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track looks tech and tricky! tire eaters too! can't wait
I would love that. Nothing could make for a more exciting 2026 then a healthy Amaury at top-pace.
So we should've been heading for the airport this afternoon. Unfortunately we've had to cancel the trip at the 11th hour due to an unforeseen medical issue. Absolutely gutted. We were really loking forward to this one. With it being the 1st ever race and the cultural side of things I think it would've been a special one.
Hopefully my health will improve sufficiently to get out to one of the European rounds. This thread has been a mine of useful information, thanks for all who contributed and happy travels to all attending.
Maybe see you at the next one.🤞👍
pics or we don't believe you! 🤣
That totally sucks. Sorry to hear it. Hope you're able to get that health issue sorted.
I haven't watched this or the other videos that the three of those guys have put out...but I already know what it's going to sound like and that it's going to be super fun to watch. Those are three dudes who seem to have a lot of fun being REALLY killer riders.
Thanks for posting it because I wouldn't have seen it otherwise!
From the perspective of a flat lander the track looks pretty cool to me, cut in it will be a whole different animal anyway.
What are the odds Norton shows up with a 32 front wheel? It would suit his setup it seems, I wonder if the wheels are strong enough to risk it? Scott has a 32 front gambler over on the pink site. I wonder if someone from AON is also keen to try? They like trying things and they have Dorado fork to make it easy.
Otherwise seems like the kinda track Gwin will like and him trading secrets and race craft with Asa will be a dangerous combo for other teams.
Other than that all of the French are ready to destroy the competitio it seems, both Alrans will certainly want to show their pace and grab a win.
Downhill rider entry list for South Korea (different than actual qualifying start list that should show up in a day or so). Once quali list is in, Vital Fantasy will kick off! You can join the global league now to be ready for prizes.
Live timing link now includes 2026 season - https://prod.chronorace.be/angular/results.html#/uci/mtb?ll=177739406765
jackson's v10 from korea
Glossed right over that Ochain
Maybe new Saint drops this year?
He didn't talk about the TMD, was he running that last year?
Yes, they've always been quiet about it though. It's visible but they are quiet about it.
What's the point of being quiet about it when you have it right there on the front of your bike with the brands logo on it? Honest question, not trying to be snarky, why show it so prominently then have an internal understanding you don't talk about it?
Is it possible that Countersycle aren't a sponsor and they only talk about sponsors product when they're producing sponsored content for the team?
Bingo. You gotta pay them to talk about your products.
Countersycle may have provided product, hence the sticker still in place. The Ochain is void of markings.
I would have bet money that by this time Shimano would have made a chain damper prototype to keep SRAM parts off of the Syndicate bikes.
Seems on brand for Syndicate…they’ve always been a bit…sorta corny.
Neko Frameworks would be like “oh yeah I bought a few of these to try out and this guy likes it and that’s what that is there. Check me out look at this tight shirt!”
I’m looking for a non-European rider to win this thing…listening to CKilmurray talk about jet lag reminds me how much more accustomed the Oz/NZ and American riders are to racing in foreign lands.
Hyped on these pre-race shows as always, embarrassed I haven’t paid for Downtime Patreon yet. 😐
Long flight for the Aussie’s but they are essentially in the same time zone, give or take an hour
For real.
Man, just finishing up Downtime pre-race show and I’m feeling like a DH super fan hearing even Chris Downtime talking about race times: west coast n.americans done BEEN dealing with 3:30am start times forever! Tip to UK and EU tenderberries trying to figure it out: just get up and watch it live. Trying to time the replays will pretty much ensure that one or more races will be spoiled for you. Usually by RicMc n dem, but it can happen out in the wild too…dipshit friends, loud dudes at the trailhead, whatever. Just get up and watch it! Don’t risk spoileration.
it’s our time to shine though, west coast viewers. 7:30 Friday night??? Hell yesssssssss
11 hour flight Sydney to Seoul is short for an Australian.
Sydney to Dubai is 14 hours then add another 7 or 8 into the EU is the norm. With our Kiwi cuzzies having it even worse.
South Korea being in the same time zone to Australia is more of a bonus than the actual flight time.
PIT BITS just dropped! It's ON!
The riders seem stoked on the new track, here's Dak with some insights:
Bummer for Oli - heal up well!
Starlists are in! Fantasy will be go as soon as Spomer wakes up :-)
Elite Men
Elite Women
Junior Men
Junior Women
FYI, quick reference:
Korea race qualifying (Q1) start lists numbers
Men Elite: 86 riders on start list (20 qualify for final in Q1; all others go to Q2; 10 riders from Q2 go to finals)
Women Elite: 27 (10 qualify for final in Q1; all others go to Q2: 5 riders from Q2 go to finals)
Men Juniors: 40 (20 qualify for final; no Q2 for Juniors)
Women Juniors: 11 (10 qualify for final; no Q2 for Juniors)
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