Video: Interview With UCI President Brian Cookson

 By any measure of 'large' (media coverage, monetary contributions, athlete representation and participation), the Tour DOES qualify as the largest event in cycling. However, Mr. Cookson didn't say it was the only event of any importance -- he mentioned trials before he ever mentioned the tour, and he's notoriously a fan of downhill; he is, in fact, the reason British DH is where it is right now. He's only been in for three months, yet has already made so many changes... I say we give him and the UCI, a chance to turn it around. We need a governing body and, like it or not, no one else is stepping up to the intricate and very expensive plate.

 Give the UCI a chance? did you see the changes they've made for 2014?

Agree, a governing body is probably necessary, and to be honest, I wouldn't want to be in Mr. Cookson's shoes or the UCI's. Probably not an easy job, and I'm sure fairly thankless. (Not to they couldn't be doing a better job)

 @ambatt - I do agree we should give them a chance, and I think if anyone at the UCI can make positive changes it's Brian Cookson, I just cant help feeling very pessimistic about it.

 Ugghhh. So many butthurt mountain bikers. "Stay true to the sport." "Governed by riders, for riders." Mountain biking is only a small discipline in the great scheme of things. In what way would an MTB council do more supporting? How would an organisation with less money do more for MTB?

 Kes2903
All I wanted to to do is about YESSSSS!!!!! to our own government body. I don't think he uci are bad but I'd like to see more backing for mtb.

We need someone who is going to drive out sport. The uci focuses on road because it pulls in more money. I'm sorry to road riders but mtb takes more skill. Not saying the hard work is more both diciplines work 100% and just as hard but as soon as you go off road the range of skills you need to develop broadens and it takes more varribles to pull together a win. Road riding is a training tool for mtb because its easier to isolate training adaptions.

We need a governing body that will push our sport as its primary not its secondary. Come to aus downhill is seen nowhere even when we have held worlds and worldcup rounds there is nothing on tv or advertisement. Road though its always advertised and televised.

 Its also interesting how he says "repair reputation of our sport" sounds like his purely referring to the drugs in road cycling. Our sport is road cycling is it.......not bias at all and excluding all other diciplines with that comment :/

I'm been critical I hope he can really help support mtb riding but if we don't develop and road riding keeps the focus we need to really consider a separate governing body.

 By making rules that actually make sense... Maybe.. You know money isn't everything... Our sport was based on love not money... Think about it maybe we could govern ourselves not saying it would be pretty but it might work... Probibly won't... But it might!

 If you guys are so goddamn 'rah, rah, rah' about MTB having our own governing body, why don't you take some time out of your busy Pinkbike schedules and create your own instead of sitting online and claiming that we need one given to us from the man that has just been elected as the new president? Inside of three months? Jesus. Get real.

Man, humans are f*cking dumb these days. 'What do we want? We want clean air/better environment/new governing body/world peace! When do we want it? NOW? Who's going to give it to us? SOMEONE ELSE!'

Either get off your duffs and do it yourself or shut the hell up.

 Or, even better, shut the hell up and do what you can to make the CURRENT governing body and organization a positive, impactful one. Volunteer for race duty, get behind the lines and actually see what it takes to put on the weeks of WC races, film those hours' worth of World Cup footage, broadcast that footage and advertise it to the masses. Maybe then you'd rethink a few things.

My point? Give Cookson a chance or make your own organization.

 Or even better… go and ride your bike

 Money isn't everything... Good luck trying to make an international Mountain Bike governing body made up of volunteers.

 Ill do something for it if i were to get elected but i wouldn't cause no one trusts a 15 year old (as they shouldn't... I mean more than half of my decisions that don't matter on a dally basis revolve around my testosterone filled love for women and my dire obsession with food..) to help run the prefessional competitive curcit and keep the riders from causing pure chaos

 It's never too early to start volunteering at races or racing and garnering support, even at a local level. If you start making a difference now, you'll have a damn good start on the rest of us! Ha ha.

 Werd.

