World Cup downhill champs
Discussion
Not great timing, given the season ended a fortnight ago but anyone else into the UCI DH?
I'm a great fan of the racing & particularly enjoy the build up to race day from track walk to quallfication. Especially since it's a comparatively minority sport that sees lots of teams & riders hustling themselves & producing videos lifting the lid on race week. The attraction for me is the obvious jeopardy & admiration for riders putting their bodies on the line but also the camaraderie between riders racing against the clock, often with thrilling results down to hundredths of a second.
Then there's Rob Warner, or at least there was. No idea who comes next but huge shoes to fill.
I'm a great fan of the racing & particularly enjoy the build up to race day from track walk to quallfication. Especially since it's a comparatively minority sport that sees lots of teams & riders hustling themselves & producing videos lifting the lid on race week. The attraction for me is the obvious jeopardy & admiration for riders putting their bodies on the line but also the camaraderie between riders racing against the clock, often with thrilling results down to hundredths of a second.
Then there's Rob Warner, or at least there was. No idea who comes next but huge shoes to fill.
Yes very much so, but strangely only got into it this year. I’m not a sports fan at all, have never followed any competitions or championships but been totally addicted.
I don’t watch the Red Bill coverage as not really a big Rob Warner commentary fan but really enjoyed the excellent podcasts this year from Downtime with Neko Mullaly and Elliot Jackson and the Pinkbike ‘Bucket Boys’ with Ben Cathro. The Pinkbike and VitalMTB YouTube coverage this year was incredible too.
Genuinely nervous about next year and what Discovery will bring, as it’s been such an enjoyable experience this year. I’m really hoping the venues become more diverse in terms of more racing outside Central Europe. It’s also inspired me to buy a DH bike again after quite a while without one…
I don’t watch the Red Bill coverage as not really a big Rob Warner commentary fan but really enjoyed the excellent podcasts this year from Downtime with Neko Mullaly and Elliot Jackson and the Pinkbike ‘Bucket Boys’ with Ben Cathro. The Pinkbike and VitalMTB YouTube coverage this year was incredible too.
Genuinely nervous about next year and what Discovery will bring, as it’s been such an enjoyable experience this year. I’m really hoping the venues become more diverse in terms of more racing outside Central Europe. It’s also inspired me to buy a DH bike again after quite a while without one…
Huge fan, love watching it live early on a Saturday am before I head to the bike park that day as some inspiration.
However, now Red Bull have lost the rights and it is going to Paramount+ with the inevitable paywall next year, plus all the other changes they have made to the actual series - such as 10x the entry fee hike, slimmed down race numbers meaning less incentive for privateers, and more, plus Rob Warner confirmed as not leaving Red Bull - I'm not alone in thinking it may well tank, and as such it is totally primed for a breakaway series.
Maybe something like a Red Bull Hardline World series....lure the top riders from UCI DH, make it truly global, mega courses, more events, bigger prize money, perhaps combine it with crankworkx for logistical purposes... Could be awesome, and breaks away from the joke that is UCI
However, now Red Bull have lost the rights and it is going to Paramount+ with the inevitable paywall next year, plus all the other changes they have made to the actual series - such as 10x the entry fee hike, slimmed down race numbers meaning less incentive for privateers, and more, plus Rob Warner confirmed as not leaving Red Bull - I'm not alone in thinking it may well tank, and as such it is totally primed for a breakaway series.
Maybe something like a Red Bull Hardline World series....lure the top riders from UCI DH, make it truly global, mega courses, more events, bigger prize money, perhaps combine it with crankworkx for logistical purposes... Could be awesome, and breaks away from the joke that is UCI
Yes, it's the racing that I love but inevitably the focus is all on the switch from Red Bull. As far as I can tell, Discovery have confirmed nothing other than the 2023 venues. The rumour mill is saying huge hikes in team entry fees, start lists whittled down to 30 riders & possible expansion into South America, Asia etc.,which seem contradictory if true in the sense that placing a much larger financial obligation on teams undermines the ability to operate around the world.
On the UCI side of things, something has to give. I saw that Bernard Kerrs' prize money for coming 2nd at Snowshoe was something like £1100. No coincidence that the riders are forming a defacto union, clearly they feel their voice isn't being heard.
For my money, the slimmed down start list, if the case would be a misstep. It has the potential to strangle emerging talent. This year that would likely have squashed Andreas Kolb & Thibault Laly, both of whom got much stronger as the season went on, expecially Kolb who ended up on the podium at Snowshoe & Val Do Sole.
