EWS to Start Working With the UCI

Jun 21, 2018
by UCI Mountain Bike World Series  
The new European Enduro Series Champion will be crowned at the final round in Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.

PRESS RELEASE: Enduro World Series

The Enduro World Series (EWS) announces the next step in its short - but action packed - history as it today reaches a historic agreement with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

The new partnership signifies the progression of the EWS, cementing its place as the world’s leading enduro series and recognising the rapid progression of the discipline over the last six years.

The tight racing, exciting venues and great trails that are the hallmarks of the EWS will remain unchanged following this new agreement, and the Enduro World Series championship will continue as one of the hardest fought and most prestigious individual titles in mountain biking.

Alongside the individual EWS titles, and to promote the ethos of team work, strategy and sportsmanship, from 2019 the UCI will award the iconic UCI Rainbow Jerseys to the winning national teams at the annual Trophy of Nations event, marking a new era for international team competition.

The EWS will now begin working closely with the UCI to continue developing the discipline, advise the UCI Mountain Bike Commission, train Commissaires and integrate anti-doping policies into the sport of enduro worldwide.

Chris Ball, Managing Director of the EWS said: “It’s been no secret we have remained in close communication with the UCI for the past six years whilst the EWS has spearheaded the growth of enduro. As the discipline continues its rapid expansion, the time is now right to add a layer of neutral governance - I’ve always been a firm believer that every sport needs checks, balances and transparency in place.

“This agreement has been a long time in the making and following the election of new UCI President David Lappartient in 2017, our relationship has strengthened and negotiations have accelerated. I am now pleased to announce that the EWS and the UCI from today will begin a new way of working together for the best of the sport, that will maintain the EWS’ position at the top of the discipline. This will allow the EWS to represent and guide the direction of enduro within the UCI, bring anti-doping best practice from the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) and award the fabled UCI Rainbow Jerseys at the Trophy of Nations in 2019. I thank Mr Lappartient and UCI Deputy Sports Director and Head of Off-Road Peter Van den Abeele for following our vision and together starting another new chapter for the great sport of mountain biking.”

UCI President David Lappartient declared: “I am looking forward to mountain bike Enduro joining the specialities recognised by the UCI thanks to the inclusion of the Enduro World Series on the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar. Established in 2012, this very popular series includes no fewer than eight rounds which are of great sporting interest and impeccably organised. Thanks to this partnership, it will now benefit from a broader international reach and an unprecedented capacity to develop through our 190 National Federations. Moreover, I am convinced that the relaunch of the Trophy of Nations will attract a growing number of athletes, motivated by the idea of being awarded the iconic UCI Rainbow Jersey alongside their national team mates.”

uci ews


MENTIONS: @EnduroWorldSeries



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Author Info:
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Member since Apr 2, 2014
250 articles

227 Comments
  • 654 4
 I'd prefer "UCI to be run by EWS" to be honest

Facepalm
  • 32 1
 Quote of the week!
  • 76 1
 Welp, its all downhill from here...
  • 8 2
 RIP E-Bikes!
  • 46 0
 *pours one out for the EWS*
  • 7 1
 The UCI is littered with sores and boners.
  • 14 25
flag retswen (Jun 21, 2018 at 12:59) (Below Threshold)
 EWS - European World Series.
  • 164 3
 "bring anti-doping best practice from the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF)". Doesn't cycling have the reputation as the worst doping sport on earth? That's like bringing in the fire chief from the hindenburg to work at your special needs elementary school.
  • 8 3
 @employee7: Why doesn't this comment have more props!!!
  • 2 3
 @retswen: Wtf. Oh, well guess they invented it.
  • 29 4
 @employee7: Part of the reason they have so many more positive tests than other sports is they do a lot more testing than other sports. Plenty of sports have a doping problem, but the governing bodies seem very reluctant to tackle them.
  • 3 1
 @employee7: bingo..hit the nail on the head
  • 8 1
 @kingtut87: That makes perfect sense. Kind of like when a guy tells you he was fired because he was too good at his job and made his boss look bad.
  • 10 3
 Everyone in the WWE is clean.
  • 11 0
 @employee7: It's more like when the police have a 'road safety' blitz and it looks like there are a ton of people speeding that week. It's more likely the same number of people speeding but more more resources means more people get caught and hence the stats go up.
  • 5 1
 Can we all just take a minute to really appreciate @employee7 ‘s comment. Applauded
  • 6 0
 @employee7: it does have a bad reputation but I think the reality is that there are more tests than many other pro sports. I don’t believe for a second that other sports are clean.
  • 3 1
 @employee7: Most sports are filled with doping, the fact they catch more in cycling might mean they do a better job?
  • 1 0
 @gregwari: let's go for month at least
  • 2 0
 @employee7: whoever writes the bigliest check to UCI wins!
  • 152 3
 I look forward to future EWS races being hosted on a city bike path near a major city.
  • 9 0
 Oh man, instead I wish it went something like: "EWS to take over DH from the UCI"
  • 131 2
 R.I.P.
  • 9 0
 Came to the comment section to write exactly that.
  • 24 0
 R.I.P. new venues every year.
  • 9 0
 THIS IS STUPID SILLY CRAP POOP!
  • 9 1
 looks like ball soul out to the uci.