 I got your governing body RIGHT HERE! Govern THIS [grabs crotch area]!!!

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=om7O0MFkmpw

Given that (at the time of writing) the majority of people here (www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-poll-Tell-Us-About-Your-Rides-Pinkbike-Poll-2014.html) are suggesting that the trails they ride are illegal, I couldn't agree more with you about the need for funding for locations to pursue our love for off-road cycling. That's I "couldn't agree more with you", not "could agree more with you" by the way.

 In all honesty, politics are f*cked up. Mountain biking should be run by bikers for bikers. I completely agree with what has been said above, we need more areas designated for off road mountainbike specific usage. And I'm not just talking about more bike parks ie. dirt jumps and skill centres (although more would be great) I'm talking about more trail systems that cover a larger spectrum from XC all the way to highly advanced big air and knarly tracks. To turn away from the UCI for a moment, I think the government should step in more on this, because what I see happening a lot is that they build something and they leave it, and what's even worse they don't provide the tools for the locals to maintain. With all that being said, tippie for president?

 cretin82: Here in Japan, the vast majority of non-ski-park-summer-bike-park trails are either just bikers sharing existing hiking trails (which are increasingly becoming off limits to MTB riders) or small scale commercial enterprises between bikers groups and local landowners. In this way (by bikers working WITH landowners) there have been some small scale successes. Essentially, all trails end up being political and require riders to become skilled in the language of political negotiation, so I would be wary of suggesting that bikers can avoid politics. After all. "of the people, by the people, for the people" sounds eerily like "by bikers, for bikers" does it not.

 I get that there will always be politics, I used the term quite loosely. I'm referring to more of the UCI and what goes on in there and the fact that road riding is favoured quite a bit more, obviously because it brings more money. But this shouldn't be a money game, it's riding (although some companies are in it for that) i just think a lot more could be and should be done for the MTB community.

 Nah mate its gona be voy!!!!!!

 new vid category VOAT best video of all time

 There doesn't have to be two there just has to be a significant representation for MTB In the UCI but the significance of MTB vs Road is 1 in 20 or less but a UMTBI (or whatever) would not have enough funding to do much in my thinking and the sport would suffer.

 because road and off road aren't general at all... it's not that simple, road has multiple disciplines (well track/cyclocross aren't really road) and off-road has multiple disciplines, and they tend to interlock with each other, those two governing bodies would require different licenses and I'd be annoyed if I had to keep another license just so i could race road/cx in addition to downhill/all mountain

 "Does this bikini I'm currently wearing make my junk look bigger? I reckon it does." - Rob Warner

 Chances are downhill if in the Olympics will take the same path as tennis. You never hear about Olympic achievements in tennis its about grandslams, the sports pinincle would still be worldchamps and worldcups. However that's just my assumption it would be good to see how it goes but if the Olympics falls during off season or during season it would come with disadvantages to the rider. Offseason, they would need to peak for the Olympics so the end of the wc season might not be strong. Or they might burn out. Further more it would wreak the next season because they no longer get to have the off season to train and prepare. Inseason, It will require more dedication and could negatively effect thier wc and world chances, unless for that year that the Olympics is on the world title is joined to Olympics and therefore the one event also crowns worldchamp because that's essentially what it is. Otherwise everyone will go with worldchamp no one will care about the Olympics. Of course all assumptions

 For that logic to work, it would mean that Rachel Atherton peaked during world champs... The Oympic DH race wouldn't be any longer than any other world-caliber race, nor would the preparations be any different.

You making such a claim and assumptions as a reason to not include DH in the Olympics is absurd... I don't mean to be rude, but it is. As athletes preparing to race a 12-week, multiple continent series, we TRAIN to be able to climb off of a plane and race a course within four and five days. Some of us are luckier and able to spend up to a week at a chosen venue, but that's not a luxury everyone can afford.

