kosmonooit

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

Well they had the Queen stage on the first day, maybe to trim the field down from the get-go? Weed out the woosies?

I think Gerald is good, he certainly is informed and passionate about cycling, an avid mtb'er, and a consummate sports broadcasting professional, one needs an lead / anchor like that. Rob on the other hand ... think I will tune into the German channel this year.

Notably fewer World Cup XCO racers this year. Maybe its just too much to fit in, although it seems a bucket list thing. Chris B notwithstanding, remember he won the last round at Snowshoe. Fök that oke is on fire. Also Anika L makes great addition to the commentary teams in my opinion. Eurosport / GCN should sign her.

It must be tricky to cover Enduro live, given all the different stages all over the place. Personally I've tried to follow / get into it from a fan perspective, but found it hard to follow and feel.

That's how Rob got the RBTV gig, he was doing downhill on Freecaster then somehow he blaged his way in the XCO commentary box when they took over.

Oh well, that is that then. Going the pay-walled GCN+ way on line for sure, RBTV has been excellent production-wise, but I can only hope they engage with a decent commentary team, I will not miss Rob Walnut on the XCO, uninformed hack of note, GCN/Eurosport had Marty Mac and Jeremy pow pow for the CX these last few years, they have been excellent, but they have also had lots and lots of technical issues and some fools on when Marty & J Pow were taking a break. Before Red Bull TV, it was Freecaster, which certainly broke the ground on-line live event broadcast, At the end of the season one could order DVD with all the races. That was when Burry was U23 World Champ

Its not only cutting the spokes but doing the threads as well, for that you need a decent tool. The threads are rolled in, not cut with a die, Something to do with strength, Johan (who used to be active here years ago before he emigrated) had a very nice Japaneses unit in his workshop, he used to make up spokes for me on spec, Much cheaper / easier than trying to order/buy them. So yeah, def, a market for small shops and DIY'ers needing spokes, who need occasionally

https://twitter.com/Eganbernal/status/1491863891919396865

I see girl wonder Loana has a busted collar bone Eish -wishing her a speedy recovery

So is Bill's Mother

Leeds is a lekka place ... every been there?

There is a also a bit of difference between North American and Euro CX circuits, the former tends to be in parks, drier, faster with long sweeping sections.

Not ur average Brit for sure