DH World Cup #4 - Leogang

[Matt Lochner]

Needles 3rd in timed training (:

[Pants Boy]

%GreatWCStory - thanks for sharing Hayley!

Edited June 13, 2014 by Riaan Coetzee

[Mntboy]

So what's the most important thing of riding??

 

To stay on the bike!

 

$&%/#@£&$£!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like crying.

 

Front brake lever isn't on the bike anymore. Front wheel bent (front tyre flat).

 

So the failure story of a noob....

Yesterday on my 1st track walk I felt super intimidated even with the start switch backs cause they were like concrete with a lot of loose gravel. I didn't think any of the rock gardens would be a problem though and there were one steep drop with a right berm which I was scared of at 1st sight (really scared cause I know I have crap brakes). Around the start there's also off camber sections worst than what I've ridden before. Walking further the 2nd last and last root section got to me. My mind didn't like the 2nd last one. But yesterday it was still very dry.

 

I went to do a 2nd track walk right after the 1st just to try and remember the track so when I got on my bike today that I can stop less (Im not good at remembering what comes next on tracks).

 

 

Last night it rained all night...

 

So this morning practice was from 8:30-12:00 for us. I could only get into my 1st uplift at 9:30 because i was still trying to sort out full body protection and if you know me being late rattles me already. But at the start I was okay.

 

So I rolled in....left foot wasnt on right by the time I took that 1st ski drop but it was okay and by the 1st berm then I realised 'fark this is slushy'! But I got comfy surprisingly quick. Rolled through the 1st rock garden (sliding sliding) through more slushy berms another rock garden and I was thinking "ah this feels good" (yip I had my usual riding big smile). Through the 1st and 2nd tunnel over another rock garden then to the steep drop. I stopped to watch 2 riders do it and then went in. I didn't quite make the berm so fell but got up and went on. Bike felt okay. Went over 2 off camber sections then the long stretch with the jumps. I just rolled there and I took air quite comfortably. Then another off camber section into a little root section with a small drop and then into the 2nd last root section. There were a few riders standing around and a few falling around and I got nervous seeing the riders fall then I tried to go on show and the trick is to make the left turn. I couldn't get my front wheel over some roots and I went over the bars. Bike fell to the right trees, me too the right. When I got to my bike the left lever was broken out. Front tire was flat. When I started pushing I realised something is misaligned too.

 

Lesson learnt...I don't know if I felt too comfy till that section or if it was because I got super tensed when I entered that section. Those roots are SLIPPERY.

 

I am so so so so lucky that I had that full body protection on. I moaned about it at 1st but I have bruises at places where there were protection. Don't want to know how I would have looked without. Many riders already broken!

 

I cried a bit because I would have at least wanted to ride the timed training run, but I try and calm myself with the thought that less than a year ago I wished to be able to ride some of the stuff I did today with a smile. At least now I can go do what I really really came to do. ..... drink beer

 

I'd be more prepared for the next one!

 

SG is sitting next to me now, he is out too. Hurt his foot.

Well done Haley! I hope you can get sorted for the front brake and wheel you need to race. Even if you don't, this is still good result for you as you yourself pointed out. Enjoy the rest of your weekend in Leogang!

[Stretch]

[nimthor]

Needles had a great run, out qualified Mr Min! Hopefully he can keep his 4th position in quali and repeat tomorrow.

[Capricorn]

sux for pottie: his run initially had him in 74th position, but now with the rest of the riders qualifying efforts still coming through, he is edging toward not qualifying. currently on 79th. meh. Tim Bentley currently on P61, so he shuold make it.

 

edit: aw fudge! pottie edged out of the top 80. Quel dommage.

Edited June 14, 2014 by Capricorn

[Thug]

Hayley, you might not have qualified for a timed run, but you're still on the results sheet. Well done!

 

[Capricorn]

Sam Bull collected a DSQ....

[capediver]

Yeaarrrggghh!

Cool video!

http://www.redbull.com/en/bike/stories/1331658405590/course-preview-man-down-in-leogang

[Stretch]

lekker for needles

 

i want a ratboy win tomorrow...but...thing to take note of is steve smith was taking it easy cos he's not protected and he still qualified up there...but come on ratboy!

[Stretch]

http://www.pinkbike....ctice-2014.html

 

Nice vid

 

whats with these austrian rules?...must have a back plate (carboard will do!) and gloves...hence why blenky is in gloves

Edited June 14, 2014 by Stretch

[Stretch]

Sam Bull collected a DSQ....

 

what does that mean - he is protected...but does a no result mean that doesn't count?

[Capricorn]

what does that mean - he is protected...but does a no result mean that doesn't count?

 

u kidding right? my sarcy-ometer is faulty today.

[Stretch]

 

u kidding right? my sarcy-ometer is faulty today.

No I really don't know..I am not clued up on all the rules... So protected only protects a complete run then... Ok ok ok My initial question sounds kinds of stupid now that I say it out

[Capricorn]

No I really don't know..I am not clued up on all the rules... So protected only protects a complete run then... Ok ok ok My initial question sounds kinds of stupid now that I say it out

 

hahhah no worries. but no, riders need to be in the top 20 overall to have protected status. Needles was 24th in the overall ranking, which was why he did not qualify at Fort William last week. So in a nutshell, if you dont make the cut (top 80 qualifiers), and you are not protected, you don't get to race.

 

But the DSQ status is slightly different.

Sam Bull might have had the issue Greg had at Cairns: slipping off track and not being able to rejoin at the point of exit. But i'm just guessing. That or he wasn't wearing armor as per this race's requirements. Again, just guessing.

Edited June 14, 2014 by Capricorn

[Stretch]

 

hahhah no worries. but no, riders need to be in the top 20 overall to have protected status. Needles was 24th in the overall ranking, which was why he did not qualify at Fort William last week. So in a nutshell, if you dont make the cut (top 80 qualifiers), and you are not protected, you don't get to race.

 

But the DSQ status is slightly different.

Sam Bull might have had the issue Greg had at Cairns: slipping off track and not being able to rejoin at the point of exit. But i'm just guessing. That or he wasn't wearing armor as per this race's requirements. Again, just guessing.

 

Be interesting to hear the reason for the dsq

 

Edited June 14, 2014 by Stretch