Pietermaritzburg Predictions

Getting excited about this now.

Just watched the preview video on CN http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-2012-uci-downhill-world-cup-preview

For me, the big unknown is Gee. Will having new focus and a new bike bring him back to the top (not that he was far off at his worst).

Then there’s all the youngsters – Danny Hart, Troy Brosnan, Brook Macdonald, even …

There’s just so many with the potential for a podium!

Or will Gwinny just rock up and beat everyone by 5secs again?

I think Brosnan is a man on the charge at the moment. I think it’ll be down to either him or Gwinn

Gwin or Minnaar in the mens and Tracey Hannah in the womens.

1. Minnaar
2. Gwin
3. Gee

(Or any other arrangement of the above)

gwin all the way

fionn griffiths for the laddies

Minnaar for the men, Manon Carpenter for the ladies

I have no idea and too be honest I don’t have any favourites, very much looking forward to watching it, gwin, brosnan, hart, will all be pushing hard so the chances of a crash/injuries are a lot more likely.

May the best man and woman win when they race!

Manon in the top three would be a superb result.

Someone with a dropper post and legs/lungs borrowed from either a gorilla or a time trial rider.

Can’t see past Gwin for this one again.

slainte ➡ rob

I see Gwin, Minaar and Gee as the consistent ones who without crashes will always be there or thereabouts.
But then on any one day, all those young guns are capable of pulling of a great run and getting on the podium.

I’m still expecting Danny to carry on the momentum though.

I guess we’ll see some videos tomorrow.

Peaty track walk here:
http://thisispeaty.com/blog/track-walk-video

Looks like a really hard course to find a rhythm on. Flat/vert/flat/vert

would like to see minnar get a win on home soil. watch out for graves though, reckon he’ll be up there this season.
Be interesting to see if gwin can take the pressure after a storming season last year.
As for danny hart, hope he can carry on where he left off last year, but has being world champ got in the way of training and preparation for this year.
Whatever happens, i cant wait to watch it all unfold.

I guess PMB is different to most with all the pedalling involved so really it’ll fall to Gwin, Minnaar Minnaar, Gee or any of the big powerhouse riders. I’d like to see Brendon get his wins. I’d like to see Danny take the series. Gwin is probably favorite to take PMB. I just wish he was more interesting to watch. He rides so well but with the flair of a brick

gwin should take it, if not minaar will be close i’d say.

anyone tipping danny hart or troy brosnan is kidding themselves imo. this isnt their track.

mightymowgli.. gwinny is amazing to watch, the fact that he has very few ‘moments’ can’t be held against him i dont think. He’s got style for miles.

hoping sam hill gives brosnan the slap down all year too although that’ll take some doing 😀

I’m going for Gwin or Gee, both seem to have the fitness to beat anyone else on pedally courses. Gee’s twitter updates show he’s got the physical strength for the rocky stuff too, he’s massive 😯 Although having said that, Brosnan and Danny do well on the rocky stuff and they’re fairly small.

Not making any predictions myself. Obviously you’ve got to fancy Gwin but the field’s so strong. Ah so actually I will make one prediction- I think this year’s going to be fantastic.

Minnaar Minnaar on home turf

Gwinner!

Anyone know if live coverage is available and where?

Is Sunday’s race going to be on TV anywhere?

Have searched Eurosport, ITV4 etc… can’t see it being broadcast anywhere…?

It’s screening on Red Bull. Not sure of the actual times etc.
http://live.redbull.tv/events/25/ucistop1-1/

Is it on ‘proper’ TV anywhere, i.e terrestrial channels or Sky?

Im going for Peaty on this one.

The track has some pretty pedally sections by the looks of things so that’s where the time will be gained. Reckon Gee has a good chance.

Where is the best place to watch the race?

Race was won in the top section last year. Redbull.tv is the only place to watch live as far as I know.

Anyone know if Red Bull streaming works on PS3?
Freecaster didn’t, so was a pain.

Rickos – Member

Race was won in the top section last year.

No, it wasn’t. Carry on.

Check the splits. Carry on.

CG for me

Rickos

Check the splits. Carry on.

Did they just hand Gwin the win after the first split then?

ooh – the qualifying results are in:

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Pietermaritzburg-World-Cup-2012-Day-3-Qualifying.html

6 seconds covers the top 10 – Peaty in 11th

Minnar
Gwin
Smith
Atherton
Brosnan
Hannah
Gracia!!!!
GIORDANENGO
GRAVES
NEETHLING

Looking at the splits, Greg made it all up on the bottom.

anyone tipping danny hart or troy brosnan is kidding themselves imo. this isnt their track.

Minnar
Gwin
Smith
Atherton
Brosnan

Yeah….righty

Incredible photos from the qualis:
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Pietermaritzburg-World-Cup-2012-Day-3-in-Photos.html

Danny can’t help himself – and neither can Warner! 🙂

go Annie Last, second place atm, http://live.redbull.tv/events/32/ucistop1-xc1/

It’s going to be an incredible race. 🙂

I had the first two places right (so far). I think Greg is best placed to challenge Gwin overall and in PMB in particular. It was two-hundreths of a second last year wasn’t it?

Brosnan is incredible though. I can easily imagine him winning the WC series in future.

early days, but Annie Last is going well- tech skills seem to count for a fair bit on this course.

Few streaming glitches as well..

Bloody hell – British rider in with a chance in the XC 😯

British Cycling might consider teaching their riders how to mend a puncture though, maybe she’s waiting for a bloke to come along and fix it for her 😈

Really enjoying watching the XC coverage from Red Bull and good to hear Warner commentary.Course looks good with some decent tech sections too…