DHI Lourdes 9-10 Apr UCI MTB World Cup Round 1

[BaltazarMarques]

So it all kicks off this weekend... Amped!!

 

Will Peaty be starting this weekend with not having the required UCI points...  

 

"Peaty will either have to go and get some points out in Australia in their DH series (or maybe Argentina too), or for the first round in early April in Lourdes (France) he will have to race in the Great British national kit." https://dirtmountainbike.com/news/will-steve-peat-be-able-to-race-world-cups-in-2016.html

 

Gonna be interesting to see how Gwin Mob's on his YT

 

Also some cool changes to teams for 2016... It's gonna be a goodie...

[BaltazarMarques]

 

[Kevlouw]

Although not a personal favourite of mine, but I think Bruni will be the guy to beat this year. He is very fast on the Lapiere.

[Hairy]

BBRRRRUUUUUNNNNIIIIIII!!!!!!

[rouxtjie]

Bruni 

Ratboy

Gwin

 

Then the rest

[NicoBoshoff]

Not that I think he's a threat, but I'll be following Marc Beaumont's progress this year with interest.

 

This is why > http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Marc-Beaumont:-Ask-Me-Anything.html

 

Also really hope the local guys all put in a big showing.  Needles hopefully gets two solid runs in on the same weekend.

[Capricorn]

got that vitalmtb tune kicking around in my head...

 

Troy is on the form of his life. I'd put him right up there with all the other potentials.

 

Despite Sam Hill looking in exemplary physical form, what he said in a recent interview felt like a kick in the nuts. It sounds like he is just cruising for participation, and letting the chips fall where they may. No outward ambitions wrt titles. As a huge fan, that's pretty uninspiring words. But still glad to watch the man ride.

[Duane_Bosch]

Although not a personal favourite of mine, but I think Bruni will be the guy to beat this year. He is very fast on the Lapiere.

He's on a Spec this year. Assume you mean he WAS very fast on the Lapierre.

[rouxtjie]

Not that I think he's a threat, but I'll be following Marc Beaumont's progress this year with interest.

 

This is why > http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Marc-Beaumont:-Ask-Me-Anything.html

 

Also really hope the local guys all put in a big showing.  Needles hopefully gets two solid runs in on the same weekend.

deffos

 

GMBN is just not the same without him

[ichnusa]

Greg is fit and stoked... GO MR MINN!

[Kevlouw]

He's on a Spec this year. Assume you mean he WAS very fast on the Lapierre.

 

My bad. Did some reading now, and saw he moved over to Spec. Thanks for the correction.

 

Still think he will be the rider to beat this year. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

got that vitalmtb tune kicking around in my head...

 

Troy is on the form of his life. I'd put him right up there with all the other potentials.

 

Despite Sam Hill looking in exemplary physical form, what he said in a recent interview felt like a kick in the nuts. It sounds like he is just cruising for participation, and letting the chips fall where they may. No outward ambitions wrt titles. As a huge fan, that's pretty uninspiring words. But still glad to watch the man ride.

you make me sad panda

[popcorn_skollie]

I don't know what to expect with all the team changes. I have my favourite riders. I have my favourite teams and they not always one and the same thing. Keen to see some new blood pinning this year too. My allegiance to Minn goes without saying. But I love me some Ratboy and I'll be keeping a close eye on the Athertons too. While I'm not too sure that Loic is the man to beat he is a serious threat to those boasting a history of multiple podiums and I would love to see him take the top step. Even if its on a spez

[Capricorn]

you make me sad panda

 

was gutted listening to the great man talk like that. I hope he was just mind-screwing everyone.

[Duane_Bosch]

Not that I think he's a threat, but I'll be following Marc Beaumont's progress this year with interest.

 

This is why > http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Marc-Beaumont:-Ask-Me-Anything.html

 

Also really hope the local guys all put in a big showing.  Needles hopefully gets two solid runs in on the same weekend.

We gonna bang out a few (many) runs at Steilte and then head to Vinces place for beers and the WC on Sunday. Kom speel met jou maatjies.

[BaltazarMarques]

got that vitalmtb tune kicking around in my head...

 

Troy is on the form of his life. I'd put him right up there with all the other potentials.

 

Despite Sam Hill looking in exemplary physical form, what he said in a recent interview felt like a kick in the nuts. It sounds like he is just cruising for participation, and letting the chips fall where they may. No outward ambitions wrt titles. As a huge fan, that's pretty uninspiring words. But still glad to watch the man ride.

 

I haven't read/watched the interview - Please could you link us up?

 

To be fair, after a year off, I'm sure there must be all sorts of pressure as everyone will want the Sam Hill of old or better and maybe he's just trying to take it as it comes and see where he stands after the first race or two.

 

He needs to get his confidence back up and sometimes coming in from a point of view that you're going to enjoy what you do and not put too much pressure on winning from the get go allows for some breathing room. Knowing what he's like on a bike and from his past, I really don't think he's just going to give it a go, he'll be pushing to perform, even if only for himself.