first kenny smith on an e-bike, now ews going uci............... peeps street cred at an alltime low.
#youcannevergoback
  • 109 1
 I thought Ball created the EWS to be out of the hands of the UCI?
  • 15 0
 I seem to recall that as well.
  • 56 1
 Before starting the EWS, Chris Ball was the technical delegate for gravity disciplines for the UCI. He seems to think they can work together since he was a rather important part of the UCI and knows how they operate. Let's hope he's right.
  • 40 0
 @ka-brap: If you are involved in UCI mountain biking, you are not an important part of the UCI, they go to great pains to ram this home. Speaking of which I think this is a bad move. I can understand the desire for increased legitimacy (but don't think it was ever needed) but the UCI will push for homogeny and control, because that's what they do, in the long run that will be bad for EWS and bad for Enduro as a wider discipline.
  • 6 4
 @Fix-the-Spade: i think the fear was that the UCI would create their own tour that would eventually supplant the EWS. It happened in freestyle snowboarding 25 or so years ago with the FIS.
  • 2 0
 @powderturns: to be true, FIS events have always been second class, at least they still were when I quit following sb media. TTR is the real thing.
  • 10 0
 @powderturns: True, but that's always a risk and EWS has the top teams and riders, UCI world champions are turning up in EWS events rather than the other way round. I fear this is the beginning of the UCI taking over EWS so it can fold it into it's own infrastructure, which would be a disaster.
  • 1 1
 Maybe this will help the EWS bring in more sponsorship money..?

I've always wondered where EWS gets the $$$ to put on their events, it can't be cheap.
  • 15 0
 @Fix-the-Spade: it’s like letting a ratcoon into your house. Sure at first it seems fluffy and cute but then it brakes everything, eats all the food, tries to kill the dog, and craps on stuff all while giving you those little evil beady eyes. ...
  • 1 2
 Well..they dropped the ball. :/
  • 6 1
 They likely gave Ball an offer he couldn't refuse
  • 2 0
 @CantClimb: Most (if not all) the events in the EWS are pre-existing events with public entry. The EWS race effectively becoming the pro category of a race that was already happening. I don't know the exact numbers but I bet it's a siginifcantly cheaper way of running a series than the UCI's more traditional approach of running a dedicated event.
  • 2 0
 Actually Chris Ball presented the idea of a WES to the UCI and they passed on the idea. After trying to sell it internally and failing he decided to go out on his own to prove it out. I am not surprised to see him reunite with the UCI since it is an organization that he has believed in all along.
  • 8 7
 chris ball always was , and always will be, a KOOK.
  • 9 0
 @powderturns: Terje Haakonsen knew where it was at and still does. I doubt anything has changed. Fis and Uci, not much difference there I expect, sycophantic yes men/women vying for a spot on the ioc bung list.

