Hot off the Press: UCI 2013 World Cup Calendar Announced

Jul 13, 2012
by Karl Burkat  
2013 UCI DH Schedule

1/ June 8/9 Fort William, UK
2/ June 15/16 Willingen, Germany
3/ July 27/28 Val Di Sole, Italy
4/ August 3/4 Vallnord, Andorra
5/ August 10/11 Mont Sainte Anne, Canada
6/ September 14/15 Hafjell, Norway
7/ September 21/22 Leogang, Austria

World Championships
Aug 26 - Sep 1 - PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA



2013 UCI XC Schedule

1/ May 25/26 Nove Mesto Na Morave, Czech Republic
2/ June 15/16 Willingen Germany
3/ July 27/28 Val Di Sole, Italy
4/ August 3/4 Vallnord, Andorra
5/ August 10/11 Mont Sainte Anne, Canada
6/ September 14/15 Hafjell, Norway

Potential World Cup in China! - Looks like dates TBA, but that would be huge news.

World Championships
Aug 26 - Sep 1 - PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA


photo

Which venue has you the most excited?


Author Info:
karl-burkat avatar

Member since Jan 1, 2000
600 articles

182 Comments
  • 63 17
 I'll tell what doesn't have me excited. No Windham stop. Boo, UCI, boo!
  • 17 5
 I completely agree. I was looking forward to the possibility of actually traveling to one for the first time in the US next year.
  • 10 4
 what is so wrong that we are unable to keep any world class mtb events on US soil? are the only fans attending on this site?
  • 14 1
 Super lame... might have to make the drive over to MSA next summer.
  • 28 13
 MSA is a bigger, better venue anyway. Just make the drive up, revel in beautiful Quebec city, get lost in the blue eyes of a French Canadian woman, and ride some world famous DH trails while you're at it. Don't complain because you'll miss out on a bunch of "USA USA" chants and instead make the most out of it.
  • 9 4
 I already started planning vacation time around next year's race. I've never been to a WC and was so stoked to go. Looks like I'll have to stick to watching them online, unless UCI screws me out of that as well.
  • 8 1
 It's not an impossible distance to add a day and drive up to MSA from N Virg. Unless of course there is something preventing you from crossing the border. Might suck to not have one near you, but then again there are tons of DH fans in Asia, South America, or Australia that don't ever have a chance at all. Doooo it. Q.C. is a blast.
  • 3 0
 No me gusta! Broke my hand riding and missed this year's Windham stop in surgery....told myself all good, will catch next years....guess not unless I can make the road trip to MSA
  • 3 2
 Gutted man , windham is actually one of my fave tracks on the calender ! Every race that has been there so far has been awesome to watch.
  • 20 2
 Seriously? Windham has had a world cup round for 2 or 3 years now... and yet you complain that you've been screwed over because there isn't another? When was the last time we Australians got a world cup? If any of us want to watch the closest is Pietermaritzburg. Everything else is over 22 hours of flying away.
  • 4 0
 From the videos of the OZ national serires I have watched there is only 1 WC standard track there , correct me if i'm wrong , can't remeber the name now.
  • 7 4
 this is why uci sucks,the #1 rider is from U.S.A.,& no world cup that not good ,don't get me wrong its cool to go to new country,but the #1 should get his in there no matter who is #1,that should be a rule .
  • 4 0
 They're mostly Europe next year, as much as I love European tracks, windham gave it more diversity, more open and dusty, they should keep one in America of get one in new zealand or Australia, anyway I'm stoked on them tracks, they all sound sick!
  • 6 0
 Maybe a better way would be 10 stages, two countries featuring from major MTB continents of the world (Europe, Australasia, Asia, Africa, Americas)...with countries on a rotating basis each year. That way all get to take part, and the tracks are different each year. This would put WC racing on a larger map than this.
  • 10 0
 I can understand why they don't have many World Cups here in Australia, the better tracks we have in Australia are not lift accessed and they don't have pit access to accommodate for the large amount of teams. We do have tracks capable of holding a world cup, I've been to every world cup this year, and tracks like Awaba in OZ are well capable. Hopefully Downhill in Australia get's to a point where we are able to take advantage of the great potential we have and hold another World Cup (not at Stromlo though).

