Eddie Masters Predicts Lousa World Cup Downhill Results 11

Possibles and probables with a passionate prognosticator.

EdBullMediaHouse

10/29/2020 5:54am

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Place your best folks. Before qualifying results dropped from the first race of Lousa, Eddie Master submitted his educated guesses and gut-driven predictions for the race weekend.

photos by @maddogboris, Sven Martin and Dan Hearn

Possibles

Aaron Gwin

I never would have thought that AG would end up as just a possibility to be at the pointy end of the race results. But there is no denying it...he hasn’t been up to usual tricks these past few seasons. After Maribor, I think that could change this weekend. If you haven’t watched it yet, go and watch episode 2 of the AG/Clay Porter series he's putting out. The man knows how to win, what it takes to win, and it's obvious he wants to win. Don’t call it a comeback.

Benoit Coulanges

I don’t think we’ve seen everything Benoit has to show this season. He was dominant in the French Cups, and you could even go as far to say that from the outside looking in he might even have ruffled a few rainbow-colored feathers. After a 5th in timed training, I wouldn’t be surprised to see BC inside the Top 10. He wouldn’t be out of place on the podium here. The track is going to get super rough; it will suit his set up and I’m sure he’s fired up to prove a point.

Millie Johnset

Millie is on this list for many reasons, but mostly because she sends it. It's only a matter of time until that commitment translates into a top result. She had a few hiccups in Maribor, but it was obvious to all that the raw speed was there, and if everything lines up, it will show on the results sheet this weekend.

Thomas Estaque

One of my favorite riders out there. El Gringo is a bad man. I think this track suits his style. For a rider who might not have the cleanest route down the hill, but is one of the fastest, the extra width and options available in Lousa will give him a bit of breathing room. His loose style won’t be confined by tightly taped sections, and regardless of the result, I will be bloody stoked to watch his runs over the next few days. Hopefully we’ll all be treated to a few classic El Gringo gaps and wild riding.

Probables

Loris Vergier

The man to beat. From day 1 it was obvious that Loris meant business this season. The fact that he’s 2 for 2 is only going to complicate things for those behind him. DH racing is such a mental game, and confidence is a hot commodity. It seems that Loris has a fair bit of it right now and that makes him hard to beat.

Loic Bruni

I’m sure while Bruni is stoked to see Loris winning, he’s going to be fired up for the next two races. 2020 has been a weird year for everyone and it wasn’t until the second race in Maribor that we saw the 2019 Bruni show his cards again. He’ll take that confidence through to this weekend and will be wanting to end the season on top.

Greg Minnaar

I wouldn’t be surprised if Greg wins this weekend...mainly because of his unhealthy competitiveness. I know he takes pride in beating a lot of the young guns, and deservedly so. He’s not just going fast for an old guy. He’s just straight up going fast.