2026 WORLD CHAMPS - Val di Sole

sspomer
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8/28/2026 2:43pm

wyntv qualifying video

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sspomer
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8/28/2026 2:55pm

tyler waite and pontvianne crashes via instagram.

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owl-x
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8/28/2026 3:49pm
LePigPen wrote:

RORY BUBBA KIRK 

Are there any other "specialty" racers out there? Or just South Africans? Rory is obviously a good racer, but isn't as fast as the world's best...

Are there any other "specialty" racers out there? Or just South Africans? Rory is obviously a good racer, but isn't as fast as the world's best, but he is the world's best scrubber. Theo also isn't top tier fast, but can bang out a backflip at Lenzerheide. Are there any other racers that have maxxed stats in one category but mid pack in the rest?

LePigPen wrote:
Well Rory seemingly outright calls himself a free racer. A term often given to Brendog, Theo, Kaos, Kade, etc.It's worth noting a lot of freeriders start...

Well Rory seemingly outright calls himself a free racer. A term often given to Brendog, Theo, Kaos, Kade, etc.

It's worth noting a lot of freeriders start in racing and a lot of racers have a significant freeride background. Just natural crossover. Brage and Remy used to race.

Greg apparently has a really understated free ride background... Obviously Asa can flip. I'm not sure which current riders have a deeper BMX background the way Kade did. Also a lot of racers ride moto in the off season, naturally. Like MOST of them it seems. Won't even name them all.

In terms of south africans I'm sure Needles has got some tricks up his sleeve but I'm not sure if he earns the free racer moniker.

And for specialty riding, I think Bernard Kerr is a notable in his stoppie landings. Yeah tons of dudes like to stoppie after the finish line... But I'm not sure how many are comfortable landing in one on proper sized jumps. (Also Bernard Kerr tried to race A1 supercross in his spare time lol)

Speaking of... Shaun Palmer raced supercross, and made the main at A1. Among a million other things in snowboarding. 

“ Shaun Palmer raced supercross, and made the main at A1. Among a million other things in snowboarding.”

I just sighed so hard I lost consciousness and hit my head on the coffee table. Doctors initiating concussion protocol. As hard as it is to say, I’m going to have to take tonight off from messageboarding. See you next time ✌️ and thanks to my sponsors:

@costcochampagne

@traderjoespbcups 

@tizcycling

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LePigPen
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8/28/2026 3:52pm
Are there any other "specialty" racers out there? Or just South Africans? Rory is obviously a good racer, but isn't as fast as the world's best...

Are there any other "specialty" racers out there? Or just South Africans? Rory is obviously a good racer, but isn't as fast as the world's best, but he is the world's best scrubber. Theo also isn't top tier fast, but can bang out a backflip at Lenzerheide. Are there any other racers that have maxxed stats in one category but mid pack in the rest?

LePigPen wrote:
Well Rory seemingly outright calls himself a free racer. A term often given to Brendog, Theo, Kaos, Kade, etc.It's worth noting a lot of freeriders start...

Well Rory seemingly outright calls himself a free racer. A term often given to Brendog, Theo, Kaos, Kade, etc.

It's worth noting a lot of freeriders start in racing and a lot of racers have a significant freeride background. Just natural crossover. Brage and Remy used to race.

Greg apparently has a really understated free ride background... Obviously Asa can flip. I'm not sure which current riders have a deeper BMX background the way Kade did. Also a lot of racers ride moto in the off season, naturally. Like MOST of them it seems. Won't even name them all.

In terms of south africans I'm sure Needles has got some tricks up his sleeve but I'm not sure if he earns the free racer moniker.

And for specialty riding, I think Bernard Kerr is a notable in his stoppie landings. Yeah tons of dudes like to stoppie after the finish line... But I'm not sure how many are comfortable landing in one on proper sized jumps. (Also Bernard Kerr tried to race A1 supercross in his spare time lol)

Speaking of... Shaun Palmer raced supercross, and made the main at A1. Among a million other things in snowboarding. 

owl-x wrote:
“ Shaun Palmer raced supercross, and made the main at A1. Among a million other things in snowboarding.”I just sighed so hard I lost consciousness and...