Also, the summer Olympics happen during the SUMMER, hence the moniker. It wouldn't wreck any pre- or post-season training more than any other race would. Does this mean that having the US National Gravity Championships June 22 wrecks my summer? No! If I can make it, I'll go. If I can't? I don't.
An Olympic DH race wouldn't be any different than any other world-class event, except that it is the largest sporting festival in the world with a much broader scope of potential exposure, cash flow, and public relations opportunities than any of our current races, including World Champs.

You've missed the point entirely.

 Fair point I was more referring to the preparation though. For a athlete to peak and maintain thier performance over the course of a season is a big task and if we are adding in another full couple of weeks of Olympics in there it might effect those events which come afterwards. Can't the summer Olympics change though based on location..... Summer in Australia is not the same as England. Offseason I mean instead of now having say 5months for preparation and rest they need to quickly rest and then peak again for olympics then resr and train for the next season effective not only Increaing the strain in the athlete but significantly effecting preseason training length. Not been a wc racer myself i can't be certain but most event that take place during off season the athlete is not peaking for they will to and have fun and still try to win or use I as a training tool. When your year is centered around worldchamps and worldcups adding in a few more weeks you need to be peaked for is a big ask. I think its a good idea but it needs to be implimented in the right way.

 Women's cycling is important because, as any consumer report from most first and second countries will tell you, women do the majority of household buying. Focusing on including women and introducing them to cycling (and growing that side of every discipline) is imperative to growing the overall value of cycling. If you want to get kids on bikes, how do you do it? Market to their mothers, who will buy them a bike. Two birds with one stone, my friends. Gotta think big picture.

 I was speaking specifically in regards to competing, in terms of retailing there are far different avenues that can be used other then the UCI.

 My theory applies to competition as well -- women are scientifically proven to be more 'communal' than men in that we have larger groups of friends with more influential bonds. I've seen it also amongst fellow DH racers and non-racers: when a chick charges and has fun and is a good representation of her sport, other chicks get involved. Racing, riding, retailing: there's proof to validate the effort of increased support for women's cycling. If there wasn't, do you honestly think that the man who damn near singlehandedly turned around cycling in Britain would be financially and publicly supporting it? I don't think so. Also: look at the draw women have within cycling... Rachel Atherton, Emily Batty, Tracey Hannah, Missy Giove. Why SHOULDN'T the UCI be focusing on women?

 I'm just stoked my 10-year old niece wants to go dirt jumping with me. so i built her up a nice s-works 24-inch mtn bike for trails and bmx park. she LOVES it and wants more bike parts now... in addition to Minecraft-themed Lego kits of course.

 upvote just for the enthusiasm!

 Don't call me Shirley.

 Stick it to the mannnnnn.

 I got your governing body RIGHT HERE! Govern THIS [grabs crotch area]!!!

 what ? we already have the tracks and everything, it just needs to be broadcasted proper on the olympics

 As it has been pointed out in various other threads, finding or building a course for the Olympics isn't that extreme -- they have XC courses, which means the IOC should be able to integrate the two courses; we just don't pedal! This excuse is getting old and is, quite frankly, annoying.

 Safe courses ? Do you not watch the winter Olympics ? The DH skiing is the most dangerous sport in the the whole event !

The tracks get rough as f*ck and more dangerous through out the race , much like DH biking.

 Goddamn awesome point.

 Any organization of any size needs leadership if you want it to grow.

If you want mountain biking to be a 3rd tier spirt (or lower in the eyes of the world) and as a result get no funding and support then you are right to want to get rid of the uci.

Something that people need to remember, being in charge on a political level sucks! All complaints and no praise all the time.

I think it is important to give this new administration a chance and get behind it as it is mtbs only path to becoming a top tier sport which in turn means more money more trails.

Unfortunately this is a process that requires a long term vision and patience. Something we as mountain bikers are not really known for .

 I don't think it needs to be to survive. There will always be a strong participation element to DH that will keep it alive. At numerous levels if DH is anything it is fun. I also think it is accessible at many levels across riders. You can always hit a local race and sign up in the recreational categories just for the thrill of getting to run the course. You can't do that at the Tour de France. I think DH and slope style have pretty good TV appeal. I have been riding XC for close to 30 years and find it totally boring to watch.

