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I know they have Chris Ball to organise and that does give some comfort but the UCI are lording it over the "talent" by telling them nothing and Discovery have no form for covering DH (or even MTB) that I can see. Saying that they have done great things for track cycling coverage doesn't give me any confidence they're not going to royally **** this up.
Happy to be proven wrong but it's not an auspicious or confidence inspiring start.
...Discovery have no form that covering DH (or even MTB) that I can see. Saying that they have done great things for track cycling coverage doesn’t give me any confidence they’re not going to royally **** this up.
Happy to be proven wrong but it’s not an auspicious start.
It's just a sport and they're a broadcaster, clearly they think they can make it work and worth their while. Odds are they will hire in the same production team(s) currently doing the live stream footage, unless they are actually RB staff (?)...
But I would guess that Discovery want a fair bit for their money too from a say in the number of rounds, to some having control over who's logo is on screen at any given moment, maybe even wanting to put pauses into the racing to allow adverts to roll if it's being broadcast? That's the kind of concession some US sports broadcasters get.
I think we have some Discovery channels included (Virgin media), but how accessible Live DH will be going forwards is an interesting question. And who would pay to view it having watched it free for about a decade? Vs edited highlights 24hrs or more later? It's a format that suits live broadcast/streaming best, but is enough interest there for people to pay to watch it live?
Dunno I think we've been spoiled for a good long while...
And who would pay to view it having watched it free for about a decade?
Sure, i'll pay... it depends how much of course... £10 a month, yeah.... £20 i'll start grumbling though.
But I would guess that Discovery want a fair bit for their money too from a say in the number of rounds, to some having control over who’s logo is on screen at any given moment, maybe even wanting to put pauses into the racing to allow adverts to roll if it’s being broadcast? That’s the kind of concession some US sports broadcasters get.
Ugh. Anyone else think of this when they read that?
Very valid to suggest @cookeaa that RB may have found their limit with it. I don't doubt that they have the resources to do it but there's no add revenue in it for them (I only ever see adverts for other RB programmes) and I doubt they have the will to bankrole the whole thing. They do tend to focus on minority sports and with the UCI lumping a lot of cycling activities together this would become unattractive. (not many RB helmets on the road/track)
And who would pay to view it having watched it free for about a decade?
Good question. As I said previously, it's not necessarily just a case of subscribing to something, you could be talking about a TV licence on top of that plus the rest of the base package if it's a cable/satellite deal. That's a hell of a lot of money I won't be paying.
weeksy
And who would pay to view it having watched it free for about a decade?
Sure, I’ll pay… it depends how much of course… £10 a month, yeah…. £20 I’ll start grumbling though.
I'll happily pay so long as it's only an amount that is representative for DH. I don't want access to an other of their sports or programming. I realise that's unrealistic and it's one (large) size fits all so I can't see me watching it live any more which will be a real shame.
With regard to the riders Union, Cathro was talking about it on the pink bike podcast after Lenzerheide (I think) and he said that membership was currently limited to the top 30 men and top 15 women (Can't remember how many juniors)
I’d imagine coverage will follow the same model as their road cycling coverage, so ad supported coverage on Eurosport alongside gated content on the app/website like GCN Plus.
If they improve EWS coverage and bundle that into a mountain bike package with DH and XC, I’d pay for it like I do GCN Plus.
Well I just had a quick look and we've got 'Discovery History' and 'Discovery 1'...
Discovery 1's Saturday morning schedule? Back to back episodes (like 3 hours worth) of "Treehouse masters"... Now I like a good Treehouse but three hours? Nah.
They've definitely got some gaps to fill in their schedule. Probably not a bad buy from Discovery's POV.
Oh hang on, its +1. Jesus they're paying to broadcast this crap twice...
I just watched an ad break that was a full 3min infomercial for a JML desk fan, a couple of discovery documentary promos an then back to the Treehouses...
They REALLY need the content.
