UCI pulls 4X from World Cup Circuit!

Sep 22, 2011 at 10:48
by Ian Hylands  
This morning the UCI confirmed what appeared to be a lack of 4X on the official World Cup Calendar released yesterday.

bigquotesFollowing the publication of the 2012 Mountain Bike calendar, the UCI confirms that Four-cross events will form part of the programme of the 2012 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships to be held in Leogang, Austria.

However, due to the high costs of constructing tracks and their impact on the environment, the UCI has decided to withdraw this speciality from the programme of events at UCI Mountain Bike World Cups from next season.
-- UCI Official Release

We can only wonder how many top athletes will bother to race and train 4X for World Championships only? There still appears to be a reasonable 4X circuit in Europe or at least parts of Europe, however 4X has been pretty much gone from North America for several years. All of the bigger North American events including Crankworx. the Sea Otter Classic, and the US Open have switched to a GS or Dual Slalom format for the past few seasons.

With Jared Graves committing full time to DH next year he won't really miss it, but how about athlete's such as this year's women's World Champion Anneke Beerten or US 4X racer Melissa Buhl?


Graves in one of the early rounds.

Graves in one of the early rounds in Val di Sole this year. Graves has officially retired from 4X to concentrate on DH next season. Did he see this coming?


While 4X may have been taken out of the World Cup Circuit there is still a decent 4X scene in Europe with several National Series and also the Scwhalbe Euro 4X Series which winds up this weekend in the Czech town of Pec pod Snezkou. We're waiting to hear the results of a 4X Alliance meeting tomorrow morning, we'll post what we find out.

UK 4X racer Scott Beaumont had this to say on his facebook page

bigquotes4X Alliance statement will be issued on Friday. It's not over yet #excitingtimes -- Scott Beaumont

UPDATE - read what the Fourcross Alliance have to say in response.

Check back, we'll have more info to come...

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Member since Jun 23, 2008
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339 Comments
  • 205 4
 WHAT THE FUCK!!!!11!!
  • 122 3
 this is bull shit.
  • 160 3
 Fuck the UCI
  • 45 8
 ''UCI pulls 4X from World Cup Circuit, replaced by Dual Slalom"
would have been an ideal news story but that would be a good idea wouldn't it? good form UCI...
  • 31 16
 It's time for dual slalom!
  • 22 31
flag jptothetree (Sep 22, 2011 at 11:25) (Below Threshold)
 i second that ^^^^ dual slalom would be amazing.
  • 6 0
 WHAT!?
  • 77 1
 blame Rocky Roads Network!
  • 56 1
 FUCK UCI !!!!. They r meant to add events not take them away. What do all the 4X riders have to aspire to since there is no WC. Nothing it is a huge loss for the sport.
  • 46 1
 UCI has gone to the dogs...
  • 35 17
 UCI smokes weed
  • 122 0
 Those bribe-taking, liars at the UCI are really making me consider not renewing my license next season. Why should my money go to an organization that doesn't serve my needs? They call themselves a union, but unions are supposed to represent the best interests of the workers (or athletes) who are part of them.

I think, as the UCI cares little of the mountainbike community and our interests, that we should form our own union that focuses specifically on mountainbike and gravity events. A real union in which we get to vote for or against the rules set forth. It would hardly be different from what we're doing now, except we'd get to decide whether these crazy rules get passed. I'd rather that than a bunch of snobby roadies deciding what is allowed at mountainbike races.
  • 19 0
 wow uci what the fux happening to the sport? I thought all the new riders and young guns were going to allow it to grow which I think it has but WHAT, possibly no more freecaster and now they pull 4x??!!! F@CK YOU UCI
  • 24 4
 F U C K UCI!!!!!!!!!!! BUNCH OF CUNTS
  • 5 12
flag dingus (Sep 22, 2011 at 12:08) (Below Threshold)
 What does Rocky Roads have to do with it?
  • 32 0
 I don't care how f*cking expensive or detrimental tracks may be. Ever heard of hmmm, motocross? f*ck YoUCI
  • 39 1
 Proof that UCI hates Mountainbikers.
  • 51 0
 I was going to buy a UCI jersey. Now I'm gonna buy another Troy Lee one... "Union of Cocks International"
  • 42 1
 UCI : do you actually care about mountain biking? you start to charge for videography resulting in freecaster discontinuing footage and now you completely destroy the world cup 4x scene? enough damage for one year.

is it me or do UCI just suck dick?
  • 20 1
 they ARE dick.
  • 19 0
 anyone up for emailing the UCI? this cannot go unnoticed.

admin@uci.ch
  • 24 14
 Why dont they leave only XC, better for them cause its gay and UCI is gay
  • 5 0
 booooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
  • 8 1
 there has been rumours about this for ages how are people so surprised? but yes it is shit the UCI is run by a load of roadies that dont care foe mtb Frown
  • 15 0
 What!? No more insane crashes and wipeouts! f*ck UCI. 4X was by far one of the best. I sure hope they bring it back, the bastards! This will stir up such a scene.
  • 14 0
 Burn in hell, UCI !!!.....you will ruin our sport in the end !!!....so 4X is bad for the environment but dual slalom has no impact !!! WTF, UCI !!!
  • 20 0
 UCI controls world cycling, if you want to compete in any discipline, amateur or pro you have to pay the uci. This has to end, they clearly do not have the best interest of cyclists at heart. A uci license to race bmx in Canada is over $100, you need it to race the Canadian championships, that is Sooooooooo wrong, such a fu*king cash grab. UCI: Us Cashing In
  • 4 0
 wtf... im sure there are some reasons to pull 4x but its still shit... its like in ireland where what appears to be lots of stuff, for the gravity riders, is controlled by groups consisting mainly of roadies
  • 14 165
flag nouser (Sep 22, 2011 at 13:36) (Below Threshold)
 I think this is a very smart decision on the part of UCI!!! Not only is 4x boring to watch but the impact on the environment is actually very large. Do you know how many trees and ecosystems are destroyed? f*ck all of you who say UCI are dumb, they've done more for the sport of mountain biking than anything or anyone else ever has. UCI is progressing the sport, simple as that.

And they deserve to charge for freecaster! It is a smart marketing move on their part, watching it is a privilege not a right, so why don't you guys stop crying and nut up and pay. I look forward to seeing UCI's next move!

