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check RedBullTVSome bits of the worlds XCO track. Maybe it's the video angle or lens used but it does look like it's incredibly steep at parts. Both up and downhill
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44hmbgefAr4
Anyone knows if we only have live TV for the elite races or, like in Lenzerheide two years ago, the relay and the U23 races will be shown live?
The Under23 Women race should be one of the more exciting races of the week, with Stigger and Lecomte going back to their age group and facing Batten, Kata Blanka Vas, Harnden and Marchet. A shame that Alvarado goes to CycloCross next weekend.
For my country, I hope the portuguese girls can do something. Both Raquel Queirós (U23) and Ana Santos (Junior). Queirós was in great form before lockdown when she was 4th in a portuguese race where the rest of the top-5 was composed by Alessandra Keller, Maja Wloszczowska, Rocio Garcia and Kathrin Stirnemann. A top-10 would be great for both.
Courses have been getting tougher for a good while now, the old dirt crits are gone (unless it's the Olympics...) and it produces some decent racing. It's also driven those enormous dinner-plate cassettes people in my road clubs keep trying to fit to their bikes!Some bits of the worlds XCO track. Maybe it's the video angle or lens used but it does look like it's incredibly steep at parts. Both up and downhill
check RedBullTV
The thing is, two to three hour dirt races were pretty hard in the '90s too, at least in my part of the world. They were just as technical (natural obstacles vs the man made features that are becoming more prevalent) and longer, with 30 minutes climbs, they don't even have 30 minute laps now. That being said, I prefer watching and racing the shorter, multi loop events.Agree; the days of 3 hour dirt road races is well and truly over. You need to be excellent in all facets of the discipline.
Technical climbs, descents, rocks, roots, etc If you have a weakness, you'll be exposed - and the sport is all the better for it.
I reckon it was very location dependent. The differences in races in the UK was pretty big and also the mad innovation in bikes back then meant some people had a much easier time than others. Now everyone has a bike that you could probably throw down a full downhill course and be fine on. The old courses produced some excellent climbers on the road, will be interesting to see if those who cross over now can still climb like that or if they're all going to be more in the MVdP mould.The thing is, two to three hour dirt races were pretty hard in the '90s too, at least in my part of the world. They were just as technical (natural obstacles vs the man made features that are becoming more prevalent) and longer, with 30 minutes climbs, they don't even have 30 minute laps now. That being said, I prefer watching and racing the shorter, multi loop events.
I know someone who raced against Froome. He said it was funny becuase every climb you'd see this fella flying past everyone and then on the descent you'd see him off the side of the track while you went down. Repeat ad lib. until the end. That was around the time races started to get more technical I think.Agree; the days of 3 hour dirt road races is well and truly over. You need to be excellent in all facets of the discipline.
Technical climbs, descents, rocks, roots, etc If you have a weakness, you'll be exposed - and the sport is all the better for it.
The old courses produced some excellent climbers on the road, will be interesting to see if those who cross over now can still climb like that or if they're all going to be more in the MVdP mould.
This post belong in the non cycling, motorcycle thread.Tom Pidcock wins the e-bike race.
Wow. That is awesome! Reminds me a wee bit of like Mont-Sainte-Anne. Some folks are gonna crash out badly.Not gonna argue with that.
Holy f***, the circuit looks difficult. And if it rains, even worse. So far meteo shows rain for saturday afternoon and, for the night, snow, which could make downhill very difficult to go ahead.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbKNuvVvx08