Ft William WC

[APT]

Just read on another forum that Steve Smith blew out his knee in practice/qualifying.

That's really unfortunate if he is out for the season.

[Cammm]

Nooooooooooo !!

[Johnie P]

Where did you read that?

[hcg1]

It says he hope to be ready for the World Champs. I doubt he is out for the season. He hyper-extended his knee apparently. Hope hes good for the Worlds

[DaveM]

Where did you read that?

It's over on Ridemonkey.

steve smith injured?
i know this sounds very gay.
but just logged onto facebook and first update in the top corner was by stevie
"i blew out my knee. **** me"

Yup, blew up his knee yesterday sticking his foot out in a corner. He is currently on crutches.

[Golden Boy]

Ahhhhh no way! That sucks for Steve, after such a good start to the season! Ain't that always the way? Heal up quick Steve.

nate

[DaveM]

1. Greg Minaar
2. Gee Atherton
3. Steve Peat
4. Nathan Rennie
5. Sam Hill

It was awesome watching it live on Freecaster. Good to see Rennie in the top group again.

[K-Loops Rider]

^^Minaar takes the win, that was good to see again. Sam Hill got 4th I believe.

It sucks that Steve Smith blew out his knee, he could of done really well.

[CamMiller]

Freecaster worked perfect, Syndicate team killed it!
and Cedrics run was quite entertaining, I wonder if Hill messed up
in the tree's he looked really strong through the top section

[DaveM]

I wonder if Hill messed up
in the tree's he looked really strong through the top section

I wondered the same thing, he was standing and pedaling where others were sitting. Maybe he ran out of gas too soon.

