The track has been used in the World Cup for over a decade. They all know it very well and have bikes set up well in advance. A few runs in practice and he'll be fully up to speed.
I reckon he's also sparing himself for worlds.
To add to everyone else's comments he could be trying to ensure a career after downhill as well. While it is definitely moving away from how it was in the first couple of years, the EWS still does have a range of retired ex-DHers. Sam can't keep racing at the pointy end of DH forever so getting a few good EWS results now might keep some doors open.
I think the risk/reward (accident/race fitness) for Sam is higher doing EWS than doing a downhill race. He simply needs time on the bike and to get back to full fitness and he will be the force that we know he is...it isn't like he has forgotten how to ride a bike like a freak.
I don't think for a minute that anyone doubts his ability, but as it stands, the difference between 1st an 30th in a WC DH event is 2/5ths of fuck all.... but heres hoping he finds that last 1% !
Could be some pressure from the sponsors, as far as bike sales go enduro bikes are where the market is currently. There aren't many followers of the sport who aren't talking about Sam's second place.
Great news - the only possible thing to change is it might have been better done at Mt.St Anne, being his home country.
Something will DEFINITELY be done at St Anne as well.
They might be happier to do it as he'll still be top 20 this round while he'd have dropped outside that by MSA. There's less bending of the rules so they can justify it to the by the book roadie department of the UCI.
http://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/Loic-Bruni-Breaks-Collarbone-Will-Miss-Several-Races,9209
Holding hopes for Mick after Cairns.....
Haha, how do those words taste? :fish:
fine washed down with a cold beer. :flame:
