I thought I'd start a new thread to kick off the new season. Given that most of the racers have just begun training for the 2019 season, one could say it's officially underway.
I have many questions. There are so many interesting narratives.
So, is 2019 the year we see Nino regularly beaten, is Gerhard Kerschbaumer the man to do it?
Does Emily finally take a win, or is her new teammate going to steal the show again?
What about Yana Belomoyna, can she overcome her injuries and compete for the overall again?
Will the UCI do anything to improve the short track?
Will Red Bull finally get their act together and gives us live on bike footage during the race? It's about to be 2019, the camera tech is definitely available and no longer expensive. Imagine how much a front and back facing camera would enhance the show...
Discuss.
World Cup schedule
27. - 28. April: Maribor (Slovenia) DHI 17. - 19. Mai: Albstadt (Germany) XCO/XCC 24. - 26. Mai: Nove Mesto (Czech Republic) XCO/XCC 01. - 02. June: Fort William (Scotland) DHI 08. - 09. June: Leogang (Austria) DHI 05. - 07. Juli: Vallnord (Andorra) XCO/XCC/DHI 12. - 14. Juli: Les Gets (France) XCO/DHI 02. - 04. Aug: Val di Sole (Italia) XCO/XCC/DHI 09. - 11. Aug: Lenzerheide (Switzerland) XCO/XCC/DHI 06. - 08. Sept: Snowshoe (USA) XCO/XCC/DHI
Mani Fumic doing the Spitz-thing and getting on yet another olympic train. Much appreciated. Btw: the outer appearance of Fumic and Fontana was what got me into XC racing. „Yes, XC riders can be the cool cats in town“ and everyone at Cannondales marketing unit was satisfied...
girl's gotta do laundry!! Maybe reading into what she's wearing a littttttttllllleeeee too much lol
But on another thought: maybe this "training trip" is a way for her to clear the mind and make a decision on what's next. Why do I feel like once she goes home we'll know what's going on with her next....?
Generally, if a rider is staying with a team it is announced pretty early (October). If a rider is switching teams then there is no announcements until their contract with the old team is up, which in most cases is in January.
Generally, if a rider is staying with a team it is announced pretty early (October). If a rider is switching teams then there is no announcements until their contract with the old team is up, which in most cases is in January.
Yes, you won the World Champs, but we ask a lot from our riders...
Meanwhile, Jaro gets it written into his contract that he's not allowed anywhere within 50km of ice in the off season...
No joke! You'd think that was enough. But they are pretty media and event intensive with their team. Winning races sadly doesn't translate directly into increased sales (what Specialized ultimately wants). The rider presence on social media, event's, videos, etc is what builds the brand.
Now, truth be told, I LOVE the coverage and web episodes they do at the races like Cape Epic and when they used to cover every WC XCO round. So, in a way I am part of the problem
Even Specializeds budget for sponsorship is limited. Annika is a the top performer for the company in XC racing. Another world champ means another world champion salary.
As for Jaro: he is a guy average riders look up to. Even if he is not winning, not even a top ten contender he has this aura of being just a brutal cycling machine being able to push 400w at will around him. And: who else is available? Gaze and Hatherly are already on Specializeds payroll. Kerschbaumer? Flückiger? Limited marketing potential, I guess.
Fair enough on the Dollars. Yes they are always limited. I would like to think Specialized wants to keep Kate. Lots of good potential there for a lot of reasons. Will she ask for more money? If her contract is up I certainly would, but I don't know that. The other thing to remember also is the overall marketing plan. What does Specialized want to do with her? I just saw an ad on Specialized's new Womens Seat. They had Allison Tetrick in the photo and video marketing materials. Supposedly she was part of drive to get seat made. True or not this Specialized using her as part of their marketing plan. So how would Kate Courtney fit in that marketing plan? And how much is worth to them?
All that said maybe Scott is going beyond that and replace Jenny Rissveds with Courtney. Seems like Rissveds departure hurt Scott for 2018 and probably left them unable to snag a big name replacement. Neff was the obvious choice, but she went Trek. So maybe? Buy as was the case with Jenny you never really know what it is going on behind the scenes.
BTW... I know it was revealed she stepped away from racing for personal heath issues, but is is there any word of her returning?
Batty will get a win in 2019, potentially multiple. My call is at Albstadt or Vallnord. She will be altitude adapted from her new home base, won't be traveling back across the pond as much, and is extremely lean these days.
I agree, just in the past two years I've noticed a maturity in that I think she's getting her training and preparation dialed in to truly achieve her potential.
Lance made his choices. But like you said, cycling does need to move on.
I’ve sent people to prison for far worse whom have been more “accepted” upon their release having served their time and were allowed to continue on with their life in a manner that it didn’t turn into a “life sentence”.
Lance made his choices. But like you said, cycling does need to move on.
I've sent people to prison for far worse whom have been more "accepted" upon their release having served their time and were allowed to continue on with their life in a manner that it didn't turn into a "life sentence".
lots of riders will be getting busy to hunt down the Olympic Qualy points in the 2019 season... so the non WC UCI races should have pretty full fields as well. I'm looking forward to the Cape Epic and seeing how Sam Gaze goes in his first hit out
Australian duo Brendan Johnston and Cam Ivory teaming up for the Cape Epic next year as well. Will be interesting to see what they can do but I reckon a Top 10 finish is well within their capabilities. They are our two best XCO and XCM riders at the moment and both are very evenly matched.
Such a shame neither of them can get a ride in Europe on the World Cup circuit. I have no doubt they'd be Top 20 riders given the opportunity to race and train as full time professionals. Event though they are 1 and 2 in the country neither of them werre at the World Champs. Brendan Johnston is also by far our best XCM rider, probably Top 10 in the world but wasn't at the World XCM championships as MTBA just don't have the funding to support their athletes.
Anyway hopefully they do well and get some exposure to the bigger factory teams at the Cape Epic. They're both only 26 so there's still plenty of time to get picked up and have a shot at racing outside of Australia.
Australian duo Brendan Johnston and Cam Ivory teaming up for the Cape Epic next year as well. Will be interesting to see what they can do but I reckon a Top 10 finish is well within their capabilities. They are our two best XCO and XCM riders at the moment and both are very evenly matched.
Such a shame neither of them can get a ride in Europe on the World Cup circuit. I have no doubt they'd be Top 20 riders given the opportunity to race and train as full time professionals. Event though they are 1 and 2 in the country neither of them werre at the World Champs. Brendan Johnston is also by far our best XCM rider, probably Top 10 in the world but wasn't at the World XCM championships as MTBA just don't have the funding to support their athletes.
Anyway hopefully they do well and get some exposure to the bigger factory teams at the Cape Epic. They're both only 26 so there's still plenty of time to get picked up and have a shot at racing outside of Australia.
It's funny how there is unlimited funds if you're on the track (which 0.000000001% of people ride) but $0.50 if you're on mtb (which 70% of people ride)... cheers cycling australia.
Yeah absolutely, and I get that. But when your best riders aren't even at the World Champs and they don't make themselves available for selection at the Comm Games, (which was in Australia!) It's pretty obvious that there's something wrong there. I guess its just frustrating so see such talented riders not get a shot at the biggest stage simply due to the tyranny of distance (and money). Then again I'm sure that happens all the time.
We do have some very talented juniors coming through ATM (including last years World Champion) so perhaps they will be able to break through on the WC circuit.
any news about Cannondale Factory shoe sponsor? Northwave has not yet prolonged for 2019 too. maybe Shimano stepping up with shoes too? (they are already with shimano groups)
Although not her stated intention at this point, it would be interesting to see her dabble in CX. I am really fascinated by the MVDP story: absolutely destroys CX, wins road events, can't quite crack a win for XCO.
After having been nominated 10 times, he got elected tonight as the Swiss Sports Personality of the Year :thumbsup:
Even though our mountain bikers constantly get amazing success, MTB is not considered as a major sports in Switzerland yet, compared to road cycling, tennis or alpine skiing. Good to see that it is starting to be recognized as such. The world championships in Lenzerheide definitely made a difference this year.
After having been nominated 10 times, he got elected tonight as the Swiss Sports Personality of the Year [emoji106]
Even though our mountain bikers constantly get amazing success, MTB is not considered as a major sports in Switzerland yet, compared to road cycling, tennis or alpine skiing. Good to see that it is starting to be recognized as such. The world championships in Lenzerheide definitely made a difference this year.
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