Full results poached from Ridemonkey

1 27 MINNAAR Greg RSA SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 4:43.52
2 4 ATHERTON Gee GBR ANIMAL COMMENCAL 4:46.69
3 3 PEAT Steve GBR SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 4:47.42
4 13 RENNIE Nathan AUS SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 4:48.19
5 1 HILL Samuel AUS MONSTER ENERGY / IRON HORSE 4:48.70
6 48 CATHRO Ben GBR MOJO ORANGE 4:49.08
7 18 ATHERTON Dan GBR ANIMAL COMMENCAL 4:49.76
8 23 LEOV Justin NZL YETI FOX SHOX FACTORY RACE TEAM 4:52.38
9 25 BLENKINSOP Samuel NZL YETI FOX SHOX FACTORY RACE TEAM 4:52.97
10 11 PASCAL Mickael FRA MSC BIKES 4:53.87
11 16 PAYET Florent FRA SUBARU MOUNTAIN BIKE PRO TEAM 4:55.15
12 111 CAMELLINI Julien FRA CHAIN REACTION CYCLES/INTENSE 4:55.40
13 38 KOVARIK Chris AUS CHAIN REACTION CYCLES/INTENSE 4:55.65
14 5 BEAUMONT Marc GBR TEAM BIKE RADAR 4:56.23
15 66 GRACIA Cédric FRA COMMENCAL - FURIOUS - OAKLEY TEAM 4:56.29
16 15 BRYCELAND Josh ° GBR SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 4:57.13
17 98 HUTCHENS Chris GBR MOJO ORANGE 4:57.18
18 22 CANALS FLIX Pasqual ESP MASSI 4:57.22
19 21 GUARDIA PASCUAL Bernat ESP MSC BIKES 4:57.64
20 35 OULEGO MORENO Ivan ESP MASSI 4:58.06
21 74 ATKINSON Bryn AUS GT BICYCLES / MONGOOSE BICYCLES 4:58.16
22 14 PEDEMANAUD Fabien FRA TEAM PYRENEES MOREWOOD 4:58.80
23 12 FAIRCLOUGH Brendan GBR MONSTER ENERGY / IRON HORSE 4:58.89
24 26 POLC Filip SVK KENDA TOMAC 4:59.02
25 39 DONOGHUE Neil GBR TEAM BIKE RADAR 5:00.28
26 9 VAZQUEZ LOPEZ David ESP LAPIERRE DH POWERED BY SAAB SALOMON 5:01.26
27 68 DELFS Mitchell AUS KENDA TOMAC 5:01.63
28 20 NEETHLING Andrew RSA GT BICYCLES / MONGOOSE BICYCLES 5:01.67
29 121 DALE Sam ° GBR CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING 5:01.82
30 47 SAIZ CASTANE Oscar ESP GIANT MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM 5:02.37
31 106 STRAIT Kyle USA SPECIALIZED FACTORY RACING 5:02.45
32 125 BUTTON Joshua AUS --- 5:02.65
33 44 SIMMONDS Matthew GBR CHAIN REACTION CYCLES/INTENSE 5:03.20
34 45 STANBRIDGE Dan GBR MOJO ORANGE 5:03.55
35 107 HART Danny ° GBR LAPIERRE DH POWERED BY SAAB SALOMON 5:03.85
36 33 RUFFIN Thibaut FRA --- 5:04.68
37 31 GSPAN Dominik SUI --- 5:04.98
38 30 BEGGIN Alan ITA --- 5:06.58
39 40 ZBINDEN Samuel SUI ARGENTINA BIKE GRAVITY TEAM 5:07.57
40 57 PEKOLL Markus AUT SOLID ACLASS FACTORY TEAM 5:07.72
41 131 CRITCHLOW Daniel GBR CHAIN REACTION CYCLES/INTENSE 5:08.21
42 79 TROQUIER Mathieu FRA SOLID ACLASS FACTORY TEAM 5:08.34
43 118 JUILLARD Valentin ° FRA TEAM SUNN 5:08.82
44 101 SMITH Joseph ° GBR TOMAC FACTORY RACING 5:09.09
45 80 BEER Marcel SUI IXS SPORTS DIVISION RACING TEAM 5:09.88
46 200 BARRETT Aari ° NZL --- 5:10.03
47 194 STERNBERG Lars USA --- 5:10.16
48 114 FERREIRO PAJUELO Antonio ° ESP MASSI 5:10.35
49 70 CUNNINGHAM Ruaridh GBR CHAIN REACTION CYCLES/INTENSE 5:10.72
50 155 MACDONALD Brook ° NZL --- 5:10.75
51 49 CALUORI Claudio SUI TOMAC FACTORY RACING 5:10.94
52 72 DEACON Tom GBR --- 5:11.07
53 142 GEOGHEGAN Jack ° GBR --- 5:11.07
54 108 MITCHELL Andrew CAN --- 5:11.34
55 143 DANH PHA Kévin FRA TEAM PYRENEES MOREWOOD 5:11.91
56 124 RISCHBIETH Will AUS --- 5:11.94
57 186 INESON Ben ° GBR REVERSE COMPONENTS 5:12.10
58 117 DELENTE Arnaud ° FRA --- 5:12.25
59 53 CAVALIER Amiel AUS GIANT MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM 5:12.34
60 51 JOHNSEN Espen NOR --- 5:13.32
61 97 MEARS Scott GBR --- 5:13.65
62 56 COLE Cameron NZL TEAM MAXXIS 5:14.10
63 150 JENKINSON Stuart GBR PRINTEXPRESS UK MTB TEAM 5:14.92
64 36 BENNETT Kieran NZL --- 5:18.13
65 96 BARNES Joe GBR --- 5:18.42
66 113 BUGNONE Marco ITA --- 5:25.84
67 37 OLUND Herman SWE --- 5:26.20
68 60 RANDO Jared AUS GIANT MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM 5:39.58
69 24 KLAUSMANN Marcus GER TEAM GHOST INTERNATIONAL 5:42.10
70 29 SPAGNOLO Damien FRA SUBARU MOUNTAIN BIKE PRO TEAM 6:16.14
71 99 SORRELL Rowan GBR --- 6:17.74
72 163 DERTELL dennis ° SWE --- 6:26.45
73 8 BAREL Fabien FRA SUBARU MOUNTAIN BIKE PRO TEAM 6:40.76
74 197 KURTZ Cyrille FRA --- 6:50.20
75 67 MASTERS Wyn NZL --- 10:00.24
76 103 ASHBRIDGE Philip GBR --- 10:18.47
77 205 VAGNER Adam CZE --- 51:06.73
78 17 REID Ben IRL --- DEF
79 94 WARREN Cody USA --- DNF
80 55 BANGERT Cole USA --- DNS
81 61 SIEBER Andreas GER SOLID ACLASS FACTORY TEAM DNS

[APT]

Freecaster was great. It was funny when they yanked one of the guest when he said "boobs" on the air.