New Zealand on the otherhand, what... the heck. I've been there 4 times this year and it's heaven, it has so many insanely sick tracks that could easily hold a world cup. I don't understand WHY there's no world cups there at the moment, their is probably a fairly justified reason. Hopefully we see some world cups there in years to come.....
  • 3 0
 it doesnt cost the world for a bit tarmac and a chair lift. NZ should be on the WC map, agreed.
  • 4 4
 There are many many lift accessible DH runs in Colorado, Utah, WINDHAM, Washington... There are soo many. Come on UCI, no offense to Andorra, but the United States is a much bigger market :/
  • 5 0
 @Atrokz, can we ride that French-Canadian chick too? Big Grin
  • 4 0
 Oh i like the sound of these french-canadian chicks a whole lot..
  • 4 0
 As much as I enjoyed the US having a WC race, I really thought the venue was a little underwhelming compared to the other stops on the tour, I mean look at Leogang and look at Windham. It felt like they just did it as a fan service and to attempt to draw more people in.
  • 3 3
 The problem that I have with not having a race in the US is that up and coming pros and young junior racers and, such as myself, have very little opportunity to show what we have on that sort of level. Windham was the closest race for me to try and make, and it was still all the way across the country. I would like to think that I'm not the only rider on the west coast that thinks that. Why cant we have a WC on the West of North America since we have MSA on the East coast?
  • 3 0
 We will be getting a world cup in 2014 in cairnes and another world cup somewhere in Australia for the next couple of yesrs, so at leastthings are looking up for us Aussies
  • 5 0
 Don't forget everyone, it is the VENUE that has to PAY the UCI to host the event.... Unfortunately there are a lot of politics behind great DH tracks.... frown. Not impressed UCI. Might as well be called the 2013 UCI European World Cup
  • 8 0
 why don't they have one round in NZ then the next week one in Australia in stead of 6/7 in Europe
  • 1 3
 By the look of the crowd at MSA this year compared to nearly any other event, there wasn't that many people there.
With that said, why even have a event here then?
  • 1 0
 The UCI aren't hosts, maybe the folks at Windham didn't want to put another one on.
  • 1 0
 Windham reveled in this, NYstate paid the UCI to come this year because the town got pillaged by the flood last summer. Maybe that's why? Regardless it's sad that I can't take a 2 hour drive and watch the big boys, plus side? I still only have a 2 hour jaunt to MCA and I get to race on the Windham course this weekend. This is sad news for the East Coast fans, this was pretty much all we got! I do however have to say that the east coast has better trails than Windham.. Plattekill would've been a better choice but they have no resorts or condo's. Whiteface should get in on this, 8 minute UCI course? I THINK YES!!
  • 2 1
 Don't get me wrong, I'm a little sad that the US is not hosting a WC this year, but it is good to see some other countries thrown in there too... Andorra? Germany? That's pretty freaken' sick if you ask me!
  • 1 0
 YEAAAH VALLNORD!!!! we will rock it once again!
  • 1 0
 Bad Wildbad could be a better world cup DH track in Germany than Willingen IMO
  • 3 0
 @Pabail - Chairlifts are extremely expensive and complex to install and run. Not only would somewhere doing that have to get a lot of investment capital but they would have to guarantee a full season of constant ticket sales every year, not to mention the years of planing prior to construction. In 2011 a Doppelmyer detatchable was around $12million+ just to install. You can double that with planning and track setup for a higher volume of riders. Then constant staffing (operators, maintenance etc). For most places it does cost the world for a car park and chairlift, why do you think Innerleithen has never had chance to get one. Let me put it this way, Whistler breaks even/makes a loss in the summer.
  • 1 0
 redrook, those numbers do come as a bit of a suprise, cheers for the heads up. i heard that the application is in for an Innerleithen chairlift and a visitor centre. The locals i spoke to are optimistic.
  • 1 0
 I wouldn't get excited to be honest, the feasibility study done a few years ago was not promising. It's difficult to justify doing when you're getting no return in the winter yet still have to maintain the machinery. But you never know. If it ever goes ahead it will be literally years before it happens though, I'm not going to hold my breath. Don't get me wrong it would be extremely cool, but I don't see it happening.
  • 1 0
 there has been talk of a chair lift at inners for about 8 years now , personally I don't think it will happen , the uplift service is much more viable
  • 19 2
 I know people are pretty bummed out about various places being left out, however, I think that the biggest problem here is the fact that there are only 7 rounds in the World Cup. For DH to progress and expand as a sport there needs to be more top level events at more destinations. I can't think of another worldwide racing sport that has 7 rounds; they all have way more. F1:16 or 17 rounds. Moto GP: 18 rounds in '08.
  • 3 0
 Compare it to other world cup races and they are plenty that only have 8 or so though. I think 8 world cups and a world championship would be perfect with room to expand to 10 in the future.
  • 5 0
 There is way more money in sports like F1 that allow the athletes and teams to travel to 16 events. There are not very many dh racers who could afford to travel that much. That's why you see a lot of younger riders only doing their local events, like NA riders only do Windham and MSA. So once we have multibillion dollar companies sponsoring teams we can have a bigger world cup schedule.
  • 7 38
flag audeo03 (Jul 13, 2012 at 8:18) (Below Threshold)
 I'm really glad Windham is gone. It was a so-so track and run 3 years in a row.

