Awesome. Lawyer up! I can think of a handful of legal problems with UCI's rule, including anti-trust issues. I don't know about "inalienable rights" though - everyone has the right to tell UCI to get bent. But, there may be other common law claims, like tortious interference with economic prospects, invalid non-compete agreements - all kinds of interesting stuff.

There was no contract and that may have been part of the problem. There was only a letter of intent, which is not binding. An LOI is a nonbinding gentlemans' agreement setting forth basic contract terms and confiming seriousness in entering into a binding contract. They are often used to confirm real interest in a deal before undertaking an often lengthy and expensive due diligence period. Bottom line is that a LOI is typically unenforceable against either party. If Whitley sues, he'll very likely lose. Besides, his only possible remedy is damages - you can't force someone to work for you in the US, nor can you prevent them from earning a living at their trade - both unenforceable. Whitley better start listening to his lawyers or he is going to make a fool of himself.

Gwin - 3:32.80
Rachel Atherton - 4:05.50

Maybe...but if I were Gwin, or his sponsor Shimano, I sure wouldn't want to bash the product due to an "inexplicable", high publicity failure if that's not what actually happened. That doesn't look good for the sponsor at all, and Gwin hasn't been shy about saying he just 'blew it' in the past. Just sayin

Gwin: 2:19.17
Atherton: 2:44.90

No kidding - every venue is in Europe except MSA. Nothing against Europe, but come on - throw us a bone. Just for that, I hope Gwin sweeps it and Neko, Rude, Strobel, Warren and Jackson (and every other US rider) all start crushing the top 20 and creep into the top 10 - not that I wouldn't root for that anyway.

No U.S. venue? That's total crap.