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Fort Bill being a bit of an outlier there. Maybe compare Loudenvielle 24 to Losing 2018 😂.
And on your second point. Just look at the race times on these two links.
https://www.rootsandrain.com/series1831/2024-whoop-uci-world-cup-dh/schedule/
https://www.rootsandrain.com/series899/2018-mercedes-benz-uci-world-cup-dh/schedule/
Similar or shorter duration tracks in 2018. It's clear that WB are trying to get the longer tracks like MSA or Fort Bill to be well under 5 mins for the men. But there's also clearly no conspiracy to have short, straight/easy, all sub 3 min tracks like so many tin foil hat wearers want us to believe
Is anyone else kinda rubbed the wrong way by this? I have respect for Gwin’s legacy but if we’re going to cut out privateers and make racers compete for spots at world cups, I don’t think this should be allowed. There’s fewer spots available and if Gwin can “rock up” to any world cup he wants, he’s likely taking that wildcard spot from an up and coming rider who is working their ass off for it.
Again, I love seeing him line up at races but if he wants to play the game I think he should play by the rules.
I am. Definitely want to see him race and win, frankly. But I do not like special exceptions unless there is truly some crazy need. For all we know now, he cannot win, and like any great, his time is up. Should have to prove like all others it is not.
Are you sure his team wasn't given wildcard entries for specific rounds?
Gwin is currently still ranked in the top 50 which I believe gets him automatic status, but I think he easily meets the wildcard criteria of "personal status" and accounting for injuries in previous seasons too. The guy is a 5 time overall winner and in the top 3 race wins of all time, so I'm OK with them making an exception for that! WBD gets a lot of hate for their decisions but I feel like this is one of the better ones....
if peaty, greg, NV, sam, or barel showed up and wanted to race, would the be granted entry for "personal status"?
to your point, i see it both ways - it gives them the option/leeway of admitting certain high profile riders who otherwise might not make the cut per the rules, but the counterpoint is that the decision making doesn't seem very transparent, which has the potential for abuse
Potential for abuse?
#FeatureNotABug
You’re entirely ignoring the other avenues for entry, which have been clearly outlined from the start.. if you fail to acknowledge these then what’s the point of even having this conversation?
Also agree, whilst hardline Wales is debatably “scarier” and more exposed I think it makes for significantly worse racing than the Tasmanian event; I do wonder how long the hype can continue for the events without having a constant stream of competitive racers enter. There’s only so many times I can watch Matt jones hit a massive jump for the first time before it doesn’t feel like its the first time… the Wales event has sadly been recycling the same riders and somewhat same course through for so long that I find it hard to know if when watching the YouTube build up of the event if im even watching footage from the current year.. they have built the series around it being so dangerous that it may actually be the thing that ruins the event, with the timing of the event and the increased demands of the World Cup circuit it will surely decrease the number of teams that are happy sending their riders - I definitely dont expect everyone to agree with this take, I love all forms of racing.. but the only thing ill be excitedly watching for in this years hard lines wales is Dan Booker doing Dan Booker things.
If they let someone like Sam Hill enter at the cost of an upcoming rider fighting for a spot then I would definitely have an issue with that, but otherwise I wouldn't have a problem with granting an extra entry for certain "legends" being able to turn up - it would bring more attention to the race and I feel like those people have more than proven they wouldn't be showing up just to make up the numbers. Who's going to complain if Sam Hill was given a spot - look how much attention he got at hardline! I certainly wouldn't, especially someone like Sam who was left high and dry by the industry so the ability to race as slightly taken out of his hands in the last couple of seasons.
It would be pretty easy to make the criteria very black and white so any past world cup overall winners or world champions can enter and leave it at that. I know Golf (ok not a great comparison) has special rules that winners of certain Majors get automatic entry to all events for a number of years, then also that event (like the masters) for life. They still have to qualify on the weekend but even some of the old guys have made very respectable showings and made the cut over dudes half their age! Makes for great viewing without detracting from the event in any way in my opinion
No Hard MTB League events this year
I don’t think he can rock up to any event he wants. But he’s podiumed ride rock creek which is a qualifier. So that’s at least one race he is qualified for. And I believe per the rules there is plenty of ways he can qualify to do a qualification run thru wbd/eso approval.