Peace out losers
  • 13 1
 This marks the day when 4x officially died.
  • 64 5
 JoeYo, f*ck off you hippy , go join green peace
  • 22 1
 Why you gotta call people losers for stating an opinion? What are you like 17? You make think 4x is boring, that's your opinion. But others like it.
....and sorry bud, all them silly redbull/monster DJ comps and DH courses with all those people trampling the earth do just as much damage and waste just as many resources....if not more.
Our sport needs to embrace ALL forms of riding a bike.
Mountain Biking NEEDs a new governing body.
  • 2 0
 That's what I was thinking, Jay! W*NKERS!
  • 3 0
 anyone got the email for uci ganna sit down and write a very nicly worded letter.....
  • 3 1
 anyone else thinking of the word, pricks right now? ............
  • 6 0
 What f*cking bullshit: I'm not buying either of their excuses as to why its been pulled off the schedule. Why don't they carry on using existing tracks which addresses both of the problems that its too expensive and bad for the environment. Yes they will need a bit of maintenance but with respect to the alterations made to DH tracks year on year, Pietermaritzberg being a prime example, it would be negligible. Similarly; the area required for a 4x track is minimal compared to that of a DH tracks hence environmental damage is also very small.
  • 7 2
 Guys Guys calm down everyone know XC racing brings in all the money, who doesnt love watching a XC racing....(sarcasm)
  • 10 29
flag GNARSHREDER (Sep 22, 2011 at 14:53) (Below Threshold)
 It seems as if no one on this site knows what they are talking about.... There was a UCI survey, and this was the last cup of tea in the 4X margin, the only people who wanted 4X were the Specialized riders, it was only a matter of time before 4X racing got dropped. Quite frankly, for all who participated, it wasn't a very great investment, nor was it very friendly environment. Just because the UCI is a group of roadies, doesn't mean that they are against certain events. Mountain biking is one of the most expensive sports there is, and WC 4X wasn't making ends meat. Especially with all the money that goes into it without any gain, the cost to run the tractors, gas, the labour, this stuff doesn't come free unless they hire a bunch of china men. And the apparent impact on environment. Surprised it lasted this long... It's all about money nowadays...
  • 8 2
 @joeyo- why don't we stack a bunch of prius batteries and just use those for jumps in a WholeFoods parking lot and you can be course marshall. Is your bike and your kit completely "green"? stfu.
  • 2 0
 I swear the UCI take all of the fun out of Mountain Biking, i think as a community we need to respond to this and show the UCI that without us they would be nothing, the UCI have taken the piss for far too long.
  • 5 1
 From southerndownhill.com "Finally, the UCI confirmed that the cross country eliminator, mountain biking's newest World Cup discipline, will be held in conjunction with three cross country World Cup rounds" so basically they cant afford 4X but they can afford to add some new cross country event.
  • 6 73
flag nouser (Sep 22, 2011 at 15:36) (Below Threshold)
 You guys don't realize the impact you have on the earth. Ripping out trees and ruining small ecosystems for ONE 4x race is terrible, and not worth damaging mother earth. I'm all for mountain cyclists and all but this is ridiculous. And Shane Gable, you'll regret that comment when we have no more clean air to breathe and no more natural forests, it's not far off. UCI is making the right decision here! All you stupid 4x supporters need to get over it, the world is moving on to bigger and better things now. UCI has added so much to our sport, we should be thanking and supporting them rather than hating on them!!!
  • 5 59
flag jptothetree (Sep 22, 2011 at 15:43) (Below Threshold)
 joeyo: you'll have to excuse the less educated and less mature members (which are most on this site) for being so ignorant and rude to the point you are making. i got you.
  • 14 9
 joeyo: shut up you stupid hippy
  • 12 0
 UCI has done f**k all for our sport! what you on about? And you cant argue that 4x races ruin the environment, because you can say exacly the same about DH/XC/DS. get real dude.
  • 15 1
 Dude are you kidding ^ thats a ridiculouse statment. mountain bikeing is probly one of the most earth friendy sports out there, aside from running,and a few other out door sports. billions of people are harming the enviorment every minute of every day from driving to work to heating a house, You ^^ included im sure. im all for helping the enviorment but come on its less harmful than driving your car to work everyday
  • 16 2
 JoeYo: Unless your living out of a house made out of mud and cow shit you contribute to the earths pollution just as much as everyone else. Go drive around in your prius or something rather then making dumb comments on here.
  • 5 0
 WTF?? UCI KICKS FREECASTER THEN NOW THEY ARE CUTTING 4X FROM THE WORLD CUP CIRCUIT WTFFFFF?????
  • 6 40
flag nouser (Sep 22, 2011 at 16:06) (Below Threshold)
 Sports that are less detrimental to the environment: Chess, badminton, ballet. JUST TO NAME A FEW!!!
  • 12 2
 in no way is chess a sport and badminton no ballet no. you have to have buildings built to playin them, there is more poolution try a gain dumb ass
  • 17 2
 as if typing on your plastic keyboard and watching your lit computer screen from your air conditioned home is your pedestal for mother earth. freeride much or DH on mother earth or do you just ride already man-made concrete parks? do you use a handsaw to chop all the wood for the ladders and features that you hit? or just shovels for the natural features? do you ride to your spot or do you drive your bike to your spots? do you shuttle? pls get off your pedestal. enviromental issue is a cop-out. I would have more respect for the UCI if they simply said not economically viable. Obviously, not all of the industry were privy to it cuz there are new 4X bikes @ euro & inter bikes. Bikes and components that didn't have to be made in factories that'll ooze emissions that your lungs are sensitive to and wont let you preach in comfort from behind all your mod cons.
  • 15 1
 you could be a good guy JoeYo so my rant is just directed at your comments. you could just turn the power off and let us spew and that would save a little energy for all of us
  • 3 0
 lol^
  • 5 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/7172861
  • 3 0
 Chuck Norris should kill the UCI for their misstakes
  • 3 1
 Hey Joeyo..... why don't you go cry a river to all the housing developments that are put up year round? They cut down the forrest, clean it up then build shit. Your talking about a few acres for each track yet companies plow thousands of acres everyday. You are an idiot for crying like a baby here. You are making mountains out of molehills. Again cry me a river.
  • 1 0
 4x is so tight and should stay at every race i think dont get me wrong dual slalom is sick too but i would take 4x or dual slalom
  • 33 1
 JoeYo, three things...

Firstly... Ecosystems are dying every day, whether the human race is here or not, things die, its a part of life. As is creation, where one ecosystem dies, it leaves a place for another to emerge. That's the circle of life. It'd happen if we were here or not. We are but a tiny spec of dust in the universe, what we do, doesn't really matter, we'll be gone within the next few hundred thousand years. As well as that, since when did the UCI care about the environment? And why mountain biking? Do they not care about the hundreds of vehicles that follow along behind the road cyclists in the UCI world tour? Or are they just plain arrogant f*cks?

Secondly... Forest destruction...? Are you serious? If you want to make a difference, go talk to the thousands of companies in Malaysia and South America that demolish millions of year old rain forests by the thousands of hectares per day so that you can wipe your ass after taking a crap.

Thirdly... The UCI are to Mountain Biking as the USA is to Freedom. Sure, they might have nothing but good intentions, but hell are their actions completely obscured by the power that controls it. The only thing the UCI are doing by charging freecaster for filming, is losing out themselves, because A. They get no advertising through the thousands upon thousands of viewers that watch, B. They appear as total dickwads to everyone else because they charge for something they do not physically 'own' or 'have', and C. in doing so, they completely discredit their own sport and actually restrict the progression of the sport.

Saying the UCI is helping mountain biking progress, is like saying that Firing a Nuclear warhead would end the war in Iraq, sure, it may actually end the war, but why the f*ck would you do it when they are so many less harmful and out-right stupid ways to do it?
  • 6 1
 Anyone paying attention to what is going on in Europe right now? Greece, Portugal, Italy, Spain??? I think this decision is likley to be more financial than enviromental. The UCI is not hating on 4 cross. It's a business.
  • 4 0
 ^^That's exactly what I was saying, but everyone is so stupid on this site, they just rant and don't think....
  • 3 1
 JoeYo why are you even on this website if you hate biking so much? You have the complete wrong view of things. I hate clear cutting forests just as much as the next guy but I don't think we were put on this earth to leave nature alone. It is meant to be useful to us. It's kind of like house sitting for someone. Obviously it is wrong to throw a giant party while they are away but are you going to eat out of their fridge? Of course you are! Beside I'm pretty sure mother nature can handle a little 4X as the number of trees we cut down to make the tracks is fairly insignificant as compared to all the trees we have.
  • 2 1
 I completely agree wi/ tom-cuthbert. REALLY?? GETTING RID OF 4X FOR DS? THATS THE DUMBEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD!! 4X IS A MAJOR GRAVITY SPORT AND DESERVES TO BE IN THE UCI CIRUIT.
  • 8 0
 I'm not even ok right now! This is some bullshit! I have been working my ass of since i was 10 from racing bmx then transitioning to 4x and have been racing nationals ever since! It is my dream and goal to race world cup 4x once i turn 18! How will i do that now if theirs no world cup 4x! thats like just randomly telling all the worldcup soccer players that their wont be any worldcup soccer anymore sorry we know how hard you train but its all over! Seriously this has to change! Fuck UCI!
  • 2 1
 i seriously think i might stab someone
  • 4 0
 tom-cuthbert i plus one your statement 100%. and the UCI is just a bunch of useless political bs that in the end just like a lot of other governing bodys destroys itself in what it they are trying to improve, financial motivation or not. just like the US.
  • 1 0
 @Superbock, Nice attack on women in general (insert sarcasm). You should instead focus your discontent on the UCI and Rocky Roads. Do not be a sexist bastard!
  • 1 0
 bye bye UCI i will no longer be attending any of your events, and i hope a lot of other people do the same. mountain bikers worldwide unite and create our own events. this is pure bullsh*t of the highest order.
  • 2 0
 I sent the following letter to the UCI admin admin@uci.ch
UCI
THere are so many people angry with your forcing Freecaster out and eliminating 4X.
Please read the comments on this link.
www.pinkbike.com/news/UCI-pulls-4X-from-World-Cup-Circuit.html

