Hot, Nasty Speed - Loudenvielle Race Recap | Vital’s B Practice Podcast

The second round of the 2025 World Cup from Loudenvielle, France, produced some of the fastest racing we"ve seen in recent memory and was (somehow) filled with more funny drama than the first round in Poland. But it turns out a dry, straight track makes for iconic Hail Mary race runs, and the UCI/Warner Bros/Discovery not knowing how to enforce their own rules makes for good podcasting banter. We had fun this week chatting about the ongoing #polegate disputes, Dak"s panic after watching racing from the sideline and rushed last-minute prep before Leogang, the Henry Keifer situation, the Stan Nisbet situation, Ronan showing why we ride with tires on our rims, track safety and the need for more turns, and most importantly, the tightness of riding pants.  We have been treated to some iconic racing thus far this season, and Leogang this weekend will surely be exciting. Now let"s just hope our co-host-extrodinare can make it past Q2!  0:13 - The Dak Update 3:10 - Dak"s panic from watching people ride in Loudenvielle 6:05 - UCI trying to copy our post-race show 9:05 - More insight into Dak"s prep before Leogang 14:13 - Has the field gotten faster this year? 16:30 - #polegate again 17:50 - Henry Keifer"s start hut pit stop 19:39 - Stan Nisbet stopped from racing 24:15 - Ronan doesn"t need tires. Or does he?? 27:45 - Track talk and how much they straightened it 29:52 - Why is everyone"s gear so tight right now 33:50 - Complaining about the broadcast again 36:00 - XC did 5 people podiums 36:28 - Complaining about rider payout again  37:03 - How many people even watch the racing these days? 41:08 - Brembo brakes 49:17 - Maxxis Make or Brake Section 52:36 - Jackson and Gracey sending it at the bottom 55:40 - Jackson"s bike setup is wild 59:13 - Junior Women"s Race Recap 1:03:15 - Junior Men"s Race Recap 1:09:43 - Elite Women"s Race Recap 1:13:43 - Elite Men"s Race Recap 1:22:00 - radial tire gossip  1:24:37 - Dak"s tire choice for Loudenvielle 1:27:07 - Gwinny is back  1:30:52 - Burgtec Labour of Love 1:33:10 - Reece Wilson saying tracks are too straight, fast, not technical enough 1:35:49 - Jackson"s average speed in his race run 1:41:12 - Thoughts on Leogang track 1:43:34 - Who"s gonna be fast in Leogang