People seem to moan about atheletes doping, but it's the corrupt people in these organisations that really disgust me. I'd rather have a doped up athelete field and a clean organising body...
  • 1 0
 @stacykohut: totally agree !
  • 95 2
 I dont like the title of this article
  • 10 0
 Over a hundred comments so far, I only spot 2 comments that are neutral or in favor.
  • 2 0
 @CaptainBLT: Must have something to do with the good reputation of both parties, or is it just one party? Wink
  • 86 3
 Come on, go all in: trails supervised by IMBA
  • 17 1
 please god no!
  • 11 0
 No more than 2% gradient on all EWS trails, have timed uphill transfer stages.
  • 3 0
 hahaa, can we please include Sierra Club in the deal?
  • 79 1
 The day enduro stopped being cool
  • 58 0
 Why can't we have nice things
  • 44 1
 Because UCI. Burns more than a UTI.
  • 8 3
 @BEERandSPOKES: UCI burns like herpes
  • 1 0
 @BEERandSPOKES: What a pisser.
  • 51 0
 You gotta bet somebody at the UCI is reading this comment section. Hopefully they're starting to realize how universally hated they are by mountainbikers. Pinkbike, please do an in depth piece on how and why the UCI became so despised. This is too big of topic to sweep under the rug.
  • 7 2
 why would they care about vocal minority?
  • 14 0
 Didn't UCI also screw the pooch recently with freestyle BMX? They even got hero Mat Hoffman wound real tight: cyclingindustry.news/bmx-icon-mat-hoffman-slams-ucis-power-grab-of-the-sport-in-open-letter
  • 3 0
 @filmdrew:
Ok..Wow..
Must read for those who are still not convinced (as i was)
  • 1 0
 @Asmodai: why would they care about 400 people without uci membership more like. And they'd be right.
  • 40 0
 Whos gonna be first to fail a piss test?
  • 76 2
 Ratboy
  • 11 2
 Me or Ratboy for sure...
  • 33 2
 Jose Ratland
  • 15 2
 ratboy for the bud, and it'll be interesting to see who fails the first doping control.
  • 3 0
 @freeridelover: Hahaha what a f*ckin animal for that one
  • 4 0
 Got to be dumb to fail a urine test. That's amateur hour!. Plenty of Enduro racers already banned for doping though it flies under the radar of most people
  • 3 0
 @cuban-b: what do to mean first? They already do doping tests.
  • 5 0
 @BeardlessMarinRider: definitely under the radar. any idea who's been banned?
  • 1 0
 @cuban-b: No names only speculation, but an unnamed rider tested positive and received a 6 month ban from the French cycling federation for a masking agent at one of the UCC (Megavalanche) events in 2011.
  • 33 1
 well, this is the worst news for mtb this year, so far. FUCK UCI, can't say it louder nor clearer.
  • 32 0
 LOUD NOISES
  • 27 0
 Brutal! For the first while I can see business continuing as usual, but I'm sure UCI will show it's true colours. Soon no one will be able to afford to host ews races and they will be the same venues year after year.
  • 2 0
 Precisely
  • 30 0
 Noooooooooooooo!
  • 4 0
 Crap!
  • 28 0
 / R.I.P. \
/ E.W.S. \


2012-2018
  • 27 0
 Might as well just go back to downhill now. The EWS is over it was fun but all good things must come to an end. RIP
  • 23 0
 We dumped USAC from our enduros 4 years ago and from DH this year. Attendance increased dramatically when we did.

I fear this means we will have to deal with them and the UCI if we want to host EWS qualifiers/Continental Champ/EWS races in the future. If so I'm not so sure we would still be interested.

