It’s the people behind the scenes at the World Cup who you only really notice at second glance. Because when a racer arrives at a World Cup, it’s not just them who determine success or failure. Alongside mechanics and team managers, who ensure everything runs smoothly during their stay, so-called line scouts are also called upon.
Line scouts or line coaches search the terrain for the fastest line and pass on tips to the racers. Florent Payet, himself a long-standing downhill racer, is one such person. He selects lines for the Scott Factory Team. Our reporter Holger Meyer spoke to Flo.
Interview: Holger Meyer
Interview: “You need an eye for speed”
Flo, you’re a line scout for the Scott Factory Team – what does your job involve?
That’s right, I’m a line coach. So my job is to spot the fastest lines through technical terrain. But I also offer support with technical queries and share the experience I’ve gained from 19 years of World Cup racing.
How important have line scouts become in the World Cup, and why don’t the racers choose the fastest lines themselves?
It’s very important. The tracks are getting more and more extreme and faster. The times are getting closer and closer; tenths of a second can make the difference between a podium finish or just a top-10 place. Or, in qualifying, whether you make it to the final or not. Choosing the right lines on the track plays a crucial role here. The racers are focused on their own performance and don’t have an outside perspective. You need to realise that training time is limited. Everything has to be just right here.
What makes a good line scout?
Experience. And an eye for speed. We have an outside perspective; we time training sessions with a stopwatch, compare results, weigh up the options, and then offer tips and perhaps suggest a different line. We also use specialised apps for this. But of course, one line choice won’t suit every rider. The rider must decide which line makes the most sense in the final race. This is where the human element comes into play.
You mean a good relationship with the racers?
Definitely, it’s not just about trust, but also about raising their awareness. There are riders – both men and women – whom I tend to advise to take a smoother line, even if it isn’t the fastest. But in the final, they have to give it their all; in that situation, it often makes more sense than choosing a risky line and then faltering there.
Does every racing team have line scouts?
Yes, all the professional teams. Two, in fact. No more than that are allowed. Some simply reassign their media staff to act as line scouts. They then stand elsewhere along the track, gathering information and offering advice. The sport has become so professional – if you want to be up there with the leaders, you don’t just need a fast rider, but also a well-oiled team behind him.
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