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1: Most fans don't know about the data told on that site and literally do not know how pros stack up, so providing that for the casual reader.
2. I LOVE that website. Seb works insanely hard to make it available for discussions just like this. Lighten up.
Mr No Shit
Maybe this is the fire Gwin needs to get his world champs, next year.
Does usac need to get its shit together. Yes.
Did the gwin haters get old years ago and still chime in on every related thread with some moronic conspiracy. Yes.
The folks at USAC are obviously big fans of The Inside Line podcast and after listening to the last few #USDH episodes, they were convinced by austinhk's argument that AG is washed up and it's time to move on.
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Gwin's text today
Hey brotha. Got a response from USA cycling. They told me they made a mistake with the list and my petition wasn’t the issue since they had contacted me last week to confirm my interest in going. They said the media team, who is separate from their team in Tokyo currently, released the info a day early and didn’t have the final correct list of athletes. They said they will re-release the actual final list to everyone shortly and are contacting athletes with any changes. Guess we’ll see what happens. They were up at 3am in Tokyo this morning working on it.
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For the comments like "We need to remedy this" or "Fix this" I can't really agree with that. Of course, Gwin is one of the best in recent memory, but he hasn't been flat out the best American in the last three or so years. I blame the move to Kenda, it all started going bad when he blew up on that bridge in Ft Bill. I think his automatic qualification (or lack there of) is totally an equipment thing. In his podcast here he's experimenting and rebuilding his program with different locations. He's experimenting and rebuilding his frame, he's experimenting and creating better tires... There's a lot on his plate, and while that's not a problem for a dedicated person, it could just mean he's building for something better a few years down the road, and he'll be back on top soon. Maybe. I root for the guy, I'm stoked to see him at his best, but he could just be playing the long game, maybe the business game, and it'll pay off long term. That just means he is sacrificing a bit of current speed and results for bigger and better things to come. So maybe the price for that is not being on the worlds team for one year. This has happened to high end French riders with their depth, and Brits as well.
So who would he replace? Someone that followed the rules? That would be a tough pill to swallow. We can't have 8 on the team, we don't have the defending world champ which grants an additional spot, and we don't host worlds, which grants an additional spot. So we get 7.
Charlie Harrison? I think Charlie is one of the fastest of the bunch. Nobody knows his true speed as he's been hampered by injury, but that's been the case of Barel and Hill before, so tough to argue not putting someone on the team because they are coming back. He had early season success and met the criteria, so I think he should go.
Neko? He's doing well at just about every race he goes to, and has world cup podiums to his name. He should go for sure.
Dak? If my memory serves me correctly he's been the best and most consistent recently at the world cup level. I would assume he's an automatic, and deservedly so.
Luca? He's almost in Gwin's position as far as not having the best luck the past year or so, but he's been doing better and better, and on pace with the US's top three, listed above. He should go.
Nesteroff? That guy has been putting in the work, and been relentless in his pursuit of getting better and better results. Since getting on that new KHS that looks a lot like some brand from Wisconsin, he's qualified for world cup finals and been putting down solid races. He's young, has lots of racing left, and upward potential. He should go.
Austin Dooley? Austin has some of the best strength and speed I've seen from a young guy in a while. He's rock solid on the bike, and willing to let the brakes go. He's fresh out of juniors for a few years, and I would argue has more potential than just about anyone now, looking two or three years in the future. Austin was third at National Champs, beating Gwin in the biggest race on US soil, he should go.
Dante Silva? The 7th guy on the team, and another up and comer. Dante was probably devastated after not being selected for YT's junior team, which the current junior DH world champ was on, but rebuilt, kept at it, and did his own thing. I've got a lot of respect for young guys not quitting when it is hard and there are very public vids/episodes showing 'you're not good enough for this team' sort of thing. He's going fast, often competes with Austin, and I could see USAC's selection of him being an investment in the future. That's not a bad bet either, there always needs to be a new generation.
To replace any of these guys with Gwin would be a mistake. It sn't about Gwin though, it is about anybody. Replacing any of these guys with ANYBODY would be a mistake. While Gwin might do better that some, how on earth would any rider in the future trust USAC's selection criteria? Travel around the country, spend limited funds, do everything by the rules and be kicked off last minute? No way. Gwin could win worlds, especially with past results decimating the field at Val Di Sole. It should be Gwin's track, but this year, with a simple mistake of not petitioning, I just don't see that happening, nor should it at the expense of any of the 7 dudes above.
If Gwin gets someone bumped from the World's team, it will be exciting see his mid pack finish.
@Bensmith101 do tell what your qualifications for calling people liars is. Being a hateful person with a bitter pill in your gut is pitiful.
Here's the flat out truth. No one in the US is better than Gwin. They want to beat him. Sometimes they have. Most times they won't. But I hope they keep pushing to beat him because of the rising tide raising all ships.
