Don't forget Shanaze: yet another gold in the cycling tomorrow by our BIGGEST STAR

[ymu]

I think she'll be OK - as long as the bike survived intact. She seemed a bit overawed by it being the olympics - might just be nerves, but she's so determined, I can't see her not getting her head straight. And the seeding isn't that critical with her start speed.

Did anyone else think she looked uncomfortable for a bit before the crash? There was a stretch between jumps at the end of the first strait where she didn't pedal - she almost looked nervous. Apparently British Cycling built her a replica of the Beijing course to train on - so she ought to be super-confident on it, unless the surface is trickier or something?

 

[Part 2]

Quarteer with the 2 Americans should be agood un

Nice run from Shanaze this time, Obviously not full on the gas, smart ride.

 

[Flashman]

That looked good.

 

[Part 2]

I think she'll be OK - as long as the bike survived intact. She seemed a bit overawed by it being the olympics - might just be nerves, but she's so determined, I can't see her not getting her head straight. And the seeding isn't that critical with her start speed.

Did anyone else think she looked uncomfortable for a bit before the crash? There was a stretch between jumps at the end of the first strait where she didn't pedal - she almost looked nervous. Apparently British Cycling built her a replica of the Beijing course to train on - so she ought to be super-confident on it, unless the surface is trickier or something?

Track in Manchester has only been up about 6 weeks, first jump is different and the tarmac is temporary and no way as smooth as the china track. My son reckons there's a lot of difference especially on the first straight, no speed bump at the bottom of the hill in Mcr and the second jump is bigger at Laoshan.

Chausson goes down!

E2A: I'm sure she'll get it together, looked like she was holding back yet. The expectation is immense though, the sport in this country has piled it on. If she wins there'll be loads of new facilities built, no-one has even entertained the thought she might not win.

 

[Part 2]

Mens quarters about to start, don't blink

E2A: They're now running like a proper race so there's 3 races.

 

[ymu]

Thanks for that. I just gathered from a bit of commentary that she's raced loads on the actual Beijing track anyway, so maybe just nerves.

She didn't pedal that stretch on the second run either. I'm sure all the others have been - blokes and women (on the same first strait). Just a style difference?

 

[ymu]

Wipe out!


Three finishers. Excellent!

 

[Part 2]

First race was a minter, loads of mates got money on Mike Day

Good result for Philips that, very tough group.

 

[ymu]

If she wins there'll be loads of new facilities built, no-one has even entertained the thought she might not win.

No pressure there then.

More skate and bike parks and fewer stupid adults complaining about kids with nothing to do.

 

[Part 2]

She didn't pedal that stretch on the second run either. I'm sure all the others have been - blokes and women (on the same first strait). Just a style difference?

I reckon she'll have been told to take it easy, just qualify top 8. There's so many ways to ride the track, not necessary to jump everything for example, some will choose to pump (not pedal) or manual (wheelie without pedalling).

Mens racing is looking great so far, was worried there'd be a bit of follow the leader stuff going on but some good berm action and overtaking

 

[Part 2]

Just read there are 3 races in the semis tomorrow too, usually that would be knockout.

 

[Melinda]

I am, this is quite fun to watch.

No way she's on the deck!

Well done on staying up to watch live! Ive just caught up with the reply.
Wow, some pride humbling falls by the top two seeds.

That footage is going to play and play and play.

Whats more they looked liked they hurt, Anne-Caroline Chausson esp.

Wipe out!

Three finishers. Excellent!

I enjoyed the mass wipe out too, it looked brutal!

It takes some getting used to after the drilled perfection of the track cycling, but loving it so far

 

[ScallyWag II]

God, just seen Shaneze wipe out on the highlights before reading this Steady quick second run though. And Chausson eats dirt too

 

[Melinda]

God, just seen Shaneze wipe out on the highlights before reading this Steady quick second run though. And Chausson eats dirt too

Hers looked proper painful though.

Do the riders where protection down the front? She is going to be bruised to fuck from chin to gizard. Still its preferable to breaking your neck.

 

[JTG]

There's an Australian rider called Kamakazi

 

[Part 2]

There's an Australian rider called Kamakazi

Changed by deed poll as the irritating Beeb commentator kept reminding us.

