Dak ALMOST Wins a World Cup (Again) | Vital's B Practice Podcast - Val di Sole

The Inside Line Podcast - Vital MTB

What could have been! After a long stint in the hot seat with a time that bested the season's biggest names, the last man down the hill squashed our tall bar savior's dreams of winning his first World Cup. We were filled with mixed emotions as reality set in that we'd have to wait a little longer to see Dak take that elusive first win, but what a treat to watch Amaury Pierron piece together a historic run that cemented his return to the top of the sport.
We chatted a lot about the wet, slippery conditions that made Val di Sole particularly difficult this year. Dak weighed in on where Amaury made up so much time and how he adapted his bike for the steep, technical track. We speculated on why time gaps are always so big down the Black Snake, and how much Dak made in bonuses from his 2nd place finish. We also cruised the results sheet from each class, dissecting who had standout riders and where overalls stand going into the fifth round of the year in Les Gets. Enjoy!
0:00 - Intro
4:31 - What was going through Dak's mind sitting in the hot seat?
7:08 - How Did Amaury go almost 5 seconds faster than everyone?
10:48 - How conditions affected finals
13:48 - Why are time gaps always so big at Val di Sole?
17:48 - Was this the gnarliest Val di Sole track to date?
2:09 - How Dak picked lines on a track with ever-changing conditions
28:45 - People were getting sketchy this weekend
29:59 - Commencal chainstays
29:36 - Dak's bike changes for the VDS track and what he gained from watching Amaury's run
37:28 - Dak almost pulling a Sam Hill in the last corner
40:45 - Tire pressure, inserts, and wheel chit-chat
48:09 - New e*thirteen hub?
53:34 - What's in the box on Dak's down tube
54:18 - Peak extender for race run mud
55:15 - Dak's earnings on the weekend $$$
57:28 - Do you use more rear or front brakes? Dak weighs in.
1:09:21 - Ronan Dunne sounds just like Rat Boy
1:09:48 - Bernard Kerr: out with an injury
1:12:38 - Maxxis Make or Brake Section
1:15:00 - Why do they add so much dirt to the track each year?
1:16:20 - Junior Women race recap & overall standings
1:20:22 - Junior Men race recap & overall standings
1:26:36 - Elite Women race recap & overall standings
1:34:40 - Elite Men race recap & overall standings
2:02:03 - Burgtec Labour of Love Award
2:05:51 - Les Gets thoughts!
2:07:50 - Should Vital do a MTB Moto race?
2:09:50 - Dak makes more money from an amateur moto race than a UCI World Cup
WATCH the podcast.