As for Warner, he is Marmite but for me, he's the the voice of it & I will miss him.
On the UCI side of things, something has to give. I saw that Bernard Kerrs' prize money for coming 2nd at Snowshoe was something like £1100. No coincidence that the riders are forming a defacto union, clearly they feel their voice isn't being heard.
For my money, the slimmed down start list, if the case would be a misstep. It has the potential to strangle emerging talent. This year that would likely have squashed Andreas Kolb & Thibault Laly, both of whom got much stronger as the season went on, expecially Kolb who ended up on the podium at Snowshoe & Val Do Sole.
As for Warner, he is Marmite but for me, he's the the voice of it & I will miss him.
As a photographer for O'Neal Racing and my UK team Moore Large with Roger Vieira and Douglas Viera I have a very vested interest in where we go from 2023!
2022. FORT WILLIAM. RANDOM SHOTS. (1 of 1)-11 by nessiemac1, on Flickr
2022. FORT WILLIAM. RANDOM SHOTS. (1 of 1)-4 by nessiemac1, on Flickr
2022. FORT WILLIAM. RANDOM SHOTS. (1 of 1)-13 by nessiemac1, on Flickr
2022. FORT WILLIAM. RANDOM SHOTS. (1 of 1)-11 by nessiemac1, on Flickr2022. FORT WILLIAM. RANDOM SHOTS. (1 of 1)-4 by nessiemac1, on Flickr2022. FORT WILLIAM. RANDOM SHOTS. (1 of 1)-13 by nessiemac1, on FlickrPresident Merkin said:
Not great timing, given the season ended a fortnight ago but anyone else into the UCI DH?
I'm a great fan of the racing & particularly enjoy the build up to race day from track walk to quallfication. Especially since it's a comparatively minority sport that sees lots of teams & riders hustling themselves & producing videos lifting the lid on race week. The attraction for me is the obvious jeopardy & admiration for riders putting their bodies on the line but also the camaraderie between riders racing against the clock, often with thrilling results down to hundredths of a second.
Then there's Rob Warner, or at least there was. No idea who comes next but huge shoes to fill.
If you ever get the chance, try and get to a WC and see what the courses are like for real. Fort William for 2023 hosting the World Championships will be incredible. I'm a great fan of the racing & particularly enjoy the build up to race day from track walk to quallfication. Especially since it's a comparatively minority sport that sees lots of teams & riders hustling themselves & producing videos lifting the lid on race week. The attraction for me is the obvious jeopardy & admiration for riders putting their bodies on the line but also the camaraderie between riders racing against the clock, often with thrilling results down to hundredths of a second.
Then there's Rob Warner, or at least there was. No idea who comes next but huge shoes to fill.
The top rocks section is unreal in person and watching the top riders float over the rocks is unbelievable.
World Champs is my favourite race of the year with custom bikes and kit and an even more special atmosphere.
nessiemac said:
President Merkin said:
Not great timing, given the season ended a fortnight ago but anyone else into the UCI DH?
I'm a great fan of the racing & particularly enjoy the build up to race day from track walk to quallfication. Especially since it's a comparatively minority sport that sees lots of teams & riders hustling themselves & producing videos lifting the lid on race week. The attraction for me is the obvious jeopardy & admiration for riders putting their bodies on the line but also the camaraderie between riders racing against the clock, often with thrilling results down to hundredths of a second.
Then there's Rob Warner, or at least there was. No idea who comes next but huge shoes to fill.
If you ever get the chance, try and get to a WC and see what the courses are like for real. Fort William for 2023 hosting the World Championships will be incredible. I'm a great fan of the racing & particularly enjoy the build up to race day from track walk to quallfication. Especially since it's a comparatively minority sport that sees lots of teams & riders hustling themselves & producing videos lifting the lid on race week. The attraction for me is the obvious jeopardy & admiration for riders putting their bodies on the line but also the camaraderie between riders racing against the clock, often with thrilling results down to hundredths of a second.
Then there's Rob Warner, or at least there was. No idea who comes next but huge shoes to fill.
The top rocks section is unreal in person and watching the top riders float over the rocks is unbelievable.
World Champs is my favourite race of the year with custom bikes and kit and an even more special atmosphere.
Last few years I watched the full Redbull mens DH streams. This year I changed slightly and have enjoyed viewing it through Bernard Kerrs eyes on his channel and just watching the top 10 or thereabouts runs on Redbull.
Warner is a legend but find his newer professional commentator persona a little annoying sometimes. "argh, hes fast there", split comes up 6 seconds in the red. Same could be said for Claudio, Eliot Jackson on the other hand is excellent.
