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Interesting move from him. Such a legend in DH. Just can't see him so much as an enduroist, despite him clearly being very good at it.
Will he phase out the dh in the near future?
[url= https://dirtmountainbike.com/news/sam-hill-skip-vallnord-focus-ews-missing-world-champs-selection.html ]Story here[/url]
It was out a few weeks back that he hadn't made the Aussie squad.
He'll be bonkers if he doesn't go full enduro next year IMO.
The enduro races look more fun these days, epic locations, natural trails, whats not to like.
Past it in dh or second wind in enduro, why not make the most out of one of the shortest professions?
He did an interview a while back where he said he enjoys enduro now, as much as he used to enjoy DH, but that he doesn't think he's as good at enduro as he is at DH. Not sure if that was before EWS Ireland where he was 2nd!
Enduro looks like a hell of a lot more fun as a profession rider than DH.
I'm sure others will follow suit sooner or later.
Blenki has shown he has the skills for Enduro, so I think he will jump over later in his career.
He's got a few kids. All that training needed for enduro keeps him out of the house more 😀
Plus the romour has it the chain reaction dh team is being stopped at the end of 2016
l look forward to seeing him in the next few stages, Mosley swapped across and has been awesome, I hope Hill will be too.
Just can't see him so much as an enduroist
Eh? It's just riding a bike, something he's clearly very good at.
Surely the best enduro riders will be younger and fitter ? I can see as the discipline gets more profile/money riders will choose it as their specialisation.
Racing Enduro is more fun than DH
At EWS level you are riding some of the most enjoyable technical tracks in the world, 6+ different stages a racd, with a great mix of venues, countries and even continents
DH seems to be stuck in a loop of the same old courses (though they have got better)
Sometimes it's good to change
And there are some fast young rippers in Enduro but graves, clementz, etc are all in their 30s TMo is 37 and she's still the best Enduro rider ever
wrecker - Member
Just can't see him so much as an enduroistEh? It's just riding a bike, something he's clearly very good at.
He's gifted on a bike but not renowned for being a top pedalist on pedally dh tracks I don't think. Still, he's doing well so he is clearly targeting his training for that.
If he can make the cut-offs, he's golden.
Going full enduro next year
He's gifted on a bike but not renowned for being a top pedalist on pedally dh tracks I don't think. Still, he's doing well so he is clearly targeting his training for that.
I think you're right, I bet this had a fair bit of pedalling in:
[url= http://hub.chainreactioncycles.com/latest-news/mtb/sam-hill-races-cross-country-marathon-event-finishes-top-10/ ]Sam Hill Top 10 XC Marathon on flat pedals![/url]
Dark Side
sounds like he might make the Cut Offs
The whole "Hill is gifted but not fit" seems to be mostly lazy armchair racing tbh. THough he's obviously happy to go along with it, like the Masterses- quite a few modern bike racers seem to want to appear like they don't take it seriously, while taking it very bloody seriously indeed.
Cy made reference to his decision in an email today, will be fascinating to see how he goes given his increased focus
Agreed with Northwind, I think there is anlot of "chilled" marketing while in reality riders are very committed
Dunno if anyone ever accused Sam Hill of not taking it seriously enough?
He's been able to win on all kinds of tracks (maybe not PMB), but he's suffered lengthy dips in form.
Anyway, this will be great for the EWS - but maybe not so great for some of the other top racers.
AFAIK Hill's rep for not being a peddler was from back in his dominate years, whereas most would pedal like crazy on the last few metres, he'd roll over the line - tbh back then his corner speed was insane, he didn't need to.
Sam is going well at EWS Valberg, 6th on stage 1 and 2nd on stage 3 (stage 2 was dropped due to the weather conditions).
Sam Hill leading the overall after day 1.
He's not too bad at this enduro thing is he...
Interview from a few days ago "I'd like to win one of these races one day"
Today "Sam hill wins EWS"
Fantastic news. Nico in second on his home trails.
Outstanding. So chuffed for him after a long time in the wilderness
So awesome to hear Hill has won an EWS race.
After having some bad luck over the last few years, it's great to see him up at the top of any discipline. The guy is one of the best bike handlers/riders of all-time.
Brilliant. Great to see him on the top step again.
Wow - impressive!
Sam Hill went full enduro..
The guy is one of the best bike handlers/riders of all-time.
Insane talent. Remember that "1 minute" Dirt test track thing that all the top riders rode and they all chipped away tenths of a second of each other. Then Hill turned up and rode it about five seconds quicker than anyone?
Remember first seeing him properly ride on the second Earthed video (when he was on Iron Horse) and thought he rode a bike like no one else.