Everything Lourdes World Cup

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Lourdes, France
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
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sspomer
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sspomer 3/26/2022 8:38am
3/26/2022 8:38am
yeah bummer to see neko just out of contention. dak in 13th isn't too bad especially w/ the top 5 times being freakishly fast.

luca in 10th is rad too. hope grice is ok - DNF : (
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sspomer
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sspomer 3/26/2022 8:42am
3/26/2022 8:42am
maes 17th winning enduro class(TM as per NoahColorado legal team)
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sspomer
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sspomer 3/26/2022 9:05am
3/26/2022 9:05am
gwin's link from raw today (will be up soon). looks WAY more stout, eh?





1
NoahColorado 3/26/2022 9:20am
3/26/2022 9:20am
Looks like they’ve taken industrial design queues from the new Commencal Supreme idler cover. #chonk
Primoz
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Primoz 3/26/2022 10:42am
3/26/2022 10:42am
I'm REALLY wondering why the original link was the way it was and what were the reasons to go with the new one. Was the first one just drawn up and cut and not checked for stiffness/strength at all and that was done later with the new one the result of precautions? Were problems found in testing? Etc.

As for Gwin being 35th... There's also the possibility of sandbagging to start the main event earlier in order to beat the rain, if it comes later in the afternoon. Like in 2017... Tongue
Remember Matti Lehikoinen in Champery.
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krabo83
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krabo83 3/26/2022 10:47am
3/26/2022 10:47am Edited Date/Time 3/26/2022 10:48am
Primoz wrote:
I'm REALLY wondering why the original link was the way it was and what were the reasons to go with the new one. Was the first...
I'm REALLY wondering why the original link was the way it was and what were the reasons to go with the new one. Was the first one just drawn up and cut and not checked for stiffness/strength at all and that was done later with the new one the result of precautions? Were problems found in testing? Etc.

As for Gwin being 35th... There's also the possibility of sandbagging to start the main event earlier in order to beat the rain, if it comes later in the afternoon. Like in 2017... Tongue
Remember Matti Lehikoinen in Champery.
gwin had a big one in morning practice (IFR IG), guess he played it safe for qualis. top 15 should be possible.
it's better to turn up the pace step by step after missing so much races due to injuries last couple of years.

and bummer regarding neko (big fan), did he have a mechanical? if not, looks like it wasn't only the bike last couple of years.
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Primoz
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Primoz 3/26/2022 10:59am
3/26/2022 10:59am
Gwin also had a flat yesterday, as per Vital RAW.

Bummer about Neko, yeah...
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TruckeeRiverTroll 3/26/2022 11:11am
3/26/2022 11:11am
veefour wrote:
35th for Gwin, Dak somewhat better at 13th, but the Intense doesn't seem to be living up to some people's expectations so far this weekend. Kinda...
35th for Gwin, Dak somewhat better at 13th, but the Intense doesn't seem to be living up to some people's expectations so far this weekend.
Kinda disappointed that Mulally hasn't qualified for the main event too.

I'd say 13th is a pretty solid start for Dak considering he's a 5-10 guy usually anyway. Seems like the bike is at least competetive compared to what they were on the last couple of seasons. I'm sure there's still some adjustment dealing with a new bike and some new unfamiliar components (tires mostly).

Who knows with Gwin...I personally think his heyday is long passed but considering how good he was/is I'm sure he still has some in him. Maybe he's gaming the weather forecast....honestly who knows.
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TruckeeRiverTroll 3/26/2022 11:14am
3/26/2022 11:14am
TruckeeRiverTroll wrote:
Intense riders already running modified rocker links. Makes me wonder if there's a strength/durability issue with the mustache thin design or if this is more tinkering...
Intense riders already running modified rocker links. Makes me wonder if there's a strength/durability issue with the mustache thin design or if this is more tinkering with geo and kinematics. Also seen on AG's IG.


grambo wrote:
Impressive eyes on this one. Really curious to see how qualies go. Timed training doesn't always mean much, although the top 5 guys are definitely going...
Impressive eyes on this one.

