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rowdy, natural #USDH goods at Downhill Rockies in Pajarito, New Mexico this coming weekend. Check out a lap with Jeremiah Work. Race info here - https://www.trailparty.com/2024dhr-pajarito
I agree. It's certainly a negative. It's just not the UCI's fault as was implied a few pages ago. Maribor has had last minute cancellations and funding issues of this nature before.
It's Maribor's fault, iXS problem....the UCI just does not factor here, that is all.
The issue is that the UCI has stated, and we keep seeing from interviews, that the World Cups are going to get smaller. And most people agree that smaller world cups are ok as long as there is still a way to get experience and earn your way into the world cup. That is where a feeder series comes in, as many have noted before. And if there is any series that currently functions as a feeder, and would be supported by the UCI as a feeder, it's the iXS cup.
Secondly, someone outside the UCI pulled funding for this event. Yes, I understand that race series are run independently (in the US, the ProGRT national series was just a collection of locally run races). But the UCI is a big organization, and could have helped iXS negotiate with the tourism board. If they really believe in the vision of small World Cups plus feeder series, they could do more to ensure that the races happen. This could mean outreach to sponsors, outreach to athletes, help with marketing, or many other things. But what happened here is that a major venue pulled funding for an event, which doesn't help the UCI or anyone else involved in World Cup DH show that they are serious about this long-term vision.
If Maribor, which has a history of hosting big events, can't or won't hold the iXS cup races, then who will? Where will this feeder series be run? The vested parties need to work with the few venues who can hold these events to make sure this happens. Otherwise we will still get the small world cup field, with no other opportunities.
As an aside, I don't care if it's the UCI or some other party invested in the World Cup that provides the feeder series with support. But anyone who actually wants World Cup DH to succeed should be interested in helping high-level non-WC events happen. Big organizations and promoters of big events have connections and expertise to help negotiate with venues and sponsors to make things happen. They don't need to directly fund these events, but they need to offer their support.
ebikes have different rules in europe compared to north america. (I'm guessing that the other continents pick one of the first two to copy) and it is difficult to fly with them, or at least with the batteries.
Confining the series to one continent makes sense, given the euro-heavy nature of the recent EWS calendar, and the popularity of ebikes in europe, doing it there makes sense.
Do you really expect a privateer to fly to the US, ship 2 or more batteries to themselves, get their bike re-chipped to US spec especially if they have no support from a frame manufacturer just smaller sponsors, just for a couple of rounds? Making it a worldwide series would just favour the top few riders with good factory support even more.
2024 National Champs at Ride Rock Creek. PR below
Ride Rock Creek Will Host the 2024 USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships on July 31-August 4, 2024
The public is invited to Ride Rock Creek Mountain Bike Park in Zirconia, North Carolina for the Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships.
ZIRCONIA, N.C. – The 2024 USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships will take place July 31-August 4, 2024 at Ride Rock Creek Mountain Bike Park. Returning for its second year, the event will bring together the best racers from around the country to compete for coveted National Titles in Downhill, Enduro, and Dual Slalom events.
Race & Awards Schedule:
Spectators can expect four action-packed days of racing. The marquee events include:
Friday: Dual Slalom finals and awards.
Saturday: Enduro finals and awards.
Sunday: Downhill finals and awards.
The full race schedule can be found here.
General Information:
Spectators are encouraged to attend, and this event is free for all on-foot spectators. A spectator shuttle pass which provides access to the top of the mountain is available for $25 per day. Purchase your Shuttle Spectator Pass here. Waivers must be signed by all individuals on the property. View and sign the waiver here.
Parking will be available at Ride Rock Creek located at 298 W Rock Creek Rd., Zirconia, NC 28790.
Additional spectator information can be found here.
Digital:
Learn more about the event at: https://mtbnats.usacycling.org/gravity-mtb. If you would like to be added to the media email distribution list, contact communications@usacycling.org. You can find race coverage on the USA Cycling social media accounts and at usacycling.org. The official hashtag for the event is #MTBNats.
Media Credentials Information
Media interested in obtaining credentials to cover the event must apply online here.
For more information, contact Sabrina Potter at spotter@usacycling.org.
ABOUT RIDE ROCK CREEK (riderockcreek.com)
A premier downhill mountain biking destination, Ride Rock Creek currently features 5 downhill-specific trails with a variety of skill levels available by reservation for individuals and teams for practice and competition. There is a mix of natural features, jump lines and trails unlike any in the region; which are specifically designed to help you progress as a rider. Riders will enjoy a quick shuttle ride to the top on our buses with custom built, bike-specific, trailers built by our friends at Windrock Bike Park. From the top, there are multiple different options to choose from and with various connector trails riders will be able to mix and match some of their favorite trails on the mountain. An on-site adventure center serves as the hub of our park. This is where you will go to purchase or pickup your pass, rent a bike, pick out your next piece of new gear, get your bike fixed, or grab something to keep you fueled for a full day of riding! More information is available online at https://riderockcreek.com/, https://www.facebook.com/riderockcreek, and @riderockcreek.
