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No Vital Raw, no WynTV, having withdrawal symptoms.

I mean theres def a reason for feeling that when you start with Poland and Loudenvielle. And to a lesser extent, Leogang right after that. But it's not like VDS and MSA were taken off schedule. I'm hoping Champery will be a technical track, despite being a similarly steep tight track. And I'm hoping the boys at home cook up something nasty for Placid. Maybe build another whale tail at the bottom and have to dismantle it before the race... Think Reece is just in a tough spot right now. And nobody can blame him for being pissed with the...

Reece Wilson sharing his thoughts on the tracks

Damn, Dialed gone, Vital RAW gone for a big chunk. UCI vid drops are random and nowhere near as enjoyable as yours, PB's and Dialeds efforts. ☹️

I don't really want to speculate on why a particular tyre is faster, because it will lead me into all sorts of trouble when I later disprove a theory with actual test data... however it's hard to resist 😁 I think the wider tyres are quicker because they can be run at lower pressure for similar levels of rim protection (bigger tyre = more carcass tension and more distance between rock and rim). This lower pressure then increases grip, and reduces rolling resistance as your centre of gravity doesn't have to rise as high over bumps. All fine until they...

Radial tyre tested here for anyone who is interested in the follow up: https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/front-dh-tyres-accurately-timed-alb…

Got to see trackside clip of Thirion in the steep chute where his fast sector was. Good grief folks. The man is made of gravitational pull!

And here's a look at some section winners for elite men (section 4 is missing, the pdf was messed up in that spot):

For the media it is even more difficult another 4 (28 days) stand alone EDR World Cups. Although a few are on those "week off" dates.

There are most definitely more issues. There is a change in LAW and regulation moving forward of the EU using Eitas system more accurately tracking visitors days. (no more hoping the border agent gives up counting all your days with the multitude of entry/exit stamps in your passport. There is a change with having more World Cups in this calendar year. There is a change this year in scheduling in having more "inconvenient" (from a travel logistics perspective) one week gaps. There is a change in the level of professionalism and pressure in results from the top World Series teams...

It was mentioned by me on Moving the needle Podcast. Despite what others think or have written here there are most definitely visa issues or VISA Waiver issues for nearly every non EU based rider. This includes riders from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. You are only allowed to be in the Schengen region 90 days out of every 180 days. Switzerland and Poland are both Schengen states and although Andorra isn't you still need a a Schengen Visa or Etias to enter as you can only enter from a Schengen state. (If you are travelling without...

Not all European WC races are in the EU, not all races are in the Schengen area. There is no universal visa, if you want a Visa for a European nation, Schengen or otherwise you have to apply to a specific country. There is no single EU body for Visas. The vast majority of WC racers not from European nations (i,e, Canada, USA, Aus and NZ) do not need a Visa to enter an EU country, those nations have reciprocal Visa waiver programs with EU nations. Visas have never been a major issue before, there are 10 WC DH races...

Andorra isn't Schengen, so some offshore people base themselves there for getting around the 90/180 day limit without leaving the area completely. Although tax is the actual reason why they're there, let's be perfectly honest.

It's funny because, spray paint the 'jump markers' pink or red, and none of this is an issue. Like if you wanna get rid of tape, for whatever reason, sure go for it. But if your replacement is... Well, dogshit. At least put in the lowest common denominator effort to make it easier on riders and viewers. If dangerous rocks are painted pink for visibility, 'jump markers' (if thats what they are) should also be painted pink and represent potential danger (aka, GAP!).