Trispoke@aol.com
Sorry, but no. The finish crashes I have seen at BB were more of an issue
when running the downhill in the other direction. The finish as it stands now
is only downhill for about 100 meters then mostly flat. Our most serious
crashes of the past 2 years have occurred, more often than anywhere else, at
PIR, which has perhaps the most open sprinting lane you could find anywhere in
the state. Yes, they will happen, but the sprints in OBRA are nothing compared
to a lot of other regions, such as the Killington stage which ended after a 3
mile gradual downhill and a 40+mph sprint in the 3's. I think there are
usually greater risks from braking on carbon wheels in the wet, dogs, errant
fishing boats, etc.
Stay safe,
Ian Penner
In a message dated 3/4/08 10:51:15 AM, bikexcr@hotmail.com writes:
> 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
>
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