Controversial Features? - Inside the Tape in Vallnord with Ben Cathro

We take a deeper dive into the anatomy of this new Vallnord race track.
More Pinkbike videos:
Pinkbike Racing series
• Racing At Home | Pinkb...
Up To Speed
• Too Fast! - Up To Spee...
Produced by The Sleeper Collective
Pinkbike Merch - pinkbike.link/...
Subscribe for more content from the pulse of mountain biking.
Website - pinkbike.com
Podcast - pinkbike.link/...
Instagram - / pinkbike
Facebook - / pinkbikecom

[@nickkautzman9711]

I just wish you told us how you felt about the rubber ski matts?

[@dhrracer]

I have the same opinion about pavers.

[@Scottawilkie]

I've heard a rumour he likes them

[@PierreAntoineRoiron]

I believe he did, didn't he?

[@kennysvensson9337]

@@PierreAntoineRoiron I mean.. he said he did, at least.

[@sebastiandiaz9828]

I thinks that his expressions says a lot xD

[@tylerheartstono]

Even though the line choices might not “make a difference” it’s still so interesting to see how each rider has a different approach to a section depending on their own style and tendencies

[@g.wilsondh8407]

The ghosting bits on this track were AMAZING! I just hope next year Discovery will let you continue to do this kind of coverage, it is sooo great

[@danieljames4584]

They won’t let private $$$ out of their hands , probably be no coverage except only that which is authorised by Discovery

[@lewis4175]

These vids give a refreshing perspective on the speed and difficulty of the world cup tracks. Ben really breaks it down nice

[@iamkeir]

Ben, you’re an absolute hero. Never change.

[@MrSupermugen]

I was a bit funny about this track first up, but honestly i like it - its literally "risk it for the biscuit" - it could do with taping slightly different to slow bits down but otherwise its up to the riders to decide how fast to go.

[@garyanger3141]

The track walk through was the best I've seen by anyone, quite possibly, ever. Please continue to do this for all future events!!!!

[@howardjones8629]

More fantastic content and all the info to make a dreamer like me feel connected to the detail. Awesome work, cant wait for the race 🙌

[@christiaanviljoen7157]

Sitting here on my couch, watching and listening to Ben, I can feel the g-force and the dust in my teeth. Awesome thanks

[@NicolaosSoldal]

This video style is awesome :) really interesting to listen to, I feel like I’ll know the race so much better when I watch it

[@Warmsunset26]

Well done for THE SHARE. Gives us viewers/non riders, but serious followers of DH racing, have a MUCH better understanding of what the course is and what faces the riders. Thank you.

[@adamcvanwinkle]

Best track walks I’ve ever seen. Cathro was born for this!

[@Jesco85]

LOVE the ghost segment, so awesome!🤘🏻

[@sensai_miagi]

SO pleased to have Ben Cathro as the new face of downhill rather than just Rob Warner yelling at me.

[@danieljames4584]

Yeah Let’s be correct though, this is just a walkthrough, not a running commentary, totally different skill set

[@matthewdefer8215]

I love listening to Ben talk us thru the runs!!

[@jptothetree]

_LOVE_ the old school feel of this track! (after the top section, that is) Can't wait to see how it plays out!!

[@jimm244]

Can’t like this course rundown enough. Perfect, Cathro! Best commentary and commentator ever!!!

[@RideTheAlps]

Hey Ben, sorry for disturbing you sitting there at the wall and analyzing Videos and Lines… :) I thought about sponsoring you guys but maybe we find a minute next time. I was in Lenzerheide (live in CH) and loved it, the place, the atmosphere, everything. I had the Chance to fly into Toulouse the day before for another reason and so took the chance to swing by. The organization was a desaster, transport was a puzzle and then afterwards hundreds of people waiting for busses in the sun (37°) which blocked each other commuting up and down the street. At the award ceremony 90% of the crowd was lost. Hm. At least I could be some Maxxis with DD casing at the local Commencal store which are sold out everywhere else on the planet, just to stay positive! :) Anyway, great job, I love your line analysis! Fingers crossed you qualify next time! PS: Give Aimy somehting to do, she was so bored! :) :)

[@Rafalce]

Really comprehensive review on the track, that's really watching worthy, thanks!

