kosmonooit

Sprinters dropping like flies before the mountains.

Have you had a spin up Kallenbach Drive that leads into the Steepways Lane, Linksfield Ridge? https://www.google.com/maps/@-26.1686511,28.0929598,17z

I thought it was lekka kiff

https://twitter.com/Eganbernal/status/1395428386156290053?s=20

That was some proper bike racing in a beautiful part of Italy. Egan rode wisely, and what a team.

Probably a Pro Cyclocross contract is the next best thing, though would have to relocate to Belguim. Brexit probably a spanner in the works in this regard though.

Yes they have been quiet successful in that, converting funding into Olympic medals, and it's been via the track. A lot if not all successful road cyclists have come via that route as well. They actually go around to schools and find talented prospects, and put them into the system. XCO, limited potential medals and seems to be a fringe sport there in the UK, but there is a junior on his way up, Charlie Aldridge, if you can call (or dare to call) a Scot a a Brit. https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gbcyclingteam/article/20190830-gb-cyclingteam-news-Charlie-Aldridge-crowned-2019-cross-country-world-champion-0 Also compare to Switzerland, where apparently mtb / xco is a main stream school sport, which explains a lot.

Thanks I stand corrected, Slav vs Romance is a non-trivial. Talking Hungary, in the U23 Blanke Kate Vas (young CX & road star recently signed to Spez Works road team) took another 3rd. I've also wondered and pondered as to why almost no UK Mens XCO, at least since I've been a fan, and what I think, as mentioned before, its more of a cultural thing: generally the lads are more into downhill and pedaling is scoffed at. Although there has been notable slopestyle/freestyle Brits ... but XCO demands a very high level of fitness, and sacrifices of time, time that could be spent at The Pub. Pidders doesn't drink, so there we have it.

I think he set the terms of that Ineos contract I am sure it provides for some mtb / XCO action, after all he brought that wrench with him from the Trinity CX team. Probably not any downhill though lol. Also a good move from Team Ineos if they did facilitate this, to allow him to have fun basically. Remains to be seen if he will do any CX though, perhaps dip in and out like Wout did. Olympics: The Brits men would get a spot if that Hungarian guy finished higher than 20 something, which did happen. Not sure is Tom is auto selected but maybe he still has to be chosen by the British sports selection team however it would be a travesty if he was not there.

Probably, although his Wiki lists only starts his extensive and impressive list of results in 2015, and mtb from 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Pidcock But I am sure he was knocking around on an mtb around Leeds right from the get-go. One word - incredible!

Which is why Tom probably went into CX first, that is more established there than XCO

I think the reference was to Mens XC - been few and far between from the UK at the elite level for the past while. The lads tend to go for Downhill, they don't like pedaling and more time for the pub.

Although the Brits are celebrating, and rightly so, Tom is not your typical Brit. He doesn't drink.

Looks like LL is in a league of her own - and the rest fighting for scraps. Which is fantastique but doesn't really make for great racing from a spectator PoV But the Mens Elite seems more open now, after being dominated by NS for so long.

Any sport with a ball is outside my realm of reality... so no comment on the kriket analogy. But talking XCM vs XCO vs CX etc its different for the average recreational mtb cyclist like myself, those events like Sabie, Barberton, Crater Cruise, Lion Man etc were / are a chance to get out of town and have a good day out on a mtb in nature, in parts not normally accessible. Most ride to finish, not for results. I consistently finished at a pace twice that of the winning time, and I was happy with that. XCO racing, whilst I am a fan, I would and do not enjoy, you need to be on very a high level and I don't really enjoy going round in circles, I like an adventure, to go out there and back. Same with CX, big fan but I am not a racer and probably that applies to most cyclists. So what happened to all those XCM events like I mentioned? In my opinion they got too commercial, what with mtb being the new golf, they all became part of a bigger brand and were milked dry to the point of extinction. Once I saw the VIP tents at the start/ finish areas, I knew the end was nigh. Also a certain series turned itself into a dom two day event, that did not work out did it. Around about now used to be the Lion Man in Bela Bela. You are missed. Magalies Monster seems to have survived though, as have a few other grass roots events.

Not to do with the 'new' forum but would appreciate 5 mins to edit postings to fix typos before the post being flagged as 'edited' - others do that, such as YouTube

Rob going on (&on) again about being big & powerful .... It's about power to weight ratio do0d. Speaking of which, Tom is highly impressive, he rides so cleverly as well, was always in touch with the lead and only attacked in the last 1/2 lap. Shame he ran out of gears in that sprint (or so he says) He was also fresh as a daisy at the end, cf MvdP who seemed wiped out. I'm looking forward to his first proper XCO win tomorrow. Loana Lecomte is 50kg and 1.6m, so she must have good power to weight stats as well - pity she fell during the short track but I think we can expect to see a lot more of her on the podiums. Highly impressive. Most of the others are left gasping for breath with her in the lead. She rides so smooth and fluid. Where can you find performance stats like above? Strava?

It's taken a while, but I am getting into this short track racing.

Tom was saying he has a gear problem in that sprint, ran out of gears...

But compare it to something Mont Sainte-Anne with those really tasting technical bits, descents and climbs although La Beatrice has been smoothed over lately, its a favourite with many and I think XCO needs these features to test the riders. Our very own saffa course builder knows a thing or two (Nick Floros) PMB was excellent! The original Rock Garden. He did Rio and Tokyo as well apparently. Perhaps they should get him out to Germany to spice things up there a bit, but Germans are generally very sensible rule followers, although they do have some highways with no speed limits.

I rewatched the Ladies race, the others stood no chance once Loana Lecomte went. Wow. Must be some serious power to weight ratio, any ideas? She looks tiny. Although some good climbing there, I think they have dumbed down Albstadt significantly from a technical pov. Way too easy, wooden ramps and all. That one short sharp decent after that climb used to see a lot of action, now its a gentle roll out. And call that a rock garden? Hopefully some more testing stuff in the Czech Republic this weekend although LL won there last year didn't she? Or maybe there is a UCI memo going around making cycling safe again.

I agree Kate is great, such a good spirited person, and such good sportswomenship with Haley after the race. I think she was a bit aggrieved by being a bit outwitted by PfP on the short track, but hey all is fair in love and war. Crazy to see all the youngsters getting results when just yesterday it was her and her first year in the Elites, I think as she races more she will settle down a bit and hopefully step up on the podiums. Yolanda: I hope it goes well for her, she is also just getting back into the swing of things after that big accident. Anne Terpstra is also one to watch.

Remember Emily doing that race with a broken shoulder? True grit! Sadly though I think her Olympic medal goal ship has sailed, but could be wrong. Hope so.

Mens race was great, ladies .. well one person dominating from the start does not make a great race, for me at least, Which is what MvdP is used to doing in CX, attack early and never to be seen again. Man of the match for me is MF, also what he said at the end about being happy with his place ultimately with a smile, unlike grumpy NS I'm going to have to polish up my German for that commentary, don't know if I can take another season of that hack Rob Walnut. Sure he is popular but so uniformed it hurts. Surely it should be a criteria that commentator have a broad knowledge of cycling and of the athletes. But hey its free, so should not complain should I.

Ladies U23: Kata Blanka Vas podiumed! 3rd Other names I know from CX 7 Puck PIETERSE 30 Fem VAN EMPEL (U23 World Champ)