All

I like your math and see your point. €40k in the scheme of pro sports is nothing. Costs more than that to bring most pro teams to each game. But it’s a huge cost in the MTB world where some riders are paying to be there and some of the manufacturers are small companies (Frameworks, Atherton, Forbidden, Propain, NS, Intense). Have to reckon the cost is an attempt to pull in large corporate sponsors. I don’t see how it works. It’s not like Commencal and Trek can just glom all their teams together into one mega team. And I’m skeptical...

I think this is more interesting than the rumours😅, especially as all the rumours are nearly done. Agreed that Red Bull run events as a marketing tool, so yes there are clear differences to UCI World Cup but the ethical considerations still a valid comparions because while WBD run the WC for the UCI there is zero obligation to leave WC open to all entrants, imagine that same scenario in motorsport or alpine skiing. From a safety and welfare standpoint alone that wouldn't be allowed. WBD have a mandate to run a professional race series for the best in the...

Biathlon not joining skiings version of the UCI, is touted as key to their success, flexibity to make changes. Investing in a great TV production and sharing profits to smaller teams/countries. You could argue getting a big check from Discovery and only charging Norwegians is arguably growing the sport with profit sharing. UCI (FIS)of skiing is trying to copy this model right now, with the big ski nations threatening to take their ball and run away. Bloated disinterested federations taking short term profits to keep afloat is a real threat. Downhill and Biathlon are both rad, hope they stay around...

Hatherley joins Jayco World Tour road team and will be combining road and MTB. Riding Giant in XC.

yes, same here, I think it's stupid not to come out with news. same as with sponsors/partners but then I think about who's planning to buy a new bike/helmet/stuff because they saw riders/teams use it this season. I think brands, some brands, prefer to wait until last minute to announce changes, so that customers/buyers still buy the products they saw teams/riders use.

Apparently, Haterly and Andreassen are out of Cannondale factory for 2025...

My comment wasn't a mix of xc and DH or EDR. It was that a DH team would need to cover three of the four categories in DH. One male, one female and say a jr male. Or a team could be Female, Jr Female.and Jr Male. Pick three of four.

Should be mandatory that teams compete in minimum of three categories. Would be great for development to see all the big teams needing to take on a jr male or female.

Am mostly surprised by the Bjorn Riley to Scott rumor. I thought he was going to stay with trek and go to the main factory team but maybe he doesn't want the number 2 treatment behind Riley Amos?

" Unfortunately they understand that WBD have no plans to come back to Australia in the near future." This unfortunately, WBD are only interested in return/profit from viewers eyes and money. Any racing in the southern hemipshere costs thema huge amount of money to cover and hence less profit. Our best bet locally is to build up an Aust/NZ series that rivals the French Cup and be content with that for the time being. At least that will give a good launch pad for the local guys wanting to step into teh limited spots that WC racing will have in...

Andreassen to Orbea. Orbea 2024 line up all out. Lapierre 2024 line up all out. A lot of move on the xc side.

Top 15 teams already know, wildcard teams will be informed of events 6 weeks in advance as that's plenty of time for them to get everything in place if they're invited to attend. 🤣

Wide-open's last paragraph says it all: As a pre-calendar, this is all likely subject to change and has perhaps changed already Never a truer word said

It's expensive to bid, it's expensive to run and the coverage/returns are just not worth it. You used to have to run 2 lower level events before you could be considered for a Wc.

My guess is, its both, teams and organizers (WBD/UCI etc.). All of the major teams have their stock of parts, bikes and such in Europe. If I remember correctly from last year, wasn't even specialized running low on some parts when they had Snowshoe and MSA world cups? Tells something if an American brand is running low on home soil.