With regard to the riders Union, Cathro was talking about it on the pink bike podcast after Lenzerheide (I think) and he said that membership was currently limited to the top 30 men and top 15 women
Yes and I think I saw this elsewhere too.
Seems a bit shit considering how deep the field is now in the men's.
Won't the top 30 men have different priorities to the other 30 or 40 riders who are right on their tails?
Seems a bit shit considering how deep the field is now in the men’s.
I think the idea is be representative - a bit like sending the union rep into the pay negotiation rather than the entire workforce.
I think the idea is be representative – a bit like sending the union rep into the pay negotiation rather than the entire workforce.
As per my previous comment, whose interests are the top 30 riders going to represent?
Those of the top 30 riders, of course.
So when it come to rules around practice times, the possibility of the field being cut in finals etc. they won't be jumping to make things better for those below them on the timesheet.
It's like if the union reps were all from the management tiers.
"He goes down like a homesick mole!"
^ I'm going to miss random Warner comments like that next year.
whose interests are the top 30 riders going to represent?
There's nothing to stop riders from lower down the order just asking question through their rep.
Ronan Dunne has probably just secured himself a factory ride / pro contract for next year . It’s those moments that I think will be a big loss to downhill if it became a closed shop .
“He goes down like a homesick mole!”
Heard that one and loved it too!
I won the prize at home. As soon as Kerr set off.
"i bet you he tells us all about his HArdline results..."
2s later "Bernard Kerr has won......." lol...
Watching/listening yesterday, he's still just as funny to listen to as ever... I just can't see how they'll get anyone in to replace him well... but i really do hope to be proven wrong. Assuming the person they get in knows about Warner... they're going to be very daunted by the proposition of taking over from him !
Another one from yesterday 😂
'he's as busy as a wasp at a picnic'
Yep, if it’s crap next year it’s an ideal opportunity for Red Bull to launch their own series with more prize money - keep the slightly dodgy free Red Bull TV coverage, keep Warner as commentary (Elliot Jackson has been good too), give more to the athletes and the UCI/discovery will be forgotten about overnight.
Another one from yesterday 😂
‘he’s as busy as a wasp at a picnic’
Came here to post this!
There’s nothing to stop riders from lower down the order just asking question through their rep.
Do you know for sure that it's a normal union, but with 45 reps?
Sure the membership isn't limited to that number?
Does DH even need the UCI?
The only exciting part if the Worlds, but AFIAUI, you don't need UCI points to take part, just the blessing of your nation's cycling federation.
Let Disc. have the World Cup whilst starting and promoting the RedBull Global Race Series. RedBull have enough riders that convincing them to take part would lead to other non-RedBull riders joining in for FOMO.
Much like Crankworx is just a bit of a sideshow now, they could push their own series and I think riders would want to race, especially if the racing is free to watch. Factory teams are in it essentially for the brand exposure. Kinda hard to expose your brand to the masses when the main event is behind a paywall.
I've watched most of the rider/media stuff on it and my main thought is this:
"Whenever I have been involved in any change management programme, if the main people it is going to affect are not being told anything (which it certainly seems they are not here), then something bad is lurking around the corner".
I was heartened to hear that Chris Ball was working on it, but (again in my experience), it doesn't matter who your expert witness is, if the guys with the chequebooks want to do something, they will. I just hope they don't remove exposure and opportunity from up and coming riders - and so rely on old sweats, then leave the 'product' (yuck) a hollowed-out shell when they're done.
I see the riders have effectively organised their 'union' outside of the usual channels (Minnaar and Pompon, I think). For me, Minnaar is the wrong guy to have as a riders rep - he's too close to retirement and doesnt have as much skin in the game as someone younger and less established.
Overall my gut feel is that this change is not going to be a good one, unfortunately.