Disappointed but expected this change at some point.
  • 7 0
 Great move on the ESC part. UCI is satan, USAC is is closest demon minion.
  • 3 0
 for the moment, there really isnt any requirement on us for the qualies... for CES we dont plan to become USAC sanctioned events... ppl dont have licenses and it just adds costs for our promoters with no benefit.... but i completely understand the reason for EWS to partner with UCI...
  • 30 9
 Calm your farm down you guys, it's actually a great news!! I personally think that Chris and the rest of the EWS crew put their conditions to make it work super well. It will bring more firmness to rules to be respected and to push the cheaters out of the game (all the ones who like to play in the grey areas). Also it brings more recognitions for the ones that are 100% focused into the series!! So, GOOD JOB Smile
  • 5 1
 I Concur , Chris wouldnt have sold the farm, but looked to strengthen what he has created.
  • 12 1
 Im sure you mean dopers as cheaters. Just don't ban cannabis and beers please. The rest I agree
  • 4 6
 i respect you and your opinion yoann, but the very essence of what enduro has been, will always be, is operating in those 'grey zones'. its not real racing. its gravity gran fondo.
  • 1 0
 Idk man. Trophey of Nations sounds super lame. If that part of the agreement is representative of the rest, then.... r.i.p
  • 1 0
 @ajayflex: Trophy of Nations was put in place ages ago, not a new thing since the agreement
  • 1 0
 @aushred: Ah right. I wasn't aware. In his interview it sounded like it was part of the new agreement. Perhaps I misread that and he was referring to the rainbow stripes being awarded as part of it.
  • 22 2
 Getting ready for motor checks, tire width checks, sock height checks, does the frame meet the UCI standard strength tests which every manufacturer will have to submit every bike for testing and approval. Wheels will have to approved. This seems like a really bad decision by EWS......
  • 4 0
 ... or Lycra skin suits
  • 12 0
 @Chadimac22: Or whether front and rear wheels have the same diameter.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: most stupid rule ever
  • 1 0
 They only happen at road events...there are no checks (perhaps motors) at UCI MTB events
  • 25 5
 Folks, this is just the nature of living in a world filled with lots of people. Any time you try to expand something to include more people, make it more manageable, more 'fair', it will always lose some of the character that gave it a cult following in the first place. Supercross, DH racing, most action sports, etc, have all become more rigid and corporate as they've expanded. Its a necessary process when trying to create something that can be scaled and replicated globally while maintaining a level playing field. It doesn't have to spell the end of the fun, but inherently you will lose some of the fringe athletes who colored the sport. The solution is that you'll need top-level super-human competitors whose performances are intense and engaging enough that they can support the discipline simply on merit. I feel like Enduro is getting to this point (Sam Hill, Richie Rude, Cecile Ravenel, etc) and as long as they can offer the variety of tracks and venues, I predict they will continue to attract top talent. But if the UCI affects their current recipe then it could definitely go bad. Constantly adding new venues, keeping the number of events high (8-10 seems ideal), enforcing limited practice/encouraging mostly blind racing (true spirit of Enduro!), and keeping hosting/promotion costs lowish for the venues have made the EWS what it is. As long as they can stay focused on their core values they should be ok. And don't worry about Ratboy, as long as he stays off the podium he should be fine.
  • 1 0
 preach, hopefully you're right
  • 9 0
 I don’t know what your comment was. It was too long and I’m scrolling fast.
  • 21 0
 Wonder if that means all of the semi-local races that serve as qualifiers will be forced to adopt UCI, which in turn, implies anyone just wanting to ride their local enduros as one-offs are now forced to join UCI.
  • 2 0
 .....son of a BI%$#....
  • 4 0
 From what I can tell this is impossible. At least here in Czech Republic. This year's opening race had more than 500 competitors and if UCI licence was required I think there would be maybe 20 people at the start line...
  • 1 2
 if that ever happen i will personally bomb the uci headquarters. allah akbar.
  • 15 1
 Sing along if you know the tune everybody!

_______________________________________

Well, I know you can't run World Enduro all your life
but don't sign that paper tonight,
they said,
but it's too late.

And I don't remember what I read,
don't remember what they said,
I guess it doesn't matter,
I guess it doesn't matter anymore.

[chorus]
You're gonna go to the bicycle store
You're gonna give 'em all your money
While the UCI shows what they want you to see
They tell me it's cool but I just don't believe it...

Sell out, with me oh yea, sell out, with me tonight
The UCI’s gonna give me lots of money
and everything's gonna be (all right)

[verse]
No more marking courses, arbitrating course disputes,
You know I don't want that no more,
And I didn't ask when we'd get paid, start order’s messed up anyway,
I guess it doesn't matter, I guess it doesn't matter anymore

[chorus]

You're gonna go to the bicycle store
You're gonna give 'em all your money
While the UCI shows what they want you to see
They tell me it's cool but I just don't believe it...

