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UCI DH World Cup 2017 #2 - Fort William 3-4 June


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Posted

Also am The only one who thinks the UCI should make A rule next year that you have to ride the same wheelsize for your entire season ?

 

Nope. As I see it, there will be compromise with each wheelsize. Making the choice, means living with the compromise.

 

One cannot say the wheelsize won the race the past weekend. I refuse to believe that, too many factors playing a role, that cannot be controlled.

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Posted

Nope. As I see it, there will be compromise with each wheelsize. Making the choice, means living with the compromise.

 

One cannot say the wheelsize won the race the past weekend. I refuse to believe that, too many factors playing a role, that cannot be controlled.

Fair argument

Posted

I just think that there is something about the way Greg rides and the pros of the 29er, his speed through the speed trap was 55.1km/h which I think was the fastest of the day. My casual observation was that he was almost 4 km/h faster than anyone else, which has to be some serious time gain. Whether that will be enough to counter the 29ers drawbacks on the tighter courses remains to be seen. Although he was up there with the best on the pinball section, he wasn't the quickest with the 650's seemingly as quick. Overall I think we're in for an awesome series and my gut tells me that Greg is going to be difficult to beat on the 29er.

Posted

Also am The only one who thinks the UCI should make A rule next year that you have to ride the same wheelsize for your entire season ?

Why? If they have the tools in their arsenal and they can get the best results making the best decision on the day, how does that differ from the decision of tire choice, crank, headset, suspension settings, lines and break points? It is not a single formula race! It is still about the rider who has to get down that hill the fastest way possible. It was not so long ago that the roadies had different bikes for the flats and the hills. And they used the different bikes in a single stage! 

Posted

Greg was the best on the 29er on race day. Far ahead of the others on 29ers. Just proves, ride what you like. Also there was no real advantage between the wheel sizes. I wonder what Gwinn would of done if he didnt stop for a selfie.....

Posted

I just think that there is something about the way Greg rides and the pros of the 29er, his speed through the speed trap was 55.1km/h which I think was the fastest of the day. My casual observation was that he was almost 4 km/h faster than anyone else, which has to be some serious time gain. Whether that will be enough to counter the 29ers drawbacks on the tighter courses remains to be seen. Although he was up there with the best on the pinball section, he wasn't the quickest with the 650's seemingly as quick. Overall I think we're in for an awesome series and my gut tells me that Greg is going to be difficult to beat on the 29er.

according to Rob Warner, he was saying that this bike is the first one that feels as if it fits him perfectly. Comfort on the bike is one of those things that helps immensely... 

Posted

IIRC he was getting fed up with the UCI's rules and regs and some of the "racing" politics outside of the Syndicate. 

 

he was also getting plenty gears from within the syndicate about his training regime...

Posted

What a Champ! having said that, I am really dissapoint that Greg brushed off the question about his superior wheel size like that.

 

We all know apart from him owning Fort Bill, superior skill, a calm head under all that pressure etc., it was the superior 29er wheel size....

Posted

according to Rob Warner, he was saying that this bike is the first one that feels as if it fits him perfectly. Comfort on the bike is one of those things that helps immensely... 

I heard him say that and this is what got me thinking that Greg is going to be able to ride a bike that suits his strengths, but I do think that there will be some courses (less pedally ones) where his strengths might not be enough. I tried out a 650 on Hakahana a while back and I felt like I was riding in Morse code through the rock gardens although the confidence in the twisty bits made me feel like I was quicker the end result was that I was a little slower overall.

 

All in all I think this is going to be a watershed season in terms of the debate on wheelsize with four possible outcomes .

1. Each rider will choose the wheelsize that suits him/her.

2. One wheelsize is definitely better.

3. Certain courses will suit a particular wheelsize.

4. Wheelsize makes no difference.

 

Personally I think it's going to be 1 but what's fantastic is that we get to watch this debate play out with the best test pilots in the world RACING!

Posted

The Slater of Downhill. People tend to focus on his talent and how fast he is which is not to be ignored. But I believe what sets him apart is not how well he rides. But how well he races. He is systematic and calculating in his approach. Everything from his tyre pressures on any given day to the nano seconds he expects to make up 300 metres ahead of him. He's also calm and collected. Watch his run compared to the rest of the top 10. His body language on the bike doesn't exactly scream urgency. 

Posted

BUT

 

He made the mistake..wrong decision at the wrong time.

 

After seeing that video of Greg one must really appreciate how incredible his run was seeing that the conditions deteriorated so much when he did his run.

 

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

No no no, for sure.  Not saying Gregg was lucky.  I'm saying Gregg's wheelsize is irrelevant since Gwinn was on his way to win despite his smaller wheels, then he screwed the pooch.

Posted

1st of all I would just love to congratulate GM. He is 35 now and by the looks of things, still going strong. But now I would love to throw a cat among the pigeons here.

I remember a couple of years ago one Robert Hunter was awarded the South African cyclist of the year award in the year when GM was world champion (I don't remember which but he had done so more than once and all RH did was to win one stage in the TDF). I remember mister Hunter expressing how superior road cyclist are and how he deserves the reward. Certainly its old news, but I think its time that ALL south African cyclist acknowledge a bit the performance and consistency performing in a world class and UCI sanctioned event like GM has done and continues to do. I accept some will have a number of issues with what come now, but think about it. Where is RH now AND what did the South African cycling federation do to acknowledge GM's contribution to cycling? 

Go Greg!!

I do believe it was an article in RIDE magazine, about 2002ish. In the same article RH was asked if he could be a tour GC contender, and his reply was "only if i get some cancer like Lance".

 

needless to say the letters section of Hunter vs Minnaar raged red for about 5 editions, with all sorts of cross discipline challenges proposed.

Posted

Facts -

 

Gregg won here 7 times, three in a row, all wheelsizes.

 

Gwynn was on a rampage till he had a brainfart.  Smaller wheels.

 

Moir is on form, beat Brosnan for Aussie title on smaller wheels.

 

I think 7 of the top 10 were on 650b.  If anything they can have a gripe with the race organisers for that boggy mess, wheels did zip to their fortunes.

 

Bruni is becoming his own worst enemy - focusing on all the wrong crap.

 

Tahnee really dropped herself.  Was hers for the taking and then failed.  NOW she's angry at the organisers for the track condition.  Weird how the people that beat her made it through without faceplanting in the mud.

 

That run of Tracey Hannah was one for the history books.  Pinned AF!

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