Now just get rid of MSA and Fort Bill, and the World Cup will be slowly getting fresher. They need new tracks and new locations. Stoked for Norway, but what about the rest of the world?
  • 21 0
 MSA has been voted amongst the best / favorite tracks by riders. Fort William has the best crowds and atmosphere.
  • 5 0
 i agree with dhpig
  • 1 0
 I totally agree about the money situation in other sports and I'm not trying to say the number of rounds should be bumped up to 16 straight away. I just think that the number of races in a season should be increased gradually with full and proper discussions with the teams regarding money and travelling.
  • 9 0
 Why not do several races in just a few countries to save money ?
Could do a Euro season ( yeah I know , it pretty much is already ) visiting say 15 tracks to cut down on traveling.
Do a USA/Canada season , with all the bike parks there this could be amazing.
Maybe a NZ/Oz/lower Asia season .
Places like south africa and other events where it's way out of the way to the rest of the events could be added as a one-off , long distance trip every season.
  • 2 0
 M.S.A. is one of the best tracks i've had the chance to race on i got first in simi pro 2000,West Virginia &Mount snow are just as good just ask Steve Peat or Sam hill. M.S.A. should be on no matter what,the same with U.S.A. don't forget who makes some of the bikes.
  • 3 0
 Without a doubt MSA is the most balanced DH Track on the Planet, even the pro's say it. @audeo03, before making bold statements like yours, why don't you ride the track in MSA (like I have and certainly others on this site) and see for yourself how fast and technical it really is.

I never like to see a DH course/event get removed from the roster, in fact I wish Windham would still be there. I love the sport and waiting sometimes for a month between races is very long.

I would like in addition to see a WC on the North American West coast (Canada or US) but in priority I would like to see more female riders at the WC level. This worries me because throughout the recent years the number of female riders that qualify is drastically less then before. Maybe the UCI should look into being more flexible and change the terms for female qualifications.
  • 1 0
 MSA seems to be consistently awesome as a venue, and I can tell Fort Bill is incredible. I'm not so happy about PM for the champs though, that track didn't look any good tbh.
  • 19 1
 I am still blown away that there are no WC stops in western North America...specifically, BC.
  • 1 0
 You need a venue that wants to host it and the money to host it. I would love for it to happen, but i have not heard of any placein western canada trying to get a world cup
  • 1 0
 I have heard rumblings of someone trying to get one in the West of Canada. They are working on making the current event bigger and bigger to get it up to a UCI standard. It would be super sick if it happened.
  • 4 0
 That would be awesome, I think Golden and kicking horse personally would be an awesome such venue for a world cup. Driving distance to a major canadian city that is in the best economic shape. Hosts what some consider the best race in western canada as it is. Has a reputation from the Physcosis days on MT 7 with some top world cup racers.
  • 3 5
 Logistically a western stop doesn't make sense. All the racers would be traveling from Europe. A stop in the west would add 4+ hours to air travel time. Not to mention the drive time from an airport to the venue. That's a big added cost to teams. That's what made windham such a great choice. It was only a couple hours drive from nyc. I attended the first and second year there and it grew alot in that short time. I was really looking forward to another.
  • 1 0
 Agreed they need a second stop out west to make it more feasible or it would have to be close to crankworx. But Golden is a 2 and half hour drive from a major airport and the extra four hours wouldn't matter if there is a second race or event out west for the teams to make it economical. Logistically South Africa makes less sense but there it is every year.
  • 2 0
 If i remember correctly from racing in Kamloops at the bike ranch, Some guys from sun peaks were there and saying that they were going to try for a World Cup for 2014. Which would be very cool. they would have to make some adjustments to the venue but it could be good.
  • 1 0
 no doubt that western NA would add some travel time however scissors888 makes that a moot point with WC being in South Africa. Golden is a rad place to ride and close to Calgary but not sure if that would be the spot. Sun Peaks would be sick but 4 hours from Van makes it a bit of an issue. Whistler makes the most sense and seeing how a big percentage of the mountain bike community is already in Whistler for Crankworx it might work. Bottom line is the sport (cycling) is way bigger in Europe than it is team sport orientated North America.
  • 1 0
 But they couldn't do it at Crankworks because of all the competitions, not to mention the Canadian open. its like crank works Europe gives riders a bit of a break from the super competitive WC season
  • 1 0
 @ Tiplezero and Scissors888

Correct me if I'm wrong, but every year at Crankworx Whistler, nearly EVERY bike company is there in the village.
So if they can be there for Crankworx and some of the racers race, why could they not tie in a UCI event shorty before or after Crankworx on the west coast? They are already there
  • 1 0
 And the 4+ hour extra is BS, they fly over the arctic so it can't be that long.
Also alot of the riders are out for Sea Otter any way, have a event around then
  • 1 0
 There are so many politics involved about racing in Canada. Would love to get into it but it would be way too long
  • 2 0
 It's been said, but I really agree, kicking horse in Golden would be a GNAR venue for a world cup. It's got awesome terrain for a big DH race. Lots of insane rock, and super fast. I think it's too small, but silverstar has awesome trails (it's my favourite bikepark), and a really cool little village. It's also closer to an airport (Kelowna).
It's ridiculous that there isn't a race out west, there are so many wicked venues. Open your eyes UCI! See the possibilities! Plus, there's awesome riding culture in BC, and people are very aware of the sport (especially in towns/cities w/ bikeparks. there's a reason they have bikeparks. But in tons of other places as well - cough cough, rossland, cough cough).
  • 1 0
 my bad, medic202's comment is mine. Accidentally posted from my dad's account
  • 1 0
 didn't silver star host a WC event in the past?
  • 1 0
 yes in 1994. Grouse mountain in 2001-2003. All it takes is an organizer will to put up a viable bid. FYI, its hard to compete with the Quebec race organizers because this is their job. They get funding from their prov gov to host races. In every other province not so much.
  • 16 1
 Now I'm really pissed my GF conned me into the beach instead of Windham a few weeks ago. She will pay.
  • 2 0
 what is wrong with me that I read that as Grand father..?
  • 2 1
 Cause everything is backwards down unda'!
  • 2 0
 Vaginas aren't.....
  • 8 1
 On one hand, selfish as it is, I still get to go home to Fort Bill & stay with my folks.

