5 Things We Learned at the Snowshoe DH World Cup 2019
Here's what we noticed from the sidelines as it all kicked off in West Virginia.
1. We were treated to two of the closest World Cup finales in history.
Both on and off the track, Snowshoe delivered a fitting finale and we saw two new World Cup overall champions crowned by super-tight margins.
In the end, just 30 points separated Marine Cabirou and Tracey Hannah as the Aussie finished fifth to secure the title. This is the closest women’s series since 2005, when Sarbina Jonnier edged out Tracy Moseley by 23 points.
In the men’s, Loic took the title by 40 points but you only have to go back to 2016 to find a closer series, when Gwin took the title by just 26 points over Danny Hart. However, it should be said that he had the title pretty much in the bag at that point, and just needed a top 40 to secure it on race day. 2016 was also a 7 round series, to find an 8 round series this close you have to go back to 2001, when Minnaar beat Vouilloz by only 12 points.
In the men’s, Loic took the title by 40 points but you only have to go back to 2016 to find a closer series, when Gwin took the title by just 26 points over Danny Hart. However, it should be said that he had the title pretty much in the bag at that point, and just needed a top 40 to secure it on race day. 2016 was also a 7 round series, to find an 8 round series this close you have to go back to 2001, when Minnaar beat Vouilloz by only 12 points.
2. Americans prosper on home soil
With the World Cup returning to the USA for the first time since 2016, the home riders were clearly itching to prove themselves in front of a home crowd. In the elite men’s race, 5 of the top 20 riders were from the States with Charlie Harrison leading the charge and delivering a best-ever 3rd place.
In the junior men’s race, there was also a first-time podium for Matthew Sterling, who has been impressing on the Crankworx tour this year, and Anna Newkirk secured second on the day and in the overall in the junior women’s race.
In the junior men’s race, there was also a first-time podium for Matthew Sterling, who has been impressing on the Crankworx tour this year, and Anna Newkirk secured second on the day and in the overall in the junior women’s race.
3. Danny Hart’s persistence paid off
There’s no doubt that Troy Brosnan has earned the title of Mr. Consistent as he picked up his 6th consecutive top 3 overall finish, however, a close second place for that title surely goes to Danny Hart.
Since joining Madison Saracen at the start of last year, the Redcar Rocket has picked up 9 podiums and has only fallen outside of the top 10 twice in World Cup racing. In Snowshoe, it finally came together for Hart to the delight of his fans and Loic Bruni. Hart undoubtedly won the race in the rock garden where he managed to pull out more than 1.5 seconds on Amaury Pierron in an incredible display of technical riding.
Since joining Madison Saracen at the start of last year, the Redcar Rocket has picked up 9 podiums and has only fallen outside of the top 10 twice in World Cup racing. In Snowshoe, it finally came together for Hart to the delight of his fans and Loic Bruni. Hart undoubtedly won the race in the rock garden where he managed to pull out more than 1.5 seconds on Amaury Pierron in an incredible display of technical riding.
4. Next year’s women’s series is going to be wild
After World Champs, we feared that the women returning from injury would run away with it in Snowshoe but that definitely wasn’t the case. Marine Cabirou showed she can go toe-to-toe with them in West Virginia as she powered home to an emphatic victory. Cabirou was especially impressive on the last section where she was the only woman who really nailed the rhythm section and was rewarded with about 2 seconds of an advantage as a result. Let's also not forget Tracey Hannah, whose laser focus saw her clinically ride out the second half of the season, doing just enough to secure the overall title.
As we head into 2020 we’ll hopefully have a fully fit field of women who will all be challenging for race wins. It’s sure to be a thriller.
As we head into 2020 we’ll hopefully have a fully fit field of women who will all be challenging for race wins. It’s sure to be a thriller.
5. Thibaut Daprela and Vali Holl take momentum into 2020 and elites
Thibaut Daprela and Vali Holl both ended their junior careers in the manner they started them with commanding wins in Snowshoe. Both picked up more than 10 wins in the two years they were racing as juniors and put in times that will have the elites nervous for their arrival next year. Of course, the step up to elites is never easy but riders like Cabirou, Iles and Walker have all made it look easy in recent years.
