[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]
One aspect that made this an exciting year in World Cup was seeing some Elite riders get their first wins: Hattie Harnden, Anna Newkirk, Lisa Bouladou, Luca Shaw, Asa Vermette, and Max Alran won. I wonder if any of the current Elite riders will get their first win in 2027. (Or maybe a first-year Elite - say, Jonty Williamson or one of the top women graduating from Juniors for example - will get a win the way Asa and Max did this year.)
Here, in no particular order, are some of the Elite men who have at least one full season under their belts but haven’t got a World Cup win yet (sorry, I haven't looked at the women yet):
Ryan Pinkerton: 26 World Cup races, best finish: 3rd
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]One...
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]
One aspect that made this an exciting year in World Cup was seeing some Elite riders get their first wins: Hattie Harnden, Anna Newkirk, Lisa Bouladou, Luca Shaw, Asa Vermette, and Max Alran won. I wonder if any of the current Elite riders will get their first win in 2027. (Or maybe a first-year Elite - say, Jonty Williamson or one of the top women graduating from Juniors for example - will get a win the way Asa and Max did this year.)
Here, in no particular order, are some of the Elite men who have at least one full season under their belts but haven’t got a World Cup win yet (sorry, I haven't looked at the women yet):
Ryan Pinkerton: 26 World Cup races, best finish: 3rd
Till Alran: 9 races, best finish: 5th
Henri Kiefer: 24 races, best finish: 2nd
Dylan Maples: 42 races, best finish: 4th
Richie Rude: 36 races, best finish: 4th
Ethan Craik: 37 races, best finish: 2nd
Lachie Stevens-McNab: 30 races, best finish: 2nd
Nathan Pontvianne: 24 races, best finish: 4th
Bodhi Kuhn: 23 races, best finish: 9th
Charlie Hatton: 71 races, best finish: 7th
Dakota Norton: 77 races, best finish: 2nd
Bernard Kerr: 119 races, best finish: 2nd
I know you're talking about World Cup results, but I think it's fair to mention Charlie Hatton won a World Champs. That's gotta make his World Cup results harder to swallow, though.
I know you're talking about World Cup results, but I think it's fair to mention Charlie Hatton won a World Champs. That's gotta make his World...
I know you're talking about World Cup results, but I think it's fair to mention Charlie Hatton won a World Champs. That's gotta make his World Cup results harder to swallow, though.
I agree with you on both points.
If I'm not mistaken, Charlie is the only guy in the past 20 years who's won a World Championship and has never won a World Cup.
I know you're talking about World Cup results, but I think it's fair to mention Charlie Hatton won a World Champs. That's gotta make his World...
I know you're talking about World Cup results, but I think it's fair to mention Charlie Hatton won a World Champs. That's gotta make his World Cup results harder to swallow, though.
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]One...
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]
One aspect that made this an exciting year in World Cup was seeing some Elite riders get their first wins: Hattie Harnden, Anna Newkirk, Lisa Bouladou, Luca Shaw, Asa Vermette, and Max Alran won. I wonder if any of the current Elite riders will get their first win in 2027. (Or maybe a first-year Elite - say, Jonty Williamson or one of the top women graduating from Juniors for example - will get a win the way Asa and Max did this year.)
Here, in no particular order, are some of the Elite men who have at least one full season under their belts but haven’t got a World Cup win yet (sorry, I haven't looked at the women yet):
Ryan Pinkerton: 26 World Cup races, best finish: 3rd
Till Alran: 9 races, best finish: 5th
Henri Kiefer: 24 races, best finish: 2nd
Dylan Maples: 42 races, best finish: 4th
Richie Rude: 36 races, best finish: 4th
Ethan Craik: 37 races, best finish: 2nd
Lachie Stevens-McNab: 30 races, best finish: 2nd
Nathan Pontvianne: 24 races, best finish: 4th
Bodhi Kuhn: 23 races, best finish: 9th
Charlie Hatton: 71 races, best finish: 7th
Dakota Norton: 77 races, best finish: 2nd
Bernard Kerr: 119 races, best finish: 2nd
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...
Pinky
Kiefer
Lachie
Not saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the best chance.
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]One...
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]
One aspect that made this an exciting year in World Cup was seeing some Elite riders get their first wins: Hattie Harnden, Anna Newkirk, Lisa Bouladou, Luca Shaw, Asa Vermette, and Max Alran won. I wonder if any of the current Elite riders will get their first win in 2027. (Or maybe a first-year Elite - say, Jonty Williamson or one of the top women graduating from Juniors for example - will get a win the way Asa and Max did this year.)