On the other... 7/8 rounds, no Champery, no USA, it would at least be good to see NZ used.

CHINA!? How will the tweets get out?
  • 5 0
 china should defently not happen, serioulsy the commys will be shit and there wnont be a crowd or a good atmosphere it will be poluted and just shit, it will be a faliure like begjin was at the olyimpics.
  • 10 3
 And why is PIETERMARITZBURG still on there, and even as world champs!?!?!? This sport is never going to progress if they limit it to 7 rounds and most of which are in Europe. UCI can go get f*cked.
  • 5 0
 From an economic standpoint, it doesn't make sense to have only 1 North American race. It cost a lot of money to travel overseas for only one race and I am afraid that the smaller teams may decide to bypass Sainte Anne. Why not have another race at Bromont Quebec. Racers love Bromont.
  • 6 1
 The destinations for the WCs don't solely come down to the UCI. It's up to the organizers whether they want to cough up the $$ to host an event. It's possible Windham and others just couldn't come up with the $$ to make it worth it for them. No need to blame the UCI.
  • 11 0
 It shouldn't be just about the money. The sport of DH started in America, they currently have the fastest rider in the history of the sport, and has they also have a history and tradition of holding World Cups that is being interrupted. I also imagine more than a few teams won't bother coming to North America since there is only one race here.

And let me be the first to say that since PMB is a such Crap-ass pedally course that we will not have a legitimate World Championship DH track, next year, which tarnishes the value of the rainbow jersey. It was Ok as a warm-up race for the season, but now that this is happening the racers should all get together and have PMB kicked off the circuit! World's in Africa, on a shit course? Looking forward to 2014,
somebody please bring back World Cup racing to the western half of North America, the sports epicenter; Whistler, Grouse Mtn, Big Bear, Tahoe, maybe Stevens Pass.
  • 1 0
 I don't think he's meaning that it's "just about the money" in a greedy way, like they don't want to spend it on the race. But that they may not have the money in the first place to continue hosting it. It costs money to have something like a WC race and it's possible that they do not have enough to do so.
  • 3 1
 I think PMB is a fine choice, The last two winners their are Minnar and Gwin so its not like some XC chap is gonna win it. DH needs a variety of track types including ones that require some pedalling. it makes the racers better because they have to adapt and keep pushing there physical limits. if you can not keep up to the top racers because your fitness is lagging well guess what, you have something to work on now for next year. I think in order to be the best in DH racing, you should have to be in amazing physical shape both strength and cardio wise, have an insane amount of skill and talent riding technical sections and a ton of balls.
  • 7 0
 All fair points. But at the end of the day everything comes down to $$. The attendance of WC races in NA is paltry at best. The sponsorship dollars I assume are awful as well. We have Gwin, arguably the most dominant rider in WC history and does anyone outside the sport care? Any mention on ESPN, NY Times? Anything? Until the attendance and dollars follow, racing out here will be small time and we'll be lucky to have a race every few years.
  • 1 0
 So it is only a local New Mexico newspaper, but it is the only newspaper in the second biggest city in the state so lots of people see it. There was an article in there about Angel Fire Bike Park on the front page and how it has become so much better than it used to be. I'm not saying that the championships should be there, but it is improving, and so is the rest of North America, like Northstar California, even just local trails and parks like Black rocks Oregon, and I think that being able to pay for hosting a world cup here would not be the problem. (I'm only using Angel Fire as an example because i know a couple things about it, I'm sure that other places also host lots of other events) Angel Fire hosts a number of events throughout the season and if they publicized it, i'm sure that they would be able to finance such an event. Along with any other large quality bike park in America, sponsorships and publicity could pull them through, and also make American DH big again.
  • 6 1
 Dh needs to part ways from UCI as they don't understand how to represent the sport....we need a true world cup where alot of different Countries get to represent their Best DH tracks. More venues!!
  • 8 4
 so many things wrong with this, where do i begin;
1) Best current DH racer is American, no American races
2) Only 7 rounds? Shouldn't the sport be expanding?
3) World Champs in the middle of the season? That makes sense.. why hasn't the NFL moved the Super Bowl in the middle of the season?
4) World Champs at Pietermaritzburg? C'mon. Yes, love the track, but everyone knows there is way too much pedaling for that track to hold World Champs.
  • 1 0
 1 - why in an individual sport where nationality has no bearing does there need to be a race in the title holders home country, plus Gwin hasn't won the championship yet and they are announcing the next season - what if it was a tight three way like in a couple of prior years = who gets to pick which person is going to win and put a race there.
2. 7 is more than a couple of years ago when it dropped to 5 or soemthing didnt it? Cost is obviously a major factor which is helped by having more races closer together (geographically)
3. Super bowl needs the teams to beat each other to work out who is going to play in it the Worlds is a one off race, the other races do not effect it.
4. I agree, its not a good Worlds course although at least its long. I guess if you have a couple of years of pure gravity gnar then throwing in a slightly different style track gives variety.
  • 1 0
 My whole thing with an American race being essential especially because of Gwin is that, with such an identifiable and successful athlete in the sport, it can help immensely in the expansion and increase of popularity in the United States. Most people still don't know what downhill biking is when I tell them I do it.
Wouldn't cost not matter if the audience and popularity of the sport increase? More people will watch/attend, more sponsors will throw more money to help run them, etc.
And isn't the point of the "regular season" before worlds for riders to gain momentum and confidence and also to increase excitement among fans as they watch with anticipation for riders to do well in worlds; riders that maybe were coming off an injury and having improvements every race or riders that have totally dominated the circuit thus far and seeing if they can put the nail in the coffin and win worlds? Yes the races after will still be exciting but not nearly as much as they would be with the pinnacle race of the sport being held last.
  • 8 0
 If not the U.S., my vote is for NEW ZEALAND!!!
  • 8 0
 Some how UCI sounds more like GAY.
  • 4 1
 Dear UCI, Please bring an event back to Durango, CO. Without a doubt it's one of the sickest courses ever, just ask some of the vet's like Peaty and Minnar. The western half of North America could really use some exposure in the racing department. I remember the days of Grouse Mtn, Durango, and Telluride races. Believe it or not, those venues were ahead of their time and can still prove to be excellent locations for a modern DH race. Particularly Durango. So bring it back, don't you know the west coast is the best coast.
  • 1 0
 I'd be happy with a Durango and Vail WC stops. That would be baller.
  • 7 0
 bring the World Cup to the Northwest US!
  • 2 0
 Port Angeles would be awesome!
  • 7 2
 Well, that looks like a fairly boring schedule. I'm sure it'll be sick but it's all just old rounds. Hopefully for 2014 they can get a west coast world cup!
  • 1 0
 West coast would be legit ! But if they use the willingen tracks from past years then its gonna be sick Smile
  • 1 0
 That's true, the old willingen track looked so fun
  • 6 1
 WHY JUST WHY EEVEN CONSIDER THE COMUNIST CHINA IT WOULD BE SHIT WORLD CUP!!!!!!! bring it to NZ
  • 3 0
 Spoken like a true asian...
  • 2 0
 I agree that a chinese leg would be rubbish - the chinese have no feel for watching sports - you only have to look at the vast empty stadiums that line the F1 track in china when the racing is there. The finish area there would be the antithesis of Fort Bill - empty and silent.

