Is this the HARDEST XCO course EVER? | Crans Montana How The Race Was Won® 

So, I’ve been rewatching 2013 Amstel Gold HTRWW on YT on repeat the past decade not knowing YOU‘RE STILL DOING IT ELSEWHERE?!!!!

I'm glad to see you're back covering XCO! However, I have to disagree about Crans Montana. Difficulty should not equate to danger. I understand your point, but things have changed recently, especially this year. Firstly, there were protests from the teams on the first day because the course's lines and obstacles were designed in a way that made racing unsafe. This undermines the argument that riders can check and pre-ride the course as designed. In reality, they only knew the final course setup the day before. To emphasize the issue, take a look at the number of riders who crashed with serious consequences that might have prematurely ended their season. We must not forget that we are discussing the world's best athletes here. This situation is reminiscent of Jakobsen's crash at the Tour de Pologne. It seems that until someone is seriously injured, it's considered acceptable, even praised for the attention it generates. However, we must not forget that these athletes are risking their well-being for our entertainment, so neither organizers nor spectators should condone it.

The problem is that the other many disciplines need to be their own Olympic events. DH, Enduro; that's where these features belong. Those events are in full face and protection, with one rider at a time, riding the course just one time. But XC is 50+ riders at once, doing some of the same gnar, with no extra protection, lap after lap after lap. It's not a question of if you crash but when. Yes it looks great and it sure makes things interesting, but courses can still be challenging and test technical ability without trips to the hospital . Because there is no Olympic DH or Enduro, they are putting these features in MTB races more and more. When the top riders in the world are crashing multiple times, it's too much. An XC course should be somewhat ride-able by the average competitive rider; not just a select few.. In swimming there is no less than 14 individual Olympic events, and 11 Olympic track cycling events,. So we need more MTB events for these disciplines, and not try to wrap them all into XC.

Welcome back brotha. Now please stay here.

The best in the game is back!👏

Coffee mug... definitely a coffee mug. Great to see you back!!

BIKES

Not sure if this was something on your end or mine, but it took me until about 3:14 for the right audio channel to come in fully. Edit: Buuut then it dropped out again a few seconds later 🤷‍♂️ Glad to see you back on YT covering XC!

Dude, you're a legend! Chris Horner and Lanterne Rouge need to acknowledge your race calling vlogger OG status! Are you still in FoCo?

Thank you for blessing us with content!

does this means TDF? 🤞 does this means olympics? 🤞 dos this means worlds? 🤞

Cosmo! So glad to have you back 🤘

I know I shouldn't get overly excited about a new HTRWW video, but I'm overly excited about a new HTRWW video.

:)) Cosmo coming back for XCO is definitely something I didn't expect. Welcome back

I have been watching The Week in Bike on repeat for the past decade or so WAIT YOU HAVE A PODCAST NOW?

I also think that if the course is burley you can ride a bigger bike, yes you’ll be slower on the climb but its supposed to be a challenge

Hey man, I enjoy your show. When are going to make a video of Biniam Ghirmay with his win at TDF.

Love the content, but the start seems to have some audio issues

Love the longer form video! As a roadie that’s new to all things MTB, I appreciate getting as much detail and insight as I can!

The GOAT is back!

Hey man, put respect on Tommy P's name, he ain't a Roadie, he started on MTBs and only transitioned to the Road when Ineos got desperate for actual talent

Don't understand the comments about this race: it's a MOUNTAIN BIKE race - if you make that argument, then if it rains for the Namur CX World Cup, they shouldn't run it? Yes, technical, steep, rocky descents are terrifying (check out Puck Pietersie's course recons if you want to scare yourself) but these are very, very good riders; plus, I like seeing 3KPH climbs in mud with multiple foot dabs and dismounts: this what makes it different from road and 'cross. Thanks for this, and more, please...

whoa this guy finally remembered his YT password

ya know...cross is coming...keep up the great work!

"making long videos is at least as irritating a I remember." 😆😆😆 Well then , keep it uppppp!

pushing limits is great, but the course made poor use of natural features. zero flow. rock wall with pads on top was so odd

I don't tend to comment on YT videos, but when I do it's because they are good.

F yeah! I'd love a HTRWW Tshirt or two.

I wish I watched more xc mtb, thank you cosmo

I've missed you on RU-vid for about a decade.

Great to have you back in RU-vid.

Yay! You're back! Do the TdF please!

Cool to see you again Cosmo

Let’s gooooooo 🎉🎉🎉

Yes, in normal conditions its great course. But its not good course if its not working when it rains. In conclusion, its not good course because no one will care what if there was a drought. We saw a wet track that injured a lot of people before the Olympics.

Welcome back

You're still the GOAT for this kind of content. Welcome back and we can't wait for more! Well done sir

life in MONO

We all know who you are, Cosmo😉 And miss the heck out of ya!!

Great video! Keep them coming please!

Cosmo is what sports presenting should be.

I love your coverage of XC racing. Its great!

Welcome back ,,,welcome back,,, welcome back....

wow, el Cosmo is back!!!!

more of this please

Your cam does have a dead pixel 😊

This is great analysis.

Welcome back!

Great to see you back 🎉