Note this page in support of having freecaster cover uci dh has over 2000 members
www.facebook.com/pages/Support-for-2012-UCI-DHmtb-on-FreecasterTV/279746628706654?ref=pb&sk=wall

UCI is very unpopular right now, there are people making noises about creating their own governing body. Will the UCI begin to listen to
the people who care a bout mountain biking- people who who keep you in business, or will the UCI ignore itself out of existence?
  • 1 0
 Don't mean to be negative, but I really don't see how pinkbike comments or 2000 likes will have any effect. 20,000 likes would be a different story.
  • 1 0
 Or, $20,000 more revenue at each 4X event.
  • 1 0
 i think what we all need to do is quit complaining and dedicate a bunch of days just to get out and get people into riding and stoked on it. the more people are into mountainbiking, the more money there will be for organizations like uci to run events like 4x. nontheless it is crappy news they are stopping 4x. But from nothing comes nothing and im not speaking to everyone here but alot of bikers ive seen have been pretty lazy in terms of getting new riders into the scene.
  • 2 0
 hey JoeYo, why ya dick ridin' the UCI so much..?
whenever something has an environmental impact, it's best to at least look at making that something more sustainable before pulling the plug...
if trees are gonna go, then i'd rather have it be for MTB than for stupid ass malls, gas stations and too many roads and highways... a lot trails people ride have trees that were cut down to make the trail better...
  • 6 0
 Great news guys...The Fourcross Alliance Announces Plans for 2012 4X World Series....check it out
www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/Press-Release-The-Fourcross-Alliance-Announces-Intent-to-Create-a-2012-4X-World-Series,392
  • 2 0
 fuck the UCI!!!!!!! THATS BULLSHIT!!
  • 3 5
 according to my negative props, i realize how much gays are on pinkbike
  • 3 5
 oops there is another one
  • 3 4
 Hahah, it seems like there are a lot of gays here on pinkbike. So why don't you help me count you up, minuses please Smile
  • 1 1
 Whatever the reason for braking down 4x is, Uci definitely found it very difficult to bring and announce this decision. I would agree with Jodaro that nowadays the european financial situation is very complex and maybe cuting 4x could be a reflection on the current financial crysis.
  • 1 1
 Instead of Joeyo's stupid unreasonable opinion, which could only be writen by a retarded brainless person!
  • 48 0
 4x was a good spectator sport!!! u can stand on the side of a hill and watch a whole dh race but u can 4x!!! if they want mtb to get to the masses this is the best way to do it!!!! plus the randomness of 4x makes it good to watch aswell!!!! uci will regret this ridiculous decision
  • 2 0
 I just really like all the crashes... did I really just say that? Plus its pretty intense and physical even without the crashes. I agree that they will regret it. It makes for a great spectator sport.
  • 7 0
 www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/Cedric-Gracia-on-the-current-state-of-4X,7400/bturman,109 .....listen to CG.. sounds like its been dead for a while
  • 2 0
 It has been dead for awhile compared to DH racing. I enjoyed watching it, but there usually not alot of passing no matter how they changed the courses, and too many crashes. That's why none of the DH racers do it. If you had dual slalom, more of the DH guys would be out there competing and it would be more interesting to watch. Instead it's been somewhat of a bmx fringe sport, and alot of times the fastest guy doesn't win cause he gets taken out by someone. I would never, ever race 4x, but I would be stoked to race dual slalom. I'm glad they are having it at the US national championships this year. It would be awesome to see Brian Lopes go against Mitch Ropellato in the final, and see how some of the DH guys might do.
  • 1 0
 if you think 4X is dead then maybe you should come any round of the U.K national points series 4X races, getting bigger an better with more and more riders every year............................
  • 1 1
 neato. tell that to the uci then? or someone who might care? cuz sadly it would appear that no ones does....
  • 2 0
 what you on about???
theres hundreds of comments here pissed about the lack of world cup 4X an only a FEW like yours so errrr go figure
and
roumers are that the Euro series is gonna be the 2012 world cup
  • 47 2
 no 4x due to environmental concerns? if the uci is gonna get all green hearted then surely they should drop the tour de france? all those hundreds of chase cars driving needlessly round the countryside burning precious fossil fuels and dumping co2 into the air. not only that but its feckin boring to watch. arseholes
  • 13 3
 Yea, this environmental stuff is such a bullsht. They could at least hire one guy that actualy has a little idea whats public relations about. The track building costs I can understand. Totaly agree about TDF, Fkn roadies, need a car to race on a bike wtf... And they are complaining that in latest Giro DItalia downhills were too difficult. Bunch of fkn sissies... You got a mechanical then deal with it, maybe it wouldn't be so boring if stuff would actualy happen
  • 7 2
 nothing happens??? lol watch closer...I think cycling is awesome and I´m not even a roadie
  • 4 0
 the tour de france is not run by the uci... your point makes no sense. but ya environmental concerns for any form of biking is a joke
  • 2 1
 it might not be run by the UCI but it is part of the UCI World tour, other than that pedantic point why does my previous post make no sense?
  • 2 0
 It is run under UCI regulations. Several pro teams got pixxed off and wanted to break off UCI because they were limiting some commercial stuff on TDF, teams couldn't suck enough money from the sponsors. I think they are tired of doping police as well.
  • 31 0
 Best atmosphere at fort bill wc was the 4x, will be sorely missed. Think I'll only go one day now instead of the whole weekend. This is going to have consequences for the whole world cup. It's a disaster.
  • 2 1
 yeh, but if they now use the lower section of the 4x (with a couple of mods) track as part of the Dh track, that would be sick.
  • 9 0
 The only way for 4x to carry on at world cup level, is to restart it from roots! So if more races are held throughout then it will introduce many more people in to the sport, It'll attract bmxers and tons of downhillers as well as it should in theory be a lot cheaper.
  • 5 0
 Like many high profile companies, UCI is ran by w4nkers!
  • 25 1
 Hard to believe with all the money they must be getting from Rocky Roads Network...
  • 22 0
 that sucks. 4X is awesome
  • 20 0
 "impact on the environment" Are you shitting meh?
  • 13 0
 Amazing opportunity for Red Bull/Monster or someone similar to step in and set up the best f*cking race series out there. The UCI doesn't give a f*ck about mountain biking, they tolerate it at best. We should break away now and show them how its done.
  • 13 0
 Impact on the environment???? What the actual f*ck UCI???!!! The biggest most exciting part of the world cups and you've taken it out?? The best part of Fort William world cup is the 4x!!! The atmosphere at any big 4x race is nuts, and it's proper shoulder to shoulder racing, UCI you bunch of ar*eholes!!!
  • 16 0
 All the excitement and cheering upsets the wildlife.
  • 1 0
 must do eh
  • 16 3
 A whole lot of responses on this from people either too young to remember, or if older then have had too many headshots to remember BUT 4X only got onto the world cup schedule in the first place by taking the place of dual slalom, and that was generally seen at the time to have been a rather dumb move. 4X is an event that made sense for things like the X-Games and maybe the olympics, but when the major freeride bike festivals don't even bother with it, and fewer and fewer racers want to compete in it, its pretty clear that there isn't really a demand for it.