As someone has said though - they will go where someone is willing to pay for the race - maybe no one in NZ has more than a couple of pennies to pay the UCI?
  • 1 0
 yea, our goverment would use it to bring in money. we would pay they just need to ask our shitty goverment
  • 2 0
 Every continent should have a wc race. Ten or twelve races, best 8 results count is the way forward. Asia needs a round, be it Indo, hk, India or Japan. Taiwan is incapable of hosting but the others could do it.
I agree that the defending champ should get a home race.
I also think scrap the worlds, the world champ should be the best rider over a full season, i.e. what is currently the world cup champ.
Danny Hart is awesome but he has only won one first class race. The year before Hill only finished one race didn't he? I think that's a bit of a joke. I'm not Gwin's biggest fan, but he deserves the world champ tag more than anyone else.
  • 5 4
 And this is why DH should have walked away from UCI... How can you drop USA when the best male rider is from AMERICA!!! Also having the Worlds mid season kills the season, as if you have a shocker it snowballs for the rest of the season... Sam Hill proved that the year he crashed at the worlds!!!
  • 2 1
 A lot of sports have wolrds towards the end of the season with one or two more world cups after world championships. Nothing unusual about that.
  • 4 0
 I am not a DH historian, but it seems to me that the sport of DH has been dominated for the past couple of decades by those outside the US. (Not overlooking Missie the Missile Giove to be sure) Seems we of the short history tend towards becoming insensate when not granted immediate gratification of our desires.
As in many arenas, the US is a great breeding area for innovative ideas, but we don't hold a monopoly on success, nor of great fan support. I too would love to see a WC event in Whistler (not far from where I live, and a fabulous venue) or anywhere else on the continent, or in the US specifically, but I'm sure the UCI looks at where the bulk of the racers and fans live, and where they are reasonably assured of excellent hosting when making choices. The successes of Minaar, Peaty, the Atherton's have helped ensure venues in their home countries. Seems to me Australia is a natural choice for a WC event given the strength of the Aussie riding community. How many Americans are in the top 20 of any WC DH event? 2? 3? If we want more events in North America then we need to put more racers near the top, methinks.
I wonder too how much of a role insurance plays in deciding venues. In our litigious society, it may not be practicable to host large numbers of events due to the costs of hosting and insuring.
  • 2 0
 Well OF-COURSE the UCI pulls DHI out of the USA!!! Why wouldn't they? If you are from the US race in the US and make it more important to win here!!