Let Disc. have the World Cup whilst starting and promoting the RedBull Global Race Series
that is wholly dependent on if it makes advertising sense to rb. I imagine organising a whole series is a lot more expensive than just doing the broadcasting part. Then you need to get the resorts on board to host the events. I suspect it’s quite a big ask
Minaar has been rider rep for ages. It's not the same as an actual and proper union because they don't have any power as a collective.
The WC series isn't going to be superseded anytime soon, and even if ESO and Discovery **** it up, it'll most-likely get fixed again before a rival series has time to get off the ground.
Just hope they pull their finger out in communicating what they're planning and genuinely consult with the teams, riders, sponsors and even fans.
I heard the Snowshoe organisers say they are hoping to host again next year but it's still not confirmed. That is nuts and makes me worry what the **** ESO are playing at TBH.
The fear of Marty McCrossan calling XC racing on GCN is real. He is known as the "growler" amongst unhappy CX viewers who have to endure his worthless commentary. GCN have covered XC MTB before - rounds of the Swiss Cup and Marty was commentating.
He is known as the “growler”
An interesting nickname for British viewers.
So, this got dropped into a conversation this morning:
Yes, that's the correct link, read it through and you'll come to the interesting bits.
The move comes amid a change in leadership since Warner Bros merged with Discovery in May 2021. Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who recently oversaw swingeing cuts at CNN including shutting down its $300m streaming service CNN+ one month after it launched, is reportedly prioritising cost-cutting and refocusing the studio on theatrical films over streaming projects.
...
Several shows including Full Frontal With Samantha Bee, The Last OG and Chad have been cancelled since the Warner Bros Discovery merger, while a DC Comics film of The Wonder Twins that was in development has also been canned.
Now on its own thats unusual but when you can a week old streaming service, a movie in post and several series AND have a project in development with absolute radio silence it doesn't inspire confidence it'll even happen, never mind being any good.
I read the article earlier but missed the part about the Discovery merger.
Yeah, not good.
I wonder if Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav likes downhill mountain biking?
With any luck the UCI will go crawling back to Red Bull and it'll be like this was all a bad dream.
EDIT: I just Googled him. No he doesn't like mountain biking, he likes money. He really, really loves money.
With any luck the UCI will go crawling back to Red Bull and it’ll be like this was all a bad dream.
Or the UCI will be left with an un-broadcast race series* and Redbull will make their own series that, while it doesn't have a World Championship attached, will have the advantage of being watchable.
*The nostalgic part of me is actually looking forward to this. It'll be like back in the late 90s when I would wait for Dirt to publish the race reports so I could find out who won.
Or the UCI will be left with an un-broadcast race series* and Redbull will make their own series that, while it doesn’t have a World Championship attached, will have the advantage of being watchable.
I would love nothing more than for the UCI to be booted out of downhill forever but it's not going to happen. Not over the course of one off season anyway. It would take years to put together.
I would love nothing more than for the UCI to be booted out of downhill forever but it’s not going to happen. Not over the course of one off season anyway. It would take years to put together.
I don't know. Redbull could probably put something together pretty quickly if everything did fall through.
On the other hand, I can definitely see the UCI refusing to go back to Redbull and instead trying to put an un-broadcast season together or just cancelling World Cups for that year.
If it's a choice between a Redbull series and no exposure for a year I can see which way the big teams would jump.
Well, half of them don’t need to worry as the field is being cut to 30
The women have had this for years. Yes you can argue that there are less in the field but pretty sure there are enough to increase the field in the finals.
Red Bull have known about this for how many years and they have re-signed him. Are they going to expand crankworx Dh coverage? Broadcast the IXS? Start their own rival series?
This could go the way of the Liv golf series with riders being banned from UCI events like the USPGA are doing with the golfers. I have no issue with the DH riders doing this as it won't be funded by a wad of cash from a nation that has a $hitty human rights record...........well, in theory, it's all relative.
Would it be easy for RB to pump money into an existing side series (Crankworx, IXS) and bring that up to a level that makes it more popular than the UCI WC?