Not sure on who wears body armour, it's usually obvious if someone's wearing baggy clothes but seeing the custom leg protectors Shanaze is wearing she might well have a chest protector the same. I doubt it but you never know. Only Liam Philips wore the neck brace which has become the latest accessory this year.

Be interesting to see the odds this morning, they were bollocks on Shanaze last week, best was 1/3. Mike Day was 25/1 and looks sure for a podium. I'd say Jared Graves will be up there too.

 

[Part 2]

No pressure there then.

Just remembered reading that Chris Hoy said if anyone was sure of Gold it would be Shanaze and he'd put his mortgage on it.

 

[JTG]

Changed by deed poll?!

Oh dear

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Changed by deed poll?!

Oh dear

Yahoo Serious?

 

[Barking_Mad]

must be lots of young children fancying taking their BMX to the Olympics

 

[nick h.]

Didn't Shanaze look absolutely fucking gorgeous when she took her helmet off and inspected her arm? Go girl! You wouldn't want to spill her pint. And after her second run her grin was back. She's unstoppable.

 

[Melinda]

LOL!

She looked like she'd been dragged through a hedge!

Plus she had a chunk of meat hanging off her elbow!

 

[Treacle Toes]

LOL!

She looked like she'd been dragged through a hedge!

Plus she had a chunk of meat hanging off her elbow!

Ew! Haven't seen it yet.

*feels queasy*

 

[nick h.]

What can I say...she gets me right where I live. I bet she could shin up Everest if she felt like it.

 

[felixthecat]

LOL!

She looked like she'd been dragged through a hedge!

Plus she had a chunk of meat hanging off her elbow!

I think you must be missing something Mel.

My son was dribbling at the very sight of her looking like that!

 

[nick h.]

Panting heavily, sweating, hair all over the place, the animal look in the eyes....she's got the mid-coital look down to a T. How can we not be seduced?

 

[twistedAM]

Panting heavily, sweating, hair all over the place, the animal look in the eyes....she's got the mid-coital look down to a T. How can we not be seduced?

Jesus, and there was me thinking I was having a bit of crush on OUR BIGGEST STAR* Victoria Pendleton.

You need a lie down mate.




* Our actual biggest star is Mark Cavendish obviously.

 

[London_Calling]

the mid-coital look

And there was me thinking she'd just been riding a push bike.

 

[nick h.]

Don't look now, but Shanaze's rival for my heart is about to lose the 400m hurdles final

The lovely Anastasiya Rabchenyuk....*swoon*

 

[Part 2]

Kind of assuming this the BMX thread now so here's the semi line ups.

Men's Semi 1

Mike Day, USA
Marc Willers, NZL
Donny Robinson, USA
Sifiso Nhlapo, RSA
Andres Jimenez, COL
Arturs Matisons, LAT
Raymon van der Biezen, NED
Kyle Bennett, USA

Men's Semi 2

Jared Graves, AUS
Cristian Becerine, ARG
Roger Rinderknecht, SUI
Rob van den Wildenburg, NED
Manual de Vecchi, ITA
Damien Godet, FRA
Kamakazi, AUS
Maris Strombergs, LAT


Both groups are stacked, my predictions for top 3 are

gold...Jared Graves (looking very strong and can spot and hold a line others might back away from)
silver...Mike Day (Fastest rider there)
Strombergs...Bronze (Stiff but also looking very fast) I have pictures of his sister but nick h would have a heart attack


womens semis

Semi 1

Shanaze Reade (GBR)
Jill Kintner (USA)
Laetitia le Corguille (FRA)
Nicole Callisto (AUS)
Tanya Bailey (AUS)
Lieke Klaus (NED)
Maria Belen Dutto (ARG)
Aniko Hodi (HUN)

Semi 2

Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
Sarah Walker (NZL)
Gabriela Diaz (ARG)
Jana Horakova (CZE)
Jenny Fahndrich (SUI)
Amanda Sorensen (DEN)
Sammy Cools (CAN)
Liyun Ma (CHN)

So she won't meet ACC until the final and I'd say has the easier semi group. Biggest danger I see is Shanaze and ACC taking each other out in the final.

Top 3

Shanaze
ACC
Diaz

Can't wait