IT IS THE EURO CUPS!!!(with a little UCI label) Let the EURO'S race it!!
  • 2 0
 Agreed Q..
  • 1 0
 I agree with Dr. Sanchez. If anyone on this forum really wants a WC in their country, preferably here in the US, bid for it! That's all it takes, well then if you win the bid then you gotta pay for it. It's no joke organizing a WC event. The organizers for the WWC knew that in a post Olympic year UCI does away with one race for team travel logistics. We had three great years of racing in Windham and no one knows what is in store for 2014. Lets hope someone here in the states has the moxy and leadership skills to pull off an event as large a WWC. We in the states get very little government support if any when it comes to these events which makes it that much harder for us to pull it off, but not impossible as we have been able to prove here in Windham. In our last year we were able to get NYS to help us support the race which was a huge win for us. So with that said lets reflect on the awesome 3 years we had and hope for the best in 2014. It wasn't UCI's fault or the organizers faults for not slating Windham on the schedule, it was other factors that were not in our control. We got a thumbs up from UCI all 3 years and they loved the fact that their was a WC in the states.
  • 3 1
 I had planned to go to Windham this year and some Family things popped up and ruled it out. Pretty upset that I won't be able to see it next year. Guess I am going to have to go to MSA if I want to see a WC race in 2013.
  • 7 5
 thats actually Fucked up that they wouldnt have a WC round here in the USA. Seeing how Aaron Gwin, soon to be 2 time WC Champ is from the USA. You would think they would have a round here too. UCI is LAME as usual.
  • 7 2
 Gayyy worst stop in the round for world cup and no nz or america round...
  • 3 0
 The fans and riders have always liked Windham. It is a fun course and it's sad to see it eighty-sixed. Glad that MSA and Fort Bill will remain though.
  • 2 1
 Guys, i am sure windham will be back on the schedule for the year after. It sucks yes but these things happen in all sports. Smetimes a venue is left off for a year to give Another place a chance to host an event. In 2014 another regular stop may be left off to allow somewhere else to host a world cup.
  • 3 0
 Riders complaint about the US track ,OK, we get it. Its not very long or technical and we can live with it.
Now can somebody tell me how the German track its any better ?
  • 1 0
 On dirt, billy and the boys are talking that the UCI is seriously looking at doing another round in China. That would be cool. I do agree, various spots like one in South America and OZ or NZ would be great but to do a one off costs way too much $$$. Not sure why they do not get Angel Fire again, that track looks wicked.

dave
  • 1 0
 Mountain biking seems to be growing as a sport yet there are only 7 world cup rounds. Surely with the amount of money components sell for now teams can afford to at least a couple of rounds more. As it is at the moment if you get injured your season is done .
  • 1 0
 I've never heard/read about a pro saying they are looking forward to the pedalling at Pietermaritzburg, and apart from those racing in front of their home nation, it's rare I've heard someone say they can't wait to hit that stop on the circuit. It's a get-in-get-out, get-ready for the next stop kind of course.

Not really pumped it's the track for the World Champs, but hey, money talks and as long as money stays in the sport, go for it. Bring on the dropper posts!
  • 1 0
 Ideally they need WCs where the top riders actually come from - UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Australia, Italy & France... thats 7 right there and South Africa would also need to be represented, but Pietermaritzburg sucks the big one, surely there's another hill around the place!?
  • 1 0
 some food for thought...

-UCI MTB total revenue stream is TINY compared to traditional sports and motorsports like MotoGP / F1 / NASCAR etc. Don't get delusional on what the UCI mtb circuit is actually capable of doing. They work with a very small budget, with no real corporate or TV contracts (which are always the big ticket support).

-Logistic costs for global events is a big economic strain for riders and companies, especially considering they probably pull in more advertising dollars and sales from places like Pinkbike and for killer promo videos!

-thus they need to eliminate isolated places like South Africa that have little hope for overall mtb growth. Sorry but the cost vs coverage and sport interest is simply not there. What percentage of riders are buying 3K+ bikes in Africa? In addition to the obvious Europe, the UCI need to target areas like Asia, North America and South America, whom have lots of interest, money and potential.

