Stretch Posted June 5, 2017 Author Posted June 5, 2017 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...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 he was also getting plenty gears from within the syndicate about his training regime...What, weighty bong sessions?
CAAD4 Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 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....
River Rat Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 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!
popcorn_skollie Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 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.
NicoBoshoff Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 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 TapatalkNo 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.
Shebeen Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 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.
NicoBoshoff Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 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!
Tubehunter Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 GM took it on the day when it mattered on the run that counted. He has done this 7 times now at Fort Minnaar errr William, which shows how dialled he is to RACING this venue! BagearA, lets not restrict to a single wheel size as despite all the technical differences, these bikes can't go down the hill on their own! The key ingredient is the rider and each one will have preferences for a standard setup and change that for specific courses! Let them race what they feel comfortable using on the day!
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 Yeah, I was proper chuffed for Little Trace!
NicoBoshoff Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 Also, Sam Hill quietly sneaking into 18th, after qualifying 78th.
NicoBoshoff Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 Oh and Garlicki got 35th. Pretty great season for him so far. Pottie raced with the flu and finished 71st. Result!
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 Also, Sam Hill quietly sneaking into 18th, after qualifying 78th.yeah, good result from him seeing as he just wanted to quali for worlds
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 Oh and Garlicki got 35th. Pretty great season for him so far. Pottie raced with the flu and finished 71st. Result!VERY good result for Stefan. And Pottie not a bad showing! Hope he's able to improve his position this year.
Patchelicious Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 On the 29er vs 27.5 thing. Its easy. Give Greg 2 bikes, let him do 3 alternating runs on each, then look at the results.....
arendoog Posted June 5, 2017 Posted June 5, 2017 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.The other taller ,heavier Australian did well on a 29er also .I think a combination of more rider weight ,bigger bike and wheels and the skills to keep momentum and balance is what i saw on Greg,s run .All the smaller lighter riders ,and especially the ladies lost heaps of time in the muddy middle section
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