Remember the U in UCI stands for UNION... and its a union made up of actual professional racers and is meant to represent the PROFESSIONAL level competition and decide on the events/rules for that level of racer. Its decisions are not meant to be popular for people who sit behing a tv screen or computer monitor spouting off like they're experts and know what's best for professional athletes. You're pretty much all behaving like the hockey fans who scream at the tv when the coach benches their favourite player, or pulls a goalie who's let in 5 goals in the first period of the game.
  • 3 1
 Good point. I remember it replacing DS and not being a big fan. At the time NORBA was running dual slalom and UCI was running 4X. It really is BMX on a mountain. I am a BMXer but would rather race Dual Slalom. Here in the states the Dual Slalom scene/vibe is growing again a bit.

Maybe they can look at bringing that back again with some more exciting tracks. Gated racing is def a better overall for the spectator both biker and non biker.

Just a thought.
  • 2 0
 UCI have never ran dual slalom at world cups....only dual!
  • 1 0
 www.facebook.com/bringbackdual?ref=ts
  • 2 0
 Incorrect, Dual Slalom (two tracks) was replaced by Duel (two riders on the same track) which was then replaced by 4x.
  • 2 0
 Yep, I'm OLD enough to remember back to when Grundig was the title sponsor to the world cup and that they had Grundig World Cup Dual Slalom events at practically every place the DH events were held at. Back then though the XC event was more often than not ALSO held on the same piece of mountain/venue as the DH events. A race team could send the whole squad and mechanics support to ONE venue and everyone would be racing something (of course back then there were tougher/fitter racers who competed in the gravity AND non-gravity events on the same weekend).
  • 14 0
 R.I.P World cup 4x, you'll be in my heart forever !
  • 15 0
 FUCK UCI!
  • 10 2
 Are people actually surprised? Really, have folks been living in a cave? Participation is way down in 4x these days. They're building tracks for very few competitors at each WC event... it doesn't make economic sense.. Now, instead of eliminating any gated racing, why not install dual slalom in place of 4x? It's very spectator friendly and, more importantly, the race isn't over after the first corner. They'd get way more competitors, IMO.
  • 6 0
 Environmental damage? I live in Colorado. All the 4x/slalom courses are buildt into the ski slopes for the most part. They are covered in snow in the winter and groomed by the bike parks during the summer. I believe most are managed rather well. Cost? These events are the most viewed by spectators at the majority of the series. You can see the race from begining to end. Most of these people are buying concesions on site from the vendors or staying at the resorts.
This decision reeks of lame UCI/NORBA BS from the mid 1990's.
  • 11 1
 what a bunch of PRICKS
  • 7 2
 'I got a great idea, let's cancel 4x, a very exiting sport to watch with lots of dedicated riders and fans' This is what happens when you ditch freecaster for a biscuit company and don't have a clue what the fuck your doing
  • 5 0
 see the problem we have is people still not understanding the rocky road bull, rocky road is the series sponsor, like nissan and shimano have been in the past. the problem being that the likes of nissan and shimano had loads of money to throw at the sport to make it bigger and better and rocky road seems to be one guy who paid 50 euro for someone to design a website.

*now onto the seperate sisuation with freecaster*.

the uci are the ones who pay for all the tv cameras and set up all the live coverage, they then sell the rights to the tv stations etc that want to show the event, like freecaster. freecaster had a 4 year deal with the UCI to show the live coverage which ended at the end of this season. UCI upped their price to renew the contract and freecaster couldnt afford it so they no longer have the right to show the events. two completly different things that just happened to surface at the same time. That said it looks like the UCI are really trying their best to ruin world mountain biking.

to reitterate *******rocky roads nothing to do with freecaster**********
  • 3 1
 Oh I know all that, just freecaster did bid for the rights but the UCI went for the hoghest bidder (as you do) But freecaster + dirt etc have brought so much great coverage of the WC.

Just saying if they knew what was good for them they would have stuck with freecaster despite the fact that a bartender happens to have alot of money.

You never know, they might be as good as the biscuits, none of us are in a position to judge as of now but I don't think I'll be watching the world cup 2012
  • 2 0
 I don't think freecaster did bid for the rights, I'm pretty sure the price the UCI asked was too high for them so they didn't put in a bid. Dirt will also no doubt be offering the same level of coverage next season at the World Cups.
  • 2 0
 Hmm, either way it's not gunna be as good especially now that 4x is out aswell. I have a feeling I heard them talking about it but yeah, the price was to high for them
  • 3 0
 Yeah, it's got to be time to break away from the UCI and get mtb back on track.
  • 5 1
 All these posts blaming the UCI etc etc. Some of you might be surprised to learn that some of the loudest voices behind the scenes calling for the end to 4X were the factory teams and team managers themselves, as well as numerous venues tired of pouring money into it with nothing in return but a debt (ever wonder where Les Gets went?). The majority of the WC circuit is not upset be the decision at all, many are happy to see it go. Finally. Why do you think Graves 'retired?' Most riders and teams knew about this last winter. In fact, the announcement of the original 2012 calendar caught people by surprise when 4X was still on it.
  • 7 0
 >tracks and their impact on the environment.
I threw up a little.
  • 1 0
 Madness, the impact cant be any more than any other kind track. Once it is built at a WC DH Venue, it is built. Yeah it has to be maintained like anything but this is just BS.
  • 7 0
 Dear UCI, Go Fuck Yourself. Sincerely, Mountain Biking
  • 8 5
 I think we all saw this coming. Not really a suprise. It should be time for mtn biking to kick UCI to the curb, and handle our own sport. Lose 4X add eliminator????, because you know, endurance events are more interesting to watch. This combined with the rockyroads deal tells me that gravity racings time to leave the UCI is here.
  • 3 3
 lose 4x add eliminator. what do you mean by that ?? :/
  • 1 0
 They added a new XC disipline called eliminator to the schedule.
  • 2 1
 ohh kk, but no, hardly anyone saw it coming seeing as its pretty much one of the most exciting disciplins to ride and to watch !
  • 5 0
 The UCI is concerned with XC and road events. Gravity is just an extra to them. It would be nice to see an international gravity series start without the UCI. The UCI has forgotten how the first fat tire mountain bikes created in Marin County were used.
  • 7 0
 and if they complain about it being more expensive, why don't they just have permanent, maintainable tracks instead of rebuilding or building completely new ones every year.
  • 2 0
 If you didn't see this coming, you wern't paying attention. All the talk about cost and TV and all, it was pretty obvious.

Edit: Maybe didn't see it happening this year, but it was unsustainable, or so they claimed.
  • 3 0
 I'll second that! An organisation for the Gravity disciplines is the best solution...
  • 1 0
 Eliminator was a test event in 2011.

Just playing devil's advocate here, but to speak to the "Environmental Impact" issue: XC Eliminator has been held mostly on pavement and on portions of the existing XC track, so no berms, doubles, or other features need to to be built for that event.
  • 1 0
 yeh i was thinking about it after i wrote my comment and yeh i kinda see that it was kinda likely to happen sometime soon (withing a few years)
  • 1 0
 I'll 530+ that! www.facebook.com/pages/Break-away-from-the-UCI/132714360157904
  • 9 1
 BRING BACK DUEL!
  • 2 3
 +1 tup
  • 9 0
 Bring back Dual while you're at it, too. Smile
  • 3 0
 I'm amazed at this decision ! 4X is, together with BMX, probably the most exciting sport to watch for the General (non biking) Public !! The UCI ar total Idiots and I'm ashamed of Pat McQuaid as a fellow Irishman and Road Racer ....
It's time the Gravity Scene spilt from the UCI - Downhill is never going to be an Olympic Event so who gives a f#ck about IOC affiliation !
  • 8 0
 UCI Sport Killer
  • 3 0
 So does this mean, F1 will be banned due to environmental issues? Motocross? Slopestyle events? If anything, can't course builders just become a little more eco minded? Why end something so many people love to do and watch? 4X is 10x more interesting to the spectator and rider than XC and arguably DH too! UCI need a re-think.... You cant just 'stop' something like this.... Change tactics maybe. have 4x at every other WC stage, something, just not an all out freeze....

