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My favourite MA vid, well the first couple of minutes off the start.
I remember it well, being one of the victims in the pile up 🙂
chakaping - Member'tis a bit weird that no media have run with this.
If someone had taken a shortcut in the TdF the press would be all over it.
See the discussion a couple of pages back. The MTB world is massively protective of it's cheats, any other sport (not just road) would instantly be reporting cheating
'tis a bit weird that no media have run with this.
I'd imagine it's probably more to do with no-one really caring in reality. A few people on here who arn't affected by it at all, some professionally offended types & that's about it.
I think in every single quali & main race I did there was bending the rules/cheating occuring.
I'd go so far as to say in most races I do, there is talk of people 'taking the piss', being creative, questionable cheating etc.
I guess the difference is this guy was a bit more blatent. Doesn't make it right for sure, does it deserve the guy being threatened by a mob of strangers, people baying for blood, demanding he be sacked etc - probably not.
Hob Nob - Member'tis a bit weird that no media have run with this.
I'd imagine it's probably more to do with no-one really caring in reality. A few people on here who arn't affected by it at all, some professionally offended types & that's about it.
this sums it up, us angry keyboard warriors seem to be the only ones bothered by it, id have defo been bothered by it on the day had I seen it and been racing....as clearly the 2 vids seem to suggest they swear and call him a cheat...also barelli and deakins comments clearly don't condone it and are pissed off but letting it slide....
its more disappointing in him that hes just decided to ignore all of the claims, delete comments everywhere and hope it just goes away, without even apologising, pretty arrogant indeed
It is a fair point actually. Top 5 (or whatever) maybe, but "guy who placed in a position you'd never have noticed, did it by cheating" isn't a great attention grabber
I'd imagine it's probably more to do with no-one really caring in reality. A few people on here who arn't affected by it at all, some professionally offended types & that's about it.
Very much this
You're right. Why am I bothered?
He's the one who is going to be known as Joe 'the cheat' Connell on internet coverage with a comments section.
I'm out of here and off for a ride.
I'd imagine it's probably more to do with no-one really caring in reality.
I dunno, when you look at some of the contrived drivel the MTB media puts out in the hunt for clicks - the bar is pretty low to begin with.
Then suddenly there's a really juicy story about cheating in one of the most famous races in the MTB world, with clear evidence and witnesses. Ironclad stuff. But nobody's biting.
I admit that I am "professionally outraged", but as a journalist rather than a reader.
What struck me was the utter bunfight/carnage of a load of startroopers on big bikes trying to roll down a narrow mountain path.
What's the point of that's? That's like going for a lakeside drive on bank holiday Monday, sounds like a great idea in principle but the reality is a log jam of frustration.
And yes to the posts above.
Hob Nob - Member'tis a bit weird that no media have run with this.
I'd imagine it's probably more to do with no-one really caring in reality. A few people on here who arn't affected by it at all, some professionally offended types & that's about it.
As a race organisers I hate seeing stuff like this in bike races, EWS is worse! Spectators everywhere, people pushing up tracks etc... Everyone that watches EWS elite riders POV and see all the unsafe practices. Then they turn up a local races and do the same.
You try your best to improve safety standard in your series and the UK in general via BEMBA. Then you watch the EWS and bang your head against the wall!
I've always thought the "avalanche" in Megavalanche refeered to horde of riders descending the mountain willy-nilly (and possibly arse over tit as well).
gfrew88 - Member
Is that race suppose to be enjoyable?
who in the right mind would pay to do that?
Years ago everyone raved about the Mega and lots of encouragement to do it. One of those bucket list things every MTB rider should do. Saw the videos and while a bit crazy it looked like something I could maybe survive with bike and bones intact. Thought I may give it a go some day, but for laugh purposes, not competitively (I'd finish last anyway probably).
Now it's got so big, egos so big, so competitive, and everyone's prepared to take a lot of risks, deliberately crash into others to get the best line, cheat, etc. It doesn't look attractive to me any more and I think my chances of surviving without injury to self or ride over bike breakage is slim. I'm not aggressive enough to barge my way through and get out of danger so I'm likely to get the shit kicked out of me or run over.
Anyway, as for this incident. If this was TdF and someone cheated like that, it would be all over the news. MTB coverage though is limited at the best of times. Unfair that social media lays into him, or just what you'd have to expect if you do something as stupid as that?
