Is everyone else as stoked for this WC season as I am?

[blackohio]

All the team drama aside been following Sam's Instagram feed and looks like he's fit and healthy and been killing it at all the Aussie races. Granted his competition isn't the strongest there but I think he's hungry enough to get back up top that its going to make the year really interesting.

I doubt there's time left to really put the hurts on guys if he gets back to his Val do sole pace but he can hopefully move some podium **** around.

[4gnegative]

All the team drama aside been following Sam's Instagram feed and looks like he's fit and healthy and been killing it at all the Aussie races. Granted his competition isn't the strongest there but I think he's hungry enough to get back up top that its going to make the year really interesting.
.

Sam is coming on strong, but he does have some stiff comp down under. In the national race he came in 3rd behind graves and hannah. There was also kovarik and brosnan nipping at his heals. WC should be good this year. UCI get a sponsor to replace rocky roads yet?

[trib]

I thought Chain Reaction would be quick to throw something together to get sponsorship of the WC this year. They have the money and seemingly have the desire to get a larger coverage for their brand.

Really excited to see who can be a threat this year.

Big threats/contenders for the overall (as far as I'm concerned) :

Gwin
Minnaar
Gee

Capable of WC wins but probably not the overall:

Smith
Bulldog
Hart
Hill
Brosnan

Capable of a win, but a wildcard:

Peat
Fairclough
Beaumont
Blenki
Bryceland
Hannah
Bruni
Beer

People I want to see getting lose and wild, but not really a threat:

Bernard Kerr
needles
Gracia
Warren
Wyn

there are definitely others but they're the guys I'm excited to watch

[blackohio]

Sam is coming on strong, but he does have some stiff comp down under. In the national race he came in 3rd behind graves and hannah. There was also kovarik and brosnan nipping at his heals. WC should be good this year. UCI get a sponsor to replace rocky roads yet?

But being really honest, when looking at a larger WC picture Troy is the only serious threat. Mick/Jared and Kovarik are fast as **** but not top 5 consistent threats.

But no doubt Sam is riding fast again so lets hope for some serious competition.

[norbar]

Every year there is someone we never suspected of top 5 results so I won't be making predictions yet.

[yd35]

Every year there is someone we never suspected of top 5 results so I won't be making predictions yet.

George Brannigan

[norbar]

George Brannigan

That was last year but yeah, him, Smith, Brosnan and Bruni can be contenders this season. I'm also curious about Hart. He is inconsistent but he had some great results on pedally tracks last year. Fitness + his own brand of madness is dangerous.

[bismojo]

So excited but too long to wait right? Fort william in 3+ months..

[W4S]

World Cup should be at least 10 races. No hard statistical facts to back that up but that feels like a good number, 5 is just ridiculous, imo. but yeah, stoked for some high level racing on world caliber courses for sure!

[Mo(n)arch]

^This.

[jonKranked]

UCI get a sponsor to replace rocky roads yet?

inquiring minds would like to know

[kickstand]

World Cup should be at least 10 races. No hard statistical facts to back that up but that feels like a good number, 5 is just ridiculous, imo. but yeah, stoked for some high level racing on world caliber courses for sure!

This.....I'd find it more interesting and more exciting to follow if there were more races, One a month, or one every three weeks, or something would be more interesting, there are plenty of suitable ski resorts, mountains, hills, and shuttle - able hill sides worlwide to accomadate an almost year round season (you always need some sort of offseason)

[boylagz]

Seconded on the no. of races. 5 is not enough. 8 should be the least, up to a dozen would be even better. It costs more $ for the teams but in the end its more exposure for the sponsors and a lot of experience for the riders. But anyway, I cant wait for Ft. Bill to get under way! I do feel Sam Hill has his eyes on the top step, but its not gonna be easy. Stoked.

[jonKranked]

The problem with the number of races is that it's a bidding process, and the venues themselves have to put up a LOT of money to host a world cup race. If they don't think they will get a good ROI, they aren't going to bid to host an event.

[Uncle Cliffy]

Low venue count or not, I'm pretty psyched to see what happens this year.

In the meantime, I have this on repeat: