This Pidcock story has once again proven just how ignorant a lot of the road media/ fans are towards MTB racing. Even in 2024, there is a lack of respect for it.

A lot of them make out he’s been beating amateur/ semi-pros – forgetting it took MvdP a few seasons to finally crack it, and even since then he’s had two high profile crashes. Pidcock turned up and was competitive straight away – he’s made for XC MTB racing.

And all this ‘overpaid’ nonsense; Ineos knew what they were getting when they signed him – and still thought he was worth a big wage. He’s won WT road races, World championships in 2 disciplines, won numerous World Cups in 2 disciplines, and 2 Olympic titles…..You sign Pidcock and you get wins. Simple……

It’s no good comparing him to anybody else, as no other male rider is mixing 3 disciplines at a World class level. And as for trying to compare Pogacar’s CX National title in Slovenia ( that hotbed of CX..) as demonstrating his technical skills…….blimey, I’d expect better on a MTB forum.

Greatest cycling season? Big call, and a bit too ‘roadie’ for my liking.

I’m sure this is a MTB website, so forgetting Nino’s 2017 is a bit of a fail. Won Cape Epic, then won every single XCO World Cup, and followed up by winning the World Championship in Cairns, Australia.

Not having Fort William is one thing, not even having a replacement venue for the UK is bad. And means no UK round of the MTB World Cup – which is a poor reflection for the sport – and off-road cycle racing in general. No XC World Cup, and we can’t get a Cyclocross World Cup.

Considering the success we’ve had off-road in recent years, it’s not a good look.

Something I’ve thought for a while, but would be unlikely to happen. Separate XC and Downhill – as we see in ski-ing. They’re completely different sports, and I think, probably have different sets of fans – look at Pinkbike, VitalMTB.

Far too many changes too soon……

They needed to let it settle under their stewardship before making, what are drastic changes.

And while WBD are the rights holders/ Promoters of just the MTB World Cup, it is in their interests that the level below is healthy – otherwise, where are the next generation going to come from.

Look at motorsport; in F1; they have lower formulae on the programme, the WRC has a junior class, WEC has the Le Mans Cup races, etc

There has to be another lower category series away from the headline act running elsewhere……

So no live streams of any races so far; and we wonder why MTB is the poor relation. Not good enough in 2024.

If Cyclocross can manage to have live coverage of all their races, then what’s the excuse for MTB? If local organisers/ TV can’t afford it, then maybe the UCI shouldn’t give them the championships….

The XC Relay was definitely streamed live last year, and maybe even the XCO Juniors from memory, as well as U23, Elites…..

The bike industry and media are far too performance/ racing biased – and obviously new, expensive tech. Most average riders don’t give a flying **** about racing, or going fast…….

Instead of channels like GCN/GMBN, Roadcc, BikeRadar et al constantly going on about the latest race bikes, how to improve your FTP, aero, etc – what about commuting, touring, active cycling?

More Jack Thurston, Russ from PLP, and Bike Farmer please…..

Olympic and even recent European Championships XC courses tend to be a bit more man made rather than the natural Alpine-type courses commonly seen in MTB World Cups. Who remembers the Euros at Novi Sad in 2021, or Munich in 2022?? This was better than those two tracks. It’s never going to be a World Cup course, but maybe a French Cup or even a European Championships is possible.

It produced a race for the ages in the men’s (helped by a puncture) and I know GMBN were a bit harsh on it, but there are limitations on the track designers, and the choice of venue. The Olympics are Paris, and everything within reason has to be held there; obvious exceptions are sailing, and other water-based events.

A good bit of content from GCN – and something they should do more of. Cycling is as much about transport, leisure, touring as it is about performance, tech, etc

We need to get away from cycling as only about lycra/ racing, etc And the well know media need to realise it.

The puzzle is how do we change society’s reliance on cars? Driving is a privilege, not a right; people should remember that. Everything is designed around enabling cars. Not only are there far too many cars on the road, there’s far too many huge SUVs often with only one person in them. They really have no business being in towns/ cities……but it’s probably too late to do something. The Japanese had ‘Kei’ cars, we should have done similar years ago.

And I speak as a petrolhead/ motorsport fan, but realise they cause so much angst, danger by selfish people driving them.

I don’t mind if it’s in or not – however, it’s not the pinnacle for road riders, really, is it? They don’t plan 4 years for this one off race…..

Whereas that is exactly the ambition for XC MTB racers – and we only get to see 40 for each MTB race; and possible medal winners are sat at home (French/Swiss riders in particular).