It's not just a cheeky cut line, it's a massive deliberate short cut in full view of everyone. I don't get what he was thinking to do that.
Time to email Focus...
Really? get a life.
As a race organisers I hate seeing stuff like this in bike races, EWS is worse! Spectators everywhere, people pushing up tracks etc... Everyone that watches EWS elite riders POV and see all the unsafe practices. Then they turn up a local races and do the same.You try your best to improve safety standard in your series and the UK in general via BEMBA. Then you watch the EWS and bang your head against the wall!
Don't I know it - 6 weeks & counting of being broken from another idiotic rider incident causing me to have a massive crash at the Ireland EWS!
Exactly, thats why the biggest races in the world need to start dealing with issues like this properly etc...Don't I know it - 6 weeks & counting of being broken from another idiotic rider incident causing me to have a massive crash at the Ireland EWS!
Years ago everyone raved about the Mega and lots of encouragement to do it. One of those bucket list things every MTB rider should do. Saw the videos and while a bit crazy it looked like something I could maybe survive with bike and bones intact. Thought I may give it a go some day, but for laugh purposes, not competitively (I'd finish last anyway probably).Now it's got so big, egos so big, so competitive, and everyone's prepared to take a lot of risks, deliberately crash into others to get the best line, cheat, etc. It doesn't look attractive to me any more and I think my chances of surviving without injury to self or ride over bike breakage is slim. I'm not aggressive enough to barge my way through and get out of danger so I'm likely to get the shit kicked out of me or run over.
It's actually got smaller over the years with less entrants.
The disparities of riding standards at the Mega is huge though. From full time pro riders, some of whom are the fastest riders in the world, to first time Alps riders who are so far out of their depth, it can't be any fun at all.
Generally neither of those, or people close to those ends of the spectrum are the issue though, its the mid pack warriors who cause the problems. I don;'t know what it is about that race, but there is definitely a 'lads of tour' mentality going on with some spectacular egos on display.
Thankfully I have qualified well in the few times i've done it, so never had to suffer the full Mega experience of a total sh*t show of people everywhere. its fairly spaced out at the front & everyone is hauling, from top to bottom, so no traffic.
'tis a bit weird that no media have run with this.If someone had taken a shortcut in the TdF the press would be all over it.
Tour De France: Biggest bike race in the world with many of the riders household names.
This: Bloke most people have never heard of cheats in race most people have never heard of.
I meant the relevant specialist media doug, not the TV and newspapers.
meh. french line to get from also ran to slighty higher placed also ran...
I'd agree there's no reason anyone of us should care but, there is no reason he should get away with it.
Is the mega actually a serious race then or just (as I'd assumed) a mountain bike sportive that some people forget is really just for fun?
[quote=dangeourbrain ]Is the mega actually a serious race then
for the front row...
Surly if a sponsored rider is cheating in an amateur race it's even worse lol
I'm not sure who was sponsored by Surly...
Years ago everyone raved about the Mega and lots of encouragement to do it. One of those bucket list things every MTB rider should do. Saw the videos and while a bit crazy it looked like something I could maybe survive with bike and bones intact. Thought I may give it a go some day, but for laugh purposes, not competitively (I'd finish last anyway probably).Now it's got so big, egos so big, so competitive, and everyone's prepared to take a lot of risks, deliberately crash into others to get the best line, cheat, etc. It doesn't look attractive to me any more and I think my chances of surviving without injury to self or ride over bike breakage is slim. I'm not aggressive enough to barge my way through and get out of danger so I'm likely to get the shit kicked out of me or run over.
So you've not done it but are assuming that it's changed? 🙄
I did it last year - crashed/mechanicals in qualifying so ended up in the Saturday race with the 'mid pack warriors' as someone put it and it was one of the best races i've ever done. Contrary to popular belief on internet forums most people are out to have a good time and ride a bike down a mountain which makes for a pretty good atmosphere. I would encourage anyone to do it and I will definitely be back, hopefully with a decent position on the main race.
dangeourbrain - MemberIs the mega actually a serious race then or just (as I'd assumed) a mountain bike sportive that some people forget is really just for fun?
Cant be, no cake stalls on the way down
no cake stalls on the way down
Why in the name of all that is holy would you enter?
bloodsexmagik - Member
So you've not done it but are assuming that it's changed? 🙄
No need for the roll-eyes. I'm going by reports from many friends who are saying the same thing and everything I've seen. It's been enough to put me off.
