So today UCI announced which countries are heading to the Olympics and how many riders they can take. A few where obvious and a few countries that left some people think how? South Africa and Indonesia both claim a spot.
So we thought it would be a good idea to come up with a fantasy selection process.
Shaun Issitt’s Selection.
Most of these countries picked themselves. USA and Holland could take more than 3 riders but I’ve gone with the those three.
France I was torn between Andre and Rencurel but went with Andre despite Rencurel’s performance at the World Champs. Andre has made a few semi-finals this year at the World Cups so I feel he has more experience. But I’ll probably be proved wrong.
With Switzerland blanc could have been in the mix but you can’t look past Graf after his performance at the worlds last year and some this year.
Venezuela I went with Milano, he’s young (a lot younger than Suarez, who is 34 this year). It will be a good experience for the youngster.
South Africa will take Dodd, I was hoping Sifiso was on the scene as he was the only rider I knew from SA.
And finally the one who will annoy a few people is the Indonesian rider Syarifudin who qualified because of some relocation rule. The guy raced in Colombia getting 6th, 6th, 6th in his motos (Out of 6 by the way). Just to add insult to injury he was also 10 seconds behind the guy in 5th. Thats got to annoy some fast riders out there.
Dan ‘Boota’ Sobutta’s Selection
Not too many surprises in my picks, although picking the 3rd French rider I believe should be on the plane was très difficile. Fan favourite Silvain Andre took a harsh digger out the front door in the TT in Colombia keeping him out the race whilst Jeremy Rencurel took it all the way to the big show landing a 4th…so it would be a kick in the balls to not be on the plane after just turning out such a good performance at the Worlds. Rencurel’s vastly improved form has been the subject of many a Whatsapp group chat in the past two weeks…but that’s none of my business.
Renaud Blanc should be there instead of Graf, because of recent performances i.e 3rd at Manchester World Cup and making the semis at Worlds…and the fact he’s not a bellend.
Matty Cameron booked his place in my eyes for NZ after a stormer at the Worlds, doing it for the old boys!
The arse has fell out of the German squad in recent times, meaning that Julian Schmidt should be on his way. Brethauer was DQ’d apparently at the worlds meaning Schmidt was the only German to reach the 1/4s.
Many of the countries that have qualified one rider are sending utter garbage, christ knows why we need motofill at the O show !
As for the race – My monies on Maris for the 3peat, so he can retire with his smoking hot girlfriend and the dogs. Joris and Liam will round out the podium. Mariana will double up in the ladies, return to Colombia to even more millions and Vincent Pelluard will be a kept man ! #notjealous
Cal Strickland’s selection
USA – 3 riders – For me this one’s easy, Long has already qualified his place, the other 2 should be Sharrah and Fields with no need for a trials race. No other American has made a world cup main for the last 2 years apart from these 3. If Connor’s injury isn’t fully right in time (not likely) I’d stick Upsheezy in there.
Netherlands – 3 riders – Kimmann and Van Gendt are the obvious top 2, it’s between Van Gorkom and Van Der Biezen for the last spot. Both coming back from injuries at the moment, I’d lean towards Biezen as he came from a string of bad results at the beginning of 2012 to being on fire in London winning the time trial and narrowly missing a medal. Maybe he could have done it again.
Australia – 3 riders – Willoughby, Dean, Turner. Juster is finding a bit of form but not enough to break into the team I don’t think, I’d put him as the reserve. It’s a shame Max Cairns has had some bad injuries over the last few years because I think he could have been up there.
France – 3 riders – Daudet and Mir are the standouts. Leaving Rencurel and Andre. Rencurel’s been storming the last few races and Andre was winning the worlds TT before his digger. I can’t choose. France should have 4 places.
Great Britain – 2 riders – Liam, obviously. I personally think Kyle and Tre should have a trial race/dance off/rap battle/fifa match to decide who gets the 2nd spot. You can’t say who would have a better chance of doing better!
Latvia – 2 riders – The Machine is my pick for the win, he’ll be focused. Treimanis has to get the other slot after his 5th at the Worlds. Krigers has been looking alright recently and thought he might be able to sneak in there, but no decent worlds result for him.
Colombia – 2 riders – 2012 bronze medalist Oquendo and Ramirez are both main makers and could put themselves right up there. No one else to consider really. Jiminez has had a good run over the last decade but don’t think he’ll make a third games.
Argentina – 1 rider – they have Marino, Villegas, Torres and Molina. 4 riders who are good enough to be there but I’d send Torres. I can just see him wreaking havoc round that Rio track.
Switzerland – 1 rider – If I was going with my head I’d say Graf, I can see him doing better at Rio than Blanc would but Blanc is so sick it would be awesome to see him get in the final. They both should be there.
Canada – 1 rider – Nyhaug is the no brainer. He is podium material of he has room to thread his way through, which he will have.
New Zealand – Trent Jones has had the most consistent results recently but Matt Cameron’s worlds performance was rad! It would be good to see a 30+er doing well at the Olympics. Jones missed the worlds with an injury so it’s another tough one where they both should get a pop.
Brazil – 1 rider – Rezende in his home country could be a huge spoiler. He can really ride his bike and with the crowd behind him I think he could sneak into the main.
Japan – 1 rider – gotta be Nagasako, he hasn’t been setting the world alight recently but it could be a different story on a track like Rio which suits him down to the ground.
Ecuador – Campo has one of the best first straights in the game when he’s on it. If he puts himself at the front he’ll have a good opportunity. Emilio Falla is the other option but with no telling results recently it has to be Campo.
Russia – 1 rider – the battle of the Evgeny’s will be won by Komarov I think! He has a nippy first straight. He just needs to hold onto it.
Germany – 1 rider – has the national team fallen apart over the last year? They used to be a 5 or 6 man team I’m sure, but I think it’s just between Brethauer and Schmidt now. Brethauer would be my pick, don’t really know why.
Norway – 1 rider – Navrestad had his first ever SX main at Manchester this year. Pretty sure he’s the only world class Norseman these days too. Not olympic medal material in my book but good luck to him.
Venezuela – 1 rider – Who the hell is Jefferson Milano? No idea but he’s fast! First saw this guy taking names at Papendal and he backed it up with a good Worlds showing.
South Africa – 1 rider – I think it was Kyle Dodd who qualified SA’s spot. By rights he should be going, fair play!
Denmark – 1 rider – a few to choose from – Laustsen, Therkelsen, Andreasen, Christensen.. Chris looked like he was coming into some form but didn’t get selected to race the Worlds. He would probably have been my pick. Leaves Laustsen as the logical pick.
Indonesia – 1 rider – literally no idea. Not sure how they got the wildcard spot when Italy could have sent someone like Riccardi who could do alright!
Molly Dobson’s Selection
If you would like to get involved with the selection process, simply download the spreadsheet, fill it in and send it to bmxhype@hotmail.com
Who you taking?