Holl and Daprela will both be hot property this off-season and it will be interesting to see if they stay put or are snapped up by new teams in the off-season. Whatever they decide to do, we expect them to be near the top of the timesheets as they kick off their elite career in Maribor in March.
Holl and Daprela will both be hot property this off-season and it will be interesting to see if they stay put or are snapped up by new teams in the off-season. Whatever they decide to do, we expect them to be near the top of the timesheets as they kick off their elite career in Maribor in March.
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Also, the UCI is the third most corrupt organization in the world, behind FIFA and the IOC, and just ahead of the CCP. No resorts out here want to deal with that.
The off road industry hosts some MASSIVE events at Windrock & I've seen a half dozen elite NASCAR style fold out tractor trailers parked there for the off road events, so there is tons of room for it to host the crowds of a National event. But yeah, the only place to lay your head is the RV park 5 minutes down the road, so...
I was at snowshoe for the UCI finals and was blown away how nice the facilities and amenities were considering it's in the middle of nowhere. It also seemed that most everyone working that event was aware of how much money was being injected into the local economy and treated people really well. Event the state police were cool to deal with there. Last I'd heard, over 16k tickets were sold.
The UCI charges $250k to host a mountain bike race, plus there are lots of "unofficial fees" that have to be paid, if you get my meaning. For most places it isn't worth the cost and headache.
@ATXZJ I think Brighton would be the perfect place in the West for a World Cup, politics aside. The granite slabs and utah's only real loam give it almost a squamish feel. And then just down the canyon you have a major metropolitan area with a medium sized international airport.
US business is different from Euro business and I think that a lot of US resorts just don't want to do business that way. From what I've heard, the UCI asks for a number of things that the are a PIA in the eyes of a lot of US resorts and they'd rather not deal with it. Fair or not, that's just the perception.
If the community is passionate enough about having a World Cup they can influence and bring about a bid. It comes down to them, not some entity like "Vail Worldwide" or whatever they are called.
Sounds more like the business owners in the regions mentioned aren't pushing for it on their summer calendar. There was a growing event in Asheville called the Mountain Sports Festival. It started as a locals driven idea, got taken over eventually by a private individual and then we had so many outdoor events going on here everywhere of every kind that it wasn't needed anymore.
The link posted further up from Velo News was rather enlightening. That's a poor way to do business and I certainly hope that's not the case anymore.
Cairns has no lift
Might be challenging to build a new track since several of the SLC resorts (Brighton included) have portions of land leased to the USFS. Generally, long, easily eroded DH mountain biking only trails are not viewed favorably by the agency. A place like Deer Valley or PCMR would have an easier time.
Honestly I think Steamboat would be a better venue in terms of terrain. Some nice long runs to be had there! Maybe Crested Butte?
Thanks Femto505
But the South Africa World Cup was not lift assist & there was one in South America as well.
Worlds in Cairns had no lift
Hold the race.
"The UCI charges $250k to host a mountain bike race, plus there are lots of "unofficial fees" that have to be paid, if you get my meaning. For most places it isn't worth the cost and headache. "
As a race organizer and commissaire, I will tell you that the amount is NOWHERE near $250k. And what "unofficial fees" are you talking about?
A perfect story showing just how much the UCI “loves” mountain biking. They couldn’t even be arsed to tell a resort in person that they had successfully won a bid to hold a race. It’s no wonder that resorts are not falling over each other to host an event.
www.velonews.com/2007/02/mountain/mtb-news-and-notes-what-happened-to-angel-fire_11648
As far as Windrock hosting one I doubt that will ever happen, they are much closer to other amenities but not many of them. It would take a large commitment from the actual Windrock park as the bike park is a seperate entity rented out by Sean Leader and the Mullalay's. Plus they get a lot of world cup guys out for the Pro GRT to kick the season off and a lot of companies do testing camps out there. They obviously have the terrain and the trail builder (Sean built the track at snowshoe).