If it's no different to when it started then fine. I stand corrected.
DIRTMOUNTAINBIKE.COM Not named him though 🙄
In 5 years I've not seen anybody crash into or take anybody out deliberately, seen plenty of rubbish riding and awesome riding.
Have lined up alongside some great riders, met some great people and had a lot of fun.
For under £200,
A weeks lift assisted riding, effectively 2 races of which the qualifying is my favourite bit. Brilliant atmosphere. Even my GF who isn't much into bikes likes the event.
There are some downsides but nothing's perfect. True to do well aggression is required like any race.
I also cheated as I had push assistance up a climb from Mr Bryceland I believe.
"Speaking to the rider on Monday, he told us he had been nudged down a bank off the side of the singletrack by another rider and felt terrible when he realised where he was. He claimed he hated seeing French lines at the EWS, and that he had probably only gained 15 places".
Read more at
😀
I;ve done the Mega twice now, if you count the second time I came off the mountain on a stretcher. I'd say the final is my least favourite part of the week, I really enjoy practising the courses, quali's and the general atmosphere and social aspect of a load of mountain bikers on the side of a big hill together. I don't think you can understand the draw unless you've done it. I spent the weekend at Fort William for the Endurance Downhill and throughout just wished I was at AdH.
Was Ratboy in the nip? I was was goosed on that climb but heard the 50:01 lads were gallivanting about in the buff...
It's a great laugh, I've had a whale of a time the last two years I've ridden it.
Main issue with the main race this year was the lack of the glacier start to thin the pack out. Normally the race spreads quite nicely and you find your natural place in the grand scheme of things. I haven't seen any aggression beyond people jostling for racing lines, most of the time your having a laugh with the riders around you.
He's been DQ'ed according to Dirt! This explains why the posts disappeared too!!
He's been caught out telling porkies too!!
[url=
link[/url]
Speaking to the rider on Monday, he told us he had been nudged down a bank off the side of the singletrack by another rider and felt terrible when he realised where he was. He claimed he hated seeing French lines at the EWS and that he had probably only gained 15 places.“Fair enough”, we thought – young kid, probably got caught up in the standard Megavalanche carnage and did what he had to to keep his race going. It’s not worth getting him in trouble for a few page views, Ben Deakin clearly thought the same and the video has pretty much gone from the internet.
This morning, a new video has emerged. Friend of the mag Aidan Bishop posted up his view of the race that shows the incident from behind. We’ve slowed down the moment in question below and you can clearly see the rider chooses to hop the tape while being given racing room by the rest of the pack.
Read more at
is 'French line' an actual thing then? thought it was made up just for humorous purposes on this thread.
French Line is similar to a Brazilian except there is no shaving
Cheating is bad. DQed, move on.
Lying about your reasons for cheating, which is then uncovered by video evidence, is a lot worse. Shame on him.
Read more at/p>
I didn't realise the Bryceland was in it. And came 64th (65th before the DQ) now I've gone back to the original finisher list. I know MA is a very different sport to WCDH but that still surprises me. Either he was not really competing but had a picnic blanket with him for a mid run sarnie or it is even more of a lottery than I thought. Was there a backstory as to why he (and Sam hill) were so far from the point end?
Bad qualifying I think.
Bryceland punctured in qualification, so as a protected rider he automatically gets to race from Row D I believe.
I don't think he finished his Qually run so technically I beat him 🙂
Sam Hill had a flat in quali too, hence being four rows back with Ratboy in the main event. Even the best riders in the world can't teleport through other people.
That Dirt article makes interesting reading, the lad's not done himself any favours since the offence by the sounds of it.
[quote=chakaping ]That Dirt article makes interesting reading, the lad's not done himself any favours since the offence by the sounds of it.
He's in a whole world more shit now by lying.
I can't understand the mentality of lying like that - sure in the heat of the moment it might be easy to forget you're surrounded by lots of people with GoPros, but when coming up with excuses afterwards how stupid do you have to be not to realise there is other incriminating footage? I'm betting there are at least another half dozen videos in existence, some showing the incident even more clearly.
edit: having checked the latest footage I'd be interested to see the footage of Jean Marc Picard (number 6) who is right behind him when he turns off and clearly has a camera.
Isn't this all a bit.......
"
It's only a bike race, and a fairly 'novel' one at that.
[b]He's in a whole world more shit[/b] now by lying
Engage full drama queen mode.