Sam announcing he's going to do the full EWS next year then backing it up with a win today, probably tripled his worth to a team for next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see a big EWS team pick him up now and allow him to do a few DH races of his choosing, he's probably more valuable for an EWS team than a DH team now.
It makes perfect sense that he's more interested in Enduro, most segments resemble DH courses from when he started racing. Most of today's DH tracks are just about going as fast as possible down one single line, which doesn't fit Sam's skill set.
Very few people buy downhill bikes. A surprising amount of people buy 6-8000 endurbro bikes. Brands will want Sam Hill.
A top tier WC DH rider is worth more to a brand than a top tier EWS rider. A top tier DH racer makes me more willing to buy any brands bikes, but this isnt a discussion about marketing strategies. You dont lust after the riding you normally do most of the time, just look at F1. This thread was derailed by the same discussion last year, so if you want to discuss marketing DH v enduro v xc then another thread is probably the best place
That being said, Hill wasnt doing much in the WC so EWS sure is an improvement!
Well I for one prefer watching banger enduro videos to DH stuff because I lust after that kind of riding, I'm not interested in DH. Though I am also the kind of freak who, given a chance, would take a proper touring car or an LMP over an F1 car...
Well not interested is a strong word, but i hardly follow any DH coverage to be honest. Yeah, i check the results and watch a video here and there, but the highlight for me is the pit-bits gallery. Just like reading technical stuff (like BMW's article on F1 V10 and V8 engine development, or the development of Cosworth's V8 F1 engine) is more enjoyable F1-wise than watcing it (i usually fall asleep on the couch if i manage to watch it).
Don't get me wrong, DH is still times more interesting than slopestyle, because that is something i will NEVER do, so i can't aspire to doing it. Just like slopestyle on the snow. And i do not aspire to race between the gates on the snow, while i do aspire to start ski touring. Which is the most alike to enduro riding, which, incidentially (without the racing) is exactly what i do.
That's why enduro stuff is the most interesting to me. Watching Valberg EWS coverage made me drool, i seriously want to go on a holiday there. Bryceland's Madeira movie makes me want to fly out there. I have zero wishes to go to Val di Sole because they have a DH trail there. And Sam hill riding a Pulse? Meh. Him riding a Mega? You know what, those bikes look nice!!
To be honest, DH bikes, in my opinion, are not the most technically advanced bikes out there, enduro bikes are. My Reign made me miss my XC racing days on a fast, slightly rooty traverse, yet can handle all i can throw against it while going down the hill. And my thoughts are the same F1 vs. LMP1 wise, F1 is too constrained and racing in LMP1 is better in fact (across 6 hour races as a matter of fact!). But again, i just watch te highlights of LMP1 races
It might be noteworthy that i am a mechanical engineer, so i might be a bit weird in regards to the technical stuff.
Do you know how to tell if someone is an engineer?
Don't worry, they'll tell you.
I laughed.
Top level enduro bike compared to a top level DH bike compared to a top level XC bike - they are all "purpose built race machines". I wouldn't argue technology is greater in any one sport.
I'm happy Primoz likes EWS. I personally want to like it, but DH is far more enjoyable to watch. One run for all the marbles. A series to make things interesting.
The only way this changes is with a shit ton of money and weeding out of the riff raff (EG, me, I have no business contending with Sam Hill at a race). Put the top 30 guys on a set of proper tracks and throw a ton of money at the covering of the event. That might make enduro fun to watch. Otherwise, via Team Robot... (just sub in "enduro" for "submarine") https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXQpApg_G7UJRN41f…
.
EDIT: This is a rumor thread. So let me post a rumor. Kona to be on Vittoria next year. You heard it here first.
jeff notice the word 'coverage' when i talk about EWS Valberg, so photo and video recaps. EWS is impossible to watch live (i tried the live tracking site, funny thing, it doesn't work for me in beta Chrome, supposedly my browser is not new enough and i should install a newer one, like Chrome. It just sucks in Edge), just like rally. So you're destined to watch the highlights reel. DH is much better here. But i'd just prefer to be out riding and watch the highlights of either sport in the evening.
As for the bikes. XC bikes are made to pedal as best as they can, DH bikes are made to descend as best as they can. Enduro bikes must do both. Sure, it's a jack of all trades kinda stuff, but i think it's easier being a master of one than almost a master of a few things.