Really curious to see how qualies go. Timed training doesn't always mean much, although the top 5 guys are definitely going quick. Would be sick to see Gwin light it up given his history in Lourdes, but the vibes don't feel great with uplift/practice shenanigans, would think he'd want more than 3 runs on the new bike in a World Cup setting? Plus the new link is a variable.
I can't take a whole lot of credit. . .saw it on Cathro's purple bike video.
Marshall Willanholly 3/26/2022 12:38pm
3/26/2022 12:38pm
sspomer wrote:
gwin's link from raw today (will be up soon). looks WAY more stout, eh? [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2022/03/26/12288/s1200_Screen_Shot_2022_03_26_at_10.04.52_AM.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2022/03/26/12287/s1200_Screen_Shot_2022_03_26_at_9.57.57_AM.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2022/03/26/12286/s1200_Screen_Shot_2022_03_26_at_9.58.04_AM.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2022/03/26/12289/s1200_Screen_Shot_2022_03_26_at_10.04.43_AM.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2022/03/26/12290/s1200_Screen_Shot_2022_03_26_at_10.04.37_AM.jpg[/img]
gwin's link from raw today (will be up soon). looks WAY more stout, eh?





Must have been in the works already, seeing as how they had time to get it anodized.
Primoz
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Primoz 3/26/2022 12:44pm
3/26/2022 12:44pm Edited Date/Time 3/26/2022 12:47pm
That can literally be done in a day at an external supplier. Even more so with black components as loads of suppliers anodize loads of parts in black.

Machining likely takes longer than the anodizing. Plus given the relatively smooth surface by the looks of it it might have some more work done to it, like trovalizing or something similar.
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dirtyberd
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dirtyberd 3/26/2022 1:03pm
3/26/2022 1:03pm Edited Date/Time 3/26/2022 1:04pm
come on guys, everyone has bad days and good days!!! dear neko, keep your head up and KEEP CRUSHIN.
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millsr4
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millsr4 3/26/2022 1:33pm
3/26/2022 1:33pm
Primoz wrote:
That can literally be done in a day at an external supplier. Even more so with black components as loads of suppliers anodize loads of parts...
That can literally be done in a day at an external supplier. Even more so with black components as loads of suppliers anodize loads of parts in black.

Machining likely takes longer than the anodizing. Plus given the relatively smooth surface by the looks of it it might have some more work done to it, like trovalizing or something similar.
Agreed, as long as a shop has open machine time and your willing to pay for the expedite fees, you could get this thing machined and anodized in less than a week.
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LukeD
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LukeD 3/26/2022 2:40pm
3/26/2022 2:40pm
Primoz wrote:
I'm REALLY wondering why the original link was the way it was and what were the reasons to go with the new one. Was the first...
I'm REALLY wondering why the original link was the way it was and what were the reasons to go with the new one. Was the first one just drawn up and cut and not checked for stiffness/strength at all and that was done later with the new one the result of precautions? Were problems found in testing? Etc.

As for Gwin being 35th... There's also the possibility of sandbagging to start the main event earlier in order to beat the rain, if it comes later in the afternoon. Like in 2017... Tongue
Remember Matti Lehikoinen in Champery.
krabo83 wrote:
gwin had a big one in morning practice (IFR IG), guess he played it safe for qualis. top 15 should be possible. it's better to turn...
gwin had a big one in morning practice (IFR IG), guess he played it safe for qualis. top 15 should be possible.
it's better to turn up the pace step by step after missing so much races due to injuries last couple of years.

and bummer regarding neko (big fan), did he have a mechanical? if not, looks like it wasn't only the bike last couple of years.
I know that Neko has a broken finger with at least one pin in it. His last video he was a bit worried about being able to hold on at speed but thought he could do it. That must have something to do with it more so than the bike
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Marshall Willanholly 3/26/2022 2:56pm
3/26/2022 2:56pm
Primoz wrote:
That can literally be done in a day at an external supplier. Even more so with black components as loads of suppliers anodize loads of parts...
That can literally be done in a day at an external supplier. Even more so with black components as loads of suppliers anodize loads of parts in black.

Machining likely takes longer than the anodizing. Plus given the relatively smooth surface by the looks of it it might have some more work done to it, like trovalizing or something similar.
millsr4 wrote:
Agreed, as long as a shop has open machine time and your willing to pay for the expedite fees, you could get this thing machined and...
Agreed, as long as a shop has open machine time and your willing to pay for the expedite fees, you could get this thing machined and anodized in less than a week.
My point was that it seems highly unlikely the problems with the original link were discovered and the new links designed, machined, and anodized in the last few days once the team arrived in France.
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Primoz
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Primoz 3/26/2022 3:30pm
3/26/2022 3:30pm
This was prepared before France, obviously. But considering the bikes came assembled with the old links to France, it's possible it was a tight squeeze time wise...
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Volta55
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Volta55 3/26/2022 5:44pm
3/26/2022 5:44pm
Primoz wrote:
That can literally be done in a day at an external supplier. Even more so with black components as loads of suppliers anodize loads of parts...
That can literally be done in a day at an external supplier. Even more so with black components as loads of suppliers anodize loads of parts in black.