Use their broadcasting skills to get it out there, allow more freedom with people filming their own content (Cathro, Wyn, Kerr, etc) to get even more of a buzz about the series.
Throw in a few 'special/bonus' rounds (Hardline) and you have something that could be up and running before Disco has announced anything.
Actually, just seen on the Vital 2023 Team Rumors, Rob Warner has done some commenting on an IXS youtube video, is it a clue or a sign of the future?
Coming back to the Olympics question, i agree with Speeder, I've always seen DH as being equitable to Ski Downhil. People watch that as the big ticker alpine skiing event. Athletes enter from countries that don't have snow. Everyone has a practice run that determines who goes down the hill last. Run times aren't a million miles away for the TV piece.
Looks like Eliot Jackson's out as well:
I know many on here don't seem to like him but I think he's good. Or at least, he doesn't annoy me and provides useful insight and that's all I really want from a commentator.
Cuts seem to be the order of the day across Warner/Discovery -
https://deadline.com/2022/08/warner-bros-discovery-kids-content-cuts-1235085523/
Maybe all these cuts are so they can spend the money on the best DH coverage in the world.
I do wonder if the UCI big wigs are concerned that they have just sold to a company that has all the signs of going bankrupt/about to be bought by Disney.
I quite like Eliott Jackson . He's good on the downtime podcast post race shows and is very knowledgeable about the sport and the riders . He fits the requirements of a co commentator very well .
With no Warner or Jackson my fear is you end up with some generic commentator for hire who doesn't understand the sport or the riders .
With no Warner or Jackson my fear is you end up with some generic commentator for hire who doesn’t understand the sport or the riders .
I still remember the heady days when the 4X was shown on Eurosport and you would get legends of the sport like Cedric Garcia (not sure if he's related to Andy or not) and Brian Lopez (when did Latinos start calling their kids Brian anyway) battling it out while the commentators in no way sounded like they were trying to match numbers to names on a list while they described the action.
With no Warner or Jackson
Or Warner and Bart Brentjens for XC, they're excellent together, Rob plays the role of the "ignorant" casual viewer really well, to Bart's "expert" and he and Bart have a great rapport
In no way wishing for his retirement from racing, but Minnaar was good that time he did Hardline commentary. Could be a future career move for him?
[edit] and he has clearly turned down Red Bull's money at some point in his career. (whether that is for any reason beyond Clif/Mous offering more, I can't say) so he may not be wedded to the RB media empire, but at the same time, they haven't black listed him.
Cedric Garcia (not sure if he’s related to Andy or not)
He's not, his surname is Gracia.
and Brian Lopez (when did Latinos start calling their kids Brian anyway)
That don't, his surname is Lopes.
Dunno if that was deliberate or not, if it was well done, if it wasn't then that's very ironic.
It’s not as if Elliot is getting cut or is out or any other hyperbole. He has a contract with the outgoing broadcaster. Surprise surprise that means he leaves when they leave. Whether he can, is offered a contract, or wants to work with Discovery is a completely different question.
All the talk of RB setting up a challenger series is highly unlikely IMHO. At the moment they are the broadcaster of the event, not the event organiser. So if they want to have events then they need to fund the organisation of an event aswell as broadcasting it. I imagine this is a big job and not cheap to do. If you look at events they do organise they dont need a lot of space or facilities. Cliff diving for example just needs a high enough structure to mount the platform off. You dont need 3-4 km of track, you dont need pits etc. The athletes dont need truck loads of support equipment accommodating etc etc.
I suspect you dont see much of them in road cycling for 2 reasons
1. Sponsorship is largely a team decision and not an individual one. I know there is the odd one but that’s the exception
2. It’s a lot more expensive to sponsor a pro road team than a DH rider. The companies involved in sponsoring road cycling are multinationals spending big bucks.
I do hope that we get a great series next year to watch and the proof will be in the eating
Cliff diving for example just needs a high enough structure to mount the platform off. You dont need 3-4 km of track, you dont need pits etc. The athletes dont need truck loads of support equipment accommodating etc etc.