OR, Make 4X an entirely new separate discipline governed by a new body other than UCI. Big Brother ended on CH 4. Sadly, the A-Holes at channel 5 bought the rights... My point is, 4X CAN live on. (and Should)

Are the UCI funded by the Government or Law enforcement agencies or anything? Only reason I ask, is do we really have to put up with their BS?
  • 3 1
 uci have royally screwed themselves over with this one, maybe less competitors but i reckon they make more spectator money out of the 4x then dh or xc as its a lot more accessible and then because theirs more spectators sponsors will be more interested! stupid stupid stupid, AND NOW I WANT AR ROCKY ROAD DAMNIT >Frown
  • 2 0
 I know of 2 D-BAGS who are probly laughing their butts off right now. You know who you guys are. Both influential industry insiders and both had a hard on for killing 4x. Both of you are TOTAL D-BAGS. Congrats. You succceeded.
  • 1 1
 If you know this for certain, then air the laundry. if speculation or hearsay, then good on you for keeping zipped.
  • 1 0
 Read this forum thread. www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245570
The people have already posted there.
  • 5 0
 Brilliant decision UCI! Congratulations on making another step in the wrong direction.
  • 4 0
 This is bullshit, as said if red bull have any sense they will see an opportunity not like they are short of money! heres hoping,
  • 2 0
 I think that this is so completely horrible! Uci this is the wrong thing to do. 4x brings the same amount if not more attention to the WC. You are forcing a insane amount of racers to either change their sport or quit! Environmental impact my eye that is the worst cop out ever! Granted we don't have many 4x events here in the states, but our cousins across the pond are more upset then me! I say we sign something to get our sport(my sport) back! UCI you suck!
  • 2 0
 WOW....the UCI has went to far in taking out the 4x. I kinda understand were there comeing from with it haveing high costs of constructing tracks and their impact on the environment but fuck there is always a way to make things work.If you guys would sit the hell down and think of how you could make things work out istead of just taking 4x out.You guys need to have your heads checked
  • 2 0
 Good , 4x is free from the UCI , now it should be run on its own and be FAR more successful with no stupid restrictions , rules and sometimes ridiculous regulations set out by the UCI to try and put a choke on 4x , all the sport needs is some investment and its own direction and 4x will be an international hit this is not the end but just the beginning .............. i hope .....
  • 2 0
 Can't believe people really prefer Dual Slalom. The whole point of 4x is to add more than just putting down a perfect run in your own little bubble into the equation, e.g. strategy, passing and line choice. I'll admit more passing options are needed to downplay the importance of gate starts, but this is not the answer!

Environmental concerns are BS, time to dump the UCI and get some proper support for gravity racing. 4x would be great for X-Games perhaps?
  • 2 0
 Sad...4x is fun to watch....have you seen the crowds that gather to watch 4x racing on a Saturday evening at a World Cup or even a Mountain States Cup Race here in the States? I really don't understand why people keep trying to kill it? Can't it just coexist? Ski racing has several different types of racing...
  • 2 0
 Ya what a shame for 4X, a big part of the Riders Communauty is very disapointed & that's normal bloody hell !!

Indeed there is a lot of explanations which can appear here, but the fact that Four Cross has been pulled from WC is not a surprise:
- We know since the end of Dual Slalom that there is a furious competition between this new discipline and BMX, however evolution of 4X has been the worst: in World Cup and also World Champ (recording Canberra 2009), 4X seems more and more to BMX in relation with the tracks, what's the interest? Sometimes to give advantages for certain riders, sometimes to reduce costs.

- In the same way, 4X is not as popular as we want that it would be, demonstration is too linked with the quality of tracks (then Mont Saint Anne 2010 was a great success so), competition is not exceptional for the non-mountainbiker, finaly a great sprint as we find in BMX is much more interesting, or DHI runs onre day later (above all if 4X try to be closed to BMX as I say before).
  • 2 0
 - 4X is expensive for the organisation & for the teams, there is no money, what's the interest for certain riders if they can't participate to each WC in a year? The consecuence is that a lot of great 4X champions have prefered to choose one year or more in BMX since 3 years: Caro Buchanan, R.Saladini, almost all the youth of Australian Cycling... or DH: A.Giordanengo, D.Atherton, J.Graves during next year... Sometimes only 12 riders concerning women!? Great :-/ we have had the time to see the crash appear...

- Another Sign was the decrease in a lot of country (thanks the federations) in organisation of events concerning this sport, besides national champ: France is the best example & that is a hard debate since 2 years.

- Finally, the argument that everybody like to use - and this argument is of course is right - problems of money and financial interests.

I regret the past time, but some problems were founded I'm sorry, It's not the way to imagine that 4X will begin an olympic sport, and that's normal in conclusion.
  • 6 0
 Did someone say break away series?
  • 3 1
 That is a dumb move only inspired by fear of tree hugging, mt. bike fun hatting hippies. 4X was the UCI's best spectator sport, and the only one that was really worth pushing onto mainstream media. While DH is great fun to watch, it does have quite the tensity or "drama" that 4X can have. Kind of how snowboard cross is more fun to watch then downhill skiing.
  • 3 0
 bike fun hatting hippies sound awesome
  • 1 0
 Yea I wanna become one! What music do they listen to?
  • 1 0
 don't do it WAKI! have you ever heard of Organibal Lecter? he's an obese hippie that eats hippies. you can't fight back when you have zero muscle mass. haha
  • 1 0
 it has nothing to do with environmental impact. A 4x course is not a condo development. Its a few hundred yards of dirt. What's happening here is that someone clearly wanted to get the most money for the least work. 4x is work intensive. itwas clearly a cynical profit maximising decision. This means of course that the only place left to cultivate those short course power skills, goes back to BMX. a shame really because 4X looked to be getting a soul of its own.
  • 1 0
 fullbug I don't believe a single word you are saying, no creature on earth could live off of skinny hippies... apart of lack of protein in their bodies, their blood consists of 30% soy milk 50% cheap wine, 15% THC and 5% acid. Eating human tissue fueled with that would trigger a raging diarrhea + a major rectal sphincter disfunction, and that only obese hippie in the world, would sht himself to death already after the first one.

Don't blame me anyone for being offtopic in that manner, this comment board went to sht after first 10 comments...
  • 7 1
 UCI, your mother is a whore!
  • 2 0
 "With Jared Graves committing full time to DH next year he won't really miss it, but how about athlete's such as this year's women's World Champion Anneke Beerten or US 4X racer Melissa Buhl?"

Anneke Beerten has retired from 4x too if I'm not mistaken, she's racing XC only next year.
  • 2 1
 Anneke will still be racing 4x next year. Graves has never said he is quitting 4x...only he is focusing on DH. Word is on Scott Beaumont's twitter that Graves would still race 4x in 2012.
  • 1 0
 On the uplift at Val Di Sole Graves said to Scott B that hes not quitting 4x, just racing DH aswell. And Anneke Beerten was planning on racing 4x next year too...
  • 4 0
 Break away from the UCI asap just like snow boarding did and formed a union and a series by snowboarders for sb Utterly Corrupt Idiots
  • 3 1
 All you guys mentioning "spectator numbers" and how it's the most fan friendly event have clearly never been to a World Cup. About 10 times the amount of spectators watch a downhill event. The 4x has dwindling spectator AND competitor numbers, costs a fortune to run/produce and has almost no amateur ranks to draw from besides a few small series in Europe.
  • 1 0
 i went worlds at saint anne a couple years ago and there was the same amount if not more for the 4x
  • 2 0
 There's just one thing I don't get... Why track cycling prevails while requiring so much money to build a closed arena, and 4x doesn't?
  • 1 0
 Worlds is a different story, and MSA is a special case. The 4x at MSA used to be lined 10 deep all the way down the track. This year, barely anyone showed up. It's the same story at every event (besides maybe Ft William).
  • 1 0
 Fraser, I have never been to a World Cup, but if you take me with you I would be proud to be your personal "hype man". On top of throwing water on people, waving a t-shirt around, and finishing the last 3 worlds of all your sentences, I will also wash your bike and cook breakfast. Hell, I even volunteer to dress like Ronald McDonald for the entire event. Let me know.
  • 2 0
 Windham canceled their 4x race early last season because they didn't have the cash to build a 4x course.We didn't have a national 4x race this season because Bromont couldn't afford to fix theirs either.Many DH pros including Sam Hill have said they would consider racing dual slalom events at a world cup if the courses were good.The UCI should open their ears.
  • 3 0
 That's right - in the days of DS many of the DHers would race both. Sam Hill won the DS at Sea Otter a few years back. Even Peaty competed. But with 4X, you can be taken out on the first corner by someone pulling a lame move - so the DHers, who have bigger fish to fry, don't race 4X.

