UCI Downhill World Cup

steamsey

Thought it might be useful to have a thread for the Downhill World Cup which kicks off in April.

Article here with some of the bits to look forward to in 2019:
https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/uci-downhill-world-cup-season-preview

Schedule is here:
https://www.redbull.com/ie-en/2019-uci-mtb-world-cup-calendar

Personally, looking forward to seeing if Gwin's days at the top are over or if it was just bad luck last year. Pierron looked unbeatable last year though. On the women's front, Cecile Ravanel (EWS winner for years now) had started the DH races last year but read the other day she had a really bad training crash and broke vertebrae so she'll miss the opening EWSs (starting 10 March) and probably DH too.

The DH races are generally a pretty good watch for anyone who hasn't seen them - and the set up lends itself to much more exciting viewing than the EWS races where you just see (frustratingly) heavily edited highlights - but I suppose the EWS format doesn't lend itself to good viewing.

covey123

Hoping the Atherton's do well, really admire what they are doing with putting their own brand of bike's out there.

Gerry

Only really started watching this properly over the past two years, it's amazing to watch and redbull do a great job with the coverage. Would like to see the Atherton's do well, also would be good to see Aaron Gwin to return to form. Lot of bike changes which might mean an upset or two in the first few results?

xxyyzz

Talk of Sam Hill going back to DH this year. It will be interesting to see what him and Martin Maes decide to do.

Eamonnator

I see Aaron Gwin is on Intense Bikes this year.