The general word I've heard is that margins aren't high enough for how much the UCI is a PIA. Whether that perception is fair or not is up for debate. I am frankly surprised DV isn't more interested. The host WC ski events, it's good PR for the bike park, and they could keep most of the bike park open for the event. Plus the mountain trails hardos would love seeing some XC. Some reroutes on NCS and work on lower portion of NCS could put together a decent track.
It's unfortunate because I think the NA west coast needs to two stops to get on the calendar... One in the US and one in BC for it to be worth it for the teams.
I have always wondered though what the possibilities would be coming down in the woods under the town lift would be like with proper trail building...
I still say Brighton has the best terrain for a World Cup caliber DH track
1) There isn't any local business.
2) There are no regional hotels.
3) EVERYBODY in the area as far White Sulpher Springs at the least know it's THE major destination in the western part of the state.
4) EVERYBODY IN THE REGION knows this is a Ski/Snowboard/Mountain Bike/Motorcycle, and general good time destination.
You have Cass at the bottom of the mountain in one direction and Slaty Fork in the other. These are both VERY small single street towns. Cass doesn't even have a gas station! Both have real small general stores and tiny places to grab a bite. Slaty Fork is the better destination for loading up on supplies, and actually has some lodging as well.
After that, Marlinton is next closest place and that's 30 miles out.
The above said, I believe Snowshoe does expect to make money and IS USED TO DOING SO. There are numerous races there including the GNCC which is reportedly just plain nuts as well as numerous other events. These have been going on for years and wouldn't continue if they steadily lost money. The only reason Snowshoe may have lost in the case would be because of UCI requirements.
And never mind the resort owners, the property owners (individuals that own the units) would much rather have people staying in them than not. As an owner of any room or condo there, when it's occupied you are getting paid. If that room or condo is paid off, then that money goes into your pocket sans what's needed for the HOA fee's.
The TLDR here is that ALL owners want to see these events. Especially during the summer when the occupancy rates are normally lower.
The best things that could happen would be if the state reduced the tax rates (I paid 50 bucks a night in taxes alone this last weekend!) and mountain bikes were cheaper. The average Joe has a hard time spending two thousand dollars on a mountain bike.
Maybe we can add a Nitro Circuis airbag to the wish list just so the finish line celebrations can get rowdy!!!
We ended up watching the finals at the start and just listened through the PA. Either way, kick ass event.
Same thing with the women's - didn't see Marine at all.
I get the overall is a big deal but at least give us a bit of the actual race winner...
Wikipedia:
“The telescope sits near the heart of the United States National Radio Quiet Zone, a unique area located in the town of Green Bank, West Virginia, where authorities limit all radio transmissions to avoid emissions toward the GBT and the Sugar Grove Station. The location of the telescope within the Radio Quiet Zone allows for the detection of faint radio-frequency signals which man-made signals might otherwise mask. “
North American Cup = 5 races, prize money, number plate/trophy/exposure.
World Cuo champion (grand champion) as it is now most points from all races.
Benefits - smaller teams focus money on geo based series within a series. Build up to full series.
- spread venues around for more variance.
- give injures riders an opportunity to complete s series if injured or mess up with bad results
- more fantasy leagues / opportunities
- cheaper to get involved from a sponsorship perspective because if local options
- subscription based red bull tv viewing (yes I’d pay no if money goes back into sport , to the riders and to medical/safety response... I think a stepped model be good initially where you get current “basic” coverage free paid by sponsors, but then offer in-depth coverage on a paid bracket to get more. E.g. helmet cam top 5... ability switch cameras live etc...lots of opportunity.
Of course add the world champs race at the end of the year .
North America; st Anne, bromont,Vermont, whiteface, Jersey.., West Virginia .... just east coast... west coast options start with whistler and could move south,,,
Great season, great job red bull bringing to the masses. I do miss the dirt magazine coverage from yesteryear but damn we have it good these days. Media coverage is absolutely amazing. Quality and Bruni fast edits right to our pocket TVs. !! Insane
www.redbull.com/in-en/uci-mtb-world-cup-dates-2016-announced
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_UCI_Mountain_Bike_World_Cup
In 2016? No Windham on that schedule
Edit: I did. It was 2015 though, no US races in 16