 To be fair you cant just sign up and compete at the world cups or world champs either. Likewise with road cycling if you want to hit up a local race and sign up for a Cat 4 "recreational" ride you can.

 What are the pros of having DH in Olympics? How about wing suit base jumping first?

 As big of a MTB supporter that I am. I would rather see close proximity base suit jumping in the Olympics. Just because that would be simply ridiculus. I would love it. I got my money on Jeb Corliss.

 I vote for fly suit racing. Four guys put some GPS points up for a course they need to fly, first one down wins its the downhill/4x of the sky haha. Be so dangerous but so entertaining.

 Good man, so you are going to write complete nonsense because you couldn't be bothered finding out even the most basic facts about Brian Cooks on? This man is not a Nazi and has been UCI president fr only 3 months. He is the man trying his best to undo all the bad policies of the past. Educate yourself before you spout shit. It will help in all areas of your life.

 He's also the man who is behind the past 15 years of success in British downhill. Want to know why the Brits are dominating? Because of HIM. Inform yourself.

 I agree that DH doesn't fit in the Olympics, but that's a stupid reason why. If it were like then we need to get rid of basketball cause we have too many good players. Just doesn't make sense.

 Yes the whole Olympic thing is dum, yes I totally agree with America having too many good basketball players, but being a team sport its more a fun thing, but sport should be fun, I think things have got too performance orientated with out even talking about performance enhancing drugs, be it legal or not banned yet drugs

 Good to see UCI have someone who is not a dickhead I have met a lot that are over the last 8 years working at Fort bill world cups

 Don't you think most countries have to deny riders be side they have too many good riders? I know here in aus we have a big talent pool even with little overall numbers in comparison. Worlds has a limit to riders as does the Olympics. However the Olympics has a limit on total athletes if dh can only pull in one medal you would probably get most countries only sending one or two riders. We only sent one rider for bmx I beleive both for men and women's last Olympics. That said I don't think dh should be in the Olympics it will be like tennis its great to have but everyone will prize worlds and worldcups more the Olympic winner won't truely be considered the best in the world. Also there would be issues with peaking for the event without hurting the current season or next seasons wc season. I'd think many riders would opt to do worlds or worldcup over Olympics, it could potentially hurt thier chances at the other events either burnout, effecting training and therefore preparation. Unless Olympic gets prized no one will sacrafice or risk a wc series of worldchamp win. However it would be a great platform for young riders who are trying to make a name for themselves but can't so so on the wc stage. Wouldn't be bad as a development tool.

 Yes I do think most countries have to deny riders, that is my point, so whats the point of competition when not all the best riders are allowed to enter, I do know I competed and got a 5th and 9th at 1990 world MTB championships & could not get any sponsorship to continue racing at that level

 That's the situation for worlds though too so you could equally say what's the point of having worlds at all. I think its a 5rider limit for elite.

Its also partially the situation for world cups. While anyone can enter with the right entry requirements it sucks that good riders are denied the chance to race because our sport has little funding and teams can't put on more and not many can funs a season on thier own.

However that said while not everyone can race the best of the best still get picked so while others could win ultimately they are picking the cream if the crop of that season. So in the end the best riders are still competing just unfortunate not enough riders get picked and the field is smaller.

Wow congratulations on those results. Its a bumper how some people get chosen too, some people are chosen based on marketability in that if you have a certain personality or following you will get on board a team even if there are better riders out there. Damn politics.

What races did you compete in?

 Yes back in 1990 I was lucky as I could just phone up, get them to send me an entry form and just payed my own way there, so that was great, Shows how things have changed in less than 25years under UCI
I competed in trials and duel slalom, really wish I had entered DH but that year was first year suspension forks were out and only top riders had them, so still was not easy to get the right equipment to compete, in that respect its easier to be on the right bike now
Not that it is at all easy now at all but that how mountain bikes have grown, what with things be like in an other 25 years?
Sealed drive bikes?