Val di Sole 2012 - Official Thread?

**slyfink** · 05-28-2012, 08:09 AM

So I guess I'll kick it off since it's coming up this weekend...

start off with this news: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bros...ined-by-injury sucks for T-Roy.

Will Hill's head be into the racing, or will his thoughts be with Junior at home? (wasn't his partner due in the weeks before Val di Sole?)

Minnaar beat Smith, Gee, MacDonald, and Hannah in Leogang this weekend... that's got to be good for his confidence? Though I must admit I was surprised Gee was racing at all... that fracture can't be healed 100% yet can it?

Gwin raced at Mountain Creek a couple of weeks ago, but was it rocky and rough enough to be considered good training for Val di Sole?

Is Blenki out again with injury? I can't remember...

Anyways, here's my top 5 men:
Minnaar
Gwin
S Smith
Hill
Hannah

Top-5 ladies:
Hannah
Atherton
Flying banana
Ragot
Pom pom

I think Jonnier is an unknown commodity right now due to injury...

**epic** · 05-28-2012, 08:14 AM

I'm calling for a youth podium.

Brendog
Bryceland
Hart
Cole
Gwin

**'size** · 05-28-2012, 09:42 AM

gee also took a decent spill in quali's : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150873129752054

and gwin won at plattekill this weekend - no idea about how that plays out for VdS training but he seems to be building towards fast.

**Speedgoat9** · 05-28-2012, 07:45 PM

1) Gwin
1) Minnaar

3) Hart
4) Smith
5) Leov

**Mo(n)arch** · 05-28-2012, 10:29 PM

Minnaar is strong this year I think. Hart will definitely be dangerous on this track. It looks to be raining this week, so we'll see an exciting race!

**big cal** · 05-28-2012, 11:54 PM

I can't believe no one has put Brosnan on the podium, i'll be surprised if he doesn't make the top 5, i don't think he needs to bulk up much more going by his pedal power at South Africa..

**gemini2k** · 05-29-2012, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by 'size

and gwin won at plattekill this weekend - no idea about how that plays out for VdS training but he seems to be building towards fast.

Probably not at all. That VDS course is about 100x steeper, rougher, and more technical.

**Santa Maria** · 05-29-2012, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by big cal

I can't believe no one has put Brosnan on the podium, i'll be surprised if he doesn't make the top 5, i don't think he needs to bulk up much more going by his pedal power at South Africa..

Troy will not race the coming WC, injured himself last weekend......

**big cal** · 05-29-2012, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Santa Maria

Troy will not race the coming WC, injured himself last weekend......

oh really? Dang, missed that bit of news... I was looking forward to Hill v Brosnan on a real track. At least Hill won't be beaten by his team mate again!

**ScooterBlastoff** · 05-29-2012, 07:37 AM

How my fan boiness would like the results to turn out...
1.) Sam Hill
2.) Brendog
3.) Stevie Smith
4.) Minnaar
5.) Needles

**Mo(n)arch** · 05-29-2012, 07:44 AM

That would be one hell of a podium. Change Minnaar and Needles for Hart an Bulldog to complete the awesomeness!

**tabletop84** · 05-29-2012, 07:55 AM

Needs CG sneak into third with something big over the last jump.

**BigBoi** · 05-29-2012, 07:59 AM

Watched the replay of the last 2 years this morning that I have DVR'ed.(?)
Gwin would have won '10 if he hadn't crashed. And he crushed it there last year.
Smith is super fast there as is Hart. Minaar, not as much. I would put Gee in there but he's not 100%.

1. Gwin
2. Smith
3. Hart
4. Hill
5. MacDonald