I have to agree with a point made already; swimming & track cycling get numerous chances for medals; are they really all needed? So why not Downhill, or Short Track for cycling?

MTB the poor relation – one day I hope that changes.

I find it mildly amusing that a MTB website/ forum has a thread dedicated to the best ‘all round’ road rider of his generation – yet nothing for any of the current greats of MTB; Schurter, Neff, Bruni, Minnaar, PFP, Atherton, etc

Sad news, and I don’t think they’ll be the last……whether DH, EDR or XC.

Warner/ESO made too many changes too quickly, to put their own stamp on the series, and it’s having consequences.

MTB racing has been the poor relation for far too long, whether lack of big outside sponsors, decent coverage from mainstream cycling media, etc

I understand the move to ESO, but coverage stuck behind a paywall doesn’t seem to have brought much difference/ improvement, has it? Can’t help the teams/ sponsors at all.

In the long term, the MTB World Cup needs more rounds, but it needs to grow reasonably and allow teams to continue to compete.

Roglic crashes all on his own, and gets given the same time as Remco……….Really?? Having poor skills should be punished…….what a load of buzzcocks…..

No wonder MTB fans take the pi55 out of roadies……

As for Vinebore…..a punctured lung a few months ago, and seemingly as good as ever……Okay….Barely believable.

Qualifications gained 25+ years ago really seem irrelevant; and not only that who still has their certificates. I think I’ve only got two, the rest could be anywhere – and I have no idea which examining board they were with.

I’d be wary of applying to a company who wanted to know what I scored that long ago. Why? Box ticking exercise?

Three of the names were predictable, but Ella McLean-Howell is possibly a surprise. I guess they’re taking the long view, and the experience will do her good. She got a podium in the U23 XCO race on Sunday, so is in good form.

You’d think unless there’s a disaster, Pidcock will go close, and Charlie can get a Top5/10 result. With Evie missing races/ training due to concussion, it’s likely it will come too soon for her to challenge for a medal…..but the Worlds might be a different matter.

I’m in a similar position, and I’ve got two CVs; one with my age on, and one without. We all know they’re not supposed to prejudice age, but they do. I just have the last 20 years of employment listed.

I recently went on a 50+ course, and was told that the government wants more of the 50+ back at work ; all well and good, but you can’t make employers take them on.

You just have to hope more employers are wanting people with experience, and take a chance on them. I have heard some companies find younger employees can be a bit casual, or spend too much time checking social media, and a little unreliable.

Good luck……

VTT or ATB/ MTB; the French already ‘own’ road cycling with their language, so MTB needs to be different and reflect the US origins. I already have an issue with MTB commentators using road terms in MTB races…..

 

And I find it a little ironic people having a problem with E-MTBs, but not people who use a lift to get to the top of a run; that’s worse in my view – can’t people pedal? Or is pedalling not the done thing for lots of gravity riders.

I think the average new MTB rider just wants a bike to ride off-road, and maybe ride some natural trails. Not everyone is going to ride Bike Parks and shred like the magazines/ media would have you believe.

A gravel bike or basic Hardtail will suffice for them.

Pidcock follows up winning the Amstel Gold race on the road by winning the Nove Mesto XCO World Cup; being able to do that is pretty special; only MvdP has done that (back in 2019)

And an excellent 4th for Charlie, meaning two Brits in the top 4……Not that long ago a top 10-15 would be good.

And without doing the maths, it looks like GB will get 2 places in the men’s Olympic MTB race…..

Lots of exciting racing, and quite a lot of riders/ teams have hit the season in top form. One wonders how many can hold the form with the Olympics in July.

Koreztky looks in great form, and is looking good; I can see him going close in the Olympics…….I suspect it depends if Tom is in decent from after the Tour….

Ineos tweeted last week she wouldn’t be going to the Brazilian rounds…..Onto Chur in May, before Nove Mesto.

I also guess, it’s a bit of a trek down to Brazil for just one rider……better to stay in Europe preparing/ training.

Yeah, qualifying earlier today, and now Race 1 taking place. Race 2 is tomorrow…….

I’m a Manthey fan and they won a VLN/NLS race last Sunday by 0.0042 of a second.

My username give me away……

The Elite XCC races will take place on Saturdays when there’s no DH racing; otherwise they’ll be on the Friday evening. The possible reasoning is that organisers want more people at the venue – Friday evenings aren’t always as busy as they’d like……so Saturday is a better fit for them.