The tracks exist already in a number of places. How many venues have there been over the modern era of DH racing? How few make it itno the WC calendar?
In its simplest format, it just needs a ski resort with enough vertical to get at least a 3 minute track at Bruni speed. Ample space available for pits and accomodation in the off season, and lift access.
Some places manage (kind of) without these things - Lousa, Lourdes, Losinj.
Venues currently pay the UCI a fortune for the privilege of hosting a race.
Dunno if that was deliberate or not, if it was well done, if it wasn’t then that’s very ironic.
Every time I assume I'm being ironic enough that no nudgey/smiley/winky is needed someone lets me know that no, I'm not being ironic enough.
Edit to add: I'm not making this up, by the way. I remember the Eurosport commentator pronouncing their names that way.
All the talk of RB setting up a challenger series is highly unlikely IMHO.
They don't need to, they could just offer to broadcast the iXS.
I know many on here don’t seem to like him
whaat?, what's not to like? He's an experienced racer, brings massive personal insight into the current racer line up, his technical knowledge and line choice sharing is exceptional, is always happy and excitable yet brings a special kind of calm.
IMO he's probably the best of the co-hosts.
what’s not to like?
Giggling.
"oh, it's so hard" seems to be his favourite phrase.
Giggling.
haha, I see that as feel good infectious joy.. but "thats how it is"
Every time I assume I’m being ironic enough that no nudgey/smiley/winky is needed someone lets me know that no, I’m not being ironic enough.
I did wonder but gave you the benefit of the doubt. It did seem a bit too ridiculous even for here 😂
The tracks exist already in a number of places. How many venues have there been over the modern era of DH racing? How few make it itno the WC calendar?
that’s my point. There are lots of resorts with the resources to put a race on and don’t want to or it’s too expensive and not worth it. Or are you suggesting that there is a conspiracy to stop New venues holding races?
Cliff diving for example just needs a high enough structure to mount the platform off. You dont need 3-4 km of track, you dont need pits etc. The athletes dont need truck loads of support equipment accommodating etc etc.
You do know that Red Bull own not one, but two, F1 teams plus an F1 circuit, don't you? And logistics of F1 are an order of magnitude larger than anything in the cycling/Xtreme sports world....
If the UCI told riders that if they jumped ship to another DH world series that they would prevent them from competing in the World Champs, I reckon that would kill off any competitor series instantly.
that’s my point. There are lots of resorts with the resources to put a race on and don’t want to or it’s too expensive and not worth it. Or are you suggesting that there is a conspiracy to stop New venues holding races?
Or more likely they would jump at the chance if they were picked but since there is such a short series that's not going to happen since they only want the very best.
Some of them have been utter horror shows and were subsequently dropped, remember Kaprun?
There are lots of resorts with the resources to put a race on and don’t want to or it’s too expensive and not worth it. Or are you suggesting that there is a conspiracy to stop New venues holding races?
From memory - happy to be corrected - the resort/town/tourism board has to pay 100,000 euros to the UCI for the pleasure of hosting an event, or 150,000 for a combined XC and DH weekend.
in exchange, they provide the race commisaires and possibly the timing arrangements. And get to dish out UCI points and rankings to riders as they see fit. And not a lot else.
The town provides the track, the racers/teams pay to compete. In some cases the fans pay to watch live.
If the UCI told riders that if they jumped ship to another DH world series that they would prevent them from competing in the World Champs, I reckon that would kill off any competitor series instantly.
I think it would depend on whether the UCI series was going to be filmed or not.
If iXS (or whatever series) got the full RB package while the UCI series got the equivalent of what EWS has now then I can't see too many riders (and more importantly teams) being keen on the UCI series even if that meant there wasn't a World Champs.
What's the point in the rainbow jersey if no one gets to see you wear it?
