Super_mil

Looks a little bit moist . http://www.pinkbike.com/video/360247/

I wish this was the case... DaveMD knows how to put the pedal down. I secretly hope he never learns to jump his bike

Everything you need to know. http://youtu.be/x1sQkEfAdfY

Nope, it's an independent event.

Final point, the time penalties on B-lines also can't be too great either otherwise you end up with a situation like at last years Masters World Champs where the guys would simply send themselves over the obstacles as the idea of incurring a sizable time penalty was too much for them to bare, so plenty folks visited the medics and never actually got to ride the race. So it's quite a delicate balance that the track builder needs to obtain.

Just progression lines, so yes, even easier than the B-line and with a greater time penalty. The idea is not to scare 1st time racers away from XCO (same for DHI). Even some of the B-lines at Cascades require some respect so C-lines are required. That said I don't think anyone consistently taking C-lines should be winning or even on the podium.

I think B & C lines are a must have. It'll be more dangerous trying to avoid riders walking sections. I think a 3-5s penalty per obstacle sounds about fair. The aim of XC (in my opinion) is to test endurance (mostly) and skill. If your skill level saves you say 10secs per lap and another rider taking B-lines still drops you well, then I think he's the better XC rider.

I've been running the WTB ST-i25's and they've held up really well. If I wasn't such a tight ass I would have gone with the Frequency i25's. I had to source them through CRC as the local importer doesn't bring in 26' WTB rims

Fair enough, but are people not responsible for the speed they choose to ride a trail at? The only variable causing people to get this wrong in this particular area is speed, which is determined/controlled by the rider. That said, I can also see your point. It should be noted that the trail fairy who does a lot of brilliant, selfless work on the spruit has never intended to hurt or harm any rider, just to create more flow and better trails. And again, all features and bumps & humps are built off the main line so one has to choose to ride these blips.

I agree with regards to gaps getting marked. I think the international standard of red-flags on the lip would be suitable. That said there are no real gaps (apart from the Virgin Active one pictured). The problem is whose responsibility is it to teach riders what the red-flags mean? Should they be expected to educate themselves? And how do we make sure the flags don't go walk about? Most of the other 'features' wouldn't be marked on other international trails (I don't believe) as almost every other feature is 100% rollable, even the Bomb-Hole (all 3 options). The irony is the most dangerous feature on the Spruit is the slot on the downstream side of Jan Smuts and that is courtesy of the local municipality or JW. Personally I like it but that can seriously break people, but there has been no uproar over this...

Where are there jumps in Delta park? I guess the second spot you're talking of is the 'Bomb-hole' behind Old Parks? Hope the banged up riders heal up soon.

Man these guys are on another level. I see Ropelato got a DNF, but it looks like there was quite a long list of DNF's. Hope there were no serious injuries. Great riding fellas

GWIN Fastest so far!!! Damn, I wish I was there.

I'm guessing Sik Mik must have punctured! 2:20 off of Greg, currently in #1

The girls are on track

The new Cloud 9 is just to the right of the old (last years) Cloud 9. Nige planted some pebbles there last year and with all the rain they grew into a new rock garden for this year

Ja, hitting all those obstacles 1st time on a borrowed bike! Not too shabby

Claudio's track preview is out eventually!!!! http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/stories/1331644807825/course-preview-uci-downhill-world-cup-2014-pietermaritzburg

Yup def Hayden Brown. Walked away and able to keep riding

26" That's like SO 2012!!!!

I think it's pretty cool that these guys are even in the same ball park as the guys on full DH rigs. It shows just how strong AM (or enduro if you must) bikes have become and just how capable they are. That said I don't think they'll be up on the podium this year...

Loic Bruni getting things wrong, on the new section below the old Haibo Gap http://www.vitalmtb.com/v/25419

Nige are you sure Claudio made it to the finish? No video uploaded as yet...

Getting psyched to be back there http://www.pinkbike.com/video/353538/