Sell out, with me oh yea, sell out, with me tonight
The UCI’s gonna give me lots of money
and everything's gonna be all right

[bridge]
I don't think it'll be so bad
I know it won't be so bad
cause Baller said "that's the way it is"
and Lappartient said "it don't get better than this" no no no noo

[chorus]

So I signed on with UCI,
They say they're gonna really try,
To not screw up the enduro series next year,
They tell me it's cool, and yeah I sure believe it...

Sell out, with me oh yea, sell out, with me tonight
The UCI’s gonna give me lots of money and
Everything's gonna be all right.
  • 3 1
 Reel big props!
  • 13 0
 cementing its place as the world’s leading enduro series - was this in question?

exciting venues and great trails that are the hallmarks of the EWS will remain unchanged - time will tell.

the Enduro World Series championship will continue as one of the hardest fought and most prestigious individual titles in mountain biking - so the credibility and kudos of the series win and title is already recognised and desired......

the UCI will award the iconic UCI Rainbow Jerseys to the winning national teams at the annual Trophy of Nations event, marking a new era for international team competition - is this something the riders, sponsors and teams said was lacking of the series, or its the carrot UCI brought that is actually not worth the bait?

UCI to continue developing the discipline - the discipline needed development?

time is now right to add a layer of neutral governance - I’ve always been a firm believer that every sport needs checks, balances and transparency in place. - is that what UCI has proved to be, a bastion of neutral governance. If so I think you may have a whitewashing issue of recent cycling history. Transparency .....or Organisational interests?

strengthened and negotiations have accelerated - the truth to all this is in this statement. This is a business development deal, sold by one party to the other for the commercial benefit of both. Terms agreed and conditions imposed for the terms, and to paint EWS as remaining free and unencumbered post this commercial arrangement is a fallacy.

“I am looking forward to mountain bike Enduro joining the specialities recognised by the UCI thanks to the inclusion of the Enduro World Series on the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar. Established in 2012, this very popular series includes no fewer than eight rounds [we are reviewing this at present with our larger strategic plan and other broadcast rights and disciplines and the conditions imposed on this deal] which are of great sporting interest and impeccably organised (so was acknowledged fine already....). Thanks to this partnership [commercial deal where we have purchased the rights in management and control], it will now benefit from a broader international reach (because one thing EWS has was an issue with participation and uptake globally...) and an unprecedented capacity to develop through our 190 National Federations [this deal is critical to remaining vibrant and non stagnant for the UCI strategic and business objectives, of an issue not of EWS concern, but we will use this new EWS tool at our disposal to primarily address and target issues of UCI not EWS concern first and foremost]. Moreover, I am convinced that the relaunch of the Trophy of Nations will attract a growing number of athletes, motivated by the idea of being awarded the iconic UCI Rainbow Jersey alongside their national team mates (because the EWS has had a real issue with motivation and engagement of athletes as proven by attendance, growth and drain of participants from traditional UCI disciplines).”

I have had our lawyers review this arrangement and deal, and conclude we need to seal this deal for the benefit of UCI and its objectives. We have thrown in a rainbow jersey, some trinket change to appear to bring kudos and benefit for this amazing opportunity it presents us. After 6 years we finally have captured our erstwhile prey.- UCI President David Lappartient
  • 1 2
 Definitely not reading all this comment! Way too opinionated....
  • 3 0
 @nuttypoolog: Break it down for you bro:

Will my 2017 EWS race licence and race event entry rise 15% to cover this later of administration as a result of the EWS UCI Broadcast rights partnership?

Will my individual and non pro ability to enter and validity to be qualified to enter be restricted due need to hold and maintain additional licences, status, qualifications, endorsements or recognition by national bodies, or there will be caps or restrictions on entry over the open system as experienced in 2017/2018?
  • 15 1
 "integrate anti-doping policies into the sport of enduro worldwide."

