[v6 4.3]

I think this whole fitness thing is being overlooked a bit. Visually looking at someone tells very little about how fit they are at the level those guys are riding, and the obvious shape they already in. Genetics plays a huge role in your maximum output, your vo2, and your endurance. The horsepower guys like Lopes have can be obtained to a certain point with training, but once again genetics plays a role. If Hill and Lopes were to have a sprint contest, and both were trained to the optimum level for sprinting, Lopes would still win the sprint. Natural srength and fitness still plays a huge role in sports although we have come a long way in training, and stregnthing ones weaknesses.

don't contradict yourself, you just said that visually looking only tells you so much. Don't tell me by visually looking you can tell lopes' and hill's genetics. That's a little rediculas

 

[Loochi]

don't contradict yourself, you just said that visually looking only tells you so much. Don't tell me by visually looking you can tell lopes' and hill's genetics. That's a little rediculas

I didin't make those statements by visually looking at them. I've trained, ridden, and raced with both of them long enough to have written what I wrote.

 

[bizutch]

I didin't make those statements by visually looking at them. I've trained, ridden, and raced with both of them long enough to have written what I wrote.

Robin, you should know that real world experiences with real pro racers doesn't count in the e-world.

 

[Loochi]

Robin, you should know that real world experiences with real pro racers doesn't count in the e-world.

good call.

 

[RaID]

What I can say what a great spectator weekend it was
- The ausie domination of the 4x was great
- generally an awesome great vibe
- security wasnt very thorough with bag searchers hence lots of alcohol was head
without the price
- Boxxer worlds, very entertaining, definitaly seeing the aftermath of the 'cup 3/4' full shots of absinth
- the track was lined for the DH finals, eveyrone was into it
- ride of the weekend was Barel - one knee, half a chainring and only 0.8s off deserved at least a medal for it
- dissapointment - Gee looked quick in sections but should have done better
- Peaty champ f@ck yeh
- after party could have been a bit more organised rather than a floating pub crawl
to what ever venue would cater for us before the police would shut it down
- Peaty getting refused entry to the casino cause he didnt have id wtf?
- he did make it in eventually as I was being escorted out

Couple of side notes on the juniors race:
2 of the aussie juniors had major crashes in their last practice run, 30 min before the race run.

Hans Hadley did a bit of a show off on the last champ and pulled a nice whip, pity he didnt bring it
back resulting in a shoulder injury of some sort, that will teach you.

However Will Gower ended up a bit worse, massive "ejection" in the rockgarden resulting in a D2 in
pieces, broken leat brace and now 10 weeks immobilised in hospital due to luckily "only" compressed
vertebrae. Luckly everything will be alright in the long run, however he had a very good chance to take it out,
considering he was 5 sec faster in training on the bottom section alone and definitely wasnt short on speed
in the rest of the course.

Healing vibes Will.
Watch out for him come the London olympics in track cycling.

 

[dhrookie]

Still a bunch of grown men riding bicycles.-DenJen

 

[JCL]

Some of the hypothetical arguments in this thread over male physic and performance sound like a viagra press release.

 

[rosenamedpoop]

I think this whole fitness thing is being overlooked a bit. Visually looking at someone tells very little about how fit they are at the level those guys are riding, and the obvious shape they already in. Genetics plays a huge role in your maximum output, your vo2, and your endurance. The horsepower guys like Lopes have can be obtained to a certain point with training, but once again genetics plays a role. If Hill and Lopes were to have a sprint contest, and both were trained to the optimum level for sprinting, Lopes would still win the sprint. Natural srength and fitness still plays a huge role in sports although we have come a long way in training, and stregnthing ones weaknesses.

Ummm... few things.

For one yes, you can tell fitness to a very large degree by looking at someone. Especially, if you are a fitness junkie yourself.

Two, Hill trains no doubt. But he seems to view training and the need to pedal on certain courses with disdain. Hill is not as fit as Minnaar because he doesn't train as hard for fitness.

Three, Lopes almost definitely has an unusually high level of natural strength... but his current level of strength and fitness is at least partly owed to... previous indulgences.




.

 

[P.T.W]

Three, Lopes almost definitely has an unusually high level of natural strength... but his current level of strength and fitness is at least partly owed to... previous indulgences.




.

OMG you had better just come right out an say it, before someone reads between the lines an get the wrong idea!! Oh an thats a pretty big frikn call to make....wonder what mr Lopes would have to say about that

Oh an this thread really has turned to poop

 

[toodles]

Two, Hill trains no doubt. But he seems to view training and the need to pedal on certain courses with disdain. Hill is not as fit as Minnaar because he doesn't train as hard for fitness.

Three, Lopes almost definitely has an unusually high level of natural strength... but his current level of strength and fitness is at least partly owed to... previous indulgences.

You're off your rocker. I've never seen anyone spin the pedals all the way to the finish line like Hill. Don't judge conserving energy early on as being laziness.

