UCI MTB World Cup (All forms!)

[jmdirt]

It looks a really tough track, and with all the rain, it's going to be a real test. A total mudfest.

Will be interesting to see tyre choice; fast, XC tyres aren't going to work; so a proper mud tyre looks the way to go.
As said, Nino tends to dislike the wet & mud but a World Championship is on the line; it wouldn't be a shock to see a new winner - pick a name...you'll get a good run for your money.

For the women, PFP is an obvious favourite; but with the conditions, who knows? With the mud, you'll probably need serious power, and the lighter weight riders might struggle?

As for the e-MTB races, I don't have a problem - the best riders will still win, it just adds a tactical part to the race; when and where do you use it? How much have you used/ got left? I've got the impression people think some fat, overweight guy will turn up and win. E-bikes are here to stay, so the sport has to reflect that. It will eventually become a serious championship.

There are many forms of motorcycle racing already and fat guys tend not to win any of them.

 

[Ricco']

I have Avancini, Vader and Koretzky on my Pinkbike team.

The conditions should favor Flückiger, but after Nové Mesto illness I have some question marks over his head.

 

[King Boonen]

That's a good point; Hejsdal, Rasmussen, Evans, Fuglsang, etc

The current courses don't really have any long climbs; I think Valnord in Andorra possibly has the longest climb. So the 'pure climber' isn't the ideal type for modern courses; were they tend to be more punchy climbs.

I'm not aware that any of the current riders have expressed a wish to switch.

Pidcock has signed with Ineos, so will be interesting to see how he turns out, although he already looks like he could win anything he wants to.

 

[Ricco']

Yes, disappointed Alvarado is skipping the Worlds; she would possibly be a medal contender.

Alvarado will be at start, after all. Confirmed by Alpecin Fenix.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Alvarado will be at start, after all. Confirmed by Alpecin Fenix.

Yes, I saw that today; but even yesterday it was obvious from her Instagram that she was going to do it; why else would she be riding in the Austrian Alps.....

 

[jmdirt]

PFP!

 

[Axel Hangleck]

PFP just rode away from the rest of them. In fact, it was a far hillier track than I had thought - a bit different from the usual short punchy climbs. Epic battle for 2nd between Lechner & McConnell.

And the men's was a possible surprise; I would never have picked Sarrou for a win; maybe a medal, but he's obviously suited by the long climbs. Another good ride from Fluckinger to claim another silver medal, and another French rider in bronze.

End of an era? I wouldn't write Nino off yet, but it will be strange to see him not in the rainbow jersey. Will make next year interesting.

 

[Ricco']

Pidcock with the fastest lap of the week on the circuit. 12'26'' on his first lap, 9 seconds faster than Sarrou's first lap today. He reached his first lap with more km's under his belt too, given the two start loops.

Fastest average too, but without 2 laps, although the U23 did one extra start loop.

 

[jmdirt]

Sarrou is a surprise for me too, but that's a cool thing about racing sometimes!
Congrats!

 

[Axel Hangleck]

European Champs in Switzerland on what looks like a nice, but testing course.

No surprise in the women's with PFP claiming another win in dominant fashion, with Terpsra in 2nd, and Belomoina in 3rd.
And in the men's, well, who else, but Nino after a nice battle with Carod, with Fluckinger in 3rd.

 

[Ripper]

European Champs in Switzerland on what looks like a nice, but testing course.

No surprise in the women's with PFP claiming another win in dominant fashion, with Terpsra in 2nd, and Belomoina in 3rd.
And in the men's, well, who else, but Nino after a nice battle with Carod, with Fluckinger in 3rd.

Looked like a cool race. Would love to see if there is a full replay.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

It was live on Eurosport Player, but with no commentary......I've just had a look, it's available on demand. Also, it's on Eurosport 2 later today

 

[jmdirt]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXi7L3YEK7Q

 

[Ricco']

A lot of team changes on the MTB circuit:

