VCA Urban DH 2011

[Capricorn]

This whole track is just sick. I'm a huge fan of the race and watch it every year. was hoping for the live feed, but the online broadcaster is limited to only 55 connections.

 

FOr those not familiar with the race and the course, here is a helmet cam from last year... just so damn sicK! (watch the rider almost cream a dog crossing onto the 'track', and listen to him laugh to himself when he completes that massive gap near the end

http://vimeo.com/9970489

 

Admin: how come this vid URL doesnt embed properly?

Edited February 20, 2011 by Capricorn

[Capricorn]

some epic stacks in previous races, the one of Micayla Gatto lasty year at Plaza Bismark is one of note.

warning, not for faint of heart (0:50 into the clip), and the camera does get turned right side up, so keep watching.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJD2wn8guM

Edited February 20, 2011 by Capricorn

[DownhillingKing]

Love that sort of riding!

[Capricorn]

some snaps+captions from pinkbike:

 

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb6202687/p4pb6202687.jpg

The track here is mostly comprised of cobblestones and asphalt, with some long, sketchy as hell dirt sections. And by dirt, I mean dirt over cobblestones, broken concrete or asphalt. Awesome. Right out of the gate riders are sent down a few uneven broken stair sets, a small dirt lot and then it's balls out towards the skijump. Within 20 seconds, riders have experiences every type of riding surface imaginable.

 

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb6202733/p4pb6202733.jpg

After they deal with a mega sketchy left hand corner on the dirt over concrete, everyone has to snake their way between a few metal fences and into the longest stairset you have ever seen. Photo here is from 2009 and shows how burly the crowds can get.

 

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb6202685/p4pb6202685.jpg

As you make your way out of the stairs, you have a quick 200m sprint to the "Peruvian" jump. A big-ass stepdown named after a Peruvian girl who plowed herself into a concrete pole here a few years ago. This year, it's bigger and badder than ever. Yes, that's a gap.

 

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb6202680/p4pb6202680.jpg

Land this, and it's more stairs and then a very long, very slippery spring to the hotel road gap. Twisty alleys covered in dirt and cobblestones with a wallride or 2 thrown in for good measure.

 

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb6202690/p4pb6202690.jpg

Racers can use the road to pucker up for the biggest sender on course - the Hotel Road Gap. Built right outside the official hotel, everyone gets to stare at this all week and muster the courage to hit it. Cedric guinea pigged it with Keke from Chile early in the week, and they were smooth as butter. Hopefully this year it doesn't explode under someone during qualifying.

 

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb6202731/p4pb6202731.jpg

After the wallride, you're home free. Just pedal your ass off down another mega stretch of steep cobblestones, hang a left and the end is in sight. A nice steep asphalt road will lead you right into the flower shop's second floor greenhouse. Glass removed, you'll soar out the other side to a nice big landing ramp and 3 pedal strokes to the finish. Here Steve Smith slays it in 2008.

[Nikolais]

Sweet.

You think that dirt is unforgiving when you stack at 40/50kmh - Imagine what concrete and tar feel like!!!!!!

 

I would love to see this years footage.... Pinkbike better post it up!!!!!

[Capricorn]

Tru Niko. it sucked royally that the online broadcaster was limited to what was essentially 7 viewers per continent

 

But i reckon the post race vid will be pretty darn epic, as it always is for the past 3 years.

[Capricorn]

and Filip Polc takes it from Cedric Garcia. Pity about the vid quality, but boy, is Filip hauling ass!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAkcKWhZJUU

[Capricorn]

some pitchers from dirtmag

 

http://cdn2.static.mporatrons.com/site/dirt/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/vcapolcsteps.jpg

Filip Polc shows everyone how it is done on the staircase. A signature piece for the race in Valpo, your speed here will win or lose you the race. Make sure you remember which sets to gap, because they aren't even, and the wrong ones will send you for a wild ride without your bike.

 

http://cdn2.static.mporatrons.com/site/dirt/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/vcastepdown1.jpg

Felipe Vasquez of Chile hits the Hotel gap. His hip stayed together for his qualifying run, but his feet didn't stay on the pedals. Next year, old man!

 

http://cdn2.static.mporatrons.com/site/dirt/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/vcano1.jpg

Mexico represent! The smallest racer on the World Cup showed up and absolutely sent it off the ski jump. Unfortunately, she wrecked hard in practice and wound up in hospital. She is doing alright, with only a broken tooth and shattered ego.

 

http://cdn2.static.mporatrons.com/site/dirt/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/vcavca1.jpg

Nothing like sending it over a massive sea of people. The World Cup could learn a thing or two.

 

http://cdn2.static.mporatrons.com/site/dirt/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/filip-polc.jpg

 

1. Filip Polc (SVK)

2. Cedric Gracia (FRA)

3. Mario Jarrin (ECU)

 

Sick Source

Edited February 21, 2011 by Capricorn

[leet22]

Watching this makes me feel so slow assed coming down Tokai THX ALOT CAP

[Capricorn]

hahaha, i made myself feel like that too Leet The Filip slayed that course was jawdroppingly awesome. That man has an affinity for Urban DH. Pity he is not putting it together for podium finishes at the WCs. He is an amazing rider.

[Guest Omega Man]

This race is just MMMAAAADDD!

 

It's an urban rampage.

[Capricorn]

yeah, that's a pretty neat description Oh Mega Man.. and note: hardly any chicken runs! it's do or die!

Edited February 25, 2011 by Capricorn

[Guest Omega Man]

That jump out of the shop window is just mental. So u coming to shuttle paarl tomorrow? There's space in the shuttle if you want it.