USAC has 2 goals. 1 is to WIN Worlds. So Gwin, Dak, Luca & Chuck are the Alpha Dogs. They go if it's about winning. No debate from a big much of losers on the net like us.
The other 3 slots....they get given to those who are so far above the other alternates that they can't be ignored and simply MUST be put on the team.
If you're one of those other 3 riders and it's a toss up if you should be on the team, that's on you!!! You are either the 100% obvious choice or you have left it up to others. Can't be mad about it if you leave doubt or are "comparable" to the other rider choices.
Done.
You can replace every one of the US riders names with a symbol. The results still make the riders to select easy.
In terms of rider value "Gwin"...just like rider value "Hill", rider value "Peat" and rider value "Minnar"...their talent, ability & greatness take a LONG time to vanish. All of the above rider values won multiple World Cups 2 years after their last Overall.
I'm a fan of Winners.
I still don’t get the gwin haters. Y’all need to find something better to do with your time then hate on the guy who brought America back competitive on the world stage and is just a generally nice dude with good values. He belongs at world champs, he’s one of a few who can podium and the only one with a win at the world stage. Unsure if he’ll be on it this time but I have little doubts there are more podiums and probably some wins before gwin is retired.
Anyway, you should know better from your moto days to stay away from the Vitards and the forums here haha nothing but nincompoops and morons. Best of luck to you - have a great rest of the season.
https://usacycling.org/article/usa-cycling-names-2021-uci-mountain-bike…
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USA Cycling Names 2021 UCI Mountain Bike
World Championships Teams - REVISED
30 Cross-Country, 17 Downhill, and 7 E-MTB racers will head to
Val di Sole, Italy to compete in the World Championships.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Cycling announced today the final roster of athletes representing the United States in both cross country and downhill at the 2021 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships taking place August 25-29, 2021 in Val di Sole, Italy.
An all-star squad for the cross-country event will highlight riders who have had international success at last year’s Mountain Bike World Championships in Leogang, Austria. The team will showcase recent Olympians Haley Batten (Park City, Utah; Trinity Racing), Kate Courtney (Kentfield, Calif.; SCOTT-SRAM Factory Racing), and Erin Huck (Estes Park, Colo.; SCOTT-Stages) for the Elite Women. Batten took fourth in the U23 Women’s race last year and will compete in her first Elite Women’s World Championship. Fellow Olympian Christopher Blevins (Durango, Colo.; Trinity Racing) will also be moving up to the Elites, but on the Men’s side, after taking home a silver at the 2020 Mountain Bike World Championships in the U23 category. Joining the Olympians is Riley Amos (Durango, Colo.; Bear National Team), who rode to fourth in Leogang in the Junior Men’s Cross-Country race. Amos came out of the junior ranks flying and working his way up in positions at every U23 World Cup this year. He went back to Leogang for World Cup #3 and was the first male to ever win a World Cup in USA Cycling history.
Dakotah Norton (Oliver Springs, Tenn.; The YT Mob) has proven to be the fastest rider in the U.S. this year with a Top-10 at the Leogang World Cup and winning the National Championships. Junior Christopher Grice (Brevard, N.C.; Specialized Factory Racing) is looking for a podium finish this year in his last year as a junior. Grice is the next generation of DH racing keeping his times competitive with the elites. Kailey Skelton (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; KHS Factory Racing/Monster Energy) will get a taste of international racing after having a blazing fast run at National Championships. Ella Erickson (Hayden, Idaho; Commencal USA) will headline the Junior Women’s field with several World Cup podiums on her resume. The Downhill squad is heading over to Europe to race the Maribor World Cup in preparations for the World Championships.
Among the other American competitors are several 2021 National Champions, crowned in at the 2021 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Winter Park, Colo.: Dakotah Norton, Kailey Skelton, Christopher Grice, Ella Erickson, Erin Huck, Keegan Swenson, Savilia Blunk, Riley Amos, Ruth Holcomb, Bradyn Johnson
Jim Miller, USA Cycling’s Chief of Sport Performance, is eager to see the World's best compete, especially after the Olympic Games and the Mountain Bike National Championships. Miller said, “We are excited about both the Cross-Country and Downhill teams selected. America has a resurgence of talent racing on the dirt and we’re optimistic in what they can accomplish in Val di Sole.”