As for the Lopes thing, I don't like the guy personally, but what you're insinuating is pretty full on. Love to know where that comes from

 

[trib]

if youre saying lopes was on roids back in the day thats a pretty big call....especially since its impossible to keep that strength and fitness up when you stop taking them so it wouldnt have any effect now.

 

[Kanye West]

Lopes is about THE cleanest racer on the entire circuit. I've seen guys with WAY more natural strength who are smaller than Lopes. It's be no means that extraordinary in the athletic world.

 

[Salty4X]

Yeah, that is a bogus accusation and you my friend are retarded. You deserved to get punched in the mouth if you are insinuating that lopes is a cheat.

 

[bizutch]

But it was fun when Ebbett razzed Lopes about it at Mt. Snow and Lopes actually went into what some what call a "roid rage". He was just razzing BL but dude went nuts when Ebot said it.

 

[mikeG]

Who cares all those guys are faster and better riders than anyone on these threads (regardless of accusations). I realize it's hard work being a keyboard jockey but maybe go drink another protein shake or go ride your bike.

 

[dhr-racer]

....remember the days when downhill was all about 24x3.0 tires, beer, parking lot squish, scuba yellow and metal?..........

to be honest im glad they're over.... but remember?

 

[Kanye West]

Greg was World Cup overall winner last year with 3 rounds that he took first on. I think he's won at least 1 this year. I'd say he's pretty secure with Syndicate.

Barel was not wearing a skinsuit.

Hannah gave it everything he could. I think that's the best result he's ever had at Worlds.

 

[JohnnyC]

Racing- There’s no arguing that the track provided some tight racing…this was enhanced by a one line track with a huge sprint at the end. There wasn’t much of a chance for anyone to gain any time on the “technical” sections to have a chance at the bottom. Most of the top riders rode 1 line down the track with very little variation in line choices or ones that made a drastic difference in time through any particular section…no hero, wild or sneaky technical lines letting everyone at this level just PIN IT through pretty much the same line, hope for the best and pray their legs showed up that day.

Dude....Peaty did win it on the top section, Minnaar and Hannah were way faster than him on the pedal but Steve put enough time on them up top to seal the win

 

[rosenamedpoop]

I stand by my statements in this thread. One and all.

And, Lopes isn't a cheat. A lot of guys (and girls) have looked for a little leg up in there careers. When a lot of competitors are taking advantage of the same training aids it merely ups the anti at the top of the game.

Oh, and this isn't directed at anyone but, yes the use of steroids has a profound lasting impact on athletic strength and proficiency. Even years after use is discontinued. Research it. PM me if you'd like some poignant links on the subject.

Again, the above statement is not directed at anyone.






.

 

[Jase76]

This is my first thread and sorry if it's a little late or repeats anyone on the forum...

Location- Canberra, Australia was the location for the 2009 UCI World Championship. It wasn’t the best choice for a World Championship track, not only for the man-made type track, but also the fact that mountain bike racing is a summer sport and should be held during the summer…just got lucky it was only freezing cold down there and not raining non-stop.

Yeah, sorry about that. I realise its always so lovely, warm and dry up there in the northern hemisphere. Particularly in the Alps and Fort Bill.

Your post makes you sound like a massive whinger.

 

[Kanye West]

I stand by my statements in this thread. One and all.

And, Lopes isn't a cheat. A lot of guys (and girls) have looked for a little leg up in there careers. When a lot of competitors are taking advantage of the same training aids it merely ups the anti at the top of the game.

Oh, and this isn't directed at anyone but, yes the use of steroids has a profound lasting impact on athletic strength and proficiency. Even years after use is discontinued. Research it. PM me if you'd like some poignant links on the subject.

Again, the above statement is not directed at anyone.






.

And I stand by this statement: you are a waste of oxygen.

Now get off my planet.

 

[Highspeed]

Hmmz.. wasnt Sam Hill wc leader after st:anne and was ahead of Peat in next race. Though peat is the current wc leader now? I thought worlds didnt count?

 

[Salty4X]

And, Lopes isn't a cheat. A lot of guys (and girls) have looked for a little leg up in there careers. When a lot of competitors are taking advantage of the same training aids it merely ups the anti at the top of the game.

You're a tool, didn't your mom tell you, "just because everyone's doing it, doesn't make it right." It is cheating! The riders do not decide what is legal and what is not, the suits do. You have a lot of nerve calling out anyone for using enhancing chemicals, especially the guy that brought America most of it's pride in mtb for the last 10 years. This is why these forums blow, because of dipsh!ts like you hiding behind their computer screens spreading rumors that you have no clue are true or not. Take your poignant links and cram them. Now go spend two hours looking up more information on steroids, you'll need them to tell BL he's a CHEATER.
(just wanted to note that I am not even a BL fan, met him in Scotland and he's not a nice dude by any means, BUT guys like you with no knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes in our sport shouldn't be given a voice)

 

[Dogboy]

I thought worlds didnt count?

It doesn't. Peaty is the World Champ and Sam still sits on top of World Cup points.

