Topic starter
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…
Posted : 03/04/2025 8:12 pm
They're not listening to the fans. Let's see if they bother listening to the riders...
Posted : 03/04/2025 8:48 pm
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 🤷
Posted : 04/04/2025 8:23 am
I hope 4 and 5 take the podium anyway, or they all protest it and skip the podium.
I really can’t see the logic of a 5 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.
Posted : 04/04/2025 9:10 am
ossify reacted
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?
Posted : 04/04/2025 10:55 am
Posted : 04/04/2025 11:06 am
chrismac and scotroutes reacted
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.
So its sports entertainment?
The WCW of mountainbike racing.
Posted : 04/04/2025 11:33 am
@Kuco thats not how it works. Warner Bros/TNT/whatever are not a sponsor, 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.
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
Posted : 05/04/2025 2:28 pm
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 ****ed
Posted : 06/04/2025 10:46 am
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.
Posted : 07/04/2025 8:55 am
"Three person podium reduces exposure for athletes and teams!" What about silo-ing the sport on £30 a month pay-per-view?
Posted : 08/04/2025 5:18 pm
BoardinBob reacted
Pinkbike reported that Nino and Lars both got fines (which ammounted to more than their prize money) for joining the podiums.
Posted : 09/04/2025 11:38 am
But did anyone care? Clearly they were happy to loose their prize money for the sake of some PR
Clearly from the comments on PB and all the riders signing the petition, THEY care... Did UCI/WDB, well, no-ones as they never respond to anyone from any media format, so we'll never know.
But the riders are doing what they feel is right and they feel is correct for the sport... I for one am a fan of it.
Does the 3 rider / 5 rider debate actually matter... well, maybe, maybe not in some ways.. But it's what the riders want and they should be applauded for making the statement.
Posted : 09/04/2025 3:20 pm
How about the other way and winner only? Who remembers second (first loser)?
Posted : 03/05/2025 3:34 pm