• Pauline Ferrand Prevot leaves Canyon and is supposed to join Absalon on the Absolute Absalon team.
• Jordan Sarrou leaves Absolute Absalon (from what I've read, some rumours point him to Specialized, but don't know about that with Specialized Factory disbanding almost completly).
• Emily Batty leaves Trek (rumours say she's heading to Canyon)
• Haley Batten and Chris Blevins goes from Specialized Factory to Trinity Racing
• Simon Andreassen and Alan Hatherly leave Specialized Factory too. No word yet about their team but from what I've seen on Instagram both of them have started following recently pages related to Cannondale Factory, and affiliated to the team like Avancini Bikes and sponsor Prologó.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Some others:

Kerschbaumer is leaving Torpado - and the rumours are Specialized.
Sina Frei is leaving Ghost - and again no confirmation until 1st Jan.
Chloe Woodruff is leaving Stan's Pivot, who are disbanding.
Maxime Marotte - haven't seen much rumours apart from a possible Santa Cruz XC team???

It's quite a shake up - and will be strange to see so many on unusual colours/bikes. Batty not on a Trek, Nino not in the rainbow bands.

 

[Ricco']

I don't know where I read that but I think I saw something related to Sina Frei going to Specz

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Sounds pausible - with Langvad retiring, they'll want a replacement - and Sina is a young rider with lots of improvement to come.

 

[Black Betsy]

Hey, dudes, I recently lost track of the live events. Any link with calendar + live dates? Thanx in advance!

 

[Ricco']

So a lot of the rumours were confirmed:

Pauline Ferrand Prevot to Absolute Absalon
Jordan Sarrou, Gerhard Kerschbaumer, Sina Frei and Laura Stigger to Specialized Factory - Killer Team!
Simon Andreassen and Alan Hatherly join Avancini and Fumic at Cannondale Factory - Another very strong team
Maxime Marotte and Luca Braidot to Santa Cruz XC
Isla Short goes from her own independent program to Orbea Factory Team
David Valero from MMR Factory to BH Templo Cafés


The big brands all with very strong teams:
Specialized - Sarrou, Kerschbaumer, Frei and Stigger (plus Batten, Blevins and Rissveds on satellite teams)
Scott - Schurter, Courtney, Lars Forster and Andri Frischknecht
Trek - Jolanda Neff, Evie Richards, Anton Cooper and Stephane Tempier
Cannondale - Andreassen, Hatherly, Avancini and Fumic

 

[Axel Hangleck]

As rumoured, Emily Batty signs for Canyon, with Schwalbe tyres; no other details as yet.

 

[jmdirt]

As rumoured, Emily Batty signs for Canyon, with Schwalbe tyres; no other details as yet.

Emily Batty Signs With Canyon - Pinkbike

The Canadian XCO racer hopes to find Olympic success with her new team.

www.pinkbike.com

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Rumour Season is Almost Over - UCI Publishes 2021 Team List - Pinkbike

After months of speculation, teasing, and trolling, the UCI has released the team list for 2021.

www.pinkbike.com

Official list of entries for 2021.

 

[jmdirt]

Rumour Season is Almost Over - UCI Publishes 2021 Team List - Pinkbike

After months of speculation, teasing, and trolling, the UCI has released the team list for 2021.

www.pinkbike.com

Official list of entries for 2021.

Thanks for the list! Biggest upgrade award goes to: Santa Cruz. Absalon started from a higher point but they are really loaded now! I skipped through a lot of the smaller teams for now, but will check back later to see who I can pick out.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

The 2023 UCI MTB World Cup Calendar

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup dates and venues have been revealed. Learn about all the big downhill/cross-country events and watch highlights from each round right here.

www.redbull.com

UCI MTB World Cup & World Championships 2021.

 

[Ricco']

The World Cup will be expanded in 2022. So far 8 XCO races are set and that July 10th date should also be a double header.

With the World Championships, we are talking about 10 top level races in a season.

Petropolis, Avancini's birthplace, should be fun, the crowd (hopefully we will have that back) will go mental.

26-27 March - Lourdes DHI
8-10 April - Petropolis XCO / XCC
6-8 May - Albstadt XCO / XCC
13-15 May - Nove Mesto XCO / XCC
21-22 May - Fort William DHI
10-12 June - Leogang XCO/XCC/DHI
8-10 July - TBC
15-17 July - Vallnord XCO/XCC/DHI
29-31 July - Snowshoe XCO/XCC/DHI
5-7 Aug - Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO/XCC/DHI
2-4 Sep - Val di Sole XCO/XCC/DHI