That is winning runs article not Maes run. We should be happy that we are watching worlds for free If Maes will start racing DH he will get "later start positon" and gets more covarage time. Stop whinnig guys. Btw Kudos for Martin he seems to be a really humble and professional sportsman.
@AdamOdh: Atthe end UCI makes the startlist they want whichit should be based into providing the best show... HUGE mistake tonot have put Maes top 10 after win and 4th qualifier... Stupid none sence you a*sholes!
Yeah. Tahnee played it a bit safe but with Rachel's run I honestly don't think there was anything any woman in the world could have done to beat her. Just one of those races.
Next year should be good watching those two battle out. Year after that Holl will be in the mix. Women's is looking up... at least for the next couple years.
@mtbikeaddict: who’s clamouring? I simply asked will she? If I was fortunate enough to be in her position I’d want to stay in juniors for another year to continue to learn my trade before moving up to elite and taking the world by storm, but that’s just my opinion
It can be so convenient to talk about how Tahnee played it safe to undermine things. She likely lacked the nerve going into this and that's only a testament to how much more seasoned and fast Rachel is. To be able to back off those brakes is part of the mental and physical game that makes someone the better and faster racer, Rachel is clearly the dominant athlete here. Def can't chaulk Rachel's wins up to being lucky hat tricks and Tahnee playing it safe, it's night and day that Rachel has the pedigree and has put in the work to claim what she's claimed. After her clavicle reconstruction and the muscle atrophy, loss of movement and coordination that comes with hanging out in a sling for a while, it is a fucking marvel to see Rachel back in this form. Anyone who has had a bone breaking injury can testify that coming back to your previous form feels like a never ending journey. I personally feel like Tahnee's ability looked further along then it was with Rachel patiently and slowly working her way back up, but races like this world champs just shows the veteran rider has things in her bag that others simply don't. I don't doubt that if Rachel continues onto another season that we wont see anyone at her heels now that she again has the capacity to go balls to the wall again so as long as she stays healthy.
It's not fair to judge character by how folks react at the podium when they're dethroned, competition can bring out a cold side in anyone. But Rachel's always been so friendly to the other racers and has always celebrated them. Said it on one of the other PB articles but this reminds me of Rogatkin in slopestyle. I love that shit. I can't expect every racer to adopt this attitude, but for those that do deserve long excellent careers in whatever their sport is.
Also Val wants to finish school. Important to let her be a teen. It's cool that YT is helping her along with no commitment on her part. She's said multiple times that Rachel is her hero, and what a solid influence to have. I hope she gets to race Rachel someday, but we gotta let this kid be a kid. Finishing school with friends, figuring out what you want in life, all those things are important and they matter. She'll have her chance no doubt but I don't anticipate to see her in elites next year and maybe even the following year. She deserves to have a chance to race and a chance to finish the things that make her a normal kid. The pressure this stuff brings at a young age doesn't usually end well for athletes as they grow older.
@wit2901: Agreed, and that is also her opinion. You must've missed the last few months... as I stated, not just you, but all comments were about Höll and going to elite.
@mtbmaniatv: She'd be stupid not to take it. She's fast as hell. But she's still young. Giver her another year and a half to mature and get stronger... she will seriously be fighting for top 5's every race her first year and more than likely top 3's.
Fair play to Loic and well done for the 3rd and 2nd on the bounce world champs, but you gotta give it to @martinmaes for coming 2nd as an enduro specialist. Maybe we'll see exactly what he can do next season if he moves to DH full time. Congrats to all winners.
Maes had mentioned in the press conference afterwards that one factor for him to consider is that racing DH world cups only gives a short amount of riding time during the week, while racing enduro gives much more time on the bike (and on a variety of terrain and trails). As much as I want to see him at every DH world cup, I wouldn't be surprised if he still focuses on the full EWS season but adds a few more world cups into the mix. Guess we'll all find out by next season though.
Oops unwanted downvote. Yes good question and it's a shame that there wasn't a live on YouTube uci channel as it was for the xc! Hard to be a junior downhill racer...
I thought I heard Warner mention something about Sam being inspired by Martin's success lately. Hopefully Sam will come back for a few DH WC races since they're finally blending in some old skool DH into some of those new skool race tracks.
What happened to the replay on red bull tv, I was half way through watching it had a break for a bit and now it's gone, or I can't find it at least! It's getting really hard to dodge the results.
Jesus, the youtube video of the French World Champ is blocked in France. VPN through Asia works. Maybe something to do with Masters and that Thailand jacket.
"SUPER BRUNI Saves Downhill From The Evil Martin Maes"
Emilie and a few others as well. Solid top 10 in women's for the next few years.
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