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Yes it was. Do people think Loic started calling himself that? He just enjoys having a bit of fun with it.🤣

Loic is a nice dude. Jackson is a nice kid. We’re generally lucky in this sport.

pinkbike (did the vital break yet?)

I think Luca is learning the ways of Troy Brosnan. Shocked to see he is 4th overall. He is 4th overall... While his best finish so far is a 5th. That is a WILDLY consistent rider day in day out qualies to finals. In front of a LOT of dudes who have a cup win.

I prefer Vital because people are allowed to have different opinions here—most people seem to remember we’re just talking about expensive toys for grownups on this site. I can’t go to pinkbike anymore because of the holier-than-thou attitude on all topics, and if you don’t agree you are treated like a leper. I don’t have extreme opinions by any means, but it feels like I do on PB since everyone’s reaction there is so vitriolic. Thanks for being real, Vital.

Here is what becoming junior DH World Champ looks like from behind the handlebars:

Of course the Californian says that. Ronan was 100% pushing last week, Amaury too before the cartwheeled. Weather is just part of racing, it is what it is. They try and have the rounds in somewhat good weather (except MSA in October lol), but if it rains it rains.

What? Mud produces some of the best runs in the history of the sport! Sam's 2007 Champery run, Danny's run in 2011, Gwin's run at Mt Saint Anne in 2018, Recces's 2020 World Championship-winning run, Amaury's 2024 Les Gets run, Ronan's and Max's 2025 Les Gets runs were all fun to watch.

Go ride then.

CAN WE PLEASE STOP WITH THE RELATIONSHIP STUFF? this is a dead horse that is now pulp. (not saying i agree with it). PLEASE KEEP IT OUT OF TEAM RUMORS AT THIS POINT Go make another thread if this is that big of a deal for you guys

While none of are likely to buy the $20k bike, it's got us all talking about it... Mission accomplished...

to clarify, i think the race will be great and the construction of the track was a massive achievement on that slope! visually, the lunacy of what the riders are actually doing doesn't seem to translate on screen. in the wet? FORGET IT lol

How do you watch the raw vids? 1. Watch the bikes and how it behaves over features 2. Watch the rider and look at their body position over features 3. Frantically try to do both and end up with eye strain.

Shout out to Fabien Cousine, Ben Walker (New World Disorder fame) aka @buckoW & all the track builders there & the Morgins tracks. Never forget the walking digger & what these folks REALLY accomplished in that region!!!

Weather update: It is currently dumping rain. Glad I am not there attempting to walk or ride.

The thing is it's unridable in the wet without these berms, so now the track is not so technical, and mostly only steep. As you said they did a great job cutting some corners. But if you want to have fun, I can suggest everybody tries to ride champery in the wet. I did it twice, and twice I had fear for most of it. It's maybe not so great to watch, but it will make a great race I think.

good luck pushing back up to that marker!

Is it me or does the special paint jobs and jerseys make it really hard to tell who's who. Vital Raw is awesome though!