[@MTBs]

Low these walkthroughs with Ben! Keep it up! 👌

[@pontusjidesten4637]

Top of the line like usual Ben 🥳

[@frankzwettler7145]

Ben, this is better than the Race, thanks a lot.

[@thingswelike]

Superb as always! Would have loved to see a ghost of the drop. Hucking vs braking/scrubbing. How much time does it actually make compared to the risk?

[@ShaneNA01]

Loved this video, lines and controls required well articulated. I gotta get myself a mountain bike, been 20 yearswithout. ;(

[@tonyrobinson1623]

The overlapping 'ghost' footage is incredible. It would be cool if you could watch the whole race like that as a bracket of two person heats.

[@drewjonespdx]

13:42 okay this superimposing two riders is sick af!!

[@sebastian_cervantes]

Tbh this is my favorite track so far, actual downhill racing, really gnarly and it’s got park features and natural stuff, this one will truly show who the gnarly riders are

[@sebastiandiaz9828]

What I like about this guy also, it's that his English can be understood. Thanks for that. De Chile

[@PierreAntoineRoiron]

Great video again!

[@gregmossed]

I don't even following mountain biking, and I really enjoyed this.

[@wianprins7967]

really liked the overlapping riders on the line choice section , pretty cool

[@ColinOlden1]

Nice work Ben.

[@valiodimi]

WE WANT MOAR!!!!!

[@danwinter3042]

that honest point of view was spectacular.

[@UncleRiotous]

Eddie Masters said getting onto and off the rubber matting sections were THE key sections for the race in terms of making and losing time. I think he had a point.

[@IT-fr4wb]

Loved t analysis (+ viewing!) ... lots of material moving down that hill, first time I’ve heard t reference to powder on a DH but makes perfect sense. t “ghosting” is smart tech. Roll on racing (they’re all b......y mad) winter in NZ, what can you do but enjoy this.

[@nizzurtmontalgizzert3337]

Woah this is some serious riding🤘

[@ESCtdyerwestfield]

If they go back to this new Vallnord track next year, they should change that final bridge to some kind of shark fin or whale tail bit off the end, rather than to have to slam on the brakes for a terrible rubber drop. Something similar to Mont Sainte Anne finish.

[@yattaran1484]

Absolutely a brutal track this is !. I really hope no one get seriously injured.🙏

[@michaelwoodward5787]

Got to be awesome to ride at that level!

[@Kevin-iq1xc]

This really made me wanna ride my bike!

[@markdavid6]

And the previous Andorra track had arguably the best finish.

[@1Jakob99]

What tire pressure are they running in this hard/ loose terrain?

[@yarkmates3409]

Cathro to have a look at Jackson’s goldstone winning run from lenzerheide Last week , I think he pulls out that Reece Wilson high line that you liked

[@yungQi]

yas the double scandie!! or in Japanese "sanpatsu"

[@Rawkus919]

Looks at this glorious mountain, lets build some steel ramps and rubber maps.

[@oldmanstumpie1061]

Love the ghosting.

[@AZMTB]

How many practice runs do these guys make before quali?

[@baddreams0919]

I wonder, after all the erosion of this weekend, what happenes after the WC ends? how do they repair the mountain/forest section? will they use the same one for the next year?

[@devinwillis7787]

They don’t. It’s just a trail that people can ride at most places. If they come back they usually use the same track until they have a reason to add different sections

[@ejphoto70]

keep it up cathro.. you will be there in showshoe ..

