world-cup-val-di-sole-boxengasse/#Santa_Cruz_Syndicate

Some kind of wonderfoam,which allows to be only a c*nts hair slower than with fully functioning tyre. Unfortunatelly not in the case of full tyre dismount :/

 

[Mo(n)arch]

So back from the weekend and into reality again.
Being live at a Worldcup really is something special. The aura in the pits is truly amazing and to witness the riding that is done on that track is truly something special.
All I can say is, that people rode like they were from another planet. I really got goosebumps in a few sections when the riders came by. The raw power and momentum they are able to generate in such demanding terrain is absolutely amazing.
I will be there again, that's for sure.

Such a shame that the battle of the overall was decided this way. I was so bummed for Greg. These guys absolutely deserve to be able to fight it out and not get hindered by a flat tire.

 

[4130biker]

So back from the weekend and into reality again.
Being live at a Worldcup really is something special. The aura in the pits is truly amazing and to witness the riding that is done on that track is truly something special.
All I can say is, that people rode like they were from another planet. I really got goosebumps in a few sections when the riders came by. The raw power and momentum they are able to generate in such demanding terrain is absolutely amazing.
I will be there again, that's for sure.

Such a shame that the battle of the overall was decided this way. I was so bummed for Greg. These guys absolutely deserve to be able to fight it out and not get hindered by a flat tire.

Just like Gwin deserved not to be hindered by a flat a couple races ago :/

 

[dump]

I spy a huck norris type thing ... didn't work so good.

Looks like 2 strips + the tire. A thin strip, a thick strip, tire.

 

[4130biker]

Is it that new Enve thing/rim that pics have been floating around on?

 

[boogenman]

Where was mulally?

He was at home in North Carolina. Had some surgery a few weeks ago, he might be good for World Champs.

 

[Electric_City]

That pic proves that crabon rims suck and aluminum is better. On al-lu-minnie-umm (@Gary) rims, Gwin was able to roll to the finish line when he was on those aluminum DT's several years ago. Minnar had to get off at some point and push. This tells me that crabon has more rolling resistance and is more likely to tangle up the tires and other junk and jam in there. Yeah...

 

[jonKranked]

Is it that new Enve thing/rim that pics have been floating around on?

 

[jonKranked]

I spy a huck norris type thing ... didn't work so good.

better a flat than a frame i reckon. he was at least able to roll down most of the way. i'm sure he knew he had to finish in order to not be completely hosed for the points standing (vs a DNF)

 

['size]

These guys absolutely deserve to be able to fight it out and not get hindered by a flat tire.

they do - maybe their teams should invest in finding a better solution to this issue since obviously the tech they have now isn't cutting it. zing!

 

[sethimus]

Is it that new Enve thing/rim that pics have been floating around on?

was

 

[FlipSide]

So back from the weekend and into reality again.
Being live at a Worldcup really is something special. The aura in the pits is truly amazing and to witness the riding that is done on that track is truly something special.
All I can say is, that people rode like they were from another planet. I really got goosebumps in a few sections when the riders came by. The raw power and momentum they are able to generate in such demanding terrain is absolutely amazing.
I will be there again, that's for sure.

Indeed! I'm still buzzing from the MSA World Cup. The atmosphere on the side of the DH track at a world cup is truly amazing, with the unbelievable riding, the chainsaws and other stuff to make noise, the wasted people everywhere screaming, etc. I find it beats the show offered by any team sports where the spectators are sitting on their ass drinking overpriced cheap beer and eating shitty junk food.

 

[Mo(n)arch]

And a few shots:

Marcello:

Moir:

Pierron:

 

['size]

updated vid of gwin's run - much more coverage, much less commentary.

http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/Aaron-Gwins-Winning-Run-from-Val-di-Sole,34342/iceman2058,94

 

[Mo(n)arch]

Indeed! I'm still buzzing from the MSA World Cup. The atmosphere on the side of the DH track at a world cup is truly amazing, with the unbelievable riding, the chainsaws and other stuff to make noise, the wasted people everywhere screaming, etc. I find it beats the show offered by any team sports where the spectators are sitting on their ass drinking overpriced cheap beer and eating shitty junk food.

This. I absolutely love this sport.
I was a few times in Leogang and it was awesome.
But to be honest, Val di sole is SPECIAL. That track is so demanding that people are simply shaking their heads beside the track like, "how is that even possible". That, plus the Italian temperament add up to an amazing race.

 

[SylentK]

That pic proves that crabon rims suck and aluminum is better. Yeah...

From reading Endurbro (aka tubestrappers) bike setups/mechanic interventions. They are doing aluminum because it will bend before failing. Allowing a rider to at least try to nurse the wheel until it can get proper fixing. Whereas carbon will break instantly once somebody gives it a dirty look. Especially if it's been sitting in the sun at high altitude...(zing!)

That being said, I'm pretty sure his enve rim/wheel broke apart due to riding it without a tire. Would an alu rim saved him from having the failure in the first place? Maybe. Plus he had some fancy inserts to prevent a flat?

Hmm...should we blame knob vomit?

 

[aaronjb]

Ben Cathro has the best video series going right now. His line analysis and Q&A are superb:

Gwinner says he's doing about $1mil/yr total this year in this episode, btw. I'm guessing that drops off very steeply after him, and even moreso outside the usual top 5 guys.

 

[Westy]

Ben Cathro has the best video series going right now. His line analysis and Q&A are superb:

I like his videos but I really struggle to get past that fucking hat.

 

[4130biker]

Are you the commenter that inspired him to plaster it up with #cathrovision stickers?
#thanksalotwesty

 

[sethimus]

I like his videos but I really struggle to get past that fucking hat.

the good news is that if you give him enough moneyz he will probably wear any hat you want

 

[Mo(n)arch]

Ben Cathro has the best video series going right now. His line analysis and Q&A are superb:

Gwinner says he's doing about $1mil/yr total this year in this episode, btw. I'm guessing that drops off very steeply after him, and even moreso outside the usual top 5 guys.

The guy does business well. Sponsoring, royalties, pro models and so on. He is also part owner of the team. Let's see if the Mob will stay with YT. Word on the streets is that they will change the frame sponsor next year.

 

[aaronjb]

The guy does business well. Sponsoring, royalties, pro models and so on. He is also part owner of the team. Let's see if the Mob will stay with YT. Word on the streets is that they will change the frame sponsor next year.

Does he have a manager? One of the Housemans?

 

[Mo(n)arch]

Does he have a manager? One of the Housemans?

He and Whiteley do all the contracts. He is part owner of the Mob.

 

[aaronjb]

I wonder how that $1mil/yr compares to the late 90s heyday for the top gravity guys?

 

[Gary]

 

['size]

Does he have a manager? One of the Housemans?

i think him and houseman parted professional ways years ago.