I watched the EWS Show from Whistler last night. In the past, I've defended the EWS output and the presenters, but it's clear that they're trying to package everything up in a very US Sports style format. 2 talking heads, very little commentary on anyone outside the leading contenders, slick presentation format etc
If that's the route they're going down, and are probably trying to pitch to the Discovery team to use Ric and Ruaridh for EWS & DH, then I fear for next year's coverage.
I'm not a fan of the overly glossy, high production value coverage that plagues American sports. You only have to look at the great raw stuff coming from Jack Moir, Bernard Kerr, Wyn Masters etc, and the response that gets from fans. Even Cathro's newer output compared to his old, indie, trackside insight stuff, is not to my tastes in comparison.
I think it would depend on whether the UCI series was going to be filmed or not.
Maybe, I think the UCI still has massive clout in cycling sport, especially and the very pointy end of professional cycling, I think if they even if they hinted that they'd exclude riders from the rainbow stripes it would be enough to make folks think twice.
Mind you, we're well into the realms of fantasy land aren't we? But having said that here we are; August, 2 races to go, and no series dates for next year! I didn't think that would be a situation we'd end up in either.
I'm not sure a direct rival series is the best idea, it would unlikely get UCI approval, and stops riders from riding the Worlds. Another series has to be different, not a rival.
However, it's not impossible for RB, to think about a Hardline series.... which is basically Extreme/Hard Downhill. If you can get 5-6 venues, you can start to think about putting something together.
And as I've already mentioned there is a precedent; EnduroGP and the newer Hard Enduro backed by Red Bull. They're not rival events, as they're different, but both have official World championship status from the governing body. Rob was involved in the live coverage at the Erzbergrodeo in June.
Mind you, we’re well into the realms of fantasy land aren’t we? But having said that here we are; August, 2 races to go, and no series dates for next year! I didn’t think that would be a situation we’d end up in either.
Yeah, up until a few weeks ago I would have dismissed everything I've said as nonsense.
Now, with no news except for sweeping cuts at Discovery, I'm genuinely wondering if there's even going to be a WC to watch next year.
Can't imagine what it must be like for the teams.
it would unlikely get UCI approval
Honestly, if DH and Enduro had nothing to do with the UCI going forward I reckon that would be the best thing that could happen for both disciplines.
DH1 hosted by Rocky Roads.
Honestly, if DH and Enduro had nothing to do with the UCI going forward I reckon that would be the best thing that could happen for both disciplines.
Its a shame that XC gets left out here. The courses (and filming thereof), riders and skills in recent years are incredible.
With XC racer's bikes, and the recent "downcountry" trend rapidly converging, its getting closer to becoming the event that is most akin to normal people's riding.
I've got my own opinions on how short track needs altering, but otherwise, its an excellent series, and the double header weekends with the DH make for a lovely weekend of viewing. But they have further motivation for avoiding upsetting the UCI, both in qualifying for the olympics, and the crossover of athletes to road and cross racing.
You do know that Red Bull own not one, but two, F1 teams plus an F1 circuit, don’t you? And logistics of F1 are an order of magnitude larger than anything in the cycling/Xtreme sports world….
I do. But they still dont have to organise the event, find the tracks or space for the pits, agree terms with the teams so the riders actually turn up. They just have to move their own stuff around and get allocated space by the F1 and turn up. They dont have to do all the negotiation around which track, where is it, where to put the pits how to make the race commercially viable, is it safe etc etc. All of these things become
A lot of the organising of logistics could easily be passed onto each venue.
Red Bull have plenty of experience in organising events, or getting others to organise the event for them. They do Hardline, Rampage, Urban DH series and other smaller MTB events such as Foxhunt. They have experience in creating an MTB event.
If they offer an existing series the same money and media coverage as they do with World Cups, then there is even less for them to have to sit down and plan.
Plus they will get more freedom once away from the UCI, they could show more runs, offer more prize money to riders and a load of other things to make a RBDH series ohh so tempting to the established racers.
