Yeah, I reckon if Troy can stop crashing and get some consistency he's the next big thing. Although, I reckon it might be harder to stop crashing at top speed than to increase your top speed by 1-2% (based on my vast experience in being a world class athlete, and all.....:lie:
To be honest, I don't have a fucking clue what I'm talking about here. So feel free to laugh and ignore.....
Not far off the mark, Johnny. Agree that consistency is going to be key for Troy- he's reached that cusp from up-&-comer to seasoned senior & having been an understudy for so long he now needs to deliver. EDIT: And not said at all unkindly, I think that's the sentiment Troy would be feeling himself, after all he's been quietly going about his business for the last few years & improving with each one, consistently getting podiums, setting fastest qualies etc, so I imagine he's naturally searching out the key to the only thing now missing in the entire equation- victories.
Yes it appears Troy is going to be the fastest Aussie for the next couple of seasons. Interesting to think he pulled a fourth there back in '11 as a junior. 4 years later one step higher but the same guy standing on top, Gwin is certainly going to make it difficult for riders like Brosnan and Bruni to make there mark. Though going off some of his splits in the last couple of rounds Brosnan definitely has the speed to do something special in Andorra…
Sparing injury to Aaron, everyone's going to be searching in his shadows for a few years yet. And for that reason alone I don't see Troy staying on at Specialized for much longer if Gwin remains their principle rider (& let's face it, why would Gwin even consider leaving? Would be a great wicket for him).
Going to be interesting in general to see how the silly season goes once Worlds is out of the way. Reckon there's going to be a few eyebrow raising shifts & a couple of (surprising, & not-so surprising) retirements.
Speaking of retirements, was saddened to hear that Emmeline Ragot's decided to call it a day. Horrible way for her to go out after that crash at MSA. She brought a really cool 'straight down the line' approach to the womens DH. Clearly a very clever cookie too given she's just finished studying to be a physio- speaks volumes about her focus & abilities. Can't imagine it's an easy thing to juggle that study & workload while trying to be the best female DHer in the world. Maybe we'll see her back working with the French MTB/Cycling teams in the none too distant future.
This photo of Dave Trumpore's would have to be one of my pics of the year- Rachel Atherton carrying an injured Emmeline (unable to walk) to the podium for the WC Overall presentation on the weekend. Class act on Rachel's part. Massive decade-long rivalry between the two of them & says a lot about the respect for one another.
ound: which used to do that frequently.