verblkint
Free Rider
You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.
Posts: 291
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Post by verblkint on Oct 3, 2019 8:39:10 GMT 8
readysteady.tokyo2020.org/en/news/detail/cycling-mtb-about/VenueIzu MTB Course (Izu, Shizuoka) ScheduleSunday, October 6 11:00 – 12:30: Women Competition 12:40 – 13:00: Women Award Ceremony 14:00 – 15:30: Men Competition 15:40 – 16:00: Men Award Ceremony The CourseLength: 4 km Elevation Gain: 160 m Feed Zone: 1 x double FTZ (feed + tech zone) Timing Points: 2 ITP (intermediate timing points) Start Loop Length: 1.3 km Technical Trail Features (TTF): Eight • Amagi Pass • Wasabi • Chopsticks • Karesansui • Sakura Drop • Odoriko Trail • Izu Peninsula
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verblkint
Free Rider
You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.
Posts: 291
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Post by verblkint on Oct 3, 2019 8:40:58 GMT 8
It's a Category 3 race but pretty much most of the top XC racers will be at the event. I'll be at the event as well and will post any noteworthy updates.
Our very own Ariana Dormitorio and Nino Surban will be at the event and competing against the world's best.
(I'm currently typing this on the train on the way to Shizuoka from Tokyo.)
I'm not sure if we'll be allowed to post photos so it will be mostly text updates for now.
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verblkint
Free Rider
You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.
Posts: 291
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Post by verblkint on Oct 4, 2019 12:49:58 GMT 8
Emily Batty and MvDP couldn't make the trip.
Today's weather has been really weird, a tornado warning was issued in the early morning and it was raining real hard. The original forecast was a torrential downpour up until early afternoon.
Then at about 10am the skies cleared and is now quite hot and humid. Trail conditions should be interesting during practice today.
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Post by anthrax76 on Oct 6, 2019 22:17:15 GMT 8
Fall is starting there, not sure about rain but cooler weather up ahead.
I'm hopeful for our countrymen competing.
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verblkint
Free Rider
You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.
Posts: 291
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Post by verblkint on Oct 10, 2019 16:07:33 GMT 8
Elite Women 1st. Jolanda Neff 2nd. Sina Frei 3rd. Anne Terpstra The womens race was basically Jolanda Neff dominating a roster decimated by injuries. Many of the top riders fell during practice and the race itself. And these weren't light crashing or tires losing grip either, you have riders breaking noses, getting black eyes, needing stitches; ouchie ouchie stuff. Yup, it's a gnarly track, with the 2 rock gardens comparable to some of the World Cup DH courses. Cannondale DH rider Kenta Gallagher said so himself - he was part of the British delegation helping the riders out by scoping lines and giving advice on how to tackle the technical DH areas. You heard it right, Great Britain brought a DH World Cup rider to get lines and approaches dialed. The track is that hard. It also helps that Kenta is half-Japanese and can speak Nihongo. Ariana was unlucky in that her rear derailleur got snagged as she was hit by Japan's Urara at the opening lap. She crashed once but that was due to another rider. Ariana cleared all the technical features.
Elite Men1st. Nino Schurter 2nd. Victor Koretzky 3rd. Luca Braidot
The mens race was a more tense affair. A lead pack of some of the world's best pulled away, with the actual lead changing hands on the first 4 laps between Avancini, Schurter, Braidot, and Koretzky. Nino started to attack in the last 2 laps but the other riders probably expected it. Nino-san (what the Japanese fans are calling him) led by a few bike lengths while sprinting to the finish.
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verblkint
Free Rider
You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.
Posts: 291
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Post by verblkint on Oct 10, 2019 16:10:17 GMT 8
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verblkint
Free Rider
You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.
Posts: 291
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Post by verblkint on Oct 10, 2019 16:23:22 GMT 8
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Post by anthrax76 on Oct 10, 2019 23:14:24 GMT 8
nasty rock gardens. it's not for XC anymore...or rather, you'll go through full travel on an XC bike.
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verblkint
Free Rider
You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.
Posts: 291
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Post by verblkint on Oct 11, 2019 13:17:34 GMT 8
I think it's a direct response to Peter Sagan qualifying for mtb at the Rio Olympics. They made sure the track was really technical to prevent roadies from trying out XC as a sidegig during the Olympics.
Even the B lines were crazy in Izu, probably the reason why there were so many crashes, even from the top riders.
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Post by anthrax76 on Oct 11, 2019 15:12:36 GMT 8
That's what i don't get, if the athlete is talented enough, then why not? It's their pro career on the line anyway if they get injured. Besides, qualifying would still take a lot of skills and not just a one off lucky ride.
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verblkint
Free Rider
You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.
Posts: 291
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Post by verblkint on Oct 14, 2019 12:47:52 GMT 8
First complete recap video I've seen of the event. It was on local tv (Shizuoka only) but the coverage was never shared anywhere else.
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verblkint
Free Rider
You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.
Posts: 291
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Post by verblkint on Oct 15, 2019 11:43:58 GMT 8
Finally, a full lap of the Izu Olympic course courtesy of Sergio Mantecon:
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