[@DirtyAfrica]

These guys are flying

[@drewjonespdx]

This track looks like something from a dream

[@BigLeafDropper86]

Live ghost vision of leader would be so cool during racing coverage, first to do will kill the ratings

[@anly1798]

Ben is the Men!

[@fadjarroosdianto6079]

Best track to watch

[@stevenconnor4221]

Track looked ok to me but I'm old school the only thing I don't like is the dry powdery surface and the heat the sun and the local weather presenter 😄

[@Thematty635]

Interesting track this. Would be sick if there were a few longer tech sections with more line choices not so much just grip it and rip it.

[@joed899]

put some noisy brake pads in. You'll be too embarrased to brake. BOOM, instant speed and qualified. let me know if you want morestupid ideas hahahaha

[@IrieVibeSender]

Ben is the best

[@ridingdeep8530]

Not much air pressure, oxygen content is basically the same. :)

[@96mtbrider]

I get the feeling Ben doesn’t like the track. Personally i think it’s the most interesting track of the year

[@roddas26]

Can not believe how fast they can ride this. 👀

[@dhrracer]

At the world cup level we need to see at least one but I would like to see two crux moves that only a few can execute clean.

[@NosirIDontThinkSo]

Ghosting is phenominal

[@timothydubber549]

Not much oxygen because of the altitude. I’m with you there, it’s horrible. I regularly find this to be the case pedalling up the fireroad at BPW or pushing up to the DH tracks at FoD.

[@anly1798]

Ben Ben Ben Ben do a skill!

[@ianmarr2557]

Up early big yin?

[@dereksamples9370]

If one line choice saves you .1s and you do that 10 times...throughout your run...you improved a whole second! Aka...the difference between a podium or not...i see his point that it isn’t the “most important thing” but it seems like Ben is loosing his faith in line choices (which isn’t classy...Ben!)

[@tqminnz1405]

Again with Wheezy on the marshal roster.

[@Kingpin267]

Bumblebee

[@christopherjanssen4683]

Cool

[@drewjonespdx]

Oh no! Difficult features on a pro track!

[@carnsoaks1]

This is a sinister track. The girls are going get seriously hurt or teased. I agree with a bit of rider anger, especially the jumps. They should be rollers or table tops, to avoid the inevitable cases that slower riders are going have. PB's teen gal, I feel her fear. Stay strong and be a Mentor Benny Boi.

[@TheCandieWhore]

I get what you mean, but this is a world cup and if you can’t send those jumps you’re not going to win, risk=reward

[@EmilyHorridge]

Sorry, but have you seen the standard of women racers these days?! This is a stupid comment.

[@devinwillis7787]

The jumps really shouldn’t be an issue. If you can’t hit a 30 foot jump you don’t need to be at a World Cup. The metal bridges are the only thing I think are really a problem. That stump section is a bit suspect but a little reroute can solve that

[@westymoo]

Yay

[@Maw0822]

Cathroooooo

[@phanderstorm0835]

Yeah, downhill racing is not for me

[@ROSE-by5su]

The bikes are purposing I think they have problem in their Jersey Aero package wish Loic Hamilton can win

[@Reubs_fishs]

2

[@bruceythomson5490]

its clear you dont like rubber ..thats why you are a dad now 😉

[@Chops00]

2394m is only 7854ft. That isn’t high elevation. Most of the ski resorts around me have a base elevation of over 9k ft. I live at 5400ft elevation.

[@widgetno1]

Is the mountain biking good at them?

[@Chops00]

@@widgetno1 Yes. Trestle, Keystone, Snowmass, Angel Fire all relatively close to me. Not to mention many more.

[@dit4963]

Since when having valid critiques means "being negative" ?? I keep seeing this fear to criticize... I guess the snowflake mentality (only positives and rainbows) is taking over.

[@matthewmckibben7445]

Bummer you didn't Qualify. Still, in all, not a bad day at the office. Next race you dominate!🤠🥸