Yeah, he ain’t winning thisNow MVDP looks cooked already.
Last MTB raceA long time since we've seen him blow up in a race......Unless there's an underlying issue - illness (as Covid is going around).
Although he was the defending World champion - I didn't have Hatherly down for the win......I thought he'd challenge for a podium. It's been a weird race.......
Our GC hero Pidcock would've won today.
He won by a minute here last year......Matthias 2nd, and Braidot 3rd. Hatherly was 20th......
Wrong strategy, should have worked his way up gradually. That said, VTT field quality is very high right now. At one point he was on Pidcocks level but he's been away from the discipline too long.Mathieu got smashed. Not sure what the issue was, but he finished behind Riley Amos in 29th. Doesn't look like his tour of WC's will ever include a MTB win, unless he decides to dedicate a season to MTB, which I doubt will ever happen. He isn't the MTBer that Pidcock is.
Mathieu got smashed. Not sure what the issue was, but he finished behind Riley Amos in 29th. Doesn't look like his tour of WC's will ever include a MTB win, unless he decides to dedicate a season to MTB, which I doubt will ever happen. He isn't the MTBer that Pidcock is.
Don;t think this was a MTB issue; he wouldn't have won a Road or CX race.....the legs weren't there - and there is an issue, as he's not feeling great, and is lacking resiliance; to use his own words. I'm guessing the after effects of pneumonia he had in the Tour.....respiratory illnesses aren't fun, and for a sport like cycling can be a real problem.MvdP: on lap two I though to myself: "he's looking solid". Then reality set in for him that mountain biking is hard. I'd love to see him put a big effort into dirt racing, but unless someone can match his road paycheck, why would he?!
Yes his prospects look bleak. Maybe he could do it with complete focus on MTB for at least a full season but like this it just seems impossible.Mathieu got smashed. Not sure what the issue was, but he finished behind Riley Amos in 29th. Doesn't look like his tour of WC's will ever include a MTB win, unless he decides to dedicate a season to MTB, which I doubt will ever happen. He isn't the MTBer that Pidcock is.
We could hope that at one point more money is no longer his main driver but something else. He has the chance to become legendary (like PFP) and win WC in all four disciplines (not counting track and TT). Could count for something…?Nice race AH! Congrats 2X champ!
Vic on both podiums! Also JRISS and AK!
MvdP: on lap two I though to myself: "he's looking solid". Then reality set in for him that mountain biking is hard. I'd love to see him put a big effort into dirt racing, but unless someone can match his road paycheck, why would he?!
The top single sided guy was out with COVID. The other, Martin?For you that follow MTB, the Crans Montana course looks grueling. Is it one of the more technical?
MVDP moved from his starting position up to 4th place within the first 5K being a meagre 7 sec behind the leader. Then followed a gradual decline from around 9K and on.
ps. very few riders on single-sided forks?!