[JCL]

6 48 CATHRO Ben GBR MOJO ORANGE 4:49.08

Amazing.

[nouseforaname]

I wonder if Ben was wearing Sam Hill edition 5 10s?

[wazar]

its a shame about steve smith he was sooooo fast in practice until he damaged his knee

[JCL]

I wonder if Ben was wearing Sam Hill edition 5 10s?

No but he was wearing the gimp suit...

[mp_rider]

No but he was wearing the gimp suit...

You mean condom..... Wow crazy Mojo team rocking the condom suits..... I love Rob Warner, and props to CG "it is no fun if you no trick" pulling a shoulder buzz and a tuck no hander in his run.

[nouseforaname]

What's a shoulder buzz?
And would he be doing it if he really thought he had a chance of winning?

[mp_rider]

What's a shoulder buzz?
And would he be doing it if he really thought he had a chance of winning?

CG didnt have a good chance of winning, he pinned it but wanted to have fun as he isnt super serious about DH racing anymore. But a Top 15 while tricking the jumps, I give CG mad props for that. And a shoulder buzz is a type of tabletop where your front wheel buzzes your shoulder.

[billytalented]

Minaar killed it. Santa Cruz Syndicate must be happy with the weekend. Everyone looked really fast as the top 10 came in, I was thinking it would be a tight top 3... I couldnt believe he took it by over 3 seconds. Very Sam Hill-esque.

[mp_rider]

lolz......http://freecaster.tv/1000006_1004818

[jzogaris]

wtf is happening to sam hill latley im starting to question him winning the wc overall gee athertons looking pretty fast

[billytalented]

wtf is happening to sam hill latley im starting to question him winning the wc overall gee athertons looking pretty fast

I wouldnt count him out yet, like they say about his practice and qualifying runs, he doesn't give much away until finals...should be a close finish though.

[JCL]

wtf is happening to sam hill latley im starting to question him winning the wc overall gee athertons looking pretty fast

Why take risks now when Worlds is in two weeks and two/three World Cup races after that he can win buy seconds.

[juan]

wtf is happening to sam hill latley im starting to question him winning the wc overall gee athertons looking pretty fast

What is happening is the other riders have stepped it up to compete at his level. Gee Atherton is a very fast solid racer.
Sam is unreal but you don't have to look to far to see that there are a half dozen guys who can beat him at any race.
I think it comes down to mental preparation.
The newer riders coming up are doing it at a younger age which makes them more of a threat.

[CamMiller]

Sam Hill is probably under a lot more pressure this year compared to last year,
this year he knows people are out to get him.

[DaveM]

Imagine if Cedric put as much energy into making the top 10 as he did tricking off the jumps

http://www.canadiancyclist.com/races08/fortbill/parteight/images/_DSC8274.jpg

Although that scrub he did off that one table was sick.

[Mic]

^ Yes and No, Dave....

He is a bit like a crazy individual, and that is an image that sells bikes. So....he does what he gets paid for. Ripping it up in style and selling bikes and clothes and shit from his manufacturers.

[Oldfart]

Here's a cut n paste off Velonews.

However, one difference Moseley did make was to don a skinsuit for the final - something that is causing a lot of controversy in the downhill community. The Mojo Orange team has been testing the suits and claim they can shave six to eight seconds off a run. Moseley's winning margin was four seconds.



Atherton, for one, was outspoken in her dislike of skinsuits. "It was no battle here against a skinsuit on this course," she said. "With the top so open and windy, you can make four or five seconds easy. There's lots of issues with using them, I think; if Tracy wants to use one, that's her game, but I don't agree with them at all."

Umm. That's kind of a stupid remark by Atherton. Perhaps it needs some context. She says she can't compete against someone willing to be more aero? Well get in the game honey. What's the oposition to skin suits? I dunno, everytime I see someone racing DH in baggie shorts, I see two big airscoops slowing that person down. Doesn't look very smart to me.

