Did anyone watch the downhill southeast recap video from Snowshoe? Asa Vermette was the first of the pro men's field that they showed after I think he crashed in his qualifier. His run was so insanely fast, it's hard to make sense of it. There's a series of fast right - left berms and the footage through there looks sped up. Ridiculous. Guess he's signed on for 2 years to the Frameworks program to race Juniors at the World Cups next year, which is cool to see.
2023 Racing Calendar
- Thread starter NJ-XC-Justin
- Start date
serviceguy
Well-Known Member
I would not join that debate personally, they're both great riders in my opinion, no reason to pin them against each other, other than for commercial purposes. You may like the panache or lack of there of but their performances are stellar so far (including their junior curriculum).
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Wasn't there a world cup or two last year when both guys went faster than the elites? I don't think we saw seen that since... Hart? gwin? Finn and others were great U23s but they didn't match the elites. And sure enough Saturdays U23 winner went 248 which is amazing but 9 seconds off the elite win which would have been 27th in the elite race ahead of Suarez who crashed.
I think those two dudes are just generational riders who happened to come up the same year. As a fan of dak and other riders its almost sad because their talent is just so obscene.
Not sure there's been a transition from Juniors like this since Vouilloz, but that's such a different era, it's pretty impossible to compare.
It is kind of interesting to see how the different body types kind of lead to different riding styles. There was the era of Peaty, Greg, Nathan Rennie...big guys. Not sure exactly how big Jordan is but Jackson is noticeably small, as is Laurie Greenland. Vergier relatively small as well. They tend to ride really light, skip over things, change direction so easily. But then guys like Loic, Amaury, etc also make it work by being bigger and more powerful.
Sevenz
Well-Known Member
I've been screaming from the roof tops for all to hear that USDH is alive and stronger than ever. Asa is an incredible talent and great young man. My son Lucas (2nd to Asa at Snowshoe) has been racing him nationally for a few years now. There is a group of US 16 yr olds both male and female that will be coming up on the world stage next year that is stronger than ever.
The best thing about the ESO take over is the Junior finals now airing live on youtube for free. 3 American Males (Ryan Pinkerton, Evan Medcalf, and Gavin Tomlinson) and 2 Females (Riley Miller and Taylor Ostagard) made the finals!
Lenzerheide Junior Women's Downhill | UCI Mountain Bike World Series
Join the Junior Women in Lenzerheide, Switzerland for the first round of the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup🏆Useful Links:Learn about each format 👉 h...
www.youtube.com
Lenzerheide Junior Men's Downhill | UCI Mountain Bike World Series
Join the Junior Men in Lenzerheide, Switzerland for the first round of the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup🏆Useful Links:Learn about each format 👉 htt...
www.youtube.com
Ian F
Well-Known Member
Not yet. Hope to check it out after work tonight.
But I agree, they are both amazing riders. And Goldstone nearly getting on the podium while still recovering from surgery is just insane. Earlier in the week, Baily was posting on Pinkbike that he wouldn't be racing.
DH Junior is different than XC U23. Both Williams and Goldstone are still under 23. Hell... neither are old enough to drink in the US.
But I agree, they are both amazing riders. And Goldstone nearly getting on the podium while still recovering from surgery is just insane. Earlier in the week, Baily was posting on Pinkbike that he wouldn't be racing.
serviceguy
Well-Known Member
Surgery technique for Appendectomy must have vastly improved since I had mine in the '70s, I was unable to stand up straight for more than a week, and it didn't even rupture. I saw an after race interview and the kid was bubbly as ever...
serviceguy
Well-Known Member
Can we discuss now? Aww, already warming up for Leogang...
Ian F
Well-Known Member
Well... it's awesome Rachel decided to race Leogang after all. Cami will likely be attacking like there's no tomorrow... Vali will be pushing as well to win at home.
Men's side... who knows... Can Williams repeat? Realistically, at this point he has nothing to prove, so he can ride relaxed and have fun for the rest of the season - the bullseye is on everyone else.