“ Shaun Palmer raced supercross, and made the main at A1. Among a million other things in snowboarding.”

I just sighed so hard I lost consciousness and hit my head on the coffee table. Doctors initiating concussion protocol. As hard as it is to say, I’m going to have to take tonight off from messageboarding. See you next time ✌️ and thanks to my sponsors:

@costcochampagne

@traderjoespbcups 

@tizcycling

ur right it was the coliseum i think. good catch Smile  

1
8/28/2026 4:01pm

I'm really interested which title people consider more prestigious: the overall UCI DH World Cup, or the World Championship.
@sspomer how about a poll? 
Personally, I always thought much more highly of the WC overall, but just heard Steve Peat say in an interview that he believes that the general public finds the rainbow stripes more impressive.

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LePigPen
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8/28/2026 4:39pm
I'm really interested which title people consider more prestigious: the overall UCI DH World Cup, or the World Championship.@sspomer how about a poll? Personally, I always...

I'm really interested which title people consider more prestigious: the overall UCI DH World Cup, or the World Championship.
@sspomer how about a poll? 
Personally, I always thought much more highly of the WC overall, but just heard Steve Peat say in an interview that he believes that the general public finds the rainbow stripes more impressive.

i mean. general public is awkward because its more or less implying people who dont care bout bicycle racing, at least our off road variant. the general public cares more about a racer winning with a broken chain or whether or not their balls are such a size at which one would struggle to comfortably sit with them

they might not understand the nuance of gwins VDS winning margin in the dry, or the epic wet runs amaury did recently (or getting 2nd with a crash). so jersey with cool colors that more popular cycling races also use is easier to digest than how an overall is won, even if its done impressively. i mean vali has early clinched yet again and i dont see any reporting on it outside of our industry. i think. didnt happen last time?

if Max Alran wins in korea... I'd assume he doesn't get a presidential post. but winning in Les Gets with a stampede of countrymen def nets you a presidential post. cool as it is.

overall is still cooler because outside of usually needing to win at least one race (i think its been done a handful of times with no wins?) you gotta be good at every track. in all the weather. on your off days. etc

theres def a reason Peaty would be biased and think champs is the holy grail. I'd imagine a rider that has won champs before, particularly multiple times, but hasn't won an overall is likely to imply an overall is the holy grail. (loic?)

medals are cool, representing your country is cool, sick paint jobs on bikes are cool. but it is effectively the same racing field on the same race tracks normally used for world cups so. kinda awkward in that way. like if you won VDS last year, but then struggled this year when it was champs you'd be kinda bummed... furthermore, 2nd at VDS last year when its a cup is quite cool, good points. 2nd at VDS this year for champs is kinda devastating. big 'if ya aint first ya last' energy at champs 

1
8/28/2026 6:03pm
I'm really interested which title people consider more prestigious: the overall UCI DH World Cup, or the World Championship.@sspomer how about a poll? Personally, I always...

I'm really interested which title people consider more prestigious: the overall UCI DH World Cup, or the World Championship.
@sspomer how about a poll? 
Personally, I always thought much more highly of the WC overall, but just heard Steve Peat say in an interview that he believes that the general public finds the rainbow stripes more impressive.

General public - world champs Riders - WC overall

3
8/28/2026 6:57pm
I'm really interested which title people consider more prestigious: the overall UCI DH World Cup, or the World Championship.@sspomer how about a poll? Personally, I always...

I'm really interested which title people consider more prestigious: the overall UCI DH World Cup, or the World Championship.
@sspomer how about a poll? 
Personally, I always thought much more highly of the WC overall, but just heard Steve Peat say in an interview that he believes that the general public finds the rainbow stripes more impressive.

I'm with you: Give me a compelling World Cup season like we had last year any time. Heck, give me a season like we're having this year: the men's Elite Overall being up in the air with 2 races to go, and Vali and Jonty having phenomenally dominant seasons... What these athletes put themselves through during an entire World Cup season just makes the Overall title more meaningful to me as a fan. 