ABOUT USA CYCLING (usacycling.org)
USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, gravel, BMX, and esports. USA Cycling’s mission is to grow participation and engagement with the sport of bicycle racing and achieve sustained international success across all cycling disciplines. USA Cycling supports cyclists of all levels and abilities, from those just beginning in the sport to international caliber athletes. The organization identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition through the support of youth and interscholastic programs, amateur and grassroots bike racing events, athlete development programs, and operational support for cycling clubs, racing teams, and event organizers. USA Cycling has a membership of 80,000, sanctions over 2,500 events annually, and is a member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
Aww man. I forgot to show up to the local race and ride down so I'd be qualified while my shoulder heals.
Now I gotta look up "50+ Cat A has beens with beer guts" qualification opportunities just so I can drive 45 minutes down the road to race Nats.
Hard life man. Hard life.
I just looked under the websites "Rules & Regulations". It doesn't say anything about having to qualify at another race to race Nationals in non-elite categories.
Did something change? I've not raced Nationals since 40+.
#USDH peeps freaking PINNED at the NW Cup Whitefish!
I couldn’t find anything about needing qualification either other than having a license for the class you want to race. Maybe turn out is too low since the last national champs I went to and they got rid of that provision?
https://d31phgno5jnghy.cloudfront.net/mtbnats/documents/2024-Gravity-MT…
This is all I can find.
You didn’t have to qualify last year in DH to show up and race at Nats for non-elite categories.
OK. Well, I guess I better update my licenses.
Please don't let me hurt myself.
News just in…….Due to weather conditions the elite race has been moved forward and the junior race has been cancelled.
heya team,
Any links to live streams?
Meanwhile in the Specialized pits:
You don’t need to qualify for pro either and have never needed to. It’s the only reason I raced pro instead of going down to Cat 1 30 a few years ago when I raced Nationals after several years of not racing. I’m trying to determine if I should re up the wildly expensive UCI license or down grade to masters for this year if I can sort out rentals and flights for the weekend.
How many WC podiums does Minnaar have now? (I bet he has more podiums than most of the field has finals starts...)
Not a bad lineup for Crankworx Whistler
Works a lot better calendar wise this year, should be some good racing on that track.
Australian Cycling Team (Elite Downhill) for the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships has been selected.
Couple of takeaways, Troy Brosnan, who is expecting his first child around the time of the event, was selected to contest his 14th World Championships should circumstances allow him to compete. While Mick Hannah was an automatic selection after his win at Oceania’s, where he will also play a major role as a team leader and mentor for the junior riders.
Elite Men
Kye A’Hern (Canberra Off-Road Cyclists)
Troy Brosnan (Inside Line Inc)
Jackson Connelly (Jindabyne Cycling Club)
Oliver Davis (Albury Wodonga Mountain Bikers Inc)
Jackson Frew (Canberra Off-Road Cyclists)
Luke Meier-Smith (Manning Great Lakes Tip Riders)
Remy Meier-Smith (Manning Great Lakes Tip Riders)
Mick Hannah (Cairns Mountain Bike Club)
Elite Women
Sian A’Hern (Canberra Off-Road Cyclists)
Elise Empey (Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club)
Ellie Smith (Greenvalleys Mountain Bike Club)
Jnr Team was announced last month.
Junior Men
Zac Bradley (Alpine Cycling Club - VIC)
Rye Carlyon (Red Hill Riders MTBC - VIC)
*Mitchell Claxton (Fat Tyre Flyers - VIC)
William Ireland (Hunter Mountain Bike Assoc – NSW)
Cooper Northey (Alpine Cycling Club – VIC)
Carter Sloan (Coothaa MTB Inc – QLD)
Patrick Ward (Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers Inc – VIC)
Junior Women
Sacha Mills (Outlook Riders Alliance Inc – QLD)
Elleni Turkovic (Garrigal Gorrials Inc – NSW)
* MITCHELL CLAXTON SELECTION IS SUBJECT TO MEDICAL CLEARANCE
Does anyone know if there's an entry list available for the European DH Champs yet? Sounds like there could be some top names there this year.
There are two separate rider registration systems; one for national teams and one for individual racers, so we'll probably be waiting until the week of the race before we see anything official.
awesome if that lineup happens, but i‘ve my doubts AG‘a gonna race
He can just do park laps on it. Since it's not World Cup he can lap it.
Pretty sure he's riding, just not at "bomb hole compressions" pace yet.
So...this is more general than Les Gets, but anyone ever try the Risk Racing remote control Roll Offs. In moto, you can pull a tear off or tug a roll off over jumps & on straightaways.
But in DH, you're never in the air that long. Would be far better for a DH racer to push a button than risk a hand off.
https://riskracing.com/products/the-ripper-motocross-goggle-roll-off-sy…
Is Jesse Melamed finally getting on a DH bike??
I am so surprised we dont see these being used by all WC riders, with the way Dak was FAFin about with his tearoffs. I didn't know a company even made one so I was thinking I should make one with a little bluetooth module and little motor.
I thought some companies gave it a go a couple of years back but they worked so badly everyone went back to tear offs, maby with more reliable devices now they would work better.
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