Porn
So Joe sent me another huge batch of DVDs today. Puts the total of my collection at 100 and something 'cross specific DVDs. My porn collection.
Hidden on the 2002 Worlds DVD was a little gem. The 2002 GP Holland. Possibly the finest race
I have ever seen (maybe with the exception of the Zolder World's when Super Mario and Wellens photo finished). The race is s a study in course design, equipment/tire selection, shitty conditions
and technique. The Dutch know how to throw on a race.
Richard put on a capital 'C' clinic in this race proving at the time he was and probably is the all time greatest mudder. He pulled out the 2000 World's in similar fashion. His technique in this race was flawless in how he utilized his energy alternating between riding and running. The course was b-r-u-t-a-l. Almost 90% mud with the exception of the paved start/finish section and included mad 45degree mud run ups and descents and a 75 foot wooden staircase thrown in for good measure.
The things to observe in this race were the porting and running techniques that varied so differently between the Dutch and the Belgians (who were the only people factoring in, in this race. Gerben De Knegt and Richard classically wrapping under the down tube and all the Belgians wrapped around the head tube. The shouldering was all very interesting to study as well given the extreme conditions and how they use modified styles to.
Super Mario and Wellens put in an impressive chase but could never catch Richard who wins by :20. He dangled from the first lap or two at :12 to :15 so it was so impressive to watch how his technique enabled him to stay out front the whole time.
Indeed 'cross porn and should be used a study aid.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 7:04AM
Reader Comments (4)
where do you order the dvds from? Thanks...
DB
Whatup, DB. There are a few places to source these but I will have to dig up some of the URL's. Let me get back to you.
Ya gotta check 2007 Belgian Nats man...
That was capital "E" epic.
Amazing stuff.
Someone had handed me a copy of the Sven Nys race ('07) (ya can see Molly Cameron sporting the Vanilla Kit in that race) with bonus footage! Bonus is always good... this was awesome...
None other than that Epic and over played Hoogerheide (07) race when people were falling like dominoes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXQMw4n29qU" REL="nofollow">you tube eh?)...
Cool shots of JP riding it clean and the Portland boys kick ass in the stuff. And a slightly different camera angle than the you tube one. In the DVD version ya can clearly see where Tonkin comes into the mess and gets out of it...
It was then when i realized just how long a sequence takes to get through watching at 1/20 speed...
no doubt... studying "film" works. Works for the football folks. DEFINITELY works for us Cross folks.
Seeing what others are doing, understanding why and how and seeing if ya can take bits from here and there to make ya self faster.
Students of the discipline. Just one more reason to LOVE this sport.
-G
i have that little gem in my collection too and it is a study in momentum by the top guys. They run stuff without a second thought, in america we would be trying to ride that section all day and maybe be sucessful one lap of the race and bogging down the other 7 and losing time and energy in the end.