Yep, should be super fun to watch!Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Printable View
Yep, should be super fun to watch!Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Agreed. For hardline to compete with uci world cup the courses may need to be a bit more accessible than the original Wales course. Assuming Redbull intends to compete with uci.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Either way, the hardline courses are awesome!!!
Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk
I doubt anyone involved with Hardline has any intention of "competing" with World Cup DH. It was always meant to be something entirely different.
Now, whether it's morphed away from Athy's original plan of creating the most technically difficult track(s) in the world that only the best riders in the world could navigate? I don't think that's the plan anymore. Original Hardline was reported by the riders as technically harder than any WC trail, and it had a few gratuitous big airs. Athy himself said the goal was to push the boundaries of what can be done by the best riders. Since then, the tech has been cleaned up and it's become more about Fest sized airs that look good on TV. But the run in to the Wales road gap, and pretty much everything after the road gap seems way harder than anything in Tazmania.
To me, the Taz track looks more like a "Dreamline" track for World Cup racers. Probably a lot more fun for them than any World Cup track, and the airs are all huge but straight forward for them.
Not as big as Fest, but way better for "racing" than ALine.
It'll be good entertainment for sure. And I imagine the riders will have fun.
^^^ agreed with all of that.
Aside from the made for TV aspect of it, I also think with the original hardline track, they were having a bit of trouble getting good talent to show up. It's structured as a race, so they kinda need real racers to compete. But real racers aren't interested in getting hurt at a one-off event. So they sanitized the track a bit so more of the top talent were willing to ride it.
Even with the "easy" Taz track, Bruni still opted out due to the risk.
That was an entertaining race. Definitely felt a bit more like a traditional race than the Wales version. In large part due to the lengthy middle section of the track that was neither particularly techy or filled with big jumps. Thought the coverage was pretty good, although a bunch of the camera angles didn't really do justice to the features.
Also just nice to watch some racing in the middle of the winter.
*** spoilers below ***
Impressed by Dunne - looking forward to seeing what he does this WC season. The fact that he was able to hold off Kerr, even though Kerr's had a couple weeks of practice on the track, is pretty rad.
That said, Goldstone was clearly moving at a completely different pace from the rest of the field. Bummed we didn't get to at least see a split time from him, although pinkbike commenters said he was about 2 seconds up via freeze frame video grabs. Sounds like he might have a knee injury - hopefully it's not too bad.
Great race. Super impressed by Gracey. She nailed the first full hardline race run by a woman and beat out a couple dudes.
Camera angles did not do the course justice. Very difficult to tell how techy anything was given the coverage.
Dunne smoked the course with a days less practice than anyone else. I think he was on a stock Summum too? His custom hardline bike waa lost in the post? Or did his get there just in time for the raceday?
Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk
Awesome to see Gracey put down that run, hope it boosts her confidence and pace going into WCDH season. Hope Jackson isn't a bad MCL and he's back on form for this season, seemed like a freak crash.
Daprela off canyon after only 3 months "by mutual agreement." He says he'll be racing as a privateer. The rumor mill seems to suggest that he did something improper with a female, and commencal, and now canyon booted him for that reason. Nothing official on that front though.
It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Kinda shocking, it seems like it has to be something not good for two big teams to run that quickly away from a top 5 talent.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Article on the Daprela thing, with a statement from Daprela (translated from French)
Quote:
Before we begin, let’s provide some context. This Thursday, March 14, Thibaut Dapréla announced on his social networks his separation, by mutual agreement, from the Canyon CLLCTV team where he had only just arrived (at the beginning of January) from the Commencal Muc-Off team where he had been since his beginnings. This very surprising double departure led to a number of questions and allegations were made that these two departures were linked to extra-sporting reasons. You can find all the information in this first article that we published: After Commençal, the very strange departure of Thibaut Dapréla from Canyon .
We managed to contact Thibaut Dapréla directly, currently in Portugal to take part in a preparation race, this Friday March 15 in the morning. Here is the content of our exchange with the French pilot:
“ I did not wish to communicate further at the start, but faced with certain defamatory comments and allegations which come back to me from certain people who nevertheless shake my hand and smile at me when they see me but who attack me from behind, I would like to give some additional elements because this goes too far. It takes a lot of energy from me when I would like to devote myself to my sport and winning races. »
First of all, we asked Thibaut Dapréla the reasons for his departure from the Commençal team. “ It’s a considered decision. I wanted a change of horizon and I was very happy with this new start. Unfortunately, following the announcement of my arrival within the Canyon CLLCTV team, problems began because obviously people in the community who knew my sporting abilities perfectly did not appreciate the fact that I was riding for Canyon at all. From there, people clearly tried to destroy or even destabilize me with odious practices. These actions caused a lot of harm to me but also to my loved ones and my family, which demonstrates vile, disloyal behavior and very far from sporting values. I could never have imagined such a smear campaign. »
“ Unfortunately I can't say more because there is nothing to say. This is where it is terrible and frustrating for me and my family, my parents, my little sister. »
Then, we asked the question about leaving Canyon. “ This was done by mutual agreement, for legal reasons. On the other hand, I would like to point out that even if I ride within a private structure and if I am no longer part of the Canyon CLLCTV team, I will ride on a Canyon Sender next season. I will also keep most of the components that I have been testing for several months in order to capitalize on all the work done this winter. »
Finally, we returned to the allegations which point to extra-sporting reasons for the departure of Thibaut Dapréla from the Commencal/Muc-Off structures, then Canyon. “ There is no extra-sporting reason. However, given the way things are going, my family and I are now surrounded by advisors and lawyers in order, if necessary, to pursue anyone who still makes insulting or defamatory remarks about me. I don't like it but unfortunately, in today's society with the continued presence of social networks, we are forced to do this to protect ourselves. »
Faaacck
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
Where there's smoke there's fire. There's some chatter over on Vital from people in the French DH community that imply some kind of incident happened, possibly with a junior female rider? If it's real, hope there's a real investigation happening, have seen all too often when stuff gets swept under the rug (see: hockey).
On the other hand, that chatter may be exactly what he is fighting against. Where there is slander there is not always slime. I just made that up. I'm so proud of myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by gramboh
Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk
Very true. Although the fact that he's left 2 teams in 3 months and he's now lawyered up certainly makes it seem like there's something more to this than internet rumors. Time will tell.Quote:
Originally Posted by skinipenem
Unfortunately, that might be true [emoji20] I'm trying to be optimistic.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk
There is a lot of ways this could go, but it seems like something happened. Could be statutory in nature, it could be he hooked up with the wrong persons daughter, it could be the worst thing being suggested…. Likely not nothing… unfortunately in this world speculation will run rampant until the facts come out. It’s a not a good look for him no matter the outcome.
My guess is; we’re going to see how hard it is for a privateer to keep going at World Cups these days. Even a crazy fast one.
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
It is even hard for the smaller teams to afford competition these days. I'm genuinely concerned about the future of DH racing.Quote:
Originally Posted by jm2e
Also, what's up with all the F bomb dropping by pro DH riders the last couple of seasons? I can't watch DH with my kids these days. Its not a good look for a sport that is struggling for mainstream legitimacy.
Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk
Attachment 490871Quote:
Originally Posted by skinipenem
edit...not to be 100% flippant, I generally don't swear in front of my kid, but lots of parents do these days, and I don't get bent out of shape when people swear in front of him. It's life, it's only a big deal if you make it a big deal.
Agreed, who gives a fuck? God forbid these guys/kids show some emotion, it's not the PGA.Quote:
Originally Posted by t.odd
I think I'd be more offended if some racer crashed hard on camera and unleashed a stream of gosh darnits.
Was Bernard Kerr hurt in the cranck works crash?
I'm not offended by the f bombs. My point is that dh might consider eliminating the profanity to increase mainstream acceptance of the sport thereby increasing rider pay etc....
The problem with role models behaving outside of social Norms (whatever that is) is that kids emulate that behavior.
.. but, whatever, dh might remain on the fringe forever
Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk
Oh my heck, that’s darn tootin’.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Mainstream like the NFL? Those guys are clean as a whistle.Quote:
Originally Posted by skinipenem
NFL fines coaches and players.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk
Not for the occasional random f-bomb.Quote:
Originally Posted by skinipenem
Unless your kids live in sensory deprivation chambers, they're gonna hear colorful language. Everywhere. Rather than getting annoyed at the fact that the world turns, maybe work on teaching around this inevitability.
Ding Ding Ding 🛎️Quote:
Originally Posted by skinipenem
Not because of a lack of professionalism. Just because I don’t think it ever will be. It’ll never be big like F1, Moto, anything skiing, any team sports. It just won’t. For better or worse.
If nobody’s watching American soccer, or women’s basketball or track & field because they can’t relate and don’t care, why would they ever flock to MTB DH or MTB anything.
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
Pinkbike fantasy DH is back! Now with some changes, mainly dynamic pricing. Should be interesting.
I made a league. League name: Sprockets. Password: TGR
Are we doing prizes this year?
Fire sale pricing for TeeBow!!
Too soon?
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
Heh. But he's still expensive! Spendy until proven guilty, I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by jm2e
Watched BK's crash. He either was unscathed or ruptured a spleen... ie, that could be anywhere on the spectrum
Don’t tell Mrs Dee Hubbs…Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
She’s already making TDF spreadsheets [emoji12]
I think I already got that covered. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk
He’s fineQuote:
Originally Posted by grskier
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4r8u...Frem1jdDVudmo0
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
To paraphrase Warner; to can tell BKs doing well … because he just told you.
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
Here is a link for joining after you make your team.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
https://www.pinkbike.com/contest/fan...leagueid=19965
Joined the league, so stoked this is back. My PB name is hi-dr-nick
I'm down to make a wager/have prizes.
Jackson Goldstone is out for the foreseeable future. He ended up getting surgery on his knee.
yeah, out for the yearQuote:
Originally Posted by grskier