-FInally...although I love traditional tracks, Gwin is spot on when he states the DH racing scene is still run by traditionalists, and needs to progress in new directions. More fan friendly tracks (location and the actual track) with larger features are needed to truly progress. It doesn't mean take away traditional courses, but whats wrong with lets say a city course, or lets say short cuts that save time but are a real threat to crash, or adding more 4X style features or jumps at the bottom like Windham etc.
  • 6 4
 Pretty pissed the USA got ruled out....what you euro's can't hop the pond and get you asses over here for some racing. lame.......super lame.
  • 4 0
 I agree man , there are enough lift access trails in america and canada to host the whole WC season there with out it getting old..
  • 1 0
 Agreed. Even the East Coast alone could hold a decent 7 stop schedule.
  • 2 0
 Why is there still only 7 stops? Any other racing sports that have progressed to much larger levels like F1 and SX have way more then 7 venues
  • 3 0
 You sort of wonder why it's called the world cup, only one wc race is outside europe!
  • 1 1
 when will the uci realise that mtb needs to be more like any other world championship and have more than 7 round for example moto gp has 18 rounds in a season the downhill world cup needs over 10 rounds to be counted as a proper world series!
  • 3 0
 World champs cant be on that track. way to much pedaling. I rekon lance armstrong has it in the bag already.
  • 2 0
 Mountain biking should just wash its hands of the uci full stop there like an itch that you can't scratch 4x did it so why cant the others
  • 3 0
 The 4X World Championship is listed? Is the UCI bringing back 4X for the Worlds?
  • 1 0
 4X is in the worlds this year - it was only dropped from the series.
  • 1 0
 Cool. But I sure hope Enduro would get the nod, and 4X be returned to the World Cup.
  • 12 11
 No U.S. round is completely lame.Went to the first one in Windham and it was awesome. Seems a shame that the country that INVENTED MTB'ing does not get a round EVERY year. Should be a rule or something hehe.
  • 23 4
 Try being here, we have unarguably THE best trail selection in the world and the UCI don't even bat an eyelid towards us. F'ing sick of it.

"World Cup" my ass, more like European Cup.
  • 3 0
 Notice how there are more rants of people complaining about it.......

Listen in UCI / Rockyroads...... if you want people to 'give up' support of Downhill Mountain Biking, then your going the right way about it. That's for sure.

Perhaps listen to the culture of the sport, the spectators, the riders etc. I understand it's all about money, but you really pushing the wrong buttons.

BRING BACK DH1 Series !!!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 quit whinging usa... you may have the fastest rider in the world but autralia/nz make up a much larger percent of the riders competeing and we want an nz round!
  • 2 0
 Have you seen the size of the United States? Did you know the USA invented this sport you love?

As beautiful as Australia is, and as talented as you all are, your country is an island. In order for you guys to go anywhere besides Australia you have to FLY. The USA and Canada have a border which makes PERFECT SENSE FOR A WORLD CUP IN THE USA, there is already one in Canada.

The U.S. Is not bitching just voicing its opinion as World Cup contenders, and the U.S. HUGE in the manufacturing and sales of mountain bikes, that should count for something?!?

There should be at least ONE world cup in the United States, probably TWO all things considered, there are SKI Resorts for days here!!

Where would you rather race all you World Cup racers? EUROPE??
  • 1 0
 UCI the most useless ignorant group of disorganizers. They ruin everything they touch. BMX, 4X now no DH in The US. Please go bankrupt and let people that care about cycling take a turn. IMO.
  • 4 0
 No..Champery..?
  • 3 0
 no US stops this is BS WHAT THE frack UCI.
  • 1 0
 Uci Europe cup .....lame .....World Champs week after Crankworx that's not hard to figure out how many people wont be going to Crankworx.
  • 3 0
 And when it is in Portugal?
It would be awesome !!! Big Grin
  • 4 1
 G********************Y... need some AMURICA!!!!
  • 1 0
 UCI - When you put names in a hat.... you usually put in different names...... But hey, perhaps you just forgot how to spell right
  • 3 1
 yeah, willingen back. Vallnord back!
  • 1 0
 booo just when i was actually thinking of attending a US race for once in my life.
  • 2 0
 F china , it's not enough that they make all our bikes?
  • 1 0
 Surely there should be more rounds than that...the riders could cope with it.
  • 2 0
 BRING IT BACK TO BIG BEAR!
  • 4 2
 thanks for german worldcup, thanks pinkbike rename willingen
  • 5 0
 let's hope they'll completely rebuild the course, or it will be the worst and the shortest worldcups of all time!
  • 2 0
 I heart different riders stating that the tracks in Willingen are a desaster at the moment. Why are they doing the WC in Willingen when there are so many better and longer courses in Germany?
  • 1 0
 good question, maybee anybody believe willigens potential
  • 2 0
 @tribute: yeah, there are way better courses like Todnau and Bad Wildbad, but I guess nobody else has the infrastructure and the money to host such a big event!
  • 3 1
 Well, France is not on the list anymore either.
  • 2 0
 Final bonus round.... Wherever get the most votes!
  • 2 0
 They really need to ditch pietermaritzburg
  • 1 0
 Only cool thing is, other than the venue...masters is the week before worlds and at the same place like the old days.
  • 2 0
 We want a round in NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!!
  • 2 1
 stoked that Andorra is back!
  • 2 1
 They should have another race at Bromont QC!!!!
  • 1 0
 Come on UCI! Peitermaritzburg as the worlds and no windham!!!!
  • 1 0
 Yeah WTF? What about Nth America? And Aus or NZ? disappointing for us
  • 13 13
 USA, the birthplace of mountain biking..