If you can name racers he’s taking a spot from who are beating him here domestically or at other wc rounds who aren’t getting in while he is my tune would change. But I also don’t think Aaron is gonna stick around world cupping unless he is competitive and thinks he can win. So I think it’s a mute point anyways.
That's a bummer, I was really looking forward to this series. Hopefully they can pull it off later, this kind of racing is really what mountain biking needs, exciting races that can be held in places with less elevation generally
Sorry to be that guy, but it's "moot" point.
First round of the ewsdr or whatever they are callling it this year next weekend and the course map has been released. Around 100km and 3100m of climbing over 2 days so looks like they are going back to bigger days out again.
Has anyone done any speculative math on the elimination of rider protection?—like who would’ve placed where the last couple of seasons if they were under the new rules? It’d be hard to filter out race strategy but I guess obvious ones like riders who just broke the beam to nurse their injuries to the next round etc
I think protecting Bruni is better than telling Bruni a race is more important. Dude is the ultimate win-when-it-matters guy. Lock-in king. Season sweep incoming.
And I agree Hardline’s not a real race.
Pro Downhill Series podcast for Round 2, Mountain Creek. Can't wait to be out there watching wheels get hammered by the unrelenting rocks in Jersey!
The 2025 season of ‘Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series presented by Continental Tires’ kicked off in epic fashion at Ride Rock Creek in North Carolina. Host, Lars Tribus is back in studio with series General Manager, Clay Harper, to break down the action from Round 1, discuss team commitments and announce permanent number plates. Plus, local legend and Trail Crüe Boss, George Ryan, calls-in to give the update for Mountain Creek Bike Park and puts up a heavy bet as Round 2 approaches.
Experience the action at Mountain Creek in New Jersey, May 8 - 11, 2025. Round 2 roll-call looks like Gwin, Mulally, Van Steenbergen, Wallace, Silva, Grice, Kitchen, Suetos, Skelton, Ostgaard, Leaneagh, Lan, Scott and more. Bring your bike, bring your friends, bring your Mom (because Mother’s Day - duh), bring the energy and we’ll see you there!
00:00 Intro & Round 2
01:35 Official Series Partners
04:08 Road 2 Recovery Support
05:41 On-Track School Affiliation
09:20 Permanent Number Plates
14:02 Round 1 Recap, Ride Rock Creek
19:50 SR Suntour Holeshot Winners
22:05 Committed Teams for 2025
24:57 Round 2 Outlook, Mountain Creek
26:37 George Ryan Calls In
36:14 Confirmed Athletes, Round 2
42:30 PDS CRÜE Cinco de Mayo
43:35 Course Marshal Benefits
47:08 Round 3 at Solitude, UT
49:44 Round 4 at Big Bear Lake, CA
52:20 Lars Calls-out the Old Dogs!
54:30 CRÜE is Family
56:48 Content Goals, Subscribe!
Hopefully not the downtime guy. He’s PAINFULLY dull.
I don't know any exact stats or have any data. But I know looking at roots and rain that both Nina Hoffman and Greg Minnaar used Thier protection status slot over the last few seasons.
Really looking forward to seeing how it all works out. Especially when a top racer has to go back up the hill for Q2
Has anyone seen anything from WBD about broadcasting the LCQs?
I have not. I am assuming there will be a interview/highlights video and maybe a livestream from the finish area. But it would certainly be cool if the fans get a broadcast. But I imagine if they were planning on broadcasting it they would be plastering it on their press releases.
Lots of monotone lovers here I see. He’s great but you need someone who has emotions not just the most bland monotone voice. Aka rob
I'm betting Dakota Norton is gonna be in the booth.
It's me isn't it?
i followed dante, neko and luca around at windrock to see how their bike settings changed throughout the weekend.
Here's Oisin's race run from the "This is a Test" event in Lousa in April, just to start building the stoke with the first World Cup of the year now only 10 days away!
Eastern States Cup highlight reel from Powder Ridge CT - looks like a hoot!
Where is the Inside Line when we need it?
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