Race Thread

[lemon cheese cake]

Yes, backtracking is allowed between the two yellow flags on the pit lane.

So of course the rule is to blame to things like this. It must be expected that the riders are giving 110% and over they limits and cannot fully think on a situation like this. Allowing riders to reverse and go on the opposite direction of someone going 25 or 30 km/h is bound to result in disgrace. Even more in shitty pit lanes like the ones we had in Brussels, with trees on the middle of the race line and on the middle of the pit line. And if you ban backtracking completely, the amount of mechanicals happening on the pit lane must be like what, less than 1% of the total mechanicals for a year?

It's not much, but we have seen in the past with the likes of Van Aert at Koksijde a couple of seasons ago. I don't see anything wrong with backtracking as a rule, however today was obviously a problem it can cause at therefore when doing so, one needs to take care when doing so. I feel what happened today was just that Kastelijn misjudged the speed/how close Verdonschot was and could even of happened if the backtracking rule wasn't in place (i.e a rider running round the course in the correct direction with a mechanical, attempts to move off the general racing line and is unseen by a fast approaching rider who is taking a different line or fans/trees/barriers block the view of the exit of the corner).

 

[Barkintheeye]

The course at Brussel looked interesting with a very varied mix of quick parts on tarmac and hard pack and slippery treacherous mud sections. This combination must present a tricky trade-off in the choice of tires and tire pressure.

Did anyone hear or observe what tires MVDP, Merlier, van Kessel and others opted for and what pressures they were on?

 

[lemon cheese cake]

The course at Brussel looked interesting with a very varied mix of quick parts on tarmac and hard pack and slippery treacherous mud sections. This combination must present a tricky trade-off in the choice of tires and tire pressure.

Did anyone hear or observe what tires MVDP, Merlier, van Kessel and others opted for and what pressures they were on?

They showed Van Der Poel with a mud tyre on the front at the star line, however Niki Brammier said on the start line that most would likely choices would vary between muds and intermediates. Possibly some mixing and matching with an intermediate on the back

 

[Barkintheeye]

They showed Van Der Poel with a mud tyre on the front at the star line, however Niki Brammier said on the start line that most would likely choices would vary between muds and intermediates. Possibly some mixing and matching with an intermediate on the back

Like Typhoons in the back and Rhinos front? The off-camber sections looked really difficult. Not often to see so many mistakes by these riders.

Van Kessel punctured right?

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Like Typhoons in the back and Rhinos front? The off-camber sections looked really difficult. Not often to see so many mistakes by these riders.

Van Kessel punctured right?

Yes, that kind of thing, although those on challenge would probably get away with a Baby Limus and Grifo as the muddy parts weren't deep.
In terms of Punctures, I'm not sure as I didn't end up watching the whole race.

 

[RedheadDane]

Like Typhoons in the back and Rhinos front?

Uhm... I'm gonna assume you're talking tire types here.
I just had some really strange mental images...

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Kastelijn has looked technically poor in recent weeks; lots of basic mistakes. Needs a summer working on her flaws.....

 

[sir fly]

Uhm... I'm gonna assume you're talking tire types here.
I just had some really strange mental images...

Always think about rubber, RhD.

Btw, are you bigger than Kay?

 

[Ricco']

Kastelijn has looked technically poor in recent weeks; lots of basic mistakes. Needs a summer working on her flaws.....

To me it seems that all the criticism and "hate" online and on the press that she is receiving in the past weeks for her mistakes is only contributing to make the problem even bigger, she seems without any confidence. She was clearly frustrated with herself after the crash on the offcamber descent and the sight of her crossing the finish line in tears was heartbreaking.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Van Kessel punctured right?

No, his chain got stuck. That's why he lost 10 or 15 seconds at once in 100 meters.

 

[RedheadDane]

Always think about rubber, RhD.

Btw, are you bigger than Kay?

Dunno. Don't know how big she is.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Dunno. Don't know how big she is.

It seems like she could be smuggled into the movie theater under a sweatshirt. But i can't find any specifics... her Twitter profile picture for reference:

 

[RedheadDane]

Now, if we could find out the heights of the ladies standing next to her...
I'm assuming they're actually standing on the top-step with her, otherwise she's really short!

 

[tobydawq]

Now, if we could find out the heights of the ladies standing next to her...
I'm assuming they're actually standing on the top-step with her, otherwise she's really short!

Can you be smuggled into the movies under a sweatshirt?

Have you been?

 

[sir fly]

Dunno. Don't know how big she is.

Two thumbs shorter than you, according to my calculations.
You're not that small, at all... big enough for dirt and road.

 

[RedheadDane]

Can you be smuggled into the movies under a sweatshirt?

Have you been?

That is a theory I am yet to test.

Two thumbs shorter than you, according to my calculations.
You're not that small, at all... big enough for dirt and road.

I don't actually ride myself, apart from the basic get to places stuff. I've just said that cross looks like fun, I have also said that I'd probably be *** at it.
Look... I like watching people suffer! I don't like suffering myself.

 

[sir fly]

I don't actually ride myself, apart from the basic get to places stuff. I've just said that cross looks like fun, I have also said that I'd probably be *** at it.
Look... I like watching people suffer! I don't like suffering myself.

Yes, yes... I think I remember walking the plank being your favourite pastime.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Yes, yes... I think I remember walking the plank being your favourite pastime.

Seeing that has just made my evening. I might have to watch Peter Pan again.

Now, if we could find out the heights of the ladies standing next to her...
I'm assuming they're actually standing on the top-step with her, otherwise she's really short!

Well Ffion James on the left is really tall, and Sophie Thackray on the right is quite tall. For some reason in the uk national series, our podiums don't have steps and are just flat, so that is the actual heights.

 

[RedheadDane]

Well Ffion James on the left is really tall, and Sophie Thackray on the right is quite tall. For some reason in the uk national series, our podiums don't have steps and are just flat, so that is the actual heights.

Ah! If they're really tall and quite tall, then I guess she's average height.
My definition of "average" might be different from most people…

 

[tobydawq]

She looks like she is around 19 medals tall. Supposing that the medal has a diameter of 8cm, that makes her stand 152 cm tall.

Edit: Sometimes the fact that we can't like our own posts is just sad...

 

[RedheadDane]

I am indeed taller than that.
And let's stop this talk about my height here…

 

[tobydawq]

Because you think the topic deserves its own thread?

 

[sir fly]

I am indeed taller than that.
And let's stop this talk about my height here…

It's about Kay's height.
As much as you'd like, it's not everything about you... here!

 

[RedheadDane]

It's about Kay's height.
As much as you'd like, it's not everything about you... here!

She's obviously tall enough!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I hadn't looked up the numbers, but apparently Thibau Nys has won 15 out of 18 races this season so far.

Curious to see in the future if his current reign is based on technique, a more professional entourage than his competitors (including training schedule), or also physical talent. It's difficult to judge at that age. I can imagine having the best equipment, trainers, expertise and parents that live and work in the same branche (rhythm), make a big impact.