..but no World Cup stop? Thanks again UCI.
  • 3 1
 yeah F*** UCI for that, i cant believe the states aint in it...and France!!
  • 2 4
 lots of bitching here about what you don't have. If you want a North American stop THEN ORGANIZE IT. The UCI would love another venue I'm sure. Don't complain to other people, if you want something then do it yourself.
  • 5 0
 If I was in charge or had say at ANY mountain I would certainly organize and run an event, but unfortunately i'm a lowly mountain biker with internet access..
  • 2 0
 I would like a stop on the west coast, either BC or Northwest Usa
  • 3 3
 If world cups are supposed to be the best athletes on the best tracks why the hell is there never a race in Whistler?
  • 4 0
 My guess is whistler doesnt want a world cup. Costs a lot of money to host these things and im sure they are very happy sticking with crankworx
  • 1 1
 no whistler wants a world cup but to get a world cup the venue has to host smaller races just to show that they can host a race and to support other race series. like MSA also has quebec cup and nationals.... this is just what i heard from people on whistler hosting world cups, i dont know for sure though
  • 6 0
 I am skeptical, Whistler hosts a weekly race series that draws over 200 racers, they just upped the cap to 300 racers. They host one of if not the largest Mountain bike festival in the world where the run 3 different DH races that are all very well attended. They would easily have 20,000 spectators crammed on to the hill to watch a World Cup. If WhistlerBlackcomb wanted a world cup, I imagine they would just have to pick up the phone. It costs money to put on the race, the UCI doesn't cover the costs. Its up to the venues to put up a large portion of the money. It wouldn't be easy to charge admission to such an event because the base area is a public area and having a race takes away the venue you would receive from people paying to ride the bike park during that week and weekend. I think a New DH track on the Creekside of Whistler makes sense. Have the race away from the main village, it would be easier to rope off the area and potential charge an admission and keep the ENTIRE bike park open for paying customers and tourists to ride.
  • 2 0
 ....and Crankworx is a just a "little" race. The reason Whistle doesn't get a WC race is purely logistics and economics. You would have to eliminate Mont Sainte Anne and any possibility of another east coast venue to accommodate Whistler. The UCI wants a race that is close to North America's largest population centres.

People forget that it over 5,000 km between Sainte Anne and Whistler.
  • 1 0
 dhpig is right. You would need a second venue really for the west coast really to make it feasible. So Whistler and lets say a second venue within a 12 hour drive of whistler and not in canada. So Washington state or oregon state would need to have a venue willing to organize a race as well.
  • 4 1
 Except they will have to fly from MSA to South Africa then back up to Norway. Gee. Flying from one side of Canada to the other is so un-economical.
  • 1 1
 I think you will see a smaller then usual european group making the trek over for MSA next year. Its not a problem for the Big Teams, it will be for smaller teams though. Airfare in Canada is not cheap either, we get gouged here.

I am sure some teams will come next year and do Crankworx around the same time(assuming its at the same time it was this year) Others will probably skip it and head to south africa instead as Words is a more important race the MSA World Cup. A lot of people here seam to think these World Cup Teams are just swimming in Money. Maybe the big boys like Trek, Specialized and Giant, but i think you would be surprised if you looked at the books of the rest of them.
  • 3 3
 Quote "Gee. Flying from one side of Canada to the other is so un-economical"

Canada is only 40 times larger than the UK and the second largest country. Yea, it is expensive to fly across Canada.
  • 4 0
 Quebec City to Vancouver: ~3800km
Quebec to Durban (RSA): ~13,200km

Cheapest return flights : to van $334 CAD
To Durban $2034 CAD.


How the f*ck. Is that not economical.
  • 2 0
 think about if your in Canada (MSA) most of the riders will be off to Crankworx so maybe a UCI DH the week b4 or after Crankworx would have been smart!!! Or even a trip to Mammoth Mountain or even down to Big Bear..
  • 1 1
 I bet whistler gets enough profit just from crankworx. They dont need a WC event. Besides, where would it happen, definately not a-line, too many jumps. Whistler is best suited for crankworx and not a WC event.
  • 2 0
 Obviously just an A-Line squid muppet
  • 2 0
 The UCI will not go to Whistler because of politics that happened over 10 years ago.
  • 1 0
 What happened?
  • 1 0
 Why does Whistler need a WC event?

Whistler wanted the X games that would have brought a new crowd.. I don't see what value the mtb DH WC brings to Whistler.. its already the worlds most media publicized and media intensive bike park.. what are the UCI going to do to improve on that?

No WC event.. no loss for Whistler IMO, but a huge loss for the UCI as they would have gained hugely from having the event here..

No X-games - thats a real shame!
  • 1 0
 The UCI won't go to Whistler for many reasons, probably because of Crankworks and that Whistler self-insures. From what I can remember the UCI wants nothing to do with that. That's one of the reasons why Grouse mountain got the WC years ago. Don't think Whistler wants the UCI, either, so the feeling is probably mutual.
  • 1 0
 i would laugh if they put the q cup camp fortune race
  • 2 1
 Lame lame lame no usa stop. And screw china.
  • 1 0
 I'm stoked to see Mynaar get the chance to win WC on home soil!
  • 1 0
 Finally, someone sees a positive aspect in all of this! Smile
  • 1 0
 somebody should say something to UCI, send them an email, or something.
  • 1 0
 there should be champery and whindham
  • 1 0
 For a WORLD cup, its pretty European....
  • 1 0
 PLEASE BRING BACK SCHLADMING AND CHAMPERY







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