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Could even be just something like YT's got pits for mechanical support and that's about it. No coaching, line spotting, etc. Like it or not, the best results this year usually come from riders on teams with big infrastructure, and if YT suddenly is on a skeleton crew that would put them at a disadvantage. Too bad for him though, because he's shown he has the talent and skills. I'd love to see him riding on a real team like Ronan is.
If you're risking your life at 10-12 downhill races per year, you get to celebrate any way you choose. That's it. I get it, it's a forum, but anyone trying to police finish line behavior really is, "an old cunt". Even if you're young.
We are living in the golden age of gravity. Peak bikes, peak coverage (ok, arguable, but drones are way fun), and peak riding. And most importantly: peak riders. Between Zanna and Jackson there's a ton of great stories, attitudes, riding styles, and results. I loved Aaron winning everything for those 5 or so years, but as a spectator, it wasn't very exciting. Having a race up-for-grabs between Jackson, Ronnan, Andreas, Amaurry, Loic, etc., having the women's race finally competitive (not just Vali or Rachel winning, or wrecking), and the juniors, well...just basically being a mini pro factory...shit's pretty exciting.
Quite bitching just because someone has home school vibes, or another is playing head games.
It can't be good at all. The Irish sleeve was safety pinned on.
I wonder is he getting his salary from YT. Are Vali and Kold owed money by YT. It would suck to be top ten overall and no financial reward to show for it
I just feel bad because this could mean reduced leverage in future contract negotiation even for someone in the leader's jersey like Vali. Obviously it's fair for all riders to jump ship after the season, but how many teams have a budget to take on these riders... Without reducing their inherent value. They could be taking a pay cut just to ensure they have a contract next year
(through no fault of their own, of course)
Understands the assignment
We’re discussing sport from at home behind our keyboards. I think it’s pretty normal to dissect the personalities and team dynamics as well as the results? Isn’t that what we’re all doing here?
Whether I agree with them or not I’m always interested to read the whacky opinions and theories on here. It wouldn’t really be worth logging in if the conversation never went deeper than “I am stoked for everyone who took part”.
I wonder if his contract isn't as strong as Valis and Kolbs and they can just outright not pay him unfortunately? It seems odd he is not repping his bike sponsor at all while the other two still are.
Or he’s 6th overall and letting everyone know he needs a contract for 2026.
If everyone had the same opinions and observations, what would be the point of having them?
I think the story is, Jackson is such an unusually gifted rider, and how does the "field" react to that? When people pick the guy apart, pointing out his smaller size, talking about him being too exuberant at the finish line, to me, that sounds more like the same old story: someone comes along and upsets the order, undeniably, and the crowd isn't happy, and they try to make him an outsider. They try to find a weakness in him personally that obviously is not there in his riding.
This may not be where you are coming from, but in masse, it's not a good look: it makes us, the fans look like jerks.
I remember how people did the same thing to Gwin when he started winning so much. He's "boring", or lame that he made a religious comment after his win.
I'm not saying I'm immune to these kinds of thoughts--we all see difference--but it's lame to bring that stuff up in forums, I think.
Can we move on from 1 personality joke from over a year ago.
Let's talk about the crappiest part of the entire weekend. Hate it for Pinky to tag the anti-HardLine start pole.
I've always been of the opinion the start should have a solid wall on both sides of the rider to prevent any "catching" of equipment/gear/clothing & that nub proves my point. It should be at minimum an aluminum/wood half wall to funnel/graze & not chance a bike/gear/clothing snagging it. I think back to the crap way Shaun Palmer lost SkierCross at the X Games catching a tip under the carpet in the gate
:
I was super bummed to Pinky. My first thought he was trying to sneak his front wheel around the start arm as we had seen from a few riders this season. But after watching it a couple times I am not sure what he did?? Just looked awkward.
Ben Cathro on PB got it right. When he went to sprint out of the gate he twisted his bars to the right trying to get a strong start and his wheel was to far to the right and collided with the pole. It was a costly mistake but will be learned from and will get better.
My post is the screen grab from the SleeperCo edit of the instant his front wheel hits the black rod to riders right. Stopped him cold.
I watched Cathro and I see it, but it just looked weird, almost like the tire hit, then the fork lower again after that. I counted 4 solid seconds then momentum lost it sucks to think of what could have been.
To finish first, first you must start.
Dak goes all in on explaining his race run. He might need to do another version that is more so 'explain it to a 5 year old' for me because I could never process the amount of data these racers do. Really highlights how racers need to just know, not think about, but know where every rock is that could put them off line. Because one bad rock strike and that could be your tire done...
I struggle enough with memorising relatively straightforward trails I've ridden every other weekend for years...
Where is B-Practice pod?
Such a cool analysis from Dak. Don't think I'll ever relate to not being able to hold myself up in a berm. Not because I'm particularly strong but because I'll simply never hit a berm that hard lol
Clayton and Lars talk the last round of the 2025 Pro Downhill Series, The US Open which goes off this weekend in Killington.
^ Dakota and Wyn Masters were late adds to the Men's race. Brosnan, Breeden, Maples (might be injured?), Lachie, Asa, Gwin, Rude, and Silva were previously registered.
[Edit: Jonty Williamson was added today - 9/23. He finished 2nd in Juniors last weekend at Lenzerheide and 5th at World Champs. His Yeti teammate Tyler Waite is also registered. Tyler has 5 podiums this year plus a 2nd place at World Champs, and he is 4th in WC points in Juniors.]
Nina Hoffmann isn't registered. Balanche, both Ostgaards, Skelton (US Champ), Newkirk, and Johnset are registered.
Didn't look like he had a helmet cam on.
Did you ask him if they triggered his start time with the photocells at the base of the ramp?
Everything I've been told about Tissot timing setup is that the wand is secondary to the photocell down the ramp.
If that is the case, he may have had good fortune that getting back up and rolling after triggering the wanddidn't start the official clock at the base.
They have 5 seconds to leave the gate, wand acts a physical trigger, but is technically the "manual" backup to the photocells.
I ask because it would be VERY helpful to know as a racer that smacking the wand isn't going to hurt you if you can stay calm & get down the ramp clean to trigger the photocells.
If that's the sequence & Pinky was calm/up to speed enough to realize it, that's a big positive.
dak's detailed analysis is so rad. impressive bit of insight into the racer's mind / skillset. hope to see more of these.
Its amazing how deliberate, and thought-out he is. I assume that most of the field is this analytic, but who knows? Impressive how many potential catastrophes are avoided and adjustments are made in an under 3 minute run.
Very cool stuff. This is one of the differences between a fast rider and a fast racer. The top racers don't just have insane skills, they have insane ability to memorise and process all this detail.
WF finally posted something
Wow I can’t believe they showed that much of the track. 😂
Hell yeah
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