Surely it was Nico and that kid who was average a tech courses Minnaar back in '01 who where super close going into finals in Mont Sainte Anne. That's the closest one I remember, Kovarik smoked the race in a sweet skinsuit, Minnaar beat Nico by one place I think to just take the WC title at 19!
Isn't SB working with Nico Vouilloz? That may explain the improvement in consistency.
sounds about right...
Those were the days, Minnaar took the overall by 12 points in the end, although the gap was 38 points going into the finals.
But don't tell that to the likes of Brad Benedict (2008 national overall series champion), JD Swanguen (2nd '07 Jr Worlds Ft. William ... Schusler... 41st), Ryan Condrashoff, etc. Or his own "support team" mates (Tyler Immer, Chris Boice) who have been putting up some solid results domestically and are probably salivating at the idea of moving onto the WC stage.
hmmmm... after a good 2008 Benedict had a full ride to do WC's last year and failed to qualify at many rounds. He crashed out and had no result at National Champs last year as well.
JD was given a full ride on MS Intense after his jr worlds podium.... he blew that opportunity so hard. And then got busted for smoking weed at US nationals.
Condrashoff was on a full WC shedule last year before getting hurt, and the rounds he did attend did not put up any results.
so yeah, those guys all had a shot to "make it"
Boice and Immer had great results this year, but that doesnt help to get you a contract signed last year.... Boice has a busted Arm but Immer should get his chance to mix it up at Windham, and maybe St. Anne.
Joey had a great 2009 season, is young, and earned a position as a development rider on the WC team. He is learning, it takes time... not everyone figures it out as fast as Gwin
and for you comment about Blenki being ditched for Joey, That is hilarious.... he left to headline a different team and chase some money (this is afterall a job for these guys)
Hate on....
I didn't say he is. I said we don't know. But if a guy thinks he's good enough, he could pay for his first season hoping to get noticed and get a real ride. Sorta like the Minardi pay-driver hoping to have a few good races and work his way up the ranks to Ferrari. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to learn that there are trade team riders losing money at it.Thats grasping for straws..... How many riders pay their teams to ride? The chances are so minimal its pretty safe to assume he's not.
Back on topic, GREAT win for Marc!! He's always comes across as a great guy and the only person I'd be more stoked to take the win would be Greg. Hats off
Any idea how tall Emmeline is? It looks like she's riding a small sized frame, and it she still makes it looks massive. I'm impressed that she showing some of the clearly bigger girls (Moseley, Joinnier) how it's done.
I only met Emmeline last year at whistler and I'd guess shes 5' flat. That is a small she is on.
Trump, you bring up some really good arguments and I am on page with you for the most point...but just for the record, Condro qualified in RSA and Vallnord, JD qualified in his first attempts, not sure about benedict. But man, 5 attempts with full factory ride and not getting into one show, thats hard to stomach.But don't tell that to the likes of Brad Benedict (2008 national overall series champion), JD Swanguen (2nd '07 Jr Worlds Ft. William ... Schusler... 41st), Ryan Condrashoff, etc. Or his own "support team" mates (Tyler Immer, Chris Boice) who have been putting up some solid results domestically and are probably salivating at the idea of moving onto the WC stage.
hmmmm... after a good 2008 Benedict had a full ride to do WC's last year and failed to qualify at many rounds. He crashed out and had no result at National Champs last year as well.
JD was given a full ride on MS Intense after his jr worlds podium.... he blew that opportunity so hard. And then got busted for smoking weed at US nationals.
Condrashoff was on a full WC shedule last year before getting hurt, and the rounds he did attend did not put up any results.
so yeah, those guys all had a shot to "make it"
Boice and Immer had great results this year, but that doesnt help to get you a contract signed last year.... Boice has a busted Arm but Immer should get his chance to mix it up at Windham, and maybe St. Anne.
Joey had a great 2009 season, is young, and earned a position as a development rider on the WC team. He is learning, it takes time... not everyone figures it out as fast as Gwin
and for you comment about Blenki being ditched for Joey, That is hilarious.... he left to headline a different team and chase some money (this is afterall a job for these guys)
Hate on....
Moving on...
Been looking at all the photos from this race (cant wait for gary and svens pics) and I'd have to say this place is producing some amazing photos, great light, great shots. Maybe best race of the year (this coming from a guy watching from home).
how did this slip past RM... http://freecaster.tv/mtb/1012672/fox-racing-shox-course-walk-val-di-sole-dh-2010
dude...cars and bikes are way different. There are former NASCAR wanna-bes here in Asheville/Hendersonville who have houses and lifestyles 10 times better than most any successful World Cup riders.
auto racing is more about cash than talent. I worked in the motorsports industry for years... the price of driving schools, licenses etc is absurd... no one is going to get out there, start racing, kick ass and make it to the big leagues without significant financial backing... independently to start. I know drivers who have had all the backing in the world through their own finances and gotten factory rides from kelly moss to race in the american le mans.. bought into another team to race the baja 1000 and even dabbled in some ferrari only races in europe where he was trying to buy his way into Le Mans. The funny thing about it was... I am a better driver and most instructors I know who work at race schools, but cannot afford to race, are better drivers. Another prime example is Rally America. Pastrana, Block, Mirra, and now Deegan.. I'm sorry but 1 out of those 4 drivers is actually halfway decent and that's Block (as seen in his WRC debut where he held his own) Every single one of those drivers bought his way in. Block sold his portion of DC shoes for $40 million and decided to go racing. Pastrana, Block and Deegan? all the same....dude...cars and bikes are way different. There are former NASCAR wanna-bes here in Asheville/Hendersonville who have houses and lifestyles 10 times better than most any successful World Cup riders.
If you've made it to even 1 show in F1, you're most likely near independently wealthy. If not, you've got a platinum AMEX card minimum.
You're a better driver according to others or yourself? I have nothing to add. Shame Gwin crashed.
Quoted for truth.
No $hit. That picture = apple pie and freedom.
Stiks assessment last year that RM's general level of racing knowledge is about a C+ is pretty spot on, though he caught quite a bit of flack for it at the time.
Thanks dude!
I think that was in practice as helmet cams aren't allowed during the actual race run. Or I misread that rule.
