Candi Murray
We had a very ugly crash at last years Victor Point Road race where one
rider almost died. And this was just in a little dip before the finish.
While I think tht many fields can handle them, a Cat 4 and Cat 5 field has
more variables. I for one do not want any downhill sprint finishes.
Candi Murray
Executive Director
Oregon Bicycle Racing Association
_____
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
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
_____
Climb to the top of the charts! Play the word scramble challenge with star
power. Play now!