The Team USA roster is as follows:
Cross-Country
Elite Women:
Haley Batten (Park City, Utah; Trinity Racing)
Kate Courtney (Kentfield, Calif.; SCOTT-SRAM Factory Racing)
Lea Davison (Jericho, Vt.; Team TWENTY24)
Erin Huck (Estes Park, Colo.; SCOTT-Stages)
Hannah Finchamp (Salt Lake City; Orange Seal Off-Road Team)
Kelsey Urban (Kentfield, Calif.; Team 31: Outride)
Elite Men:
Christopher Blevins (Durango, Colo.; Trinity Racing)
Stephan Davoust (Durango, Colo.; Giant Factory Off-Road Team)
Keegan Swenson (Park City Utah; Santa Cruz Bicycles)
Luke Vrouwenvelder (Chapel Hill, N.C; Giant Factory Off-Road Team)
U23 Women:
Savilia Blunk (Inverness, Calif.; Orange Seal Racing)
Gwendalyn Gibson (Ramona, Calif.; Norco Bicycles)
Madigan Munro (Boulder, Colo.; Trek Factory Racing)
U23 Men:
Riley Amos (Durango, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Bjorn Riley (Boulder, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Robbie Day (Evergreen, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Junior Women:
Lauren Aggeler (Durango, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Mia Aseltine (Littleton, Colo.; WE Development)
Bailey Cioppa (Durango, Colo.; Bear Development Team)
Sofia Forney (Lakewood, Colo.; WE Development)
Ruth Holcomb (Durango, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Makena Kellerman (Escondido, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Tai-Lee Smith (Breckenridge, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Junior Men:
Austin Beard (Middlesex, Vt.; Bicycle Express Racing)
Carson Beard (Middlesex, Vt.; Bicycle Express Racing)
Carson Hampton (Boise, Idaho; Bear Development Team)
Bradyn Johnson (Jordan, Utah; Bear National Team)
Cayden Parker (Hot Springs, Ark.; Bear National Team)
Ivan Sippy (Duango, Colo.; Durango Segment 28)
Downhill
Elite Women:
Mazie Hayden (Pittsfield, Vt.; Defiant Racing)
Abigail Hogie (Heidelberg, Germany; Tillit Gravity Team)
Anna Newkirk (Riehen, Switzerland; Canyon)
Kailey Skelton (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; KHS Factory Racing)
Elite Men:
Aaron Gwin (Murietta, Calif.; Intense Factory Racing)
Charlie Harrison (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.; Trek Factory Racing)
Neko Mulally (Pisgah Forest, N.C.; Intense Factory Racing)
Nikolas Nesteroff (San Diego, Calif.; KHS Factory Racing)
Dakotah Norton (Oliver Springs, Tenn.; The YT Mob)
Luca Shaw (Hendersonville, N.C.; Santa Cruz Syndicate)
Dante Silva (Chula Vista, Calif.; Canyon)
Junior Women:
Emma Artz (Kirkland, Wash.)
Ella Erickson (Hayden, Idaho; Commencal USA)
Junior Men:
Andrew Driscoll (Bow, N.H.; Defiant Racing)
Christopher Grice (Brevard, N.C.; Specialized Factory Racing)
Dean Lindsey (Pleasanton, Calif.)
Dylan Maples (Orangevale, Calif.; Commencal)
E-MTB
Elite Men:
Nat Ross (Golden, Colo.; Tough Guy Productions)
Kyle Smith (Cornelius, N.C.)
Gerald White (Tampa, Fla.)
Charlie Mullins (Grove City, Pa.)
Dave Harrison (Sun Valley, Idaho)
Elite Women:
Ashley Hendershot (Mansfield, Ohio)
Callie Horwath (Brevard, N.C.)
Selection criteria are available for Cross-Country here and Downhill here.
Schedule
Wednesday, August 25: XCO Team Relay
Thursday, August 26: XCO Juniors and Short Track
Friday, August 27: E-MTB and Four Cross
Saturday, August 28: XCO U23 and Elite
Sunday, August 29: Downhill Finals
To cheer for Team USA at the 2021 World Championships, please follow @UCI_Cycling and @USACyclingLIVE on Twitter. For more about the 2020 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, please visit the event website.
*Please note the revisions to the team selection. The press release has been updated to reflect the changes to the team roster.
Visit USACycling.org for more information on the athletes, events and membership programs, and follow @USACycling across all channels for the latest on Team USA.
For selection inquiries, please contact Jeff Pierce at jpierce@usacycling.org
ABOUT USA CYCLING (usacycling.org)
USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. USA Cycling’s mission is to champion accessibility, participation, and excellence in the sport of cycling to make more Americans healthier, happier, and better on two wheels while achieving sustained international racing success. USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from those just beginning in the sport and participating in fun rides to international caliber racers. The organization identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition through the support of kids’ and interscholastic programs, amateur bike racing and grassroots development programs, and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing. USA Cycling has a membership of 100,000, annually sanctions over 2,500 events, and is a proud member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
Austin, if you're reading this, keep your head up. You're only getting faster, and you'll soon be a mainstay on this team.
Regarding Gwin's claims, are they true and did USAC simply accidentally break someone's heart, or is his claim that petitioning isn't necessary untrue?
Also, does USAC have any mechanism that allows them to petition for an additional spot? If so, they owe it to Austin to try that route.
Post a reply to: Gwin not representing US at World Championships? (WTF?)