Gunna be pretty interesting to see if this shakes some things up.
  • 1 0
 Pretty sure EWS has it own set of existing policies. Hence the blanket phrase "sport of enduro worldwide". So you likely won't see any changes at the EWS level unless they haven't been enforcing them.
  • 3 0
 @lostlunchbox: yep they have a policy, but no structure to really enfirce it. I don't think there's bee a lot of piss test performed so far, and this is certainly one of the reason for this move. Hopefully the rest doesn't get affected by this UCI integration of some sort. Time will tell.
  • 6 1
 Actually things already changed with the rainbow shirt being attributed at the Enduro of Nations. EWS stated in the beginning of their existence the World Champ is the winner of the overall and that it's a lot more significant than a one day race. EWS already has one knee on the ground. Not a good sign.
I just wonder one thing: the season was started with the rule that the winner of the overall is crowned World Champ. Will it change? Or will there be 2 World Champs in each category ???
  • 13 0
 So long to 50:01 on the EWS circuit?

????????????????

Bummer news, but hopefully the popularity of EWS pre-UCI gives EWS the clout to retain a good level of autonomy.
  • 13 0
 Lizards are at work here.
  • 11 0
 EWS (Toby from the office)
- Lets work with the UCI

Everyone (Michael Scott)
- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
WHY GOD NO
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
  • 9 1
 TBH I don't see Chris Ball signing away the something as well run and popular as the EWS to the UCI. I would hope - but also suspect - that the EWS will be providing a template for UCI member federations to come to some uniform standard and run things properly. At the moment it's a crap shoot (at least in the EU) as to what requirements there are in both a technical and administrative sense. Compulsory licenses, nonsensical medical certificates no doctor will sign, written permission from your home federation, yes/no on various forms op protectors, ad nauseum.
  • 10 1
 "Bring anti-doping best practice from the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF)"... everybody remember Armstrong (not Neil...)?
  • 1 0
 Not one for jazz but I remember him
  • 10 0
 Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
  • 11 0
 I'm selling my half lid, goggles and hip pack. Its all over now...
  • 10 0
 Gonna be a sad EWS without all the potheads...
  • 10 0
 What had the UCI done for mountain biking again?
  • 3 0
 They introduced XC Eliminator.
  • 6 0
 So this means we will have 5-6 stops on the same venues year after year cause bike resorts can't afford hosting racers?
Don't get me wrong, I love watching UCI downhill racing but it's to bad more resorts can't afford hosting races.
  • 8 0
 Make it. Make it big. Sell it. That’s how we did with the internet in the 90s and nothing bad happened there.

*sarcasm font engaged.
  • 6 0
 I'll rather have EWS make a DHWS and DualSlalomWS well PumpTrackWS, WhipOffWS and FreestyleWS and FestWS. Well I see a busy chris ball next years haha Depends on who contacted who. I hope it was UCI that realized that EWS is taking over with their fresh blood. Dont let UCI ruin EWS! Give UCI some UZI!
  • 3 0
 www.crankworx.com
  • 9 0
 Well, I guess you can kiss most of the North American events goodbye.
  • 2 0
 So true, f*ck UCI for not hosting more NA events... it’s not like we have the trails or infrastructure for it
  • 6 0
 "It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine!" Nope, just one more event to go totally sideways and not in a good way. #EWSRIP
  • 4 0
 I really like and completely agree with the first comment........UCI to be run by EWS. WHY....WHY bring them in to screw it all up and run it into the ground. The UCI likes better to be run by the mission statement of "lets gather as much money as we can take from any venue that has a race under our umbrella, turn a blind eye to doping and pretend we care about cycling so as to fool people". Well I guess I better enjoy it while i can, cuz soon that channel will be turned off.
  • 9 1
 Awesome! Said no one.
  • 6 18
flag timbud (Jun 21, 2018 at 12:28) (Below Threshold)
 Actually I for one am pretty happy with this news.
The UCI do far more than 99% of people here realise...
  • 10 0
 @T1mb0: Enlighten us.
  • 9 0
 @T1mb0: For road biking yes. MTB, DH, 4X/ Slalom, BMX, (personally seen the soul sucked out of it in the US) no. Prove is wrong...
  • 1 0
 *prove us wrong**
  • 2 0
 @T1mb0: I listened to that interview a week or so ago. Martin is a sharp guy. However, he is VERY embedded with the UCI since way back. He has valid points. However, the UCI has a history of repressing localized sanctions, media and providing little return on their investment other than 'management' for disciplines outside of road or to an extent XC racing. EWS has already proved this up to this point. BMX , in particular ABA, in the US for decades was much healthier till the UCI got involved with the one sanction (deeper issues there). Not disrespecting what Martin has created mind you
  • 4 0
 @T1mb0: I will also point to Matt Hoffman's experience and interview on the UCI

