Sector 3

In some tracks the final sector is almost a formality, a fast sprint into the finish that only really makes a difference to the overall standings if times are incredibly tight. Not so on a course like Val Di Sole. The big mover was Florent Payet. He came from nowhere to post the fastest time in sector three by almost 1.5 seconds over Danny Hart who rounded out his run with second place in sector 3.

Greenland was only another 0.4 second back in fourth place and so held on to second place, but Payet’s storming final sector took 2.8 seconds out of Kerr, 3 seconds from Thirion and 3.6 seconds from Minnaar and gave Payet a dramatic last gasp podium place.

Troy Brosnan’s third place time on the sector was also enough to lift him up above Kerr into fourth place at the finish. Ordinarily 5th place would have been a success for Kerr but it must be galling to have run such a consistently fast race with 5th, 4th and 8th in the sectors but still be pipped at the post for a medal at the Worlds. It still has to go down as a great performance though to come in at short notice and post a personal best result at World level on a track like Val Di Sole.

Putting it all together

Another race, another Danny Hart demolition job as shown by the heatmap. two first and a second place in the sector rankings for Hart. Laurie Greenland though really wasn’t far behind, only just behind Danny in every sector and it’s going to be really interesting to see how he develops in the coming seasons. Do we have a new dynasty of UK riders coming through just as we were starting to wonder who would replace the likes of Peat, Atherton and Bryceland?

Sector position heatmap

There’s a great what-if of how Gwin would have dealt with the rest of the course but to win you’ve got to get down the course in one piece, and there was never any chance of another mechanical miracle from the man who’s won without a chain and done a respectable time with no back tyre.

Hart’s consistency in the latter half of the season has been incredible. In the 18 sectors raced in the four races since World Cup round 5 at Lenzerheide, Hart has not been outside the top 10, and in fact has been 5th or higher in 16 of the 18!

The overall position tracker shows the tight fight for the bronze medal well. Bernard Kerr held the position at split 2 with Minnaar challenging strongly only for both of them to fall back and Payet to charge from 8th to 3rd in the course of the final 50 seconds of racing.

Overall position tracker

What a race to end a hugely entertaining season. The World Cup series ended one race too soon for Danny Hart but I’m sure a second set of rainbow stripes have mae up for it. As as long as everyone stays fit for 2017 it’s already promising to be a cracker, I can hardly wait! Thanks for geeking out on the stats with me for another year. Hopefully see you all next season!