Lake Placid delivered some great racing this weekend.
Downhill was pretty rowdy and hella tough for the pros to really figure out. Top section had so many line choices, and dirt was ridiculously soft. Looked more west coast than east coast.
XC also solid. Obvs tops for us is Blevins pulling off the double win on home soil, and securing first American overall winner since Tomac. Rissveds went all Pogi on the field, which is also pretty sweet. Stoked to see her continue to climb the last few years again.
Women fucking crushed it. All top to bottom runs for starters. Just really bummed some standouts got injured in practice.
Men’s was also next level. But damn were there some heavy, heavy crashes. Hate wind delays, but the course holds because of crashes and helis is worse. And Emil soooo close to the edge in that crash. woof. Def is a hard event to watch. Judging was pretty on-point.
Guess the winners get Ranger Raptors. Robin’s face when given the keys was so good.
i was stoked to see several people pull off successful and clean second runs after failing to complete their first runs, but it was pretty awful otherwise with the two big crashes.
the womens race everyone seems pretty dialed. the extra day seemed to have helped a few riders smoothen out their lines.
Kinda sucks for women when Ned dominate so hard and they abide by the ‘don’t drag back your teammate.’ It was still pretty exciting, but you kinda always knew the dutch would win it.
I should have posted it last weekend when it happened, but if you haven’t watched the Benidorn World Cup CX, definitely do it. Felipe Orts is one of the best things to happen to CX in years. Bringing the excitement back into the sport even when the winner is pre-deternined as soon as MVdP puts his name on the start list. Since Lars is retiring, I have to pick a new favorite and Orts is at the top of the list. Maybe him and Joris Nieuwenhuis. Or the whole Ridley team. https://youtu.be/Z06-dJoFqvs?si=2BWxJCp_oNF6kp-o