[Timmigrant]

I was waiting for some to comment about the skin suits. As a racer myself here is my take on the situation. I'd personally rather wear baggie shorts and a baggie jersey because its more comfortable and without a doubt looks a lot nicer. If everyone makes a gentlemen's agreement that we all wear baggie shorts, baggie shirts and a visor (so we don't look stupid) then the competition is fair and even. I think downhill mountain bike racing has a carved an image for itself that is "cool". No one will argue that this:

http://www.yourmtb.com/files/yourmtb/images/steve_peat_1.jpg

is far easier on the eyes than this:

http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/241989.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934A2752006EF5F0EDA1AA560E2922C129 284831B75F48EF45

I personally think more young people will enter the sport of downhill biking if the sport has an appealing image. I know it sounds superficial but I think returing to skin suits and visorless helmets is a large step back.

As a side note I think its lame that some of the athletes wore skin suits at Fort William. Furthmore I think it negatively reflects upon their sponsors. Without a doubt the image portrayed by Minaar, Peat, Gracia, Hill, Atherton etc etc is far more appealing than that of the rubber suit wearing Mojo team.

[Tdiddy]

I guess that in certain circumstances, skin suits may make sense, but I think most courses are won by speed carried through corners. riders aren't limited by top end speed in most cases, but overall average speed and that is more affected by riding skill than aerodynamics.

[Darryl]

A gentelmans agreement was made years ago not to wear the skinsuit, but i guess a few teams don't care.

[Oldfart]

I thought there may have been an agreement not to wear fast clothes. I do remember some one a while back, (Saun Palmer) wanted an agreement to wear visors. I think it's pretty silly. All other speed sports I can think of the athletes wear skin suits of some sort. All skiing disciplines except freestyle where speed isn't an issue, speed skating. Heck you wouldn't see swimmers in baggy trunks, same pricipal. It's not about looks it's about speed. And it should be. And besides, some people think giant baggy clothes look unattractive. I did see a fellow crash mightily once sprintingh over the second narrows bridge when the cuff on his shorts snagged the top of a stanchion tube on his double crown.

Just stirring the pot for fun!

[DaveM]

The gentlemens agreement was made in 2001 or 2002 if my internet research is correct and it was to not wear skinsuits or remove the helmet visor in World Cup racing. It was an agreement between racers, not a rule of any kind.

Now do the racers coming up these days feel obligated to recognize an agreement made by the old boys club 6 or so years ago?

Didn't Barel get chastised for removing his visor at Ft. William a while back. What gets remembered more, Barel removing his visor or Barel winning a World Cup?

Is racing about going as fast as possible or fashion?

It seems racer are looking for every possible advantage just to gain a fraction of a second. A skin suit will save 5-8 seconds (this has been researched, proven and agreed upon) at this particular event.

Just keeping it stirred

[APT]

Well, good thing that Minaar didnt wear a skin suit when he took the race by 3sec.

[Oldfart]

Perhaps if Minaar ware a suit and no one else did, he would have won by 10 seconds. speed Sports ain't about looks it's about who crosses first. I'll admit that loose fitting garments are more attactive to my eyes on men and some women too. But it just seems dumb to me that just because Saun Palmer doesn't want to wear lycra 'cause the gals will see his little pee pee that the gentlmen have agree on what to wear. Do they phone each other before each event to make sure they don't wear the same thing?

Some of that baggy stuff can be restrictive too. Stretchy stuff does move better. And stretchy tight stuff supports the muscles better although I think that is important for endurance events and not downhill.

So who's gonna tell Herman Maier or Bode Miller, to their face that they look like a pansy?

[apeshape]

in the immortal words of CG "skin suits are gay!"

[Oldfart]

in the immortal words of CG "skin suits are gay!"

Then gay riders go faster.

[bcbud]

Skins suits have one place and thats at the World Championships when the UCI makes the racers wear their National jersey, which usually happens to be a skin suit, the World Cup DH series is not restricted to this because its more of the Factory Teams racing, and they want their racers to sell bikes and cloths, which usually are NOT skin suits....looking "moto" appeals to a wider demographic and looks better anyway.....the top ten in the series don't wear skinsuits......