From a general perspective - what does the UCI offer downhill riders that AN Other body couldn't?
I'm not sure I entirely buy into the thought that riders wouldn't leave the UCI as they would lose access to the worlds - isn't that just the UCI ranked world champion because they won a race or series deemed to be the world championship hosted by the UCI?
If it was another body, what would stop them offering a Worlds Best or Global Championship labelled race or series, offering a slightly different shirt to the winners.
I realise the UCI has ties all over cycling disciplines, but of there is no rush or desire to get DH racing into the Olympics, does it matter that much if all the riders jump ship to a new governing body and adopt a new champion. The worlds best are generally only recognized in the fringes of their own sports anyway, so a jersey with rings or squares on it to signify the best doesn't really matter.
Of course, the problem will likely be getting enough people to jump ship. There will no doubt be a few at least that stay with the UCI as it will improve their chances of winning, even if it is a diluted field.
I'm surprised nobody has posted a link to their audition youtube reel yet. (They may have, I've not read it all)
GCN is streaming thd xco European championships on the 19th. Should give an insight into their plans for the commentary team.
If its that Marty 'welcome aboard' cx/women's road race commentator then its going to kill it for me. Can't watch either now as his clueless babble is so irritating.
Yeah, he commentates on 'cross and i'm amazed that all the top riders coincidentally have 'signature power'.
Nothing personal against him, but MTB is a different vibe to Road/CX, and needs MTB experts commentating on it. I'd be annoyed if they used a current GCN commentator for MTB coverage.
Saying that, last year in Serbia at the MTB Euros, it was Matt Stephens, and Neil Donoghue, and to be honest, Neil wasn't exactly brilliant - but then he's a Downhill expert, not XC.
As I mentioned earlier in this thread GCN covered the the Swiss MTB Cup a few years back and Marty was calling that so we have to assume he will be covering the World Cup XC MTB in future as well on Discovery/GCN/Eurosport unless they can bring someone else in like Dan Jarvis or may be Matt Payne. Matt Stephens has also called MTB events on Eurosport in the past.
Just to say, Discovery own Eurosport so it could well be put on there rather which makes more sense than the Discovery Channel.
Being on Eurosport would also mean much bigger audience reach so it COULD be good in the long term, we'll have to see.
If you watch the Eurosport adverts you'll see some DH has slipped into them.
However, there's no way they're going to show DH live on 1 or 2 when say Rolland Garros, tdf or vuelta etc are on at same time.
Did anybody else notice the push on MTB world champs at the end of the Vuelta coverage this evening. Showed a few races and had the voice over of Rob and Bart as the main overlay.
Seems a bit odd to use their commentary to such a prominent effect if they are not part of the package.
Maybe Rob is staying with Red Bull, just doing some contract work for Discovery as well !
I do wonder if the UCI big wigs are concerned that they have just sold to a company that has all the signs of going bankrupt/about to be bought by Disney.
UCI only cares that they are payed.
Honestly, if DH and Enduro had nothing to do with the UCI going forward I reckon that would be the best thing that could happen for both disciplines.
in many respects I agree
From a general perspective – what does the UCI offer downhill riders that AN Other body couldn’t?
Olympic access as you rightly say. Look at freestyle BMX, absolutely nothing to do with UCI, but because its a cycling sport had to come under UCI to join the Olympics.
In many respects if DH is not interested in going into the Olympics I think it should just **** the UCI off. There is a BMX brand called Bicycle Union keep "BMX in the hands of BMXers", I kind of think mtb could do some of this attitude. Keep MTB in the hands of the MTBrs. MTB is inherently more corporate than skating or BMX but I do wonder if it needs to have its own version of becoming more rider owned / ran. The corporates can still gain good advertising revenue but the events could do without those UCI ****s.
In many respects if DH is not interested in going into the Olympics I think it should just **** the UCI off.
The riders seem to very much like their rainbow jerseys though.