 

[- seb]

This thread has "libel suit" written all over it. Admin's obviously looking the other way at the moment...!

 

[Eastern States Cup]

This thread has "libel suit" written all over it. Admin's obviously looking the other way at the moment...!

brahhhahahaha

This thread has been wronged

 

[bizutch]

This is my first thread and sorry if it's a little late or repeats anyone on the forum...

Location- Canberra, Australia was the location for the 2009 UCI World Championship. It wasn’t the best choice for a World Championship track, not only for the man-made type track, but also the fact that mountain bike racing is a summer sport and should be held during the summer…just got lucky it was only freezing cold down there and not raining non-stop.

Organization- the organizers did the best job they could to build or manufacture a track from a molehill…there wasn’t much you could do with the hill. Another sign that it was a poor choice is that you shouldn’t have to dig down into the earth and use scaffolding to add elevation to a track. Also, the organizers forgot to cater a little better to teams/riders knowing full well that most of the federations don’t do that great of a job supporting riders that traveled pretty far with a lack of resources…they also missed on the concession trying to charge a ridiculous amount for a can of whatever…Early Bird Productions should be Early Turd…I don’t see them putting on a world class event again.

Racing- There’s no arguing that the track provided some tight racing…this was enhanced by a one line track with a huge sprint at the end. There wasn’t much of a chance for anyone to gain any time on the “technical” sections to have a chance at the bottom. Most of the top riders rode 1 line down the track with very little variation in line choices or ones that made a drastic difference in time through any particular section…no hero, wild or sneaky technical lines letting everyone at this level just PIN IT through pretty much the same line, hope for the best and pray their legs showed up that day.

End result- the guys who were expected to do well on this track did well

• Gee may have been able to do better, but perhaps he made a small mistake up top that could have left him with too much time to make up at the bottom?
• Sam had a great run, but probably not as fast up top as he could have gone, but I doubt he could have really gapped anyone given the lack of line choices leaving him without enough buffer to win it on this day…good effort.
• Fabian Barel…I respect Fabian for his professionalism and ability to dissect a track, but he raced in a skin suit…enough said.
• Mick Hannah looked dangerous all week and sounded confident as ever…maybe a little too confident as he couldn’t deliver on “The Day”
• Greg Minnarr was on a good run and at some point during his run probably thought he had it and falling just short…lets see if he’s Syndicate next year.
• Steve Peat did it on a day when nobody else could in one of his last opportunities to do it…this track was essentially (not literally) manufactured for him. However, there’s still the high pressure and the ability to get down the track faster than anyone else on this day…it wasn’t by much, but it’s all it took to FINALLY get a World Championship…and no, he didn’t deserve it anymore than anyone else, he earned it and may have wanted it more than anyone else.

Dang. Has Sean been sucked into the black hole of despair that is the forums finally? Member since 2001 and first post on the new boards. Your resolve to lurk and not post is strong!! Hope you had a good time down there. You're welcome back in NC anytime.

 

[rosenamedpoop]

You're a tool, didn't your mom tell you, "just because everyone's doing it, doesn't make it right." It is cheating! The riders do not decide what is legal and what is not, the suits do. You have a lot of nerve calling out anyone for using enhancing chemicals, especially the guy that brought America most of it's pride in mtb for the last 10 years. This is why these forums blow, because of dipsh!ts like you hiding behind their computer screens spreading rumors that you have no clue are true or not. Take your poignant links and cram them. Now go spend two hours looking up more information on steroids, you'll need them to tell BL he's a CHEATER.
(just wanted to note that I am not even a BL fan, met him in Scotland and he's not a nice dude by any means, BUT guys like you with no knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes in our sport shouldn't be given a voice)

You're probably a great guy salty, and I admire your passion. I wish you well, seriously.

It's always so funny to me how angry people get when their ideals are called into question, myself in hindsight included. I should have realized how much this would piss some people off when I first typed it. It really wasn't my intent.

However, I still stand by my statements.

I would like to reaffirm that from my perspective Brian Lopes is not a cheat. He is a champion and a master on a mountain bike. I have a lot of respect for his accomplishments.

It does strike me as more than a bit puritanical to demonize all "enhancing chemicals". This is a wild oversimplification of what "chemicals" means. Coffee is full of enhancing chemicals. So is Red Bull. So are every guys testicles. So is every single human being's blood. What about alcohol? Weed?

For most sports, the definition of "enhancing chemicals" is constantly evolving. As long as an athlete stays ahead of the rule changes, they are playing by the rules as they exist. As long as you piss clean, you're not cheating.

It is completely naive and also unnecessary to view an athlete as either "clean" or "dirty" based on what they use to train, as long as they adhere to the rules as they are enforced.

As far as hiding behind a computer... I'm gonna go ride my bike now






.

 

[Transcend]

Wow, this thread is full of morons. Now I have to lock it because it would be too much work to clean it up. You guys just can't seem to play nicely can you?