UPDATE August 14, 2013
Fabien Barel has now issued the following statement regarding the incident. Let us know what YOU think of this whole thing in the comments section below.
We were lucky enough to ride and race this weekend in the homeland of Mountain biking.
5 stages, of which 4 out of the bike park, made us discover a different face of whistler. The terrain was really technical and proper to all-mountain bikes. A really good & diverse course design made up really good racing on a fantastic loop around the valley.
Unfortunately a misunderstanding between Canyon's team management and the race organizers around the rules applied during the training sessions brought Fabien into dispute after he was issued a 5mn penalty. The definition of shuttling in during the training period (Friday and Saturday) has not been properly defined in writing to everyone and the Organisation considered shuttling as driving around the valley. Several riders have been reported as doing so, and even one rider has been caught directly by Crankworx management and sent back to the village (without consequences). Fabien did not feel the situation was handled properly by the organization as there was a lack of definition and no proof beside Fabien's forthcoming honesty regarding the fact that there was a lack of clarity in the rules applied.
" I have been honest and clearly mentioned to the Organisation that I did drive 1.5km from my apartment down to creek side with my car on highway 99. At first, I did accept the facts especially if it was a misunderstanding from my team manager but then I realized that the case of many other riders had been simply overlooked. There is no written rule about shuttling or driving around anywhere from the organisation and there is no way to shuttle up the stages in whistler as they are in the middle of the mountain." Fabien says." The EWS is a new series that is building its professionalism and ruling event by event. I have been the first one to help develop it to keep the spirit of Enduro and Fair Play for all riders. I just feel that Organisation has made an example of me to create fear among the others of what could happen but I do not agree with this type of procedure!"
Despite this added pressure on his shoulders, Fabien still raced 100% on Sunday to get a 3rd place overall by taking 3rd, 3rd, 1st, 4th, 2nd place in the stages respectively. The 5 minute penalty has of course had a huge impact on his ranking bringing him down to 49th place.
" I still really enjoyed the weekend and the Organisation has been doing a great job on the course. The loop was a real enduro... "
UPDATE 8-10-13, 11:45pm PST
Race Director, Chris Ball sent this message below:
UPDATE 8-10-13, 9pm
Check out Adam Craig's response to Lopes
UPDATE: We have received the following information from the race organizers:
Following an incident during yesterday’s official training, Fabien Barel has been assigned a 5 minute time penalty for a violation of the Outside Assistance Rules.“Based on all of the evidence available and following both Fabien and his team’s cooperation, the Chief Of Course has assigned Fabien a 5 minute penalty that will be attached to his overall time in tomorrow’s event,” says Crankworx General Manager and EWS Board Member Darren Kinnaird. “The EWS and Crankworx have worked tirelessly to ensure that we establish an ethos of fairness, mutual respect and equality between all competitors. Because of this, it is critical that we are diligent about enforcing our rules as effectively as we can. We would like to remind all athletes and teams to attend rider briefings and obey Crankworx Outside Assistance Regulations.”
As of now, no further information is available regarding other riders mentioned on Brian Lopes Twitter feed:
A quick check of the rulebook reveals a categorical statement about shuttling not being allowed (and leading to DQ if ignored):
Now, it's not entirely clear whether that rule applies to the whole event or just the race (not the first time we've seen ambiguity in how rulebooks are written up). In the absence of a clear indication to the contrary, it would have to seem like this rule applies to the whole event. Additionally, it appears that the riders were explicitly told not to shuttle at the rider briefings, hence the incomprehension as to why any offenders were not DQed at this point.
We'll keep you updated as the story develops further.
essfour
8/14/2013 10:44 AM
Alexptdmg
8/14/2013 10:44 AM
scarface
8/14/2013 10:41 AM
C.P.Tocher
8/14/2013 10:20 AM
thedeathstar
8/14/2013 9:46 AM
Let's be fair. It seems to be pretty clear the Fabien is trying to straddle the line of what the rules say as much as possible, and he's been knocked for it before. The excuse that the rules aren't completely clear will or already has run its course.
I don't think this is shuttling. At the very least the penalty should be applied to all the other riders, and the rule should be clarified in writing. Maybe the penalty is just as much letting Fabien know that the jig is up with him trying to push the limits and willful ignorance isn't vindication.
303DHmaniac
8/14/2013 9:18 AM
lev
8/14/2013 7:43 AM
Nicholast
8/14/2013 7:33 AM
It was said below and I agree; if it was stated in the riders' meeting that shuttling, even during practice to the bottom of a stage, is prohibited, that rule supersedes the written rule. You simply cannot give riders an exception to rules defined in the riders' meeting just because they did not attend, even if the new rule(s) is not written down and published. The point of riders' meetings is to verbally relay last minute changes and updates. This is common knowledge, so just attend the meeting.
As for the case of other riders doing the same during practice, that is unfortunate. Maybe they also didn't attend the riders' meeting. Maybe they thought the rule was stupid and chose not to obey it at the risk of getting caught and sent back -- not considering the possibility of a time penalty since one had not been given yet. Maybe they didn't understand the rule. Regardless, if there is proof that those other riders did the same as Fabien, they should also receive the same penalty. The fact they have not suggests there is no proof, they were not caught, or they didn't shuttle despite seeming like they did (i.e. drove to the bottom to make sure they understood the route, turned around, drove home, and then pedaled back).
It sucks that Fabien got docked, he seems like an alright fella and is dang quick on a bike, but the EWS is certain that what he did violated the shuttling rule; they were quick to assign the penalty and have stood by their decision since assigning it. Remember, the EWS is not the UCI. They are a new organization that lacks the UCI politics, was started for the right reasons, and are trying to gain a loyal following, which means pleasing the riders so they return. A negative decision like this puts their reputation at risk and that something they wouldn't do unless they had to.
scriz
8/14/2013 8:40 AM
scarface
8/14/2013 10:39 AM
scriz
8/14/2013 12:05 PM
scriz
8/14/2013 7:19 AM
EWS has already jumped the shark.

Cdale08
8/14/2013 5:47 AM
b-lec
8/14/2013 5:46 AM
onenerdykid*
8/14/2013 4:16 AM
Emil MP
8/14/2013 5:48 AM
As i understand he drove to the bottom of the stage. He had to ride/push the bike to the top of the stage! Interview with Fabien here: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Fabien-Barel-In-The-Penalty-Box-Five-Minutes-For-Shuttling.html
They should really make the definition of shuttling clear. In my head getting a lift 1.5km on a highway to the bottom of the stage is not shuttling!
Zoro
8/14/2013 7:32 AM
Creek Side is a 'sub division' in the actual village of Whistler. It's about 4,5km from the actual village. So what he said is that he drove from Creekside to Function (another sub-division located at the entrance of the Whistler area) and that he made his way up the stage through the usual trails. Hardly a penalty IMHO, as it's impossible to shuttle those trails anyway.
Teething problems with EWS, but it's all gonna be forgotten in a couple of weeks
mikkosan
8/14/2013 4:16 AM
RobHamSmith
8/14/2013 4:09 AM
Scott_Townes
8/14/2013 5:50 AM
thedeathstar
8/14/2013 9:30 AM
zo
8/11/2013 10:01 AM
Mr. P
8/11/2013 9:24 AM
Thanks Vital for updating and bringing more clarity.
Sounds like it was a communication issue.
Don't miss those boring mandatory meetings! Yikes!
P
robmanzanares
8/11/2013 8:52 AM
lev
8/11/2013 5:00 AM
MasterofStone
8/11/2013 1:35 AM
andyjr77
8/10/2013 11:57 PM