eriksaun

They will never attempt to seriously enforce this rule... They will create some pressure, wait until there appears to be a party on the other end that they can negotiate with, and then attempt to assimilate them into the uci scheme... But this will be years away... No action is imminent... Trust me, this isn't the first time this has happened... It's common every few years...

You said it... People that want to work for it... They is the key...

Have you thought that maybe there were pro riders at some tracks because there were local people who cared enough to create that scene that allowed their development? That's got nothing to do with uci... It has to do with people caring about racing... I don't see a lot of mtb folks caring about racing... Riding fast and being awesome yes, but really caring enough to get involved?... No.

Most gravity races here aren't uci, many aren't even usac... And still... Shit scene... So it ain't the uci or the feds... Road racing has more bullshit rules and the racing scene is excellent and full of opportunity, and completely driven by the membership and their clubs (grassroots). I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think it has to do with the uci...

This concept of leaving lower levels of competition open and clear from protour riders is important to the uci and rider Development. There are essentially three tourers of pro road competition and this asked the riders a development path. Just as there is amateur only racing for the same reason. The people in road racing all agree on this way of working. it works. But you are right, this is not all that is at play, they need to.defend their position a the official world governing body with the ioc... Out is more to do with that... But like I said before, they are usually all talk...

1) these rules make a lot of sense for road racing where there is a very sophisticated system of teams and events... They are largely abided by because people agree with them. 2) the mtb race scene sucks. It is a back water that remains woefully under developed, from the complete absence of a network of racing clubs, to the lack of organization in the grass roots racing,.to the lack of meaningful national race series in the USA, to the lack of development channels for elite riders, to the plain lack of prize money for "pro" riders... I love mtb racing, and the events, but seriously... It's a joke... Coming from road racing, managing a uci team,.and promoting a big race for 3 years I can tell you, by comparison I don't know how we have any good mtb.athletes at all coming out of the USA... It's just pure dumb luck... Any good cat 1 crit racer has better sponsorship and makes more prize money than your average USA based pro mtb racer in any discipline. We could complain and over react to stuff, or we could figure out why or race scene is lame and make it better.

Pretty much, yes... because of being a part of the olympic movement the uci has take steps to ensure their continued legitimacy as THE world governing body... It is required on their part by ioc... These rules are pretty much always in effect, but largely abided by... Ever now and again they make some noise to remind riders and teams... Over the years I can remember several times they have done this.. over the.NCL, the breakaway federations tourers OBRA, the USA national racing calendar, teva games... In 20 I have never heard of a sanction or fine... In the most serious cases, USAC has always worked out a compromise that allows them to maintain legitimacy as the governing body, and allows athletes top compete in the events that they choose... Like what happened with the breakaway federations in the late 90sand the more recent issues with uci teams in the national racing calendar. This is not a big deal... if ever it became a big deal the usac and uci would work out a compromise... And some cases these agreements have ended up being better for the sport and athletes... Expect them to grab up enduro racing sometime in the next 5 years if they have their way.

I can see that the higher bb would be helpful in allowing the rider to pedal through more stuff... Being faster... My low bb all mountain bike doesn't like me to get on the gas when the trail is rough and the suspension is in mid stroke or deeper... Maybe it helped Mr Atherton win?

#1) Adam is rad- duh #2) If I am on a hero run down my local trail on my 6" bike, feeling like i am on an enduro mx bike, is it BMX?...

part of what we hope to achieve with the CES is an expansion of events and the development of new venues through independent local organizations... so yeah... if anybody wants a race close to where they live, we would love to see them get organized and on the 2014 calendar. the CES is not a closed system, so by all means- look into what it takes to put on a race, we can see what we can do to help....