Long, Steve

You know, even in the clockwise direction at Haag, this usually only
happens when the pace is kept pretty low for most of the race. If the
pace kicks up high enough, and riders continue the pace and attacking,
the field WILL seperate and the strong will be at the front.
The problem is a lack of racing during most of the race.

________________________________

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of r r
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 10:50 AM
To: Erik Voldengen; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Banana Belt Updates

Thank you Erik. Finally someone in OBRA land opened up to look outside
the box. He may have even explained it better than I had.

The main point WAS, downhill finishes do not have a place in road
racing. Like Erik stated, in a TRUE sprint, only the TRUE sprinters are
at the front, while the climbers and tt riders are hanging off the back
watching. Therefore its a SPRINTERS race, and the sprinters get their
chance.

In a downhill finish, such as BB, you have EVERYONE there. There is no
separation of skill that should naturally occur, even in a flat sprint.
Therefore you truly do take the SKILL out of the sprint, and start to
throw in more luck and danger.

Yes, i do watch all those BIG races, and yes i have seen ALL those
crashes. But when have you ever seen a downhill finish in either of
those races? Answer me this. If you can give me an exact example and
video proof, ill shut up. But till then i will stand by my view, and
shun me as you may, but i just cannot agree that a downhill finish is
something to be excepted and argued for. You want a downhill finish, go
race DH on your mt bike.

V

________________________________

> Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 09:40:34 -0800
> From: erikv@erikv.com
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Banana Belt Updates
>
> I know this is a little off topic in regards to the original post, not
> to mention unpopular, but I'll have to differ with the opinion that
> downhill sprints are just as safe as any other, especially at this
> course.
>
> On a flat sprint, take PIR for example, we'll hit 40mph sometimes, but
> only the fast guys in front. On a downhill sprint, EVERYONE is at
> 40mph, and it goes up from there. Say what you will, superhandlers,
> but bikes handle differently at those kind of speeds. Combine that
> with gravel laiden shoulders (and isn't there a bridge to compress the
> group in the final K?), and I can completely see V's point of view.
> Not the safest finish, but then it's my choice whether to race or not.
>
> -Erik
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