DS ARE cheaper to construct, are less permanent, require less dirt. Two berms that only need to hold one rider are MUCH smaller than one berm that is big enough to hold four riders. A berm whose riding surface is eight feet wide uses three to four times as much dirt as a berm that is four feet wide.

4X was a good event for the TV watching numpties, who only have to know that the first person over the line is the winner. I don't think UCI got the viewing audiences they hoped for.

Check the names on the 4X podiums over the past few years - you see the same names over and over again. That means there really was little competition (in terms of competitors, it was great to watch). Look at the podiums of DH over the past few years - there is a much bigger spread and there were ten times as many competitors.

I heard a while ago that UCI was going to drop 4X, and if a nobody like me heard it, then I'm sure that Jared Graves knew about it.
  • 2 0
 holy shit, this was posted a few hours ago and already has over 100 comments. Tell those union assholes how you feel boys. I wish I had something to contribute, but I know nothing about 4x, and very little about the UCI in general. I hope you guys in the know make those leg shaving lycra wearing d-bags eat this descision.
  • 2 0
 Am i missing something here. Are the 4X track not already built at those world cup circuits?? Surely they dont need to be re-built every year if they are properly maintained. This is an excellent spectator sport and is also great to watch on tv and this could be the end of a fantastic part of mountain biking. I'm not a 4Xer myself but this is and absolute disgrace!!
  • 2 0
 Shame about the 4x WC, this year saw some great action. I love 4x and even raced a 4x UK National this year. This was common knowledge amongst certain industry insiders. I even announced 4x would be scrapped on Eurosport early summer this year. The writing was on the wall as it was public knowledge months ago that the leading mens and womens 4x racers were hanging up their spds after Champers. Did nobody think that was suspicous?
  • 1 0
 I think everyone here really wasn't paying attention. We all knew it may be gone for next year, it's been mentioned in more than a few race posts. I'm working on a bigger feature at the moment about the future of 4X, but really all that's happened is the UCI has pulled an event that many have been asking them to pull for years. What sucks is the way in which they did it, but then the UCI and Mr McQuaid aren't known for diplomacy and 'fair' play. They do what they want, when they want. And we have to deal with it. 4X as an event is far from dead, in fact this may actually be a catalyst to create more growth in the sport, at least in Europe. 4X in North America is seriously pretty dead, but that may change as well, who knows...
  • 1 0
 After reading this article, it seems like it was not just the 4X fans that were not paying attention... www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/Press-Release-The-Fourcross-Alliance-Announces-Intent-to-Create-a-2012-4X-World-Series,392
  • 2 0
 That has to suck for the athletes that have dedicated they life to 4x racing. Without this event we are loosing that style of riding, the riders that only do 4x, and the development of bikes and tech for 4x. The riders should come together and form a new race circuit in the us to keep this style of riding alive.
  • 2 0
 "due to the high costs of constructing tracks and their impact on the environment" ARE YOU f*ckING SERIOUS??!!! UCI probs just dont wanna spend the cash on building tracks so they can pocket it or something...
  • 2 1
 seems like the UCI is doing everything they can to destroy the whole sport.
Choosing locations like Champery for Worlds which was more than a desaster, then banning Dirt.tv at Worlds and now they canceled 4x. What will be coming next ?
  • 3 0
 i wouldn't call champery a disaster
  • 2 0
 have you been there.. ? I was there to photograph and the organisation was shit.. specially the media organisation..
and the valley champery is situated in is not really good for lots of people. and the sport need spectators. I think Leogang is going to be really good because there's so much space and the organisation is really professional.

Maybe Champery was good to watch but seriously.. beeing there was not nice at all.
  • 1 0
 *especially ^^
  • 1 0
 i dont beleive that they would do that, its a popular event, and pullling it because its impact on the environment? thats bs, we all love the environment but i think its obvious that even though its a big dug up area, its not like the tracks are built on pristine untouched land? its usually just a chunk on a mountain that has already been clear cut for ski seasons and other reasons
  • 1 0
 whats all the hotel,pub and b&b owners etc in a town like fort william going to do when everyone turns up on the sunday morning to watch the d.h. then go straight back home again? a lot of people are going to lose a lot of trade.there used to be 4x,xc and d.h.a full weekend.whos going to travel any great distance to fort william for one day of d.h.
  • 1 0
 Press releases like this just make me sick to my stomach, what load a of SH*T !!! I remeber the feeling of watching my first 4X event, it was almost electric ... I feel bad for those people who will never experience that feeling, what a shame !!!
  • 1 0
 Unbelievable, this is just plain retarded, 4x was possibly the most exciting discipline of the sport for the general public that doesn't race or even ride bikes. All of my buddies who don't ride always loved to watch the 4x because theres so much action packed into such a small track and time frame. The UCI is, killing gravity racing one step at a time and something has to be done about it, fast.
  • 1 0
 Screw the UCI, it was founded by roadies, run by roadies in order to look after roadies. The UCI gives about 2% of it's attention to MTB, the other 98% (funding included) towards roadies. They had a valuable resource that they could have capitalised upon, in the form of a thrilling action sport that has the potential to attract a huge worldwide following: Mountain Biking. Instead, they decide that smearing the worlds TV screens, newspapers and media with a bunch of sweaty men in lycra: roadies. It's time MTB split from the UCI and formed it's own governing body, maybe then some real progress might occur, instead of more idiotic setbacks such as this. Negative environmental impact? Shouldn't cycling in an form be promoted over fossil fuel guzzling methods of transport and recreation? UCI - go home.
  • 2 0
 I totally agree about splitting away from the UCI. They do no good for the sport of mountain biking.

Loads for sports have 2 divisions and the Negative environmental impact?

That's just bull shit. You just have to look at moto x riders ripping fields to bits to know that in not true.

Fort William spent money upgrading the 4X track for this year. Now its more or less useless

NOT HAPPY (not with you)
  • 1 0
 i phoned them this morning.. the responsible person for 4cross or gravity is currently not available.. this person is at the Road Worlds in Copenhagen! Then they said i can write an email, but it's not possible to get the direct mail adress!

here is the only mail adress you can send your thoughts about it...

admin@uci.ch
  • 1 0
 As frustrating as this move from the UCI might be, it's also a chance. A chance to get our sport back from the greedy fingers of those UCI bastards. Time to start an own thing for the gravity races, where there's no silly restrictions for filmers and no increased fees without a real return. The UCI has repeatedly proven that their priority above all is at the Olympic cross country, they have not done a whole lot to develop DH or 4X. And now they simply axe one of the two.
  • 1 0
 To be fair they have only pulled it from the 2012 schedule and that probably has something to do with the olympics and that most of the top 4x racers will be concentrating on bmx and so not racing the world cups which will mean fewer people watching !
  • 3 0
 The UCI is going to shit, wtf is up with that!? You guys are messing with my WC routine! Saturday 4x Sunday DH beer all around. messed up.
Free Caster gone and now this
  • 3 0
 UCI are loosing the plot the daft French sods. First stopping freecaster and what not from live streaming their event now removing 4X wtf?
  • 2 0
 Stupid decision, why pull 4x its a great spectator sport and if mountain biking is going to grow it was the best way for the racing side to gain more followers and get people racing. Can't see why the uci has done this
  • 4 0
 Anyone remember a Douche named Eric Moore who ran NORBA mid 90's? This sounds like a douche move he would pull.
  • 1 0
 Something gets really wrong with UCI, even roadies were pixxed off with them. It was on cycling news, few teams wanted to join forces and organize TDF on their own hand. That would also mean that ridefs would be suddenly sponsored by pharmaceutical companies Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Why even bother with a World Championships, you might as well just admit that you're killing 4X. What a joke, UCI pulls another one. Since when do they give two craps about the environment, it just costs them more to build 4X courses and they don't care as long as they're saving money
  • 2 0
 i dont care if north america hasnt had 4x for as few sessions seeing as most of the world cup rounds are in europe and there is still 4x happining in europe so why take it out of the world cup just seems daft to me
  • 1 0
 I can hardly believe that 4X do more damage to the environment than the main surface of a ski resort. And, if these is the problem, it has a very easy solution: make a permanent circuit that you can use every year.

Anyway, FMBA can be the answer.
  • 2 0
 To be honest I expected nothing better from UCi... they can be relied upon to consistently make the wrong decision... I agree that it's time for gravity riding to have a new governing body
  • 1 0
 This is bloody ridiculous. 4x delivers high speed thrills, a lot of my friends who dont ride say they find it interesting to watch, surely we should be ncouraging a format that could potentially bring new riders. Total load of crap, I dont know what the UCI are playing at. As for impact on the environment? Sounds like a great excuse to me.
  • 1 0
 Got home from school, opened PB and suddenly theres this!?!?!?!?!?! I Ride XC but 4X is by far the most interesting form of biking to watch, for one thing you can see the entire race, and people are on the course at the same time, you can actually see the competition
  • 1 0
 The UCI are and have been for a long time, systematically destroying cycling sport, not just mtb.
Hell the Tour de France suffered massively this year and was rife with rumours and speculation of corruption and breakaway tournaments.

At Champery this year when all the rockyroads bs kicked off, the UCI delegate incharge of mtb was unavailable for comment because she was at her wedding... during the biggest event of the year. She lives very close to Champery too.
She made a comment before Champery saying that the UCI struggled to promote mtb because the public does not understand it!
:0
  • 2 0
 i dont care what there reasons are - pulling 4x is like pulling teeth with no anaesthetic - bloody stupid I love 4x I race the uk series and its bloody good fun - bring back the world cups you dicks!
  • 1 0
 4x races barely even mess with the enviorment considering theyre usually places on a pre-clear cut ski run area or under the main lift near the bottom of the hill. its not like everytime theres a 4x race they go out into the woods and cut a path and then shoot the little forest creatures. and fuck UCI i used to wake up at 5 to see the world cup, what am i supposed to do without rob warner and freecaster
  • 1 0
 Might as well just shit on all the 4X riders out there,,, Very poor form UCI. It would be understandable if you made less events or even changed to dual slalom or something similar. But to just dismiss 4X is very disappointing. Having it as a worlds only event will see the standard of riding drop significantly as no rider would train all year to do one race. UCI what were you thinking???
  • 1 0
 OK so no more world cup 4X run by the UCI?

hello RED BULL world cup 4X
(or any other major action sports company with an interest in taking up where the UCI left off, my using of red bull was just an example)

there WILL be a 2012 4X world series, just run by somebody else, an it will probably be BETTER
  • 1 0
 Between this AND UCI dropping freecaster for webcasts I strongly suggest that it is time for MTB to abandon the UCI altogether and form a new league.... FMB+4X+DH, perhaps? Worked for the snowboarders to a cpl of years back, why wouldn't it for MTB? Time to fire these UCI douchebags.
  • 1 0
 if there is no footage from freecaster for the 2012 worldcup i THINK the pros should boy cot the second round and if the uci then promise to do something they return but if they dont fcuk it make another sort of union.....but this is complete crap there a bunch of cOrrupt people ......FECK UCI
  • 1 0
 They will say that the 4X ruin the plant? and environmental pollution by automobiles, lso toxic waste in the ocean? luminca pollution? Piercing of the ozone layer? landfills in places livable? nuclear plants!?
now say the 4x ruin the natural landscape!

CUACK! CUACK!! why not go to the bitch gave birth mother?!

From Argentina!!! UCI why not go to the bitch gave birth mother?!
  • 1 0
 lots of haters out there - i dont think it was a good idea - will really miss fort bill 4x - spoke to rare management yesterday....they may try and still use the 4x track for some other event - suggestions on a post card please.........
  • 1 0
 They say 4x is dying out and becoming non existant , this doesn't help at tall , thank you uci , I have loved 4x and have trained for years to try to be good enough to actually try to enter world cup 4x , imagining the crowd roar my name and me racing against the competition . So I say once again thank you uci for shattering my dreams. Matt
  • 3 0
 I sure will miss watching 4x. I wanna see bodies flying and elbows clashing. Bring it back uci!!!
  • 2 0
 Amazingly shit. -The UCI. Why did we both joining a society that is clearly only interested in road bike racing. And they fucked that up too!
  • 2 0
 What about all those UCI cyclocross races? A hundred people riding around in the sloppy mud can't be better for the environment than a few 4X tracks.
  • 2 0
 Mountain Biking NEEDS a NEW governing body...period. Our sport needs to embrace ALL FORMS of racing a Mt Bike. The UCI is lame, this is sad.
  • 2 0
 I completely agree! What is the world cup circuit without 4X.
  • 1 0
 c'mon... what the fuck is this! UCI is getting worse every year... bunch of idiots. And they could hold a couple of rounds, because the tracks are already made f.e. in Val di Sole or Fort William. Money, money, money...
  • 3 0
 I will never stop riding 4x, just another rock garden in the way. They will relies the mistakes they have made!
  • 3 0
 President Pat McQuaid takes it up the ass and a shot in the mouth for a £5er pure tosser :-(
  • 2 1
 Graves Commits to lots of things. Like when he left the 26" world to focus purely on 20" for the Olympics. I think he just wanted to have a proper go at DH, happened to work out in his favor
  • 33 0
 another sign that the uci should fuck off
  • 2 0
 F&¤"K UCI. Best and only man to man-combat (or woman to woman) in mountain biking. One of the most entertaining biking to watch too. First Freecaster, then this.
  • 3 0
 Goddamn. Even though I'm more of a DH guy, it's quite disappointing to see 4X be pulled from the UCI. A sad day indeed!
  • 3 0
 WHY DONT THE UCI f*ck OFF, YOUR ALL A BUNCH OF DICK HEADS..........YOUR KILLING (OUR) SPORT
  • 1 0
 It might have something to do with the fact that the olympics are on next year, and there has been a decline in funding for the sport of biking. This probably isn't the end, just a short break.
  • 1 0
 I hope so...but the UCI has really trashed any confidence I had in them. Can't help but feel they are driven purely by the dollars and would kill Gravity MTB all together given half a chance.
  • 1 0
 For 2013 they gonna stop DH also. Because of the aggro tyres they use on the bikes and destroy the environment. Message to UCI gays: f*ck each other's ass! And don't forget to shave it before!
  • 1 0
 I suggest a march on the headquarters of the UCI and we take out all those f*ckers who think the're "improving" the sport by cancelling 4X , the're nothing but a group of leeches trying to make as much money as possible
  • 2 0
 UCI are on crack, Stupid decisions, like this and there dogey sponser rocky roads
  • 1 0
 this is shit, surely by all the responses from this there will be another group of people to take it onto the world cup circuit!?
  • 1 0
 Sounds pretty lame, the progression of mountain biking is what drew me to it, this seems like a serious backwards step in sanctioned racing.
  • 2 0
 ds takes longer to build then 4x and this environment thing is absolute BULLSHIT!
  • 1 1
 I've seen DS Courses where all they did is put stakes in the ground and have a start and a finish, no jumps or berms. What's surprising is that it was still fun to watch and race. Grass fields work great for this simple setup. seeing all the reactionary comments on here makes me realize I'm in a sport with alot of shallow thinkers. If this is the attitude of 4x, I'm glad it is gone.
  • 1 0
 4x will always be the most spectator friendly sport in mountainbiking! I don't see the point in getting rid of it? I'm very disapointed right now...
  • 4 0
 Boooooooooooo
  • 3 0
 i want to see graves on the podium for dh next year
  • 3 0
 f*ck the UCI, can someone else please set up a 4X world cup series?
  • 2 0
 That blows, pure industry lobby cause dh sells and brands/sponsors want to cash in revenues...
  • 1 2
 Most of you guys are acting so immature. First, just cause the sport you love and adore gets tanked, doesnt give you the right to go bash other sports. Second, UCI may want money like most companies and I do see this, but common guys. Its pricey and high maintaince sport. Youre comparing it to motocross, youre an idiot. Motocross has such a bigger fan base i.e. more revenue in flow. Than youre comparing it to Tour de France. It's nothing like the Tour. Its wayyyy bigger, way more money, way more spectators and much more respect.
  • 1 1
 Although the TDF is world renwned, it is hardly a good image for cycling. Up untill recently its been a complete joke with the level of drugs and cheating going on. Its great they are trying to clean it up, but surely they should give some respect to the much 'cleaner' image of MTB and try and promote it to obtain better funding rather than just deleting a discipline from the callendar that carries some of the most spectator appeal to riders and non-riders alike.
  • 1 1
 Sorry, few people use drugs and that makes us all drug users? And just because they are so athletically incline, dont just assume they all do drugs. 90% of them, have worked harder than any DH, 4x, and mtb ever will in their life.
  • 1 0
 I never said they all take drugs, I never said they didnt work hard. I said the level of drug use - something that has been part and parcel of professional road cycling for a very long time, I'm not taking anything away from those that trained the right way and acheived the massive feat of the TDF and i appreciate that recent years have had a much bigger focus on keeping the sport clean. Nothing personal against you.
  • 1 0
 ohhhhhhhhhh my apologies than. Sorry if I am sounding like a dick which I know I am, its just than I do all the forms of biking. And it gets to me when people put down one. And yea I know what youre saying. It sucks and they do it cause of the money and those people shouldnt be allowed anywhere near the sport. Sorry dude.
  • 1 0
 STOP RACING!!! STOP THE ENTRY FEES AND SEE WHAT THE UCI DOES...I STARTED MTBÌNG FOR FUN I WILL STOP WHEN IT ISNT FUN ANYMORE
  • 1 0
 now uci as you can see ur not very popular be good for your self and put 4x and or dual slalum back into the world cup circit
  • 2 0
 if it's a race that don't go round in circles the UCI don't give a shit
  • 2 0
 Ahh crap...UCI why dont you support us?
  • 2 0
 F U C K UCI!!!!!!!!!!! BUNCH OF CUNTS
  • 2 0
 that sucks so much, the last one was so sick !
  • 2 0
 i think this is the time the introduce the dual slalom series...
  • 2 0
 This is very bad for the sport...
  • 2 0
 watttttt??, 4x is the bestt!!
  • 2 0
 Well done UCI, Fucked the mtb community again!... Money grabbing tossers.
  • 2 0
 Fuck the enviroment, 4x is the shit and should never be pulled
  • 1 0
 2012 definitely gonna be boooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnngggggggggg......!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 UCI just went full retard. Why pull an event which is so spectator friendly and has such high prospects?
  • 2 0
 The UCI does it again, honestly they make FIFA look good!
  • 1 0
 what is wrong with the UCI 4X was one of its main events and excluding DH its most popular!
  • 2 0
 fuc## UCI...today is not april 1st
  • 1 0
 Bullshit is all that is coming from the UCI at the moment like all this rocky road bullshit
  • 1 0
 Tbh we should have seen something like this coming seeing as the got a sponsor who no one actually heard of
  • 3 1
 always got to do with the fucking environment. boooo!
  • 2 0
 4x is dead. Long live 4x !
  • 1 0
 kind off ironic that when graves quits it goes away. also i wonder what all the 4x racers will now that their sport is gone.
  • 2 0
 gone ????

