I think a lot of people missed a vital tell.
Because of her crash and the general mud fest, Jenny Rissveds strong form was kinda hidden.
She was the 2nd strongest, if not the actual strongest rider in the race. It seems she’s peaking perfectly for the Olympics. The Gold will go to her or PFP. The course is not hilly enough for Lecomte. Lecomte has also peaked too early.
Kids these days, they just too excited 
I agree. I think PFP and Rissveds are right on it and should be flying. I had questions early whether Lecomte and Flueckiger would be able to maintain their levels through to Tokyo. Time will tell.
I was very impressed with Evie Richards too. And Bec McConnell is again looking good in time for the biggest race of the year.
Agreed.
Evie is peaking at the right time. Rebecca is also doing well. The race for the medals will be very tight. Particularly, the bronze. I suspect the gold silver battle will be PFP vs Rissveds. However, the fight for bronze could be interesting. The big question is riders heat adaptations. That is the critical factor, far above everything else. Lecomte may race very well in the heat, we just don’t know. If she does, and hasn’t peaked too early. She could win, which would be incredible at her age.
The men’s should be Pidcock, Fluckiger, MVDP fighting it out for the win. Sadly for MVDP, he has historically suffered badly in the heat. His heat training will need to be next level to beat Pidcock and Fluckiger.
Actually, even though he’s been off form, Nino is good in the heat and seems to be on the rise, so I’d have him in the mix with the other three.
Fascinating stuff. It should be a great race.
The European XCO Championship races are available to watch on GCN+.
From Novi Sad, Serbia. I have no idea on the course etc yet as I’m going to watch them this morning on the trainer. Coverage looks excellent though. Men’s had a familiar voice in commentary for any GMBN viewers.
Seriously cool course. Through/around an old fortress. Full of stair sets and cobbles. Interesting version of technical.
Who’s excited for World Champs?
I’m looking forward to some big performances from the Kiwi’s. Sam Gaze looks to have discovered some form. Not sure if he’ll have the endurance yet or whether a wet ValDiSole course will suit him. We also have Ben Oliver going well and of course Anton Cooper.
I’m wishing there was some way of watching the XCR. I’ve watched the races from a few years ago on YouTube and they have been interesting races.
The NZ team announcement mentions a qualification for the XCC. I’m not sure if that’s a real thing or how it works. It’ll suit the Kiwi’s if it’s there.
Weather forecast is a bit wet but the course looks good.
KC looked to have good legs at Basel, but none a few of the hitters were missing.
It’ll be interesting to see how Flueckiger bounces after the Olympics. I haven’t seen much of him or Anton at all. No MVdP or Pidcock. Could be pretty open.
So, it turns out the XCC qualification must have just been another (series of) XCC races.
That makes for a big workload for the week.
Track looks still dry and fast. A few quite technical new lines on the XCO course.
All three Kiwi’s into the XCC final.
Obviously the XCC is a completely separate at World Championships. Bit of a gamble, but still a World Champs jersey would be special.
Flueckiger, Schurter, and a few of the top guns are skipping the XCC to save their legs. Might make a big difference.
Super excited, but a real shame that MVdP had to pull out and Pidcock is busy riding around Spain. 
I was really hoping to see MVdP for sure. He is especially “unlucky” (for lack of a better term) to miss out on the first XCC World Championship?
Definitely rules out his potential for three rainbow jerseys in a year
USA with the stripes!! OMG what a race.
HOLY &*&**~!!! Blevens FTW.?
how did you watch it? err. what country are you in? i couldn’t get the red bull feed in USA
Blevins riding about 4th wheel the whole race, matching every attack. Stuns Henrique from behind on the last climb and holds on the sprint. It really was an immaculate race from Chris, absolutely stunning.
I watched the UK feed on RedbullTV w/ VPN… Really a bummer that UCI handles broadcast rights for the World Champs this way.
Ah. that make sense. just Canada and US that didnt’ get it. i’m sure they’ll throw it up in a week or two - some kind of weird thing they do.
Why is no one talking about Sina Frei and Evie? Sina has been top 7 but never winner over and over again last couple years. Gets silver at olympics and now XCC world champ! and Evie back to her 2020 XCC momentum! Way to go ladies!
Blevins only wins because he was on a hardtail. Much more efficient in the sprint. Well, his skills and fitness probably helped a little bit. 
I know this is an XC thread, but holy crap what a crazy-hard DH course!!!
I’m in USA, watched via GCN+ with a VPN, not sure whether Red Bull has this one, but if it does you can use a VPN. The only fully legit way to watch in the US/Canada is with FloBikes.
Redbull TV + VPN (Hong Kong)
Damn that was disappointing.
Also, I watched the Eurosport coverage via GCN+ and it was effing AWFUL.
On to the XCO. Interesting to see how this effort effects the racers Sunday vs those who went all in on the XCO.