Machining likely takes longer than the anodizing. Plus given the relatively smooth surface by the looks of it it might have some more work done to it, like trovalizing or something similar.
millsr4 wrote:
Agreed, as long as a shop has open machine time and your willing to pay for the expedite fees, you could get this thing machined and...
Agreed, as long as a shop has open machine time and your willing to pay for the expedite fees, you could get this thing machined and anodized in less than a week.
Marshall Willanholly wrote:
My point was that it seems highly unlikely the problems with the original link were discovered and the new links designed, machined, and anodized in the...
My point was that it seems highly unlikely the problems with the original link were discovered and the new links designed, machined, and anodized in the last few days once the team arrived in France.
You guys think they traveled to race in France with only one type of link? Obviously they have different sets on hand in the pits.
Marshall Willanholly 3/26/2022 7:51pm
3/26/2022 7:51pm
millsr4 wrote:
Agreed, as long as a shop has open machine time and your willing to pay for the expedite fees, you could get this thing machined and...
Agreed, as long as a shop has open machine time and your willing to pay for the expedite fees, you could get this thing machined and anodized in less than a week.
Marshall Willanholly wrote:
My point was that it seems highly unlikely the problems with the original link were discovered and the new links designed, machined, and anodized in the...
My point was that it seems highly unlikely the problems with the original link were discovered and the new links designed, machined, and anodized in the last few days once the team arrived in France.
Volta55 wrote:
You guys think they traveled to race in France with only one type of link? Obviously they have different sets on hand in the pits.
Good point.
Primoz
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Primoz 3/27/2022 2:36am
3/27/2022 2:36am
If they had multiple links on hand, it would be designed that way from the get go and they would have tested more of them even before coming to France.

Having the bike photographed extensively and posted on IG with the old link, now running a completely new one, points that this new link is a very recent development. And is a reaction to something.

When Jeff posted the first sketches on IG, I took them for sketches. When the renderings by someone on the forum were posted, I figured they were way off. When the actual bike was shown, I was flabbergasted at the way the original link looked like. It didn't make any sense. The only possible saving grace it had was 'it looks good'. Which means it was designed, not engineered. The current one actually takes some loads going into it into account and looks more engineered than designed.

With prototypes, you engineer, not design. It has to work, not look good. Look at the links Commencal used on their V5 supreme in the proto stages. Or look at Neko's bikes.

My 2 cents of course, all of this is anything but the absolute truth.
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veefour
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veefour 3/27/2022 3:23am
3/27/2022 3:23am Edited Date/Time 3/27/2022 3:54am
Gwin's crash in practice probably left him pretty sore. To be fair I can see why he didn't want to push too hard in qualies.

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bike_futurist 3/27/2022 6:59am
3/27/2022 6:59am
Not many riders on 29 back wheel anymore. GOAT of course and few on the enduro bikes..
Stiksandstones 3/27/2022 10:29am
3/27/2022 10:29am
So much Gwin chatter, So much Dak Chatter, and Neko......but uhhhhh, Luca Shaw ended the 2021 season finals with a 5th place and started 22' on an all new bike (after 5-6 years on a v10??) with a 5th place!!!
USA emoji.
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Rol
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Rol 3/27/2022 12:08pm
3/27/2022 12:08pm
Someone else saw that Martin Maes was killing it on the enduro bike after his mistake? Making up time till the bottom
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Oli_C
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Oli_C 3/27/2022 1:39pm
3/27/2022 1:39pm
Just wondering whats happened to the slideshows?
We were of course spoilt to have such good coverage the last few years. Last year we lost EWS slideshows and I barely followed the series. Luckily for DH we have videos and live stream.
Has the industry evolved and photogs are making money elsewhere? Fair enough if so.
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hitar_potar 3/28/2022 1:20am
3/28/2022 1:20am
Rol wrote:
Someone else saw that Martin Maes was killing it on the enduro bike after his mistake? Making up time till the bottom
They said it’s modified with a new link, probably more travel at 180ish???

According to the G-out article someone was on a 26er? Why haven’t we heard more about this?!?!?!

A v-10 with full Bos suspension? Any details on how it was?
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