 

8/28/2026 7:06pm

Definitely the overall. I think it's weird that World Champs is smashed into the middle of the season. Love the race, don't get me wrong, but it can feel like another stop that doesn't count towards the overall, with certain riders holding back. That being said, absolutely can't wait for tomorrow.

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LePigPen
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8/28/2026 7:28pm
Definitely the overall. I think it's weird that World Champs is smashed into the middle of the season. Love the race, don't get me wrong, but...

Definitely the overall. I think it's weird that World Champs is smashed into the middle of the season. Love the race, don't get me wrong, but it can feel like another stop that doesn't count towards the overall, with certain riders holding back. That being said, absolutely can't wait for tomorrow.

This part. And inherently it means it robs us of a 'complete' racing field if a rider is slotted to win an overall. Already quite a few riders out, bitten by the black snake. Why would the elite men in contention risk it? Maybe if you already have an overall in the bag but otherwise you don't throw away an overall at champs. Which is sad. At least Vali and Jonty clinched already.

jeff h
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8/28/2026 9:01pm
LePigPen wrote:

RORY BUBBA KIRK 

Are there any other "specialty" racers out there? Or just South Africans? Rory is obviously a good racer, but isn't as fast as the world's best...

Are there any other "specialty" racers out there? Or just South Africans? Rory is obviously a good racer, but isn't as fast as the world's best, but he is the world's best scrubber. Theo also isn't top tier fast, but can bang out a backflip at Lenzerheide. Are there any other racers that have maxxed stats in one category but mid pack in the rest?

LePigPen wrote:
Well Rory seemingly outright calls himself a free racer. A term often given to Brendog, Theo, Kaos, Kade, etc.It's worth noting a lot of freeriders start...

Well Rory seemingly outright calls himself a free racer. A term often given to Brendog, Theo, Kaos, Kade, etc.

It's worth noting a lot of freeriders start in racing and a lot of racers have a significant freeride background. Just natural crossover. Brage and Remy used to race.

Greg apparently has a really understated free ride background... Obviously Asa can flip. I'm not sure which current riders have a deeper BMX background the way Kade did. Also a lot of racers ride moto in the off season, naturally. Like MOST of them it seems. Won't even name them all.

In terms of south africans I'm sure Needles has got some tricks up his sleeve but I'm not sure if he earns the free racer moniker.

And for specialty riding, I think Bernard Kerr is a notable in his stoppie landings. Yeah tons of dudes like to stoppie after the finish line... But I'm not sure how many are comfortable landing in one on proper sized jumps. (Also Bernard Kerr tried to race A1 supercross in his spare time lol)

Speaking of... Shaun Palmer raced supercross, and made the main at A1. Among a million other things in snowboarding. 

2
LePigPen
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8/28/2026 9:06pm
Are there any other "specialty" racers out there? Or just South Africans? Rory is obviously a good racer, but isn't as fast as the world's best...

Are there any other "specialty" racers out there? Or just South Africans? Rory is obviously a good racer, but isn't as fast as the world's best, but he is the world's best scrubber. Theo also isn't top tier fast, but can bang out a backflip at Lenzerheide. Are there any other racers that have maxxed stats in one category but mid pack in the rest?

LePigPen wrote:
Well Rory seemingly outright calls himself a free racer. A term often given to Brendog, Theo, Kaos, Kade, etc.It's worth noting a lot of freeriders start...

Well Rory seemingly outright calls himself a free racer. A term often given to Brendog, Theo, Kaos, Kade, etc.

It's worth noting a lot of freeriders start in racing and a lot of racers have a significant freeride background. Just natural crossover. Brage and Remy used to race.

Greg apparently has a really understated free ride background... Obviously Asa can flip. I'm not sure which current riders have a deeper BMX background the way Kade did. Also a lot of racers ride moto in the off season, naturally. Like MOST of them it seems. Won't even name them all.

In terms of south africans I'm sure Needles has got some tricks up his sleeve but I'm not sure if he earns the free racer moniker.