Warner is a legend but find his newer professional commentator persona a little annoying sometimes. "argh, hes fast there", split comes up 6 seconds in the red. Same could be said for Claudio, Eliot Jackson on the other hand is excellent.
nessiemac said:
If you ever get the chance, try and get to a WC and see what the courses are like for real. Fort William for 2023 hosting the World Championships will be incredible.
It's on the list! We did think of getting to Fort Bill this year but by the time it occurred there wasn't a room to be had. The atmosphere is incredible everywhere but Fort William is a different level I think.Anyway, aside from the uncertainty around the circus, I did want to celebrate the riders in this thread. I've been blown away by some of the athletes. Amuary Pierron has been a machine & Camille Balanche too. Unbelievable she took the overall three weeks after breaking a collar bone
Finn Iles winning in Mont Sainte Anne & beating Laurie Greenland's incredibe run in the process was pure Hollywood edge of the seat stuff. But I've also been bowled over by the juniors this year, especially Jackson Goldstone & Jordan WIlliams' round by round battle. I think those two will be the DH story for years to come & Jenna Hastings taking world champ in her debut season is a fairytale come true.Maybe she benefitted from others crashing but that's racing.
Fair to say I love this sport!
I'm a huge fan of the DH WC series and of course, Worlds.
Yeah, I fear the change Discovery are going to bring, it's been handled pretty badly, literally no news whatsoever, other than the fact it seems we'll lose the entire commentary team. I have to hope that Discovery is going to at least do something with it, it's not a mainstream sport, so the TV rights are cheap, but they're not free either, I can't imagine they would buy them just to relegate it to a 5 min slot on some godawful mixed cycling TV show.
Speaking of Worlds though, if anyone else has had to suffer the BBC Red button / ITV 7 version of Worlds (before they gave up and just rebroadcast Warner and Co) you'll know just how bad it can be having to listen to commentary from 2 presenters who aren’t there and don’t know the sport, it’s excruciating.
Yeah, I fear the change Discovery are going to bring, it's been handled pretty badly, literally no news whatsoever, other than the fact it seems we'll lose the entire commentary team. I have to hope that Discovery is going to at least do something with it, it's not a mainstream sport, so the TV rights are cheap, but they're not free either, I can't imagine they would buy them just to relegate it to a 5 min slot on some godawful mixed cycling TV show.
Speaking of Worlds though, if anyone else has had to suffer the BBC Red button / ITV 7 version of Worlds (before they gave up and just rebroadcast Warner and Co) you'll know just how bad it can be having to listen to commentary from 2 presenters who aren’t there and don’t know the sport, it’s excruciating.
Good to see some love for it.
I try it and watch it live on red bull when it's on, and watch a few bits on Vital and Pinkbike, especially the behind the scenes with Cathro and Wyn Tv.
Used to be big into it when I was back at uni and riding all the tracks, just never had the mental game to deliver on any sort of race run!
Very intrigued for next year, the EWS coverage has been awful, live timing systems never work and it really feels like it's started to kill the sport.
Riders wise, BK, Brendan plus Sam Reynolds and Olly Wilkins are probs my fave, whilst only BK is a WC DH racer out of them any more, they all have so much fun on their bikes.
I've recently built up an old DJ bike of mine to use on pump tracks near me.
Also, very tempted to go the champs this August, but with getting married and honeymoon just don't think its feasible.
I try it and watch it live on red bull when it's on, and watch a few bits on Vital and Pinkbike, especially the behind the scenes with Cathro and Wyn Tv.
Used to be big into it when I was back at uni and riding all the tracks, just never had the mental game to deliver on any sort of race run!
Very intrigued for next year, the EWS coverage has been awful, live timing systems never work and it really feels like it's started to kill the sport.
Riders wise, BK, Brendan plus Sam Reynolds and Olly Wilkins are probs my fave, whilst only BK is a WC DH racer out of them any more, they all have so much fun on their bikes.
I've recently built up an old DJ bike of mine to use on pump tracks near me.
Also, very tempted to go the champs this August, but with getting married and honeymoon just don't think its feasible.
Another fan here.
I also went to one of the BDS rounds this year and it was great to watch live. World Champs are in Scotland next year, so I am tempted to head up.
I am wondering if Red Bull are waiting for more information from Discovery/the UCI before announcing anything for next year. I cannot believe that everything is so up in the air.
I also went to one of the BDS rounds this year and it was great to watch live. World Champs are in Scotland next year, so I am tempted to head up.