[Darryl]

^^^^^
Discussion about skinsuits should end here!

[Timmigrant]

Perhaps if Minaar ware a suit and no one else did, he would have won by 10 seconds. speed Sports ain't about looks it's about who crosses first. I'll admit that loose fitting garments are more attactive to my eyes on men and some women too. But it just seems dumb to me that just because Saun Palmer doesn't want to wear lycra 'cause the gals will see his little pee pee that the gentlmen have agree on what to wear. Do they phone each other before each event to make sure they don't wear the same thing?

Some of that baggy stuff can be restrictive too. Stretchy stuff does move better. And stretchy tight stuff supports the muscles better although I think that is important for endurance events and not downhill.

So who's gonna tell Herman Maier or Bode Miller, to their face that they look like a pansy?

When you go mountain biking what do you wear? Full lycra outfit or baggie shorts and jerseys?

I never got into snowboard racing and in large part because everytime there was a ski race on there were racers prancing around on the slopes looking stupid in skin suits ... and I didn't want to be one of them.

Downhill mountain bike racing has always appealed to me because when I saw it in videos it looked cool and looked fun. Call me fickle but I'm far more inclined to do something where I don't look gay. I'm sure there are a bunch of other people that feel the same way. I can't see how skin suits can add anything positive to the sport. If everyone is wearing the same style of clothing the playing field is fair. Wearing a skin suit at a Worldcup and still getting spanked is just plain embarrassing. I feel for the Team Mojo Orange athletes that were forced to wear those hideous rubber suits at their home race.

[jzogaris]

^^^^^
Discussion about skinsuits should end here!

not to continue or anything but im gonna continue.

I've noticed over the past 2 or 3 years a lot of team race kits are really slimming down i mean there definatly not skin suits but they definatly fit a lot slimmer than most peoples riding kits do. mtbcut has an interview with one of the people of mojo racing and he said he thinks everyones gonna be wearing skin suits again by 2 years time. well have to wait and see

right now i think its at the point where you wanna go fast but you dont want the whole world to see your package at the same time. maybe if the prize purses go up riders will be more tempted for those extra seconds

[mp_rider]

So should I rock my skinsuit at nationals this year, I'm almost half the weight than some of my competitors. And MSA is the good skinsuit course............. haha I did it in the Chainless A-Line and you feel two times faster!. But seriously, at the begining of the season me and one of my other friends were talking about racing skinsuits as there is no rule against it. It may look gay but its fast.

*only a 1% chance of racing in my tiger stripe skin suit anyways.

[Oldfart]

I've noticed over the past 2 or 3 years a lot of team race kits are really slimming down i mean there definatly not skin suits but they definatly fit a lot slimmer than most peoples riding kits do. mtbcut has an interview with one of the people of mojo racing and he said he thinks everyones gonna be wearing skin suits again by 2 years time. well have to wait and see



Actually you bring up a good idea. Slimmed down and I think stretchy DH wear would be awesome. Close fitting is faster and if stretchy it moves with you making it very comfortable.

[bansheeair]

Anyone gonna wear a skinsuit at Arduum to get those extra few seconds on Ewan. Johnnie P, I don't think polyester pants count as a skinsuit, close but no.

[mp_rider]

Arduum isnt the course...... But to see how many people get pissed I will do a training lap in my skinsuit. Dead serious!

[Cooper]

Arduum isnt the course...... But to see how many people get pissed I will do a training lap in my skinsuit. Dead serious!

pics or neg rep

[Oldfart]

When you go mountain biking what do you wear? Full lycra outfit or baggie shorts and jerseys?

I never got into snowboard racing and in large part because everytime there was a ski race on there were racers prancing around on the slopes looking stupid in skin suits ... and I didn't want to be one of them.

Downhill mountain bike racing has always appealed to me because when I saw it in videos it looked cool and looked fun. Call me fickle but I'm far more inclined to do something where I don't look gay. I'm sure there are a bunch of other people that feel the same way. I can't see how skin suits can add anything positive to the sport. If everyone is wearing the same style of clothing the playing field is fair. Wearing a skin suit at a Worldcup and still getting spanked is just plain embarrassing. I feel for the Team Mojo Orange athletes that were forced to wear those hideous rubber suits at their home race.