Men's side... who knows... Can Williams repeat? Realistically, at this point he has nothing to prove, so he can ride relaxed and have fun for the rest of the season - the bullseye is on everyone else.
serviceguy
Well-Known Member
Am I the only one thinking that having a real choice of racing an event or not is an advantage in itself? Good for Rachel anyway, I particularly liked the bit of the post-race interview when she said that just reading a story and play with her daughter in the hotel room before qualification calmed her down from the nervousness of competing after such a long time. Just a story? Don't know, but I liked it.
Lots of pressure on the new chap, eh? Good for him though, what a trip being in his place right now!
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
I'll note some things from the race.
One, dak went green by 2 full seconds and sat in the hot seat for 5 riders. That was awesome. But the best guys are so good and he ended up finishing 9th. Crazy.
Kolb is a top guy now. We saw this a bit last year but now he's a full on threat to win every race. And with both him and hatton up there the Atherton team is officially a top 5 top mens team now. I love that bike btw.
Is Danny's time at the top done? I love him but he's maybe officially a half step slow now. Maybe minnar too.
Austin dooley did great! Sure he finished 26th but in this competition he can be proud. Dude is legit.
As for who wins leogang I guess I'd say bruni just to be safe. But Danny, kolb and Finn all did great at leogang lastly year and so all them plus vergier hatton and dak could win. Psyched!
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Fantastic races! Right down to the wire. And amazing stories. First time I've teared up watching a downhill race lol
serviceguy
Well-Known Member
This week I was able to watch semi and finals. I have to confess that I do like the format. I also confirm that the commentary sucks, with a new low reached with spoiling the winner of the female race during the male following soon after, just in case you planned to watch the reply…also the commentators literally echoing each other during the poignant moments sounds really the way to go, not! Very happy for the winners, sounds like the season got to a great start and heating up already!
Ian F
Well-Known Member
Btw, local PA racer Abigail Ronca made it into the Junior Women's final and the live feed. My teammates and I used to race with her parents John and Lisa some 20+ years ago. Her run wasn't great, but just getting to a World Cup final is something to be proud of. And she sent the creek jump at the end of the woods. Pretty sure there's no way in hell I would have done that.
www.youtube.com
Unfortunately, the audio for her run is borked (sound doesn't start until the 17 min mark). Hopefully they will fix it and repost the video.
Leogang Junior Women's Downhill Finals | LIVE DHI Racing
With a quick turnaround from round 1, athletes have made their way to another alpine venue for more downhill racing. This time, Leogang plays host and in thi...
www.youtube.com
Unfortunately, the audio for her run is borked (sound doesn't start until the 17 min mark). Hopefully they will fix it and repost the video.
The Roncas are good people and Abby rips on a snowboard too. They own Cutters Bike Shop in Bethlehem, PA...my old stomping grounds. Very cool to see her on the world stage.Btw, local PA racer Abigail Ronca made it into the Junior Women's final and the live feed. My teammates and I used to race with her parents John and Lisa some 20+ years ago. Her run wasn't great, but just getting to a World Cup final is something to be proud of. And she sent the creek jump at the end of the woods. Pretty sure there's no way in hell I would have done that.
Leogang Junior Women's Downhill Finals | LIVE DHI Racing
With a quick turnaround from round 1, athletes have made their way to another alpine venue for more downhill racing. This time, Leogang plays host and in thi...
Unfortunately, the audio for her run is borked (sound doesn't start until the 17 min mark). Hopefully they will fix it and repost the video.
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Fired up the red bull app for the first time in a month or two and watched the crankworx downhill. The race was fine but christ I miss rob and Elliot. Our stupid sport really shoots itself sometimes.
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Yep. I just mean why the sport's best announcers can't broadcast the sport's biggest events, and the insane drop in quality from rob and Elliot to Rick and GC.
NJ-XC-Justin
KY-DH-Freddy
Sam hill's return to DH cut short.
