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XCO Mountain Biking
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| niconico |
Posted on 24-07-2012 15:01
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Being a dedicated MTBer myself I'd say these boards needs a thread about the World Cup.
Last XCO event of the season coming up this weekend, with Nino Schurter undoubtly the biggest favourite to secure his second overall World Cup Championship.
With him and Absalon absent in the latest race in Windham, the winner on that occasion Burry Stander is only 12 points off the pace and is still very much in contention, though having been unable to match Schurter throughout the season.
Absalon and Kulhavy could also go win the race in Val d'Isere this weekend. Absalon has had a great season winning Houffalize and La Bresse, while World Champ Kulhavy hasn't been in the same form as last season, as he allegedly is putting all his money on the Olympics XCO in Hadleigh.
Also worth mentioning are Fumic, Fontana, Vogel, Naef. Maybe even Coloma, Wells, Schultz and Plaxton, as they have shown great form as of recently.
So what do you think? Schurter is of course the number one favourite for the overall, but Absalon in particular could go beat him in Val d'Isere.
Edited by niconico on 04-09-2012 21:46
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| niconico |
Posted on 24-07-2012 15:52
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Oh and the race can be watched at redbull.tv
The XCO races are only about an 1,5 hours nowadays and they are great fun to watch. Much more action-packed than your average road race. 
So tune in!
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 24-07-2012 18:27
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Team Manager
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Can't watch it over the weekend, but I will be going to the Olympic MTB race. Would you say that Schurter, Kulhavy, Stander and Abselon are the best shouts for winning there?
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| niconico |
Posted on 24-07-2012 23:01
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SportingNonsense wrote:
Can't watch it over the weekend, but I will be going to the Olympic MTB race. Would you say that Schurter, Kulhavy, Stander and Abselon are the best shouts for winning there?
Definitely. The way I see it, Schurter is the favourite, with Absalon right behind. He has had some weird results this season though. He won Houffalize and La Bresse. In Houffalize he beat Schurter fair and square. In La Bresse, Schurter was suffering from stomach problems and decided not to race. Also the course in La Bresse is designed in cooperation with Absalon, so it's more or less made for him. In Nove Mesto though he was way off and didn't finish.
Regarding Kulhavy he is also a bit of a joker. He won five races on the WC last season, but hasn't been able to match Schurter all season, though he was close in Nove Mesto (his home course). Stander has been really consistent which has put him in overall 2nd on the World Cup. He just can't quite match Schurter yet though.
So Schurter is the obvious call here, but Absalon and Kulhavy should not be discounted.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 09:38
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| niconico |
Posted on 24-07-2012 23:06
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4102
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We should have the Olympics race as a fantasy betting game - pretty please!
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 25-07-2012 07:00
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World Champion
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I am also XC watcher, mainly because of Kulhavy, but the races are action packed and interesting. As you said Schurter, Absalon and Kulhavy should be the favourites for the Olympics, it will depend on the momentum form and luck.
I am also interested in what Peraud and Sagan can do, if they will show up at the start (i think Peraud for sure?).
And +1 for the betting wish!
Edited by Avin Wargunnson on 25-07-2012 07:00
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| niconico |
Posted on 25-07-2012 22:44
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Yeah Peraud definitely, and with his ability as a road racer this course might favour him a little (The Hadleigh Olympics course that is). Don't forget he took silver in Beijing, plus he's been riding consistently all throughout the season.
I couldn't imagine Sagan starting this race?
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 26-07-2012 06:17
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World Champion
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niconico wrote:
Yeah Peraud definitely, and with his ability as a road racer this course might favour him a little (The Hadleigh Olympics course that is). Don't forget he took silver in Beijing, plus he's been riding consistently all throughout the season.
I couldn't imagine Sagan starting this race?
Actually he is pre-registred for the race till January,approved by UCI and wants to start the race because MTB is discipline he loves from the childhood and he would be glad for opportunity to start at the Olypics in it. I would say it is 50-50 chance now, i did not hear any news about that for few months, he said earlier they will decide later. But if he wants to ride, he can, as all the others which do the road race...dont know about his chances, he wants to ride it just for fun maybe and there is a huge date gap between the races.
Edited by Avin Wargunnson on 26-07-2012 06:19
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| niconico |
Posted on 28-07-2012 12:55
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Forget about the olympics! Live right now from Val d'Isere:
https://live.redbull.tv/events/91/uci-...e-xco-men/
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| niconico |
Posted on 04-09-2012 21:52
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Grand Tour Specialist
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So the Worlds are coming up this weekend. Elite Women and Men go at it on saturday and the races can be watched live at www.redbull.tv.
Kulhavy took the Olympic Gold out-sprinting hot favourite Schurter for the win with a big ride from Fontana, securing his finest result ever. Julien Absalon went out of the Olympic race due to a mechanical, so he will definitely be wanting to win back the rainbow stripes now more than ever.
So it's between Kulhavy, Schurter, Absalon, Fontana, Stander and Hermida, with the two first-mentioned being the red hot favourites. I have a feeling Absalon could win this though.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 05-09-2012 05:54
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World Champion
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I hope Kulhavy will still have some motivation, after his huge success. Also he announced that he is going to focus fully on the terrain at least for one more year and that he would like to ride Specialized again, as the deal ends soon.
I hope for the nice racing and another Schurter, Kulhavy battle with the guys niconico mentioned.
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| Gulvplanke |
Posted on 08-09-2012 13:11
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Stagiare
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Mens race is live now:
https://live.redbu...mpionship/
How hard can it be?
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| niconico |
Posted on 15-05-2013 22:54
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Grand Tour Specialist
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This thread needs a renaissance with the first World Cup of the season starting tomorrow. Tomorrow's just course inspection, but on friday it's time for the first sprint eliminator race of the season. Saturday is the U23 races and Junior Women, while Sunday is the big final with the Juniors men, Elite Women and Men.
The venue is Albstadt, Germany, and all the big guns are there.
Will Schurter continue his World Cup domination from last season or is Kulhavy once again ready and reloaded after his Olympic Gold medal last season?
The races sunday can be watched live and free on live.redbull.com
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 16-05-2013 06:40
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World Champion
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Thanks for introduction Nico, i would almost forget the season is starting. 
Go Kulhavy!!! I hope he can bounce back after the Olympics gold and challenge Schurter in the World Cup. He decided to stay in terrain instead going to road cycling, so i hope it is worth it
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