UCI XCO world cup racing thread 2018

https://www.redbull.tv/live/AP-1VPJ38MW91W11/mercedes-benz-uci-mountain-bike-world-cup

Women’s race done – always love how competitive they are.

I’m in awe of the fitness of these riders.

The World Champ

2018-07-08_02-35-59 by martinddd[/url], on Flickr

Loving the mens battle.

Jolanda Neff is also the Swiss road race champion.

Mathieu van der Poel is the Dutch road race champion

When did VdP win the Dutch road race champs? I got the impression from Rob & Bart that it was very recent, ie, close to this round of the WC.

last sunday

Cheers – what a pedigree!

How wild will the Italians be if……..

Classic Nino domination & control of the finishing sections.

Fantastic for an Italian to do so well on home soil.

VdP is such a high quality all rounder.

First Brazilian on the podium.

Last podium place goes to a puncture.

Good finish from Nino. Was hoping Emily Batty would finally get her first XC win in the women’s race but a strong finish from Maja put paid to that. Glad to he Annika Langvad hasn’t broken anything.

van der Poel last Sunday 1 July

van der Poel yesterday 7 July

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/article/20180711-mountain-bike-Race-Guide–Mercedes-Benz-UCI-Mountain-Bike-World-Cup–Vallnord–Andorra-0

Annika posted a video to Instagram this morning of a guided tour of the pit area and an update on her health. She’s racing this weekend as the wrist has improved over the last few days.

Womens short track just been, mens about to start over on Red Bull

I’ve only caught on to the Web Bull TV coverage of the WC this year – both the DH and the XC coverage is simply fantastic – it’s got me out on the MTB a lot more over the past few weeks – the road bike is gathering dust now!

Just caught up on the race as i was working the weekend.

The lungs, the legs, the legend:

2nd by martinddd[/url], on Flickr

Somtimes legends have to settle for 2nd, but he’s extended his overall first place.

First place was so well deserved & executed..

The coverage is getting better and better.  Im off to La Bresse later in the year to see the DH and XC first hand.  Hope to hire a bike as well and try to ride the XC course.  Might even have a look at the DH course for a laugh.

I was there yesterday, the pace that they took off left me gobsmacked.

Gerhard K and Nino S seemed to be on another planet altogether.

Was great seeing it in person.

The question for later in the season is, a certain British rider showed she can win at Lenzerheide last year, if she can do it again this year (and I believe the course there suits her), could we have a potential British XCO World Champion?

Gunn Rita winning is fabulous!

My wife did a few world cups at the same time as her starting waaaaay back in 1995 so we are very aware how long she has managed to stay on the scene. Crazy that she’s had a race career longer than the U23 racers have existed on the planet! And somehow fitted in a family along the way (which is rather more disruptive for the female racers than the men). Amazing and serious respect.

https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/events/uci-mtb-world-cup-mont-sainte-anne-canada

Track looks ace.. can’t wait 🙂

All eyes on the defending No.1

2018-08-26_11-50-38 by martinddd[/url], on Flickr

Neff, (Miss Consistant), first @ La Bresse & retaining her World Cup Series overall.

A fantastic battle between the first four.

2018-08-26_12-38-54 by martinddd[/url], on Flickr

2018-08-26_12-58-59 by martinddd[/url], on Flickr

2018-08-26_12-59-41 by martinddd[/url], on Flickr

2018-08-26_12-41-11 by martinddd[/url], on Flickr

That was a great race, despite the hike-a-bike.. lots of drama and swapping of places right to the end. Looking forward to the men’s race!

Women’s race was the best race I’ve ever seen. Holy smokes that was good.

Looking forward to my birthday trip to the World Champs now!