What I wear is irellevent because I don't race anymore. But I do wear reguler bib shorts for every ride. I wear loose jerseys most of the time because I'm getting fat and no one should see that. Off road on all but the hottest days I do wear baggie "overshorts" because they do offer skid protection for my ass. And if it's wet the heavy ones keep my ass drier and legs warmer. Road riding sees full "lycra" although the jerseys are not made with that anymore. You gotta have rear pockets on the road for stuff.

We're talking racing here not going to friggin' Starschmucks. Your trying the get across the line first. If a speed suit gives you 8 seconds and no visor another 4, you do it.

And snowboarding haberdashery??? You gotta be kidding me. Pants that go past your feet and a waist at the balls and crotch at the kness? Need a book on anatomy? In snow? That looks soooo attactive. Torn and filthy cuffs and a guys ass with snow in the crack. Yeah that'll attract good looking females.

[mp_rider]

pics or neg rep

To Start it off.... Chainless A Line:
http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v191/143/107/750100433/n750100433_2428957_8111.jpg
After Arduum there will be photos!

[Darryl]

To Start it off.... Chainless A Line:
http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v191/143/107/750100433/n750100433_2428957_8111.jpg
After Arduum there will be photos!


WOW! don't crash, you might break in half :damn:

[DaveM]

For gawd sakes Max, eat a cheeseburger or three will ya!

[Darryl]

Arduum isnt the course...... But to see how many people get pissed I will do a training lap in my skinsuit. Dead serious!


You will probably be left in the shuttle lineup if you in a skinsuit.

[mp_rider]

Darryl, do we need to take this to the trash talk thread? I may be light but im fast.... smoked you by a few seconds at the rat race with some big mistakes.

[jzogaris]

smoked you by a few seconds at the rat race with some big mistakes.

your also a lot cockier

[Darryl]

Darryl, do we need to take this to the trash talk thread? I may be light but im fast.... smoked you by a few seconds at the rat race with some big mistakes.


just wait till we race a REAL track.

[mp_rider]

just wait till we race a REAL track.

Uh Oh, so true though. I feel like im going to get spanked at Arduum.

[Lady Gravity]

i dont get you guys..what's the big deal. who cares what you look like if you win :???: if lycra and no visor gives you a 10sec advantage why wouldn't you do it?

i seem to recall some racers in skin suits at the grouse world cup a few years back. don't recall any kind of discussion about it but then i wasn't really into racing at the time.

[JCL]

I see skin suits attracting more homosexuals to the sport which isn't a bad thing I guess.

[walleater]

To Start it off.... Chainless A Line:
http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v191/143/107/750100433/n750100433_2428957_8111.jpg
After Arduum there will be photos!


http://www.cam.cornell.edu/~mblais/Shaved%20Cat%201.jpg

[Mic]

Just watched the vids and I think at the end of Peaty's run it seemed as if he was wearing a Monster Energy helmet, all black with the infamous green stripes? ....huh?

[JCL]

Money....

[DUDEONABIKE]

Just watched the vids and I think at the end of Peaty's run it seemed as if he was wearing a Monster Energy helmet, all black with the infamous green stripes? ....huh?

He rides for monster now

http://www.canadiancyclist.com/races08/fortbill/parteight/images/_DSC8420.jpg

[Johnie P]

I think I am going to race Arduum in a speedo and cover the rest of my body with baby oil for wind resistance.

[mp_rider]

I think I am going to race Arduum in a speedo and cover the rest of my body with baby oil for wind resistance.

Better shave your arms, legs, chest, and back also.

[Johnie P]

you have hair on your back?

[jzogaris]

at the end of Peaty's run it seemed as if he was wearing a Monster Energy helmet, all black with the infamous green stripes? ....huh?

nothing gets by you

[DaveM]

I think I am going to race Arduum in a speedo and cover the rest of my body with baby oil for wind resistance.

Yeah, cause that's why you cover yourself in oil and wear a speedo.

[Wayne P]

Its all about Chinner in the Chinsuit.