Prominent XCO and Downhill riders have issued a statement to Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD), the current organisers of the Mountain Bike World Series, asking for the reinstatement of the five rider podium. As originally indicated in the leaked document detailing reforms for this year, new rules have been implemented which will see podiums reduced from five to three riders. This is in line with practice in other sports, where three-person podiums are the norm.
The XC riders went first, with the Downhill riders following suit and reiterating what had already been said. In total, more than 60 riders have signed up to the statements.
This appeal to the organisers comes just before the first XCO World Series race of the season, in Brazil. We’ve asked WBD for comment and will update if we hear back. It could make for interesting viewing at the podium ceremony this weekend…
Update: here’s the statement from WBD:
Following extensive consultation with all stakeholders involved in mountain biking, including members of the UCI Mountain Bike Commission — where rider representatives are actively involved — the UCI and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports have introduced a modification to the podium protocol for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. Effective from 1 January 2025, podium recognition is now limited to the top three riders, aligning this protocol with the UCI World Championships, other mountain bike UCI World Cup formats, the Olympics and other cycling disciplines. This decision was part of a series of amendments aimed at enhancing the sport’s structure and was publicly announced on 17 October 2024, after being approved by the UCI Management Committee.
These changes were developed through a thorough and transparent process, reflecting our commitment to aligning mountain biking with broader sporting standards and improving the sport’s presentation. The updated podium protocol is a key part of our long-term strategy for the sport and is intended to remain consistent going forward.
We now look forward to a great opening weekend in Araxá and a brilliant season ahead!
A Statement to the UCl and Warner Brothers Discovery from the UCI XCO Mountain Bike Athletes:
For more than 30 years, the podium at the mountain bike World Cup has been five riders. A podium unique to mountain bike, it has provided countless riders and teams with more exposure and opportunities. It’s been the breakthrough for many athletes and given life to smaller teams. Chasing a podium in our sport at the highest level has always meant a Top 5. It has added value and depth to the sport, given riders more chance to shine in the spotlight and added value to riders, teams and all of the sponsors and brands behind us who are the backbone of professional mountain bike racing.
Warner Brothers Discovery have only one reason for reducing the podium to three riders, conformity. To conform to the norm, to the other sports. A decision that has been made despite strong pushback from the athletes who are the very heart of the sport. We have been ignored and are left without a voice as the future of our sport changes.
As our fans know, mountain biking has never been about conformity, we have carved our own path since the inception of World Cup racing in the 1990’s and we want to keep our unique character. The vast majority of teams and riders feel completely unheard on this topic.
This is our sport and we won’t let conformity strip away its character! We demand the 5 rider podium in 2025!
| HATHERLY Alan | LILL Candice |
| KORETZKY Victor | KELLER Alessandra |
| FLÜCKIGER Mathias | RISSVEDS Jenny |
| BLEVINS Christopher | PIETERSE Puck |
| ALDRIDGE Charlie | STIGGER Laura |
| BRAIDOT Luca | ONESTI Olivia |
| SCHURTER Nino | LECOMTE Loana |
| COLOMBO Filippo | RICHARDS Evie |
| AMOS Riley | BLUNK Savilia |
| AVONDETTO Simone | HENDERSON Rebecca |
| ANDREASSEN Simon | BATTEN Haley |
| SARROU Jordan | COURTNEY Kate |
| SCHWARZBAUER Luca | BERTA Martina |
| FORSTER Lars | FERRAND PREVOT Pauline |
| LIST David | MAXWELL Samara |
| GUERRINI Marcel | FREI Sina |
| CULLELL ESTAPE Jofre | KOLLER Nicole |
| MARTIN Luca | BÖHM Kira |
| AZZARO Mathis | JACKSON Jennifer |
| PIDCOCK Thomas | SCHRIEVERS Lia |
| GAZE Samuel | TERPSTRA Anne |
| DE FROIDMONT Pierre | MITTERWALLNER Mona |
| VIDAURRE KOSSMANN Martin | GIBSON Gwendalyn |
| SCHELB Julian | URBAN Kelsey |
| TREUDLER Finn | SEIWALD Greta |
| LILLO Dario | MUNRO Madigan |
| FOIDL Maximilian | MACPHEE Ella |
| BASTOS GALINSKI Ulan | GRAF Nina |
| RILEY Bjorn | SPECIA Giada |
| SCHUERMANS Jens | BELOMOINA Yana |
Replies (22)
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They’re not listening to the fans. Let’s see if they bother listening to the riders…
No one’s going to be watching anyway….
I really can’t see the logic of a 5 podium
As above pointless anyhow as no one will be watching
Whats the world series?
Would be funny if they refused to take the podium in protest.
I’ll be watching, so will many others.
Tiz true.
I was always under the impression the UCI ran and controlled the event and the sponsor just sponsored the event and not dictate how to organise/control it 🤷
@Kuco thats not how it works. Warner Bros/TNT/whatever are not a sponsoer, they own the ‘rights’ to the sport, which is run to the UCI standards. Just like how Liberty Media ‘own’ F1 as a brand and a sport, and its run to FIA rules.
I hope 4 and 5 take the podium anyway, or they all protest it and skip the podium.
It’s a mountain bike world cup thing from when Cadel Evans was a junior and was allowed to race the elites and was in the mix for the whole race then faded to 5th. Just to recognise this heroic local kid, they went for a 5 rider podium. Or I think that’s how the story goes. Anyway that, to me, reflects the sport as being more than just pure competition.
Whilst I quite like the 5 person podium, I can’t say I’m that bothered…if it’s such a big deal for them why is the hotseat only 3?
Podium = 3
A 5 person podium is rewarding more people who have failed! 🤪
So its sports entertainment?
The WCW of mountainbike racing.
I’m disappointed that the riders are posting about this. But didn’t notice no one can afford to watch any more
Yeah, it’s the model used in most major motorsport series; F1, WRC ,WEC, MotoGP, etc
A Promoter runs the series after gaining the rights from the governing body; they do the lot; organise the calendar, Promote the series, sell TV rights, etc
How did this go for the XCC riders then? Stand by their words or bow to their bosses.
A few things on this. Evie won..Yey! I didn’t get to watch her win….Boooo. Evie’s interview….Yey! I interacted with UCI and WBD inadvertantly on social media giving them more click….Boooo. The riders didn’t stand up for themselves, just the 3 spots not 5…Booo.
How has it got to a point where I am grinning like an idiot one minute, at Evie telling me about the fact she has to get home to mow her lawn, and for this she can’t afford to get injured. Then the next minute I am beating myself up for engaging with the people who have stopped me watching Evie do her thing. The world is fecked
Yeah, but the men’s xco podium got a 5 rider pile on as Schurter and Forster climbed over some barriers and got the 5-rider podium photo done. Top work.
Didn’t watch it, but it all popped up on riders social media after.
“Three person podium reduces exposure for athletes and teams!" What about silo-ing the sport on £30 a month pay-per-view?
Pinkbike reported that Nino and Lars both got fines (which ammounted to more than their prize money) for joining the podiums.
But did anyone care? Clearly they were happy to loose their prize money for the sake of some PR