2023 Racing Talk

women's seeding too

Is this the first time Asa Vermette has raced against world cup Pros from other than the USA? 3rd place is just insane 

Insane how fast Asa is compared to that field, looking forward to see how tomorrow plays out. Also, Women throwing down! Nina is one of the fastest women in the World Cup, and the 3 above her are all within the same second, not all racing the full circuit. Top five women within 5 seconds. That's great racing. Not too long ago Rach was taking double digit seconds in her wins. Qualies are qualies, but US open is shaping up to be legit racing. Bring back the slideshows!!

A lot of talk about Asa but I think Aletha’s 1st place is just as impressive.

Let’s not get too carried away. Most of these non-American factory guys and gals racing are doing it because it’s a sponsor requirement. Their main goal is not getting hurt before the next two rounds. 

Yup, before everyone is choking on stoke for these groms, Longroad is right, yeah the groms are kinda quick but will be frothing to be noticed, the pros are running for fun and to keep the rides levels safely rolling till the WC. Lets not take too much from the "seeding" times...   (or even final results)

I dunno. If it was a sponsor thing why isn't Thirion racing alongside the Meier-Smith bros, no Greenland for the Syndicate, no other GT riders with Wyn, Meek as the only MS Mondraker rider?

I dunno. $15,000 is pretty enticing if you’re not fighting for the overall at the world cups. 

Fried take, there’s $15,000 on the line. Also side note: Marco in 11th on an enduro bike after racing the enduro all day Saturday is pretty nuts.

The enduro race was Saturday, but there aren't any results posted or winners announced...why? 

From YT Mob socials

Kasper Wooley looks like a young version of Hide the pain Harold

Snoweshow is going to be nuts. I really want Dak or Luca to win but I’ll bet Jack-o gets it.  
1 Jacks

2 Dak

3 Benoit

4 Luca

5 Loic 

Ladies:

Nina

Marine

Darkhorse is Hastrik 

whip off vid from us open

I was at the us open when it was at summit a few years ago. Prize purse was $10k and i can tell you most the big dogs that were not putting in much effort. 
 

these guys contracts are based on World Cup results. While $15k is a nice purse, risking injuries that could affect your World Cup results and future sponsorships isn’t worth it to them. Especially dudes like Jackson. I guarantee there’s a lot more than $15k in bonuses on the line for some WC podiums and a possible overall title. 
 

im not saying Asa isn’t fast, i can’t wait to see what he does next year, and I’m stoked on all the upcoming usdh kids, but he has a lot more to gain putting it all out there for a seeding run and even finals than those other guys do. 

Sadly too common from MTB (and all cycling really) races. 

fwiw, in our US open pre-race podcast, clay (race founder) explains when loic won at big bear that loic had no idea there was a massive prize purse. listen here if you'd like - https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/2023-u-s-open-mountain-biking-pre-rac…

re: enduro results - aside from the live timing link for DH that red racer 3 posted, US open site only links back to rootsandrain for results. enduro results aren't posted yet.

also, open women are on course now

Looks like Nina had another big day at US Open.

$15K is still $15K. But why go fast in 2 runs when you only need 1?

Nina easily takes it. 11 seconds quicker than her quali.

Nice to see Bodie Heflin in the finals. He's the guy who tried to register at Loudenvielle and missed the deadline when they cancelled semis (I'm trying to remember the details).

He had a good first split. Still on track.

Edit: Whoops. Look like he had a bad 3rd sector.... bummer for him.

Steve Peat DNS?

Dak snatches it from Asa in the last split. Lowe's here we come!

Dak Norton goes #1.

thought there was no way dak would have it 1.5 down at split 3. bonkers! and seems like asa held his composure just fine against the heavies again!

Dak remembered the Lowes account had to be settled on the 1st of the month.

Payout for this is rad, but after going to the supermotocross finals last night, all these dudes probably thinkin they are doing the wrong sport. watching deegan take home half a mill winning the minor league class really makes you realize how niche MTB is still. 

Dak’s new roof!!!