UCI MTB World Cup (All forms!)

[jmdirt]

Men shorty: good race! Congrats VK. I thought that CB had the move...
I don't love the course.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Flobikes (Canada) did not carry the junior races today but had the U23s and elites, and will broadcast both of those categories live as well for XCO.

Jenn Jackson third in elite XCC is surely a surprise, but Isabella Holmgren U23s is definitely not. How many rainbow jerseys is that now across all disciplines?

I think it's 5, for now - possibly another at the weekend.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Holmgren has another two plus years as a U23 if she wishes.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Men shorty: good race! Congrats VK. I thought that CB had the move...
I don't love the course.

Not the greatest for short track, too much single perhaps and that dodgy bit of tarmac.
But never mind, most likely will never be used again for top level racing.
Onward to Crans Montana for the weekend.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Holmgren has another two plus years as a U23 if she wishes.

Yes; they're being rather sensible with her, instead of moving straight up after last season. Let her become more comfortable and skilled before moving up.

 

[jmdirt]

Goldstone's run was spectacular! He had several great lines that others weren't doing.

 

[jono]

Goldstone's run was spectacular! He had several great lines that others weren't doing.

I don't normally have much time for downhill MTB or "gravity" sports in general, but I found that final and Goldstone's run in particular to be genuinely compelling.

The ever-gimmicky XC team relay is tomorrow. Has anyone seen team start lists?

 

[jmdirt]

Women shorty: good race! Congrats AK!

 

[jmdirt]

3:50:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ6bzIGnHg8

 

[jono]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1966171896757760566

View: https://x.com/cdncyclist/status/1966171896757760566


France and Italy way out in front for 1 and 2, Switzerland gets 3rd.

Cole Punchard closed 7 seconds to Schurter on the final lap but couldn't quite grab the podium spot for Canada.

 

[Ripper]

Goldstone's run was spectacular! He had several great lines that others weren't doing.

Watching Jackson race is just awesome! And I don't even ride the MTB anymore!

 

[Ripper]

Women shorty: good race! Congrats AK!

Good race but crap course

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Good race but crap course

Typical Short Track course - they could be better, but it seems they want close racing, with very little technical elements.

However, onto the XCO races....and I think we'll get some exciting racing.

 

[stonerider]

Good race but crap course

If you want a close race then the less technical race is better. I get bored with real technical races with big gaps between the leaders.

 

[jmdirt]

Good race but crap course

I already commented on the terrible course so I didn't want to be a broken record.

 

[jmdirt]

Typical Short Track course - they could be better, but it seems they want close racing, with very little technical elements.

However, onto the XCO races....and I think we'll get some exciting racing.

You can have close racing on a good course.

 

[Ripper]

Typical Short Track course - they could be better, but it seems they want close racing, with very little technical elements.

However, onto the XCO races....and I think we'll get some exciting racing.

I think it was worse than normal. It was not very technical, which is an issue (for some of us at least). But it was also needlessly dangerous. I mean, high speed transitions into concrete on a higher speed apex? No wonder the women saw some nasty crashes.

I think they put too much effort into making that venue something where the racing could criss-cross the terrain.

As you say though, onto the XCO, where the course is technical and hopefully has no stupid features

 

[jono]

Huge time gaps in the junior women's XCO race at the moment. Not sure if this is a result of the course or the field, but after 4 laps gap to 8th is over 4 minutes with riders spread fairly evenly in between.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

How to follow Mountain Bike World Championships on the BBC

BBC Sport has live coverage of the Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.

www.bbc.co.uk

The BBC's preview; shockingly wrong.........

Huge time gaps in the junior women's XCO race at the moment. Not sure if this is a result of the course or the field, but after 4 laps gap to 8th is over 4 minutes with riders spread fairly evenly in between.

A Slovenian winner - recent Junior World champions have drawn interest from the WT/WWT Road teams.......no idea if she's on their radar.

 

[Ripper]

How to follow Mountain Bike World Championships on the BBC

BBC Sport has live coverage of the Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.

www.bbc.co.uk

The BBC's preview; shockingly wrong.........

A Slovenian winner - recent Junior World champions have drawn interest from the WT/WWT Road teams.......no idea if she's on their radar.

She has been winning a lot of European races, but who knows.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

The lack of British riders in the Top 10 of the Youth categories is worrying....(though I expect Ella MacLean-Howell to get a Top 10) but where are all the rest of the off-road talents??
Tom, Charlie & Evie were all competitive in Junior/ U23 World Cups/ Championships.......and apart from Ella, it's looking a bit bleak.

 

[pastronef]

Maxwell and Rissveds talked for a few minutes right after the line. Maxwell looked very emotional

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Since the Euros, Rissveds has looked imperious - and Sammie kept her honest, and has been so consistent all season. Keller has timed her form for this time of season. If only for Evie - Covid after the Euros has probably cost her training time - but a great race.
Puck has never looked in form since racing the Tour, and another Pirelli puncture cost her any chance of fighting with Evie........

After the World Cup last season I thought Lecomte would challenge here - but she's another one whose form has disappeared.......

 

[jono]

I'll admit I was dozing on and off but the course didn't look particularly technical. Less than Les Gets the other week. I could, of course, be wrong!

 

[Axel Hangleck]

I'll admit I was dozing on and off but the course didn't look particularly technical. Less than Les Gets the other week. I could, of course, be wrong!

They've de-tuned' it since last year, but it was wet last year which added to the challenge. There is rain forecast, so it could be a little tricky, but not like last season.......