Here, in no particular order, are some of the Elite men who have at least one full season under their belts but haven’t got a World Cup win yet (sorry, I haven't looked at the women yet):
Ryan Pinkerton: 26 World Cup races, best finish: 3rd
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...PinkyKieferLachieNot saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the...
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...
Pinky
Kiefer
Lachie
Not saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the best chance.
Don't forget the incoming juniors, Jonty had a good chance of taking a win
I know you're talking about World Cup results, but I think it's fair to mention Charlie Hatton won a World Champs. That's gotta make his World...
I know you're talking about World Cup results, but I think it's fair to mention Charlie Hatton won a World Champs. That's gotta make his World Cup results harder to swallow, though.
I agree with you on both points. If I'm not mistaken, Charlie is the only guy in the past 20 years who's won a World Championship and...
I agree with you on both points.
If I'm not mistaken, Charlie is the only guy in the past 20 years who's won a World Championship and has never won a World Cup.
I had to double check on roots and rain, but Danny didn't win a World Cup until almost 5yrs after his first World Champs, so Hatton isn't totally in a league of his own here.
I had to double check on roots and rain, but Danny didn't win a World Cup until almost 5yrs after his first World Champs, so Hatton...
I had to double check on roots and rain, but Danny didn't win a World Cup until almost 5yrs after his first World Champs, so Hatton isn't totally in a league of his own here.
That's true.
Danny made up for lost time in 2016, though, ending the season with wins in the last 3 races to finish 2nd in the overall behind Aaron Gwin by just 26 points. He's had only 1 other World Cup win since then, but it was the memorable final 2019 race at Snowshoe that allowed Loïc Bruni to take the title over Amaury Pierron.
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...PinkyKieferLachieNot saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the...
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...
Pinky
Kiefer
Lachie
Not saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the best chance.
I picked Kiefer for a win in 26 based on how strong he last couple of races of the 25 season..
With how unpredictable qualifying has been, a lot more guys are getting shots for wins...
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]One...
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]
One aspect that made this an exciting year in World Cup was seeing some Elite riders get their first wins: Hattie Harnden, Anna Newkirk, Lisa Bouladou, Luca Shaw, Asa Vermette, and Max Alran won. I wonder if any of the current Elite riders will get their first win in 2027. (Or maybe a first-year Elite - say, Jonty Williamson or one of the top women graduating from Juniors for example - will get a win the way Asa and Max did this year.)
Here, in no particular order, are some of the Elite men who have at least one full season under their belts but haven’t got a World Cup win yet (sorry, I haven't looked at the women yet):
Ryan Pinkerton: 26 World Cup races, best finish: 3rd
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...PinkyKieferLachieNot saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the...
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...
Pinky
Kiefer
Lachie
Not saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the best chance.
Don't forget the incoming juniors, Jonty had a good chance of taking a win
Maybe interesting to note that Asa had a better time than Jackson at last year's lake Placid event. Maybe a glimpse of what was to come. I haven't looked, but how did the juniors this year compare to elites this year?
Maybe interesting to note that Asa had a better time than Jackson at last year's lake Placid event. Maybe a glimpse of what was to come...
Maybe interesting to note that Asa had a better time than Jackson at last year's lake Placid event. Maybe a glimpse of what was to come. I haven't looked, but how did the juniors this year compare to elites this year?
I'm pretty sure Aletha had a faster time than the Elite winner in at least one race.
I'm also pretty sure Jonty did not have a faster time at any race. (In 2025 I think Max and Asa had a couple of winning times faster than Elite, and one of Till's winning times would have been good for 2nd place in Elite.)
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]One...
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]
One aspect that made this an exciting year in World Cup was seeing some Elite riders get their first wins: Hattie Harnden, Anna Newkirk, Lisa Bouladou, Luca Shaw, Asa Vermette, and Max Alran won. I wonder if any of the current Elite riders will get their first win in 2027. (Or maybe a first-year Elite - say, Jonty Williamson or one of the top women graduating from Juniors for example - will get a win the way Asa and Max did this year.)
Here, in no particular order, are some of the Elite men who have at least one full season under their belts but haven’t got a World Cup win yet (sorry, I haven't looked at the women yet):
Ryan Pinkerton: 26 World Cup races, best finish: 3rd
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...PinkyKieferLachieNot saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the...
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...
Pinky
Kiefer
Lachie
Not saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the best chance.
I’d say Till Alran and Nathan Pontviane are realistic possibilities.
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...PinkyKieferLachieNot saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the...
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...
Pinky
Kiefer
Lachie
Not saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the best chance.
Maybe interesting to note that Asa had a better time than Jackson at last year's lake Placid event. Maybe a glimpse of what was to come...
