besides the french that are using that track now for years for their cup?
WC#6 Val D' Isere (FRA)
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Right... And none of them are in the top 15 overall WC standings so that's a pretty moot point
They have plenty else to work on before having a few extra runs down the hill will help any.
And once a field of WC riders tears into it there will be no resemblance to the original anyway (see kidwoo's post above).
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I've been out for awhile with a broken collar bone. So I've tried to stay away to keep me from going nuts. What happened to Hart?
I gotta believe Gwin will take it. The track looks wide open. I'd like to see Hill win I miss seeing him win races. And spagnolo has been fast all year, he just hasn't kept air in his tires.
I gotta believe Gwin will take it. The track looks wide open. I'd like to see Hill win I miss seeing him win races. And spagnolo has been fast all year, he just hasn't kept air in his tires.
Hmm, watching the videos of that track I bet the speeds are going to be psychotically fast. Probably even faster than Windham, which was scary to watch. Also, why do all these alpine tracks just look so insanely fun to ride?
Wasn't he on a banger run in Windham until a flat? This man definitely gets a wildcard.
Ya he was no.1 at the first split I think, ahead of Gwin. This could be his chance to shine. IT'll be cool if he can give Gwin a run for the money. He's a gnarly rider that's for sure.
If the UCI ranking means WC standings (not sure if the ranking counts also other races than WC), there are 3 French riders in the top 15. Spagnolo, Pascal and Thirion. Also Bruni is is in the top 20, so it's not like the frenchies are doing bad at the Word Cup.
http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template3/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUxNjU&LangId=1
And then there are the women, where 1/3 of the top 15 are French.
But I don't think it will give the French riders much advantage even if they have raced the same course before, I'd think the top riders can learn a new track pretty quick.
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seems to me that the more gnarly, rutted, steep, and monster truckin the course is, the more gwin seems to like it. I'm predicting solid results from gwin, minnaar, hill, gee, and smith. And spagnolo and brook mcdonald will hopefully kill it. So pretty much same ole same ole.
I'm hoping gwin wins another. If not gwin, I'd like to see peaty win another one before he gets too old.
I'm hoping gwin wins another. If not gwin, I'd like to see peaty win another one before he gets too old.
As much as I like Peaty I don't think he can/will ever win again. Father Time caught up with him last year and his run is done. Even on a perfect run he would still be outside the top 10.
Yeah because Bruni, Therion, Pascal and Spagnolo had no top10 results this season. None at all. Not to mention Spagnolo is inconsistent but mighty fast and some extra training seems to help him (Champery?)
As per the usual, I have no idea who will be on the podium, but I will say this track is a stark contrast from the Beech Nats course which Gwin just won on last weekend.
On another note, I would guess this course would lend itself to better camera coverage given the dearth of tree cover.
On another note, I would guess this course would lend itself to better camera coverage given the dearth of tree cover.
Unfortunately, I think you are right about never winning again. But you are silly to think on a perfect run, on a fast open course, that Peaty couldn't manage a top 10.
The steepness here rivals Champery. The speeds will be insane, there's a distinct lack of corners as well. It's corner, strait, corner, strait repeat. The strait parts are going to be scary. Off camber, balls out and in some cases, not much more than a goat path with a steep drop to one side. Good times.
So we will see tighter jerseys, pants and shorter helmet peaks...
Scratched up tinted gondola window, but the view is still awesome.
Love a goat path trail...
I heard that body armor is mandatory for this race. Sounds good, the track looks pretty dang scary!
I must be dead tired because I didn't see it on the photos and on the helmetcam. Still I like it. Kinda wanted to visit Val D'Isere since they have a free ski pass this season (together with Tignes) but job obligations stopped me. It's good to hear it's super steep. That kind of track will probably make for some fun results.
You shut your mouth.
I don't understand how those two sentences follow each other. Do you mean that there aren't corners where one can carry one's speed? is it more like a series of tight switch backs that rob you speed and flow?
either way, I'm looking forward to the pics and vids of this event. looks like a nice area.
The video looked pretty steep and fast to me.
You have seen the vid, so you know what he means. It is not corner after corner that kills speed, between the corners are actually long straights where you can open it up. Awesome, old school speed!
I'm stupid with helmetcams and I can never assess speed and steepness on them. It's like go-pro daltonism.
As for Corner - straight - corner in most cases it is boring (at least when done in bikeparks) but if it is steep as hell it might be fun.
As is the case with all sanctioned races in France, I think? Hence the cereal box spine protectors.
With all the people that got their race seasons ruined by injuries I think it is a great idea to protect yourself only with a cereal box on a steep and super fast course!
mostly above treeline stuff...cool!
finishing order:
1. Gwin
2. Hill
3. Minnaar
4. Mullaly
5. Hart
finishing order:
1. Gwin
2. Hill
3. Minnaar
4. Mullaly
5. Hart
hart still isn't racing.
and we have pictures: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Val-dIsre-WC-Course-Walk-2012.html!!!!
6th picture down: I've got to wonder... why would they have to anchor and chain a rock of that size...? must be some awesome avalanches there at times...
6th picture down: I've got to wonder... why would they have to anchor and chain a rock of that size...? must be some awesome avalanches there at times...
Fuuuuuuuuu...That is steep. OK, I'm officially stoked about this track. Speed trap numbers should be impressive.
Looks impressive. Big mountain stuff on this track for sure. There are a lot of loose rocks and not theat much dirt in places like this. Otherwise the whole mountain would come down during longer raining periods.
Off camber + loose rocks + not much earth + steep = Rough track
No trees = Should be awesome to watch on RedBull TV
Off camber + loose rocks + not much earth + steep = Rough track
No trees = Should be awesome to watch on RedBull TV
The pics from your coursewalk on pinkbike back that up! Holy hell it look steep, or everyone in the pics is standing funny.
If there is no fog........errrrr, Cloud cover.
yep. Gwin tweeted that he needed to go find some body armor for the race. the riders ran into this same situation the last few years at La Breast
Now it looks way harder than on the helmet cam, loove it 
Tracks like this are a reason why riding in France/Switzerland is so interesting.
Tracks like this are a reason why riding in France/Switzerland is so interesting.
Has some resemblence of 2007 champery, steep and ungroomed. Also when in qualifying Sam was first by 14 seconds.
That race was so awesome.
I still remember the commentating of the speaker when Hill came down.
"That was the best ride I have ever seen. That beats everything. Sam Hill is a legend."
I still remember the commentating of the speaker when Hill came down.
"That was the best ride I have ever seen. That beats everything. Sam Hill is a legend."
Fairclough is not racing this one...thumb issue.
http://createsend.com/t/y-8DA6CFDD7EC3CEB2
http://createsend.com/t/y-8DA6CFDD7EC3CEB2
Bummer.
Thumb injuries are fvcking stupid injuries. I had one last year. You are fine with everything, able to work, do other sports etc. But if you grab the handlebar of your bike the pain starts. You just can't hold on.
The badest thing is that they last long too.
It's definitely not his season. Hopefully he's able to get back in the top ten next season.
Thumb injuries are fvcking stupid injuries. I had one last year. You are fine with everything, able to work, do other sports etc. But if you grab the handlebar of your bike the pain starts. You just can't hold on.
The badest thing is that they last long too.
It's definitely not his season. Hopefully he's able to get back in the top ten next season.