First of all, I think that none of the above should replace 4x, 4x as far as show it was best event always for the average spectator, second very poor excuse for UCI to say that are a pulling the 4x event in general from the WC circuit due to it is not environmental sustainable, that is bull shit, it just proofs that in such organization there is mismanagement and that they could care less about the sport and athletes themselves, Personally I went to the UCI Pan-American championship in Guatemala in 2010, and it is absolutely remarkable how well done and detailed the 4x track was, the community of a small town in a developing country, built the track without cut down a single tree. For such a construction they involve local authorities that closely oversee the construction process keeping in mind to hold and event that could meet Raider, uci, spectators expectations without harm the environment, that was the main goal over the event itself, then they are a beautiful example the that proofs the UCI is just thinking as every other corporation, they want to maximize income with out to move a finger, because they don’t get themselves involve in a single part of the set up of the event itself, but when it comes to charge money to stamp the uci logo on the event, they appear, whether the event set up meets the requirements or not, ho once they charge there we go we have an UCI approved event!
Personally I have seen the construction of 3 different 4x tracks in 3 different parts of the American continent, and in general I have seen a bunch of volunteers, raiders locals businesses, local authorities including environmental authorities involved in the developing of the given event, and guess what not a single UCI official, aporting, supervising or giving ideas to garantie a good event, they always come one day before the race, make one or two suggestions and if the local track builders do not implement the changes suggested, haaa it is still doable, even though they could harm 5 or more raiders, when they charge their fee and everything is good ready to go and UCI approved! It met all the requirements including the check for the UCI fee most important part of the event.
Then and the last part of my comment, when it comes to environmental impacts, there are more than one way to measure the environmental impact of a given activity and so far I went to the UCI web page and I could not find a single report to back such decision, there is not a single study, report linked to the case of a track construction where they mention environmental impact related damages, if somebody can help me to find one I would really appreciated it!
To summarize, UCI is more focus in profits, than cycling disciplines itself.
Extremely poor and lame decision what they have made; they do not have information to back it up!
And from the common sense point of view, extremely poor way to deal with problems and fix them, maybe they have to change one or more official because is proven that they don’t do anything.
That sounds like a great idea. With the elimination of 4X the UCI can focus it's time and money on better DH races and courses just like riders are. Consider also that it wouldn't necessarily have to be strictly a 4X series. On different weekends at different venues, you could mix up Dual, 4X, giant slalom, Short course DH, etc. for an overall, howsabout let's call it "Sprint Cup" title.
Funny that you mention that Piper! During a small round table w/ some 4X racers, DHers, and team/industry folks at a World Cup (MSA IIRC), myself and Sam Hill proposed a similar idea of having a global 4X WC series in the "off season", held it locales that might be too flat for a DHI event but could host a 4X event. Perhaps places that are too hot in summer but might have great winter climates (such as Florida, SoCal, TX, AZ) and have good MTB scenes. Perhaps also in urban centers or small stadiums, or even in cities like is done with the popular events in S America. This could be the DH equivalent of cyclocross for roadies; something done off major season which would develop a rabid following. Maybe be the "destination" events in the off season to go to and party and escape the snow.
This idea was summarily shot down by the 4X riders and team managers in attendance...
UCI ought to do a 'gated racing' winter series and move events closer to urban centers. Having it during the offseason for DH would allow all the guys with real bike handling skills (that often make for more exciting racing/passes) to participate.
Why would anybody want to stop 4X? In my opinion, DS would be like 2X, meaning 4X with 2 riders iso 4! Race day would be twice as long, so less attractive to watch. Changing it by anything else would mean no more discipline with this much body contact and excitement in a less then a minute race! For those who think 4X is 26" BMX why not stop BMX then if there's a trend for bigger wheels in everything?
What makes anyone think that more DH racers would compete in DS at World Cup events? It seems like racers are so focused on training and preparing for a specific type of racing that they are not willing to risk injury or waste energy to race another event just because its on the weekend schedule. I see pros racing different events at non WC venues like the US Open but there is just too much on the line at WC level.
How dare vital even put super d and enduro as the same. Euro style enduro like the French and Italians have been doing for YEARS is NOTHING like lame ass USA style Super D (XC). Really you guys should know better.
If ever anyone can do a Fred Glo or Enrico organized race they should.
if the venue can support both dh and slopestyle then why not? they're the two most highly viewed/followed disciplines anyway. i think any of the other pseudo-dh disciplines would fizzle out like 4x did anyway.
Enduro. Not that lame Super D you've got in the States,where most races are won by hardtail riding/lycra wearing XC riders.
Check out French or Italian Enduro races to see what I'm talking about,that's real mountain biking,not the 26" BMX racing World Cup 4X has become.
While my heart says DS, my head says slopestyle! If the UCI & FMB can work together to build event at same venue, on same weekend of a DH/XC World Cup then I think it's a big win for all of the fans, the media, & the athletes. That is something that can help progress the sport. (Just don't let the UCI rule the slopestyle...yikes!)