Maybe interesting to note that Asa had a better time than Jackson at last year's lake Placid event. Maybe a glimpse of what was to come. I haven't looked, but how did the juniors this year compare to elites this year?
Regardless of individual race times, Jackson and Asa came in guns blazing and winning. If we get another class of kids the next couple seasons like that, I think most of the older men are going to have a hard time with their next contract.
I will be SHOCKED if Althea doesn't get a win next year. I think it was whistler where she was like 4+ seconds faster than Vali. She was the fastest woman at several races this year.
While he's not Jackson/Asa/Alran level, Jonty was very solid this year and will totally be a threat for year 1 elite. The fact is, the junior class is consistently churning out at least 1 new contender each year, and it feels like of the old guard, less than that are retiring per year. At a certain part, they're going to have to come to terms with the math.
Maybe interesting to note that Asa had a better time than Jackson at last year's lake Placid event. Maybe a glimpse of what was to come...
Maybe interesting to note that Asa had a better time than Jackson at last year's lake Placid event. Maybe a glimpse of what was to come. I haven't looked, but how did the juniors this year compare to elites this year?
I will be SHOCKED if Althea doesn't get a win next year. I think it was whistler where she was like 4+ seconds faster than Vali...
I will be SHOCKED if Althea doesn't get a win next year. I think it was whistler where she was like 4+ seconds faster than Vali. She was the fastest woman at several races this year.
I'm curious if Vali backed off a bit once she had cinched the series win. No point in risking serious injury when there's minimal gain.
I'm curious if Vali backed off a bit once she had cinched the series win. No point in risking serious injury when there's minimal gain.
Boy, if that's backing off a lot more riders should try it: A win and a 2nd place (by 0.4 seconds) in her last 2 races. She earned 480 points in those 2 races. The nearest anyone came in those 2 races in terms of points was Gracey's 320.
I think Vali was really trying to match the 7 wins of Rachel Atherton and Ann-Caroline Chausson, so she was going for wins right up until the end.
Boy, if that's backing off a lot more riders should try it: A win and a 2nd place (by 0.4 seconds) in her last 2 races...
Boy, if that's backing off a lot more riders should try it: A win and a 2nd place (by 0.4 seconds) in her last 2 races. She earned 480 points in those 2 races. The nearest anyone came in those 2 races in terms of points was Gracey's 320.
I think Vali was really trying to match the 7 wins of Rachel Atherton and Ann-Caroline Chausson, so she was going for wins right up until the end.
You're probably right - backing off might not be in her blood.
I saw on the other site there was a leak of potential 2027 UCI dates, but no specific venues attached to them. Last year I thought the UCI released the 2026 schedule right about now, if not a week ago… Does anyone know anything concrete? You can PM me if you don’t want to make it public.
I have to pick my vacations soon, and I want to know when Whistler is happening next year! 😉
If Dane Jewett hadn't gotten the Canuck Curse on his race run crash, we might be chatting about him. Jacob Jewett busted a top 5 at Whistler from a slower qualy & Dane qualified 3rd or 4th for a "What could have been?" run in drier conditions on his best course.
Want to say both dealt with the injury bug this season?
I'd be willing to bet LSM gets at least one win next year and is top 5 in the overall
Interesting to think about, he made every finals this year, clearly excels on certain types of tracks. Average finish position this year at World Cups of 15th. Maybe a little bit off winning, but many a rider has that "click" that sets winning consistently in motion etc..
[I guess it's too early for a 2027 Race Talk thread, so I'll go ahead and post this here since I found myself thinking about it.]
One aspect that made this an exciting year in World Cup was seeing some Elite riders get their first wins: Hattie Harnden, Anna Newkirk, Lisa Bouladou, Luca Shaw, Asa Vermette, and Max Alran won. I wonder if any of the current Elite riders will get their first win in 2027. (Or maybe a first-year Elite - say, Jonty Williamson or one of the top women graduating from Juniors for example - will get a win the way Asa and Max did this year.)
Here, in no particular order, are some of the Elite men who have at least one full season under their belts but haven’t got a World Cup win yet (sorry, I haven't looked at the women yet):
Ryan Pinkerton: 26 World Cup races, best finish: 3rd
Till Alran: 9 races, best finish: 5th
Henri Kiefer: 24 races, best finish: 2nd
Dylan Maples: 42 races, best finish: 4th
Richie Rude: 36 races, best finish: 4th
Ethan Craik: 37 races, best finish: 2nd
Lachie Stevens-McNab: 30 races, best finish: 2nd
Nathan Pontvianne: 24 races, best finish: 4th
Bodhi Kuhn: 23 races, best finish: 9th
Charlie Hatton: 71 races, best finish: 7th
Dakota Norton: 77 races, best finish: 2nd
Bernard Kerr: 119 races, best finish: 2nd
Blurt laughed when I read it, it’s perfect again few days later.