And for specialty riding, I think Bernard Kerr is a notable in his stoppie landings. Yeah tons of dudes like to stoppie after the finish line... But I'm not sure how many are comfortable landing in one on proper sized jumps. (Also Bernard Kerr tried to race A1 supercross in his spare time lol)

Speaking of... Shaun Palmer raced supercross, and made the main at A1. Among a million other things in snowboarding. 

jeff h wrote:

this convo was more in reference to free riding and tricks. Kade Edwards is a freestyle BMXer. even though most of us started as racers, including myself. Naturally, a LOT of these dudes hold their own at local dirt jumps or pump track or whatever. But Kade simply could have gone pro in BMX if that's what he wished. park, dirt, maybe even street.

8/28/2026 11:12pm

About World Champs vs Overall. Two names.

Charlie Hatton and Aaron Gwin

3
8/29/2026 2:35am

Myriam Nicole not going to race. 

1
8/29/2026 3:15am
Conditions not great early in the day for Juniors, due to overnight rain.Tilly Boadle = Junior women World Champ. Ostgaard 2nd, 7.6 seconds back.Raoul Schneeberger =...

Conditions not great early in the day for Juniors, due to overnight rain.

  • Tilly Boadle = Junior women World Champ. Ostgaard 2nd, 7.6 seconds back.
  • Raoul Schneeberger = Junior men World Champ. Jonty was DNS.

Full results: https://www.tissottiming.com/2026/mtbwch/reports#15

Jonty might have broke his wrist in training

2
MarzMan
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8/29/2026 4:24am

FloSports proving itself to be trash yet again. At least they got Needles in there to offset the constipated guy

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1
casey79
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8/29/2026 5:00am
MarzMan wrote:

FloSports proving itself to be trash yet again. At least they got Needles in there to offset the constipated guy

It’s the feed that the UCI supplies to the telecasters. 

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MarzMan
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8/29/2026 5:09am
MarzMan wrote:

FloSports proving itself to be trash yet again. At least they got Needles in there to offset the constipated guy

casey79 wrote:

It’s the feed that the UCI supplies to the telecasters. 

Whoever is responsible needs to get this cricket announcer out of here, he sounds like he’s having a stroke

1
1
8/29/2026 5:43am

Tried to sign up to that link on their YouTube.  

Created an account.


Tried to sign in.  Said I don’t have an account.  Try to create account.  Says I already have one.


Create a new email.  Same thing.


Google says I can’t make more emails on my phone.  

😂 I give up!

8/29/2026 5:43am

Vali Höll makes it 5 consecutive World Champs.

  • Big day for the Swiss so far: 1 win, one 2nd

  • Big day for Commençal Schwalbe riders so far: 2 wins, one 2nd

1
8/29/2026 6:02am Edited Date/Time 8/29/2026 6:03am

Including when she raced as a Junior, Vali Höll has raced in 9 UCI World Champs races.

  • She had one DNS in the finals (I believe it was due to an injury) and finished 12th in another (I think she had a wreck).
  • She won the other 7.

 

5
LePigPen
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8/29/2026 6:25am

i've just given up on live streams of MTB racing which is... ultimately the issue

out of all the other things i watch, MTBing is hands down the worst. 2 relatively expensive and relatively inconsistent platforms for a sport that doesnt have all that much run time annually.

its 2026. stream it through youtube as a paid members only broadcast. we really did find as many ways possible to create a system worse than cable... and to think this all used to be free to watch for all

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sspomer
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8/29/2026 6:27am

at least flo is showing entire elite field w/ raw audio right now. rory kirk's rear tire wasn't about to go through another scrub, so it left the bike mid run. gutted, wanted to see the race day move!

7
sspomer
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8/29/2026 6:35am

the gearbox riders actually have a gear to sprint at the finish where regular drivetrain riders look spun out.

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sspomer
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8/29/2026 6:43am
sspomer wrote:
at least flo is showing entire elite field w/ raw audio right now. rory kirk's rear tire wasn't about to go through another scrub, so it...

at least flo is showing entire elite field w/ raw audio right now. rory kirk's rear tire wasn't about to go through another scrub, so it left the bike mid run. gutted, wanted to see the race day move!

sorry for the jinx. feed has been neutralized by aliens.

3
8/29/2026 7:00am

Your undisputed, reigning, defending, and STILL Women's Elite World Champ:

4

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