plenty of national 4X all over europe and the euro cup, 4X is getting bigger every year here in the U.K
  • 1 0
 The only reason they are doing this is to they take home more money at the end of the day. greedy fucks. you make me sick!
  • 1 0
 So after reading literally every comment here, I think it's safe to say we don't like this? Who's got a spare pitchfork?
  • 2 0
 im all about DH but i love to watch 4x, this sucks.
  • 3 0
 F-UCI
  • 1 0
 time to set up a mountain bike specific union for events. uci can eat a bag of dicks.
  • 1 0
 4-cross may be not dead! An 4X alliance is going to organize a kind of 4x circuit:

www.euro4xseries.com/4x-alliance
  • 4 3
 4X was the only interesting thing Frown UCI sucks.
  • 1 1
 This must be a joke! And a silly one... Don't do it! 4x has a lot of fans people...
  • 2 0
 straight up bullsh*t!
  • 4 2
 UCI should die
  • 1 0
 this is just plain bullshit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Shame on you UCI, shame on you. 4x is made to be ridden on a high level...
  • 1 0
 THE ENVIRONMENT ARE YOU KIDING ME!!! UCI SUCKS!!!
  • 1 0
 Sad considering the amount of young guys and girls start on the 4X circuit
  • 1 0
 this is such sh*t. down with the UCI
  • 1 0
 fuck the uci proper bunch of cock suckers always have been
  • 1 0
 UCI needs a good kick in the vagina for this!
  • 6 4
 long live DS!
  • 14 0
 Ya why not have just DS instead of cancelling out that racing style all together!?
  • 4 2
 that racing style? DS is nothing like 4X, thats like saying XC and 4X are the same racing style
  • 2 0
 ^^^they mean like gated event style racing
  • 2 0
 Trouble is, DS takes twice as long (2 riders at a time vs. 4) so you either need to have less riders, or more time allocated to it.
  • 1 0
 money is the biggest issue when it comes to making the expensive courses. most DH racers said theyd race DS but it obviously conflicts with their schedule if they race DS on saturday
  • 1 0
 I doubt that the UCI is seriously concerned about the environmental impact of the courses, I'm willing to bet this is because of a lack of cash more than anything else.
  • 1 0
 Thats exactly what i meant Gonzalez
  • 1 0
 yea, i noticed i commented on the wrong comment...
  • 2 0
 uci are mad!
  • 2 0
 UCI go SMD.
  • 1 0
 SWEET NO MORE 4X AND WE GET TO WATCH LOADS OF BM... Oh wait.
  • 1 0
 That SUCKS!!! I so badly want to have a go a t4x racing.
  • 2 0
 Tragic!
  • 1 0
 That sucks like REALLY bad!!!
  • 1 0
 Rocky roads network, fuck off.
  • 1 0
 UselessCuntingImbaciles, thats what UCI stands for!
  • 1 0
 They ruined XC, nixed 4X, so look out for them to ruin DH somehow.
  • 1 0
 What impact on the environment??
  • 1 0
 Bad for the environment, what a load of rubbish!!
  • 1 0
 F*ck the UCI, they are jsut brainless people!
  • 1 0
 f*ck me, the UCI really have hit fcking 'rocky roads'!!!!
  • 2 0
 uci can suck my dick
  • 1 0
 WHAT A FUCKING SHAME!!!!!
  • 2 0
 stupid..
  • 1 0
 UCI sucks balls now!!!! Frown )
  • 2 0
 It's fucking stupid...
  • 1 0
 Get rid of xc and bring back 4x !
  • 2 1
 FUCK YOU UCI!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 LOLWUT. THE F*CK!
  • 1 0
 OMG :/
  • 1 1
 UCI is only interesting in Road cycling
  • 2 1
 drop XC not 4X!
  • 1 1
 And what's wrong with XC?
  • 2 0
 theres no Rob Warner doing the commentary
  • 1 0
 Whats wrong with 4x?!!
  • 1 0
 4x is for people with balls , xc is for people with gigantic thighs .
  • 1 0
 RIDICULOUS.
  • 1 0
 UCI your ma's a bitch
  • 1 1
 Thats stupid
  • 1 1
 Laaaameee
  • 1 1
 That's just a shame :/
  • 1 1
 Long live Down Hill.
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