BTW, it was mentioned on Pinkbike a while ago, an unnamed major brand told the guys over there, that they sell 50 AM/enduro bikes to one downhill bike.
jeff notice the word 'coverage' when i talk about EWS Valberg, so photo and video recaps. EWS is impossible to watch live (i tried the live...
jeff notice the word 'coverage' when i talk about EWS Valberg, so photo and video recaps. EWS is impossible to watch live (i tried the live tracking site, funny thing, it doesn't work for me in beta Chrome, supposedly my browser is not new enough and i should install a newer one, like Chrome. It just sucks in Edge), just like rally. So you're destined to watch the highlights reel. DH is much better here. But i'd just prefer to be out riding and watch the highlights of either sport in the evening.
As for the bikes. XC bikes are made to pedal as best as they can, DH bikes are made to descend as best as they can. Enduro bikes must do both. Sure, it's a jack of all trades kinda stuff, but i think it's easier being a master of one than almost a master of a few things.
BTW, it was mentioned on Pinkbike a while ago, an unnamed major brand told the guys over there, that they sell 50 AM/enduro bikes to one downhill bike.
that's a 50 to 1 kook to badass ratio. i'm ok with that.
Latest rumour: Greg Minnaar leaves Syndicate, grows beard, has haircut and puts fake mole on face to compete on Masterchef Australia under the name Ashley. Doesn't do very well, so returns to the Syndicate to race in 2017
Disclaimer: This has no truth to it. Just Barelli being Barelli and joking around. #teamrumors2k17
http://www.enduroworldseries.com/ewsvideos/sam-hill-announces-2017-plan…
This one is lost to us!
It makes perfect sense that he's more interested in Enduro, most segments resemble DH courses from when he started racing. Most of today's DH tracks are just about going as fast as possible down one single line, which doesn't fit Sam's skill set.
That being said, Hill wasnt doing much in the WC so EWS sure is an improvement!
Don't get me wrong, DH is still times more interesting than slopestyle, because that is something i will NEVER do, so i can't aspire to doing it. Just like slopestyle on the snow. And i do not aspire to race between the gates on the snow, while i do aspire to start ski touring. Which is the most alike to enduro riding, which, incidentially (without the racing) is exactly what i do.
That's why enduro stuff is the most interesting to me. Watching Valberg EWS coverage made me drool, i seriously want to go on a holiday there. Bryceland's Madeira movie makes me want to fly out there. I have zero wishes to go to Val di Sole because they have a DH trail there. And Sam hill riding a Pulse? Meh. Him riding a Mega? You know what, those bikes look nice!!
To be honest, DH bikes, in my opinion, are not the most technically advanced bikes out there, enduro bikes are. My Reign made me miss my XC racing days on a fast, slightly rooty traverse, yet can handle all i can throw against it while going down the hill. And my thoughts are the same F1 vs. LMP1 wise, F1 is too constrained and racing in LMP1 is better in fact (across 6 hour races as a matter of fact!). But again, i just watch te highlights of LMP1 races
It might be noteworthy that i am a mechanical engineer, so i might be a bit weird in regards to the technical stuff.
Don't worry, they'll tell you.
Top level enduro bike compared to a top level DH bike compared to a top level XC bike - they are all "purpose built race machines". I wouldn't argue technology is greater in any one sport.
I'm happy Primoz likes EWS. I personally want to like it, but DH is far more enjoyable to watch. One run for all the marbles. A series to make things interesting.
The only way this changes is with a shit ton of money and weeding out of the riff raff (EG, me, I have no business contending with Sam Hill at a race). Put the top 30 guys on a set of proper tracks and throw a ton of money at the covering of the event. That might make enduro fun to watch. Otherwise, via Team Robot... (just sub in "enduro" for "submarine") https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXQpApg_G7UJRN41f…
.
EDIT: This is a rumor thread. So let me post a rumor. Kona to be on Vittoria next year. You heard it here first.
As for the bikes. XC bikes are made to pedal as best as they can, DH bikes are made to descend as best as they can. Enduro bikes must do both. Sure, it's a jack of all trades kinda stuff, but i think it's easier being a master of one than almost a master of a few things.
BTW, it was mentioned on Pinkbike a while ago, an unnamed major brand told the guys over there, that they sell 50 AM/enduro bikes to one downhill bike.
Anyone who has worked in bike shops knows the frequency of this.
I've endeavoured to never do so. apart from....erm...now
Latest rumour: Greg Minnaar leaves Syndicate, grows beard, has haircut and puts fake mole on face to compete on Masterchef Australia under the name Ashley. Doesn't do very well, so returns to the Syndicate to race in 2017
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