Most CX racers will ride a race the day before a CX World Cup, and that is for an hour; so a 20 min XCC should be in the capacity for the top XCO racers.

Course preview of the XCO Mairipora…….

U23 XCC tonight, no live coverage. Elite XCC tomorrow, followed by the XCO on Sunday.

To answer the question; Yes, it is, and has been for quite a while. I often think F1 is for people who don’t really like motorsport……They don’t have to go looking for it, it’s easily accessible…..all over the media, etc

It has the biggest media profile, biggest budgets, etc And all for the least entertaining motorsport.

If you really like motorsport, then you’ll be watching other series, whether 2 wheels or 4.

IMSA Weathertech Series, WEC, NLS/VLN, MXGP, Hard Enduro, Super GT, Supercross, etc

Sadly, MotoGP has now been bought by Liberty, so I expect that to become a dreary mess.

I always find it ironic that a MTB website forum gets more interest for road racing, than the XC World Cups……

It’s all laughable really. However, why do England wear white & blue, when the English flag is white and a red cross?

And, have Nike done similar with other countries new kits? If not, why only the English kit?

Already mentioned, Germany signing to the US Nike, and leaving German adidas after 40+ years……I never thought I’d see the day. 1978 was the last major tournament Germany didn’t wear adidas – erima in Argentina.

One can only guess something has happened that is unacceptable to a Factory team…..and they’ve parted ways. So, a Privateer programme it is……

 

 

 

Not sure the extra loop was really needed, it seems to have become more of a climbers course; the race was fine as it was enabling classics riders, climbers, GT winners to be all in the mix.

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.  Can’t help but think they organisers have been persuaded by all the ‘Monument’ talk…..

Those 5 races are all of their time; late 19th/early 20th century…so over 100 years of history; stop trying to make this race something it’s not…..186km & 3500m of climbing is more than enough for a great race.

Watched a recent video on You Tube about the issues at CyB; It’s a venue for proper (call it old school) MTB riding, and a decent choice of trails, all of which require pedalling…..which in the UK seems to have become unfashionable.

Too many centres just cater for the ‘lazy ar5e’ riders, who spend all day sending it, and getting a lift to the top. And the MTB media are similar……all gravity/freeride with hardly proper MTB riding….

Another French win ahead of the British rider in the women’s junior race; Cat looked stronger but not as good technically, which we’ve seen most of the season the tougher courses, Namur for example. The course today looks harder than yesterday with lap times slower.

Men’s U23 coming up, and no medal chances for the British riders, who aren’t up to it at World level; after Tom & Cam it’s pretty threadbare…..

Will likely be a battle between Del Grosso, Michels & Verstrynge.

Beaten by a junior – I didn’t see that happening. Had about 5 secs to make up…….

As a former mad F1 fan, the current sport leaves me cold. I really don’t know what the fascination with it is. Is it out of habit? Is it the only motorsport people are aware of?

There’s loads of great series out there, that blow F1 out of the water for action, entertainment.

I’ve often thought F1 & Road cycling are two peas in a pod; hoover up all the coverage & interest, whereas all the other series are far better to watch/ follow……

Probably best to watch TRC podcast to fully understand.

And as others have said, he’s still with Red Bull, and he’ll still do MTB coverage; Urban DH, Hardline, etc just not live World Cup commentary.

Puck is the only one who’s done a season of CX, and is meant to be doing some road races before the XC season starts. Is she doing too much? Keller did a few CX races over the Christmas period, with a few Top 10 results……

Only a ‘roadie’ would think that. Lots of MTB riders just want fun, and can’t be bothered with climbing – it’s too much like hard work…….and I don’t blame them.

Climbing is about fitness…..descending is about skill…….

What is the problem with XC racing? We get short changed on here, and other websites…..

Good luck to those who do it, but it’s never appealed to me. I get the idea of encouraging people to get out over the Festive period – however I often feel many people do it to impress others at how good/great they are.

I did think about doing it 5-6 years ago, but decided against it; I’d have to be out almost everyday……in the end I did about 280km, including an aborted 40km ride when I had a mechanical, and had a short walk home.

In the last few years I haven’t even done 500km in a month, so it’s something I no longer consider.

I thought MTB riders were a lot more open minded about e-bikes than their luddite road cousins. It seems there’s a few too many roadies on here……

If an e-bike enables more people to get out into the countryside/ bike parks, then that’s good in my view. And it’s not cheating either……