The void should remain unfilled so the UCI can't ruin something else with arbitrary rules. However, DS would be amazing because everyone would race it - provided it was not too insane i.e. DH'ers and XC'ers (yeah, why can't they both compete?) could still throw down without relative concern for the main show.
But, in the end, I think less is more with this decision and it saves a lot of time and money. Because of this decision, new venue options may arise as well, who knows.
Bummed for a lot of the racers who got stiffed on a career and all the fun though.
Patricio_Mercado
9/24/2011 8:40 AM
First of all, I think that none of the above should replace 4x, 4x as far as show it was best event always for the average spectator, second very poor excuse for UCI to say that are a pulling the 4x event in general from the WC circuit due to it is not environmental sustainable, that is bull shit, it just proofs that in such organization there is mismanagement and that they could care less about the sport and athletes themselves, Personally I went to the UCI Pan-American championship in Guatemala in 2010, and it is absolutely remarkable how well done and detailed the 4x track was, the community of a small town in a developing country, built the track without cut down a single tree. For such a construction they involve local authorities that closely oversee the construction process keeping in mind to hold and event that could meet Raider, uci, spectators expectations without harm the environment, that was the main goal over the event itself, then they are a beautiful example the that proofs the UCI is just thinking as every other corporation, they want to maximize income with out to move a finger, because they don’t get themselves involve in a single part of the set up of the event itself, but when it comes to charge money to stamp the uci logo on the event, they appear, whether the event set up meets the requirements or not, ho once they charge there we go we have an UCI approved event!
Personally I have seen the construction of 3 different 4x tracks in 3 different parts of the American continent, and in general I have seen a bunch of volunteers, raiders locals businesses, local authorities including environmental authorities involved in the developing of the given event, and guess what not a single UCI official, aporting, supervising or giving ideas to garantie a good event, they always come one day before the race, make one or two suggestions and if the local track builders do not implement the changes suggested, haaa it is still doable, even though they could harm 5 or more raiders, when they charge their fee and everything is good ready to go and UCI approved! It met all the requirements including the check for the UCI fee most important part of the event.
Then and the last part of my comment, when it comes to environmental impacts, there are more than one way to measure the environmental impact of a given activity and so far I went to the UCI web page and I could not find a single report to back such decision, there is not a single study, report linked to the case of a track construction where they mention environmental impact related damages, if somebody can help me to find one I would really appreciated it!
To summarize, UCI is more focus in profits, than cycling disciplines itself.
Extremely poor and lame decision what they have made; they do not have information to back it up!
And from the common sense point of view, extremely poor way to deal with problems and fix them, maybe they have to change one or more official because is proven that they don’t do anything.
Paulo Jorge_Almeida
9/23/2011 5:14 PM
Richard_La China
9/23/2011 2:38 PM
WAKi
9/23/2011 9:12 AM
Big Bird
9/23/2011 9:03 AM
seplavy
9/23/2011 8:37 AM
Funny that you mention that Piper! During a small round table w/ some 4X racers, DHers, and team/industry folks at a World Cup (MSA IIRC), myself and Sam Hill proposed a similar idea of having a global 4X WC series in the "off season", held it locales that might be too flat for a DHI event but could host a 4X event. Perhaps places that are too hot in summer but might have great winter climates (such as Florida, SoCal, TX, AZ) and have good MTB scenes. Perhaps also in urban centers or small stadiums, or even in cities like is done with the popular events in S America. This could be the DH equivalent of cyclocross for roadies; something done off major season which would develop a rabid following. Maybe be the "destination" events in the off season to go to and party and escape the snow.
This idea was summarily shot down by the 4X riders and team managers in attendance...
Pip3r
9/23/2011 4:57 AM
david.witters
9/23/2011 3:24 AM
kjl845
9/23/2011 3:02 AM
Sven Martin
9/23/2011 1:57 AM
How dare vital even put super d and enduro as the same. Euro style enduro like the French and Italians have been doing for YEARS is NOTHING like lame ass USA style Super D (XC). Really you guys should know better.
If ever anyone can do a Fred Glo or Enrico organized race they should.
tstep
9/22/2011 9:57 PM
GnarHuck
9/22/2011 7:52 PM
BeigeWolf
9/22/2011 7:00 PM
Rbka
9/22/2011 6:52 PM
Nozes
9/22/2011 6:18 PM
Enduro. Not that lame Super D you've got in the States,where most races are won by hardtail riding/lycra wearing XC riders.
Check out French or Italian Enduro races to see what I'm talking about,that's real mountain biking,not the 26" BMX racing World Cup 4X has become.
Take note,mr UCI man.
seplavy
9/22/2011 6:05 PM
sideshow
9/22/2011 5:23 PM
The void should remain unfilled so the UCI can't ruin something else with arbitrary rules. However, DS would be amazing because everyone would race it - provided it was not too insane i.e. DH'ers and XC'ers (yeah, why can't they both compete?) could still throw down without relative concern for the main show.
But, in the end, I think less is more with this decision and it saves a lot of time and money. Because of this decision, new venue options may arise as well, who knows.
Bummed for a lot of the racers who got stiffed on a career and all the fun though.
bjenson
9/22/2011 5:20 PM
t.odd
9/22/2011 5:09 PM