I am wondering if Red Bull are waiting for more information from Discovery/the UCI before announcing anything for next year. I cannot believe that everything is so up in the air.
Love watching the DH World cup, world champs and been know to take in watching crankworx and the steel city downhill in person as well.
Crankworx in its last year at Les Gets is a standout memory as well, day after day of the worlds top riders in a wide variety of events.
Was lucky enough to be at the World champs in Les Gets this August. The atmosphere was incredible, probably helped by the fact that in the mens elite event French riders were 1,2,3. Armed Gendarmes couldn't keep the crowd out of the finish are, air horns, chain saws, smoke flares, massive sound systems, enjoyable mayhem.
Rob Warner going crackers in commentary when Danny Hart was smashing the times at the 2011 downhill world champs in a rain sodden mud bath is a great memory.
Enjoyed Red Bull Hardline via Red bull TV, Warner & Rachel Atherton made a good comms team, IMHO, felt like listening in to two people chatting watching the event who love downhill mountain biking.
Not everyones tin of red bull but hey ho.
DH world champs at Fort Bill in 2023.
Crankworx in its last year at Les Gets is a standout memory as well, day after day of the worlds top riders in a wide variety of events.
Was lucky enough to be at the World champs in Les Gets this August. The atmosphere was incredible, probably helped by the fact that in the mens elite event French riders were 1,2,3. Armed Gendarmes couldn't keep the crowd out of the finish are, air horns, chain saws, smoke flares, massive sound systems, enjoyable mayhem.
Rob Warner going crackers in commentary when Danny Hart was smashing the times at the 2011 downhill world champs in a rain sodden mud bath is a great memory.
Enjoyed Red Bull Hardline via Red bull TV, Warner & Rachel Atherton made a good comms team, IMHO, felt like listening in to two people chatting watching the event who love downhill mountain biking.
Not everyones tin of red bull but hey ho.
DH world champs at Fort Bill in 2023.
Wingo said:
Love watching the DH World cup, world champs and been know to take in watching crankworx and the steel city downhill in person as well.
Crankworx in its last year at Les Gets is a standout memory as well, day after day of the worlds top riders in a wide variety of events.
Was lucky enough to be at the World champs in Les Gets this August. The atmosphere was incredible, probably helped by the fact that in the mens elite event French riders were 1,2,3. Armed Gendarmes couldn't keep the crowd out of the finish are, air horns, chain saws, smoke flares, massive sound systems, enjoyable mayhem.
Rob Warner going crackers in commentary when Danny Hart was smashing the times at the 2011 downhill world champs in a rain sodden mud bath is a great memory.
Enjoyed Red Bull Hardline via Red bull TV, Warner & Rachel Atherton made a good comms team, IMHO, felt like listening in to two people chatting watching the event who love downhill mountain biking.
Not everyones tin of red bull but hey ho.
DH world champs at Fort Bill in 2023.
DH champs at Fort William will be incredible. Atmosphere at the world cup is nuts already without the added excitement of WC!Crankworx in its last year at Les Gets is a standout memory as well, day after day of the worlds top riders in a wide variety of events.
Was lucky enough to be at the World champs in Les Gets this August. The atmosphere was incredible, probably helped by the fact that in the mens elite event French riders were 1,2,3. Armed Gendarmes couldn't keep the crowd out of the finish are, air horns, chain saws, smoke flares, massive sound systems, enjoyable mayhem.
Rob Warner going crackers in commentary when Danny Hart was smashing the times at the 2011 downhill world champs in a rain sodden mud bath is a great memory.
Enjoyed Red Bull Hardline via Red bull TV, Warner & Rachel Atherton made a good comms team, IMHO, felt like listening in to two people chatting watching the event who love downhill mountain biking.
Not everyones tin of red bull but hey ho.
DH world champs at Fort Bill in 2023.
And Crankworx for me is still the single best even i've ever shot at. First one me at Innsbruck in 2018 was just amazing!
Craikeybaby said:
Another fan here.
I also went to one of the BDS rounds this year and it was great to watch live. World Champs are in Scotland next year, so I am tempted to head up.
I am wondering if Red Bull are waiting for more information from Discovery/the UCI before announcing anything for next year. I cannot believe that everything is so up in the air.
They are still using the same video and production team as the previous few years but the lack of info on how it will be presented is worrying!I also went to one of the BDS rounds this year and it was great to watch live. World Champs are in Scotland next year, so I am tempted to head up.
I am wondering if Red Bull are waiting for more information from Discovery/the UCI before announcing anything for next year. I cannot believe that everything is so up in the air.
Oh and get to Fort William next year!
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff