kosmonooit

Ex hubber apparently .... I've spent more time in the UK than Chris... no UK Passport tho

Alan is also riding well in terms of strategy now.

Maybe ... maybe not, She withered last year. Remaining rounds besides this weekend: July 29-31: Snowshoe, USA (DH/XCO/XCC) August 5-7: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada (DH/XCO/XCC) August 24–28: UCI Mountain Bike World Championships – Les Gets, France September 2-4: Val di Sole, Italy (DH/XCO/XCC)

The dust hasn't seem to have settled with the Swiss Big Cheese debacle last weekend - fair amount of licking of emotional wounds it seems. Perhaps they should have a Cheese Fondue together there at altitude to rebuild the kinship. In the meantime, hope to see Alan bring it home, and the Romanian feature. And hoping for some good racing with the ladies as well.

I think Loana is focussed on World Champs in France, not the overall, probably will sit out North American rounds as well (is there a Mont-Sainte-Annes?)

Should be good racing tomorrow - the field quite open in both races. But yeah rooting for Alan & Cannondale. Pity we don't see the U23 races though.

Any more talk of football and I'll have to go.

Any history hacks here? That stage in Napoli, the circuit, the circuit was around the Roman resort city of Baiae. You might have seen the remnants of a dome close to the road they past a few times, Predates the Pantheon, from the Augustan era, Temple of Diana

Well she got stuck with the surname .... whatever, she's found a new lease of life. I don't think there is anything 'untoward' about this despite the naysayer doubters grumblings, as she rides to her 3rd victory, 40s, personally I am happy for her, its been quite a journey, and to see her skoping these wipper-snappers into their places

Camera work was excellent

I've warmed up to XCC, its better now its it own series and less points to the XCO leader. But the circuit yesterday was too open and flat I think, never seen such a large bunch circulating just about all the way, but good racing nevertheless. Piddles looked pi$$ed at his 2nd place wtf

Around Napoli today! One of my fav cities in the world, can't wait to get back there. Circuit today is around the Campi Flegrei area, the largest super volcano in Europe! waking up apparently, the massive magma chamber below filling up and the whole area is rising a few cm per year lol.

Riding a bicycle on Joburg roads is a suicide mission, now more than ever. Even in a car its stressful. Every day I am shocked to see how little most drivers care for the rules of the road and other users. Occasionally I see those pathetic attempts at cycle lanes here, and reminded what a total waste of public money they are, by naive fools who quite frankly had no clue whatsoever.

So ... what was Ineos' plan pulling all the other GC guys up the volcano?

I think what defines this course is the big climbs, and the scope to make attacks on them that stick. Over the last five years, I'd say that technically its been dumbed down somewhat, like the drop after the amphitheater climb, used to be very spicy, now its all nicely paved, and those boarded sections are just plain boring,.

fook knows, not current on who's doing who in XCO

Those must have been the 'personal changes' Becky was talking about in Brasil, perhaps its given her a new lease of life and impetus to move forward, although they have come a long way together, Remember when they weren't renewed with Trek and basically put together their own team, with minimal budget, out of car boot type operation. Then during the epidemic they stayed in Europe, with little income. Must have been tough. New coach, team, whatever, she was unbeatable. Talking couples, have seen much of Julian on his ebike, PfP did change teams though > BMC K8 down in 46, eish what happened, I still think it might have something to do with overachievement on arrival in Elites, and the weight of expectations thereafter. Cross regular frenchy Helene Clauzel came in 39, Mags was DNF Full Results: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/final-results-from-the-albstadt-xc-world-cup-2022.html

Those clowns on RBTV commentary going on about MvdP winning the last few short tracks etc all whilst he had just taken the first stage of the Giro with an epic performance! Then they fumble on about Piddle's Cross Season (he did ride a few races, had an Epic battle with Woutkop at one race over the Xmas period) and he did take that small matter of the CX World Champs in Feb, emphatically it should be said. I'll stop bitchin and listen to the German, and hopefully the new broadcaster nextyear will engage with some fresh commentary talent with broader insights, at least wrt cycling. Great to see Kata Blanka Vas on the Elite Ladies front row, riding with the Spez team it seems (SD Worx on the road and cross). And wow Becky, so cool to see her winning now, chuffed! Sam ... well mixed feelings but he did ride a great race. Pity there is no coverage of the U23 races, had to dig deep on the interwebs for results. Two cross regulars took the top steps on the ladies: Fenchie Line Burguier and then Puck Pieterse, she has made a name for herself as an excellent bike handler, and got some excellent results this last season riding with the CX Elites as did her mate Fem van Empel who was 7th. Piddles old team mate Cameron Mason 14th in the mens. Big fields in both, 71 ladies and 151 men in the U23's Looking at the Elite start lists: Mags Rochette (French Canadian) is lining up, that is a surprise to see her there. She likes muddy hardcore stuff. Great athlete and person. And Eli Iserbyt, Tom used to go head to head with him on the U23 CX more often than not, #34 so not too far back.. https://www.pinkbike.com/news/start-list-who-will-be-racing-in-the-albstadt-xc-world-cup.html Going to be good racing, everyone is there, and the fans. I'm hoping for wet / mud conditions. Danke schön!

I'd be very surprised if BaArt paid for his Epic entry the amount of plugging it got.

I don't know what that drone brought to the party except nice views of that rain forest. In one of the last races this CX season they had a drone following Lucinda for a while, that was pretty good actually,.

And its not like he has never been there....

Perhaps but there were cutting in and out of the action, replays when the race was hot, And it was also like cameras didn't know where to look, their positioning wasn't great although some good c lose-ups of the spectators, maybe it will be better tomorrow. As someone who is used to watching CX from Belgian TV, this was very poor, below par for RBTV

Just wondering it the Pro teams with the names pay the full entrance fee or do they get invited? Appearance fees?

Is Baaart B of American Eagle racing in the Masters again? sorry could of course dig deep on the interwebs for the answer but maybe someone knows, he normally brings a few of his team as well and having heard a bleep in that regard so maybe not

All this talk of Europeans