Solid messageboarding, I’ve nominated you for the Golden Arrow!
I know you're talking about World Cup results, but I think it's fair to mention Charlie Hatton won a World Champs. That's gotta make his World Cup results harder to swallow, though.
I agree with you on both points.
If I'm not mistaken, Charlie is the only guy in the past 20 years who's won a World Championship and has never won a World Cup.
I mean, it might not count to the overall, but World champs to me is still world cup race. Charlie's a world cup winner in my heart.
IMO who is realistically possible next year (not in order)...
Not saying the rest can't win, but factoring in age/bike/previous injuries I think these 3 have the best chance.
Don't forget the incoming juniors, Jonty had a good chance of taking a win
I had to double check on roots and rain, but Danny didn't win a World Cup until almost 5yrs after his first World Champs, so Hatton isn't totally in a league of his own here.
That's true.
Danny made up for lost time in 2016, though, ending the season with wins in the last 3 races to finish 2nd in the overall behind Aaron Gwin by just 26 points. He's had only 1 other World Cup win since then, but it was the memorable final 2019 race at Snowshoe that allowed Loïc Bruni to take the title over Amaury Pierron.
I picked Kiefer for a win in 26 based on how strong he last couple of races of the 25 season..
With how unpredictable qualifying has been, a lot more guys are getting shots for wins...
Hurts to have to read results in that format if you're those folks.
None of them want to see that "2nd"
Will be funny to see Bernard kerr giving himself a ride until he's 50 trying to get that win
Maybe interesting to note that Asa had a better time than Jackson at last year's lake Placid event. Maybe a glimpse of what was to come. I haven't looked, but how did the juniors this year compare to elites this year?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9XjjcoOpwM
I'm pretty sure Aletha had a faster time than the Elite winner in at least one race.
I'm also pretty sure Jonty did not have a faster time at any race. (In 2025 I think Max and Asa had a couple of winning times faster than Elite, and one of Till's winning times would have been good for 2nd place in Elite.)
I’d say Till Alran and Nathan Pontviane are realistic possibilities.
That’s Mont Ste Anne.
On the men’s side in the past few years Max, Asa, jackson and Jordan all jr times that would have won elite
Regardless of individual race times, Jackson and Asa came in guns blazing and winning. If we get another class of kids the next couple seasons like that, I think most of the older men are going to have a hard time with their next contract.
I will be SHOCKED if Althea doesn't get a win next year. I think it was whistler where she was like 4+ seconds faster than Vali. She was the fastest woman at several races this year.
While he's not Jackson/Asa/Alran level, Jonty was very solid this year and will totally be a threat for year 1 elite. The fact is, the junior class is consistently churning out at least 1 new contender each year, and it feels like of the old guard, less than that are retiring per year. At a certain part, they're going to have to come to terms with the math.
Senior moment on my part - intro in the video states Mont Ste Anne. 🙄
I'm curious if Vali backed off a bit once she had cinched the series win. No point in risking serious injury when there's minimal gain.
Boy, if that's backing off a lot more riders should try it: A win and a 2nd place (by 0.4 seconds) in her last 2 races. She earned 480 points in those 2 races. The nearest anyone came in those 2 races in terms of points was Gracey's 320.
I think Vali was really trying to match the 7 wins of Rachel Atherton and Ann-Caroline Chausson, so she was going for wins right up until the end.
You're probably right - backing off might not be in her blood.
She said in the interview with Wyn she'd been on the booze so she was not in optimum condition.
She has had a hectic few years for someone still so young
Random question:
I saw on the other site there was a leak of potential 2027 UCI dates, but no specific venues attached to them. Last year I thought the UCI released the 2026 schedule right about now, if not a week ago… Does anyone know anything concrete? You can PM me if you don’t want to make it public.
I have to pick my vacations soon, and I want to know when Whistler is happening next year! 😉
I'd be willing to bet LSM gets at least one win next year and is top 5 in the overall
Luke Sire-Myth?
Lukelan Smithens-MeNab
If Dane Jewett hadn't gotten the Canuck Curse on his race run crash, we might be chatting about him. Jacob Jewett busted a top 5 at Whistler from a slower qualy & Dane qualified 3rd or 4th for a "What could have been?" run in drier conditions on his best course.
Want to say both dealt with the injury bug this season?
Interesting to think about, he made every finals this year, clearly excels on certain types of tracks. Average finish position this year at World Cups of 15th. Maybe a little bit off winning, but many a rider has that "click" that sets winning consistently in motion etc..
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