Mountain Bike Cycling at the Summer Olympic Games 2020

[heywoodu 16,015]

Van der Poel is only travelling today, that's remarkably late considering the difference in conditions (which are conditions that usually favour him less, so he could use the time..).

 

[dcro 10,210]

15 minutes ago, heywoodu said:

Van der Poel is only travelling today, that's remarkably late considering the difference in conditions (which are conditions that usually favour him less, so he could use the time..).

 

He knows Pidcock will destroy him anyways.

[heywoodu 16,015]

19 minutes ago, dcro said:

He knows Pidcock will destroy him anyways.

Haven't seen Pidcock in these conditions and on a course like this yet. Although they are of course definitely not the only two serious contenders.

[heywoodu 16,015]

Almost time for the men's race  

 

Or, as Dutch NOS has been saying for the past 7 hours: "The mountain biking with Mathieu van der Poel."

 

Spoiler

NOS doesn't know Milan Vader, because we don't know Milan Vader. Haven't mentioned him a single time yet, and they have whole promo videos and 'race alerts' with Van der Poel.

 

[heywoodu 16,015]

Great that we're getting an explanation of what mountain biking is, including some tactics: "A smart tactic is to first go full speed for a few laps, to gap the competition."

 

I mean, sure, you're absolutely dead if you go full speed for 'the first few laps' (which is at least half an hour or so), but sure, great tactic  

 

Also, because of these bikes, you don't lose any speed on climbs and obstacles, apparently. Magic  

[heywoodu 16,015]

No Red Bull TV of course, but Bart Brentjens is the co-commentator on Dutch TV  

 

I've been sad for weeks that we'd have to watch the race without his commentary  

[dcro 10,210]

Lots of spectators!

[dcro 10,210]

Sarrou proudly destroys the race for everyone behind him.

[heywoodu 16,015]

I wonder if Avancini and Vader are strong or about to blow up somewhere in the race  

[heywoodu 16,015]

Oh damn, that';s it for vdPoel.