digbmx.com/dig-this/why-we-need-to-keep-the-uci-out-of-bmx
  • 2 0
 @bman33: Just read it. Feeling pretty bummed about this now...
  • 2 0
 @bman33: I think one thing we need to distinguish here is that things with UCI (or others like FIS, etc.) become a totally different animal when the IOC gets involved. It simply adds a multitude more political BS. So to compare the UCI with BMX, an olympic sport, versus DH/Enduro isn't a fair comparison.

The UCI has its problems and has made its fair share of mistakes, even Martin admitted that, but I do think this is the right move for the EWS, especially on the doping front. Enduro is becoming more professional and people are making more money, which will lead to more doping - its what happens in sports.

I do recommend people listen to the inside line pod with Martin - it's very interesting. My biggest two takeaways were the DH WC does an horrible job with PR in regards to issues about the WC. Explaining what goes on with the live feed (issues they have like at Ft. Bill), what they are trying to do to address problems, etc. Take the NBA for example, they do a pretty good job discussing and trying to explain league issues that they are working to address. Some things may be a total logistical cluster for some DH events and we, as fans, don't know it are left to assume that its just the UCI sucking at their job. The second is, we need to more clearly divide what is needed at the elite end of the sport vs. the grassroots level. A group like the UCI is probably best for the elite end, but struggles with the grassroots stuff, which probably needs more people on this forum helping foster that stuff than bitching about the UCI on pinkbike...
  • 2 0
 @dhx42: I will agree with your point on the IOC, the opinion of many is it's more toxic than beneficial for most participant based sports. That said, the USA BMX scene appears to be less healthy than it was prior to it's introduction to the Olympics. As I mention above, I am not taking away from Martin or his accomplishments. He podcast is very insightful. I believe what many are asking is why does the EWS need the UCI's 'assistance' in order to execute doping testing? The UCI was laughably turning their heads to doping for decades even up to and during the Lance drama. There has to be a solution without succumbing to repressive UCI oversight.

The UCI definitely has a horrible track record at the grassroots level. I see it here in the US and several friends I have in the UK echo our woes. True Pinkbike forum can be a bitch fest. However, there have been many attempts over the years to show UCI how grassroots efforts should be approached, but they dismiss or at best receive the suggestions only to revise them into regressive tactics. At the elite level it isn't a secret the amount of money the UCI demands for a WC event. That isn't even including the lavish accommodations required for the bureaucrats shuttled to each event. This is the reason many promoters and/or ski resorts scoff at hosting a WC race. The cost vastly outweigh the benefits. The UCI prices the events as if they are World Series or NFL game.

I understand this sounds overly negative or 'whining'. However, I have been around, raced MTB and BMX since the early 90's (yes I am old) and with a few exceptions see nothing beneficial at the local/national level from the UCI. As a long time spectator of the WC scene, my view is similar with regards to the UCI.
  • 7 0
 judgment day has finally arrived folks!!!
  • 7 0
 Well it was fun while it lasted. #uciruinseverything
  • 6 0
 The day EWS stopped being fun.... Mark it on your calendar boys and girls.
  • 6 2
 Came here for all the triggered folks. Kneed pads that show no thigh gap mandatory. Half lid helmets with goggles is the first rule I see UCI implementing. ENDURBRO.
  • 1 0
 majorly trigged ppl on here right now.... i cant wait for Chris to use the UCI officials to enforce the anti-thigh gap measures... he can clean the enduro trash out of his races without having to directly take the blame... poor UCI- they walked right into it!