[Closed] FT William WC DH this weekend

Yep bets on Greg but Sam hill rumoured to be trying for a top 5 to get into cairns so watch out.

Heading up tomorrow, really excited. Hoping for decent enough weather (though nothing is going to top last year) at least the same for all on the Sunday. Danny Hart won the BDS there so can't rule him out - would love to see Sam Hill back to form, he's been flying at the EWS.

Can't wait. Shame Gee is missing. Anyone know how long he is off the bike for?

Anyone seen the forecast? Don't mind if it's not sunny but hoping it's not terrible weather (fingers crossed)

and about a million 27.5" V10's on Pinkbike classifieds the next day.

Yawn...

Given that a massive amount of DHers are still on 26 inch bikes, I really can't see that happening, but do carry on...

Anyone seen the forecast?

sunshine and showers, hopefully not as biblical as Lourdes (did you see what I did there?)

I think after Rd.1 everyone is going to be raring to go, it should be epic! Not going to even try to guess a winner...(one of the syndicate, probs)

Gutted for Gee, can't see him coming back this season TBH

Full insights

Claudio's preview is up on Red Bull.

Heading up in a few hours time, looking forward to a great weekend!

27.5" V10's on Pinkbike classifieds the next day

This season is going to be dominated by the 27.5 vs. 29 debate the likes of Bruni isn't very happy about 29ers.

Hoping that Hart goes well this weekend. Guessing that Rachel will takes the ladies race.

Kids dropped off at school and the grandparents are going to pick them up. Just waiting on the boss to finish her packing and we are heading off!
As mentioned above the weather won't touch last year but I'm looking forward to it, I've even got a daft grin on my face while I type this.

My money is on Danny on his 29er. Greg, gwin and brosnan on podium.

Loic either top three or crash.

Rachel 1, tahnee 2, manon 3

Daft question - anyone know if i can get the coverage via bt tv? i think it should be on the bike channel but can't see a listing for it.

I normally which via Red Bul TV on t'web

@ dangeourbrain - Bike Channel sez they're showing it, men's from 4pm ish, women's earlier.

Well that's my weekend sorted, still got left over beer and bbq food from last weekend so long as i remember to defrost some burgers.

Forgot about the Bike Channel showing the downhill, do they just piggyback the Redbull coverage with Warner on Commentary?
Usually watch the DH back later on at Redbull but might try catch it live on the Bike Channel but you kind of get used to Warner commentating and someone else shouting the riders down would almost seem a bit weird.

Its the Redbull coverage (Including Warner) on the bike Channel, well it was for Lourdes anyway

Leaving now, COWBELLS packed! 😀

Along with goretex waterproofs, suncream and midge net, you just never know what you're getting, gotta love Scotland!

Just seen the timed practice times.
Woooo! Go Rachel!

We're ere. Can't wait for Sunday.

The girlfriend is away this weekend, all household jobs are done, roll on Sunday. Can't ride as I'll be looking after my daughter all weekend so looking forward to this, CBeebies will have to make way for red bull tv 😆

Hope the weather stays the same for all the riders as I'm genuinely interested to see how these 29ers compare.

My mates have two spare sunday tickets available with gondola if anyone is stuck.

Just a quick note, there's bag search's in the queue to get in, loads of booze getting poured out by staff

😐

Blimey, Rachel is rocking the qualifying.

Go Greg!

Be interesting to see how the track is tomorrow if the rain we had in Fort William itself a couple of hours ago also hit the track.
Felt a bit sorry for the juniors I'd guess close to half must have had offs on the way down judging by the state of them

VitalMTB have a couple of raw vids up. You can see the riders really pushing today. Greg for the win? He's got the experience, he's got the nous, he's got the fitness and the skills.

Come on Greg!! Amazing when he gets the bike that fits him how fast he has got!!
Some big gaps up there as always but the woods could still see somebody come unstuck. Could the Syndicate get the double? Last win on 26" first on 29"? Vergier looks to be hauling it too.
Though a quick look down the list suggests some offs? Brayton and Sam Hill way down, Luca Shaw too? Question are the top finishers from Rd1 now protected? So some interesting people to be slotted in??

ah the pink bike photo round up explains one
[img] [/img]

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-classic-fort-william-dh-world-cup-qualifying.html

and something the Pro's have been getting perfected this year the rain drop shot
[img] [/img]

I wonder if Sam Hills fitness is better than its ever been. It might be enough for him to keep on ploughing through the pain and take a very good place on the podium. GM 2nd and DH 3rd. Gwinn ...7th!

I do like Nathan Hughes' pics. Definitely my favourite MTB 'tog. And he's from Oxford.

What's the racing schedule?

1.00 for the Elite Women
3.00 for the Elite Men

So about 4.30 for the top 20?

I don't know the gaps between riders. More interested in what the weather may bring.

PinkBike says 2.00pm for the men, RedBull TV says three. Is confused... 😕

14.00 BST and 15.00 CET would be my guess?

Red bull starts mid way through the mens race

Rachel out with with a dislocated shoulder on her last practice run 🙁

Those woods look shocking

Oh Tahnee!

I've just filed my predictions in the bin

Just looks like pot luck going through the woods.

Seems a bit farcical

Lmao, 'making a rubik's cube of getting back on that bicycle'

COME ON MANON!

Looks like if you want to win then ride the woods and risk crashing, but if you want safe points getting off and running may be the best option.

Now can we think of a bloke who has been putting in storming results in crap mud this year??[img] [/img]

and the Ozzy does it!! Awesome result for her there after all those injuries and time off the bike. And that huck off the road gap

Smashed it!

Great Win for Tracy! She's got some style on the big jumps too 8)

Amazing.

Sad to say, but that woods section is an embarrassment.

and now an hour off 🙁 can't we just have more stuff on!!

Sad to say, but that woods section is an embarrassment.

Totally agree. I have no problem with sections as technical and weather affected as that but it's not steep enough there to be part of a WC DH course. Not showing FT. William in the best light as that's the one section on the entire course that's likely to have the biggest effect on the results.

[quote=Nobeerinthefridge ]Sad to say, but that woods section is an embarrassment.

Aye tough at the top 🙄 , welcome to the real world of riding.

lesser mortals have to put up with shite trail sections after rain, welcome to Scotland

No issue with the technicality of the section or the fact that it's turned to mush after the rain but getting to a point where a WC racer and former World Champ no less felt it was faster to get off the bike and run through the section is not a good look or a great advert for the venue. If they are going to have a section like that where the weather can get to it then it needs to be steep enough that riders don't grind to a halt.
I dont think anyone wants to see world class downhillers running with their bikes because it's the quickest way through the section do they.???

Exactly, it's not racing at this point.

It does look a bit silly when riders are getting off and running, you'd be better off on 2inch xc mud tyres through there!

Still, the riders all say they want natural tracks and siegentaler (sp?) looked good. Be interesting to see how the men fare

It is racing. In fact, i like the fact that this sort of section makes the riders make a critical descision. Try to ride it, and take the risk of crashing, or play safe and "Leg it", less risk, but slower! Lets face it, there are now plenty of flow style tracks across the DH calendar, so a bit of tech isn't an issue.

And, i think the Men will all ride that bit, being a bit stronger / on longer bikes, and i think this will make the results much more exciting!

Lets face it, there are now plenty of flow style tracks across the DH calendar, so a bit of tech isn't an issue.

Aye tough at the top , welcome to the real world of riding.

lesser mortals have to put up with shite trail sections after rain, welcome to Scotland

Swoon.

That isn't a technical section that rewards line choice, skill, momentum or bold attacking riding, it's a lottery that will sadly dominate the whole race.

Think my take is a little between the two emerging camps. I have no issue with the technicality of the section as it is now, the mud, the roots, the deep rut on the racing line.. I'm fine with all that.
The issue I have is the fact that the section doesn't have enough gradient towards the bottom of it which seems to be resulting in riders coming to the left turn practicaly at a halt, hub deep in a rut and having to haul the bike along a flat/slight incline to get out of the section and then get up to speed to make the road gap.

I'd even have been ok with the section exactly as it is as part of an enduro stage. But the fact that it's a downhill race should surely imply that the wisdom of having a flat, slow, muddy end to a highly technical, slow and muddy section is a bit suspect.!?

Well that was a good start 😆

Anybody else only getting 20 sec of video before "ouch technical difficulties" and needing a refresh?

Yes. NowTV app seems to have cured it now but computer not playing well.

I'm a bit worried that the flat shitfest in the woods is going to spoil this......

Coverage a bit inconsistent in terms of missing the action where people are losing time.

Just tried to take a pic of Bruni and failed, pace of these top dudes is bonkers 🙂

Still. In the short gaps here and apparent no camera is the worst bit. It gets better for the top 10

As far as i'm aware the riders keep asking for fresh cut tech sections, and the reality of that is there is a risk they become unridable after heavy rain.

Maybe needs some creative thinking like bringing in giant fans or industrial gas heaters to dry things up quickly once rain stops. Or take the cricket approach and shut section of track and cover it during practice when raining

Just put it on a steeper section where gravity works for you.

Was that bike running a gearbox?

Also how about howng us the woods section rather than an arty camera shot of the path and rocks...

whappen to coulanges mech?

They were talking about Coulanges using a belt drive, on the commentary

What's with the ozzies in the mud 😉

Looks like the woods section is drying out a bit.
Hart for the win.

Coulanges is on a Nicolai ION Beltdrive with a 6 speed gearbox. Judging from the total lack of pedalling he found himself with a box full of neutrals off the start ramp.