Photo Epic presented by Topeak The rains held off in Val di Sole for XC today, which made for fast-paced, hot as heck, action-packed racing. Just past midseason, things heated up in both the men's and women's race with stunning performances by Mathieu van der Poel, Mathias Flueckiger, Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Jolanda Neff, and Jenny Rissveds.
The women's race was another for the history books as Jolanda Neff and Pauline Ferrand Prevot exchanged time at the front over and over again, with Neff slipping back by over 30 seconds at one point only to reel in PFP and pass her on the final lap, then get passed again and have to sprint for the finish. Pauline would grab the win in the final meters.
For the men, Mathieu van der Poel, Mathias Flueckiger, and Nino Schurter fought hard until the final lap when Mathieu van der Poel decided he had had enough hanging around and had to go. Mathias Flueckiger took a well earned second, and Nino would take third. Most importantly, both Neff and MVDP secured the overall lead today. Next stop, Lenzerheide, before we head to the North American continent for World Champs and the final round.
Cyclingtips did one last year, or earlier this year I cant remember. Good piece
That could become something working against him throughout his career, as we all like to cheer for the underdog. For me, I can only applaud someone who followed his heart to race MTB, while the whole world wants him on the road ánd willing to pay big money for that. He simply does what he likes. Don't know him personally, but I speak his language and from local footage it seems he truly is a nice guy.
But to your point, I've lived across a lake from Canada 90% of my life. You'd be awfully sore-y if you thought I was aboot to let you call me Canadian. I just can't listen to that much Tragically Hip.
Like the french VTT is more accurate than MTB in my eyes.
I'm not anti-XC but the discipline doesn't appeal to me. Neither does long distance running or any type of endurance racing. I am 5'8, 200lbs and built like a Ram-Man from the old He-Man cartoons (put it in your googler). Genetics has determined that I can't really be competitive in endurance sports because I'm a stocky, powerful person. Thus, it doesn't interest me. I don't have commonality with these racers. I have the utmost respect for the sport and the riders but very little interest. I do 20-40 mile epic rides a few times a month and enjoy the hell out of them but you'll never see my name in the top 80% of the climb segments.
On top of this, The use of PEDs in professional sports has completely soured all events for me.Especially after seeing what it does to the people that have subjected themselves to these drugs/methods in their later years. Endurance sports are perhaps the worst offenders...
Why?? Its the Olympic MTB discipline. I very rarely buy that mag anymore.
Is it because it's like too much hard work? Having to climb under your own power rather using a lift and then descending downhill?
It's a bummer though, I love following XC and I've raced a few races (in my baggies, on a trail bike) and had an absolute blast. I don't think most people realize just how sketchy it feels to run those techy sections when you're absolutely redlined, or to change your line on the fly as riders crash in front of you, or to try and overtake before/during a descent. Yes there are tons of "dirt roadies" in the lower categories, who complain about tech features and get mowed down in the rock gardens, but they're not winning races on modern courses, and the upper categories are full of really sick bike handlers.
@mtbgeartech the PED's issue is def something I wonder about in the XC field. AFAIK there hasn't been a big doping scandal in mtb since the 90s when all those road riders came over to race mtb.... who knows if that's because mtb is cleaner, or if the UCI just doesn't care about us, but if we're seeing questions pop up in pro enduro then I'm sure it exists in pro XCO. Still, I don't think doping is something that would keep me out of a local race.
Whether or not XCO still has doping issues or not, I doubt it has much effect on people's perspective beyond another talking point. Just look at the EWS: It was the wild west before UCI/WADA got involved, and now the vast majority of gravity fans are panty-waded over the Rude and Graves dilemma.
But ok, you win - let's assume everyone actually does love XC bikes, and that XC racing is massively popular... back to the original question, why does some random fork press release get more interest than one of the best elite-level races of the year, and why is PB basically the only mtb media outlet that even mentioned it? If XC dudes are buying all the new gear/parts like you say, where are the XC-oriented product ads/reviews (other than today's Epic press release)?
it has been a theme in the whole series, u23, mens and women’s all are totally competitive, races are close and multiple winners across the series.
It’s been a great to follow and whilst I love the downhill and enduro series, watching the mm go head to head all together in the xc is incredibly engaging from a viewing perspective, not to mention you get to see the whole course and not just a few bits of it.
Cracking stuff
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• Activate themselves and to engage in spontaneous play
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treated themselves
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• always being free of charge for participating children
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• being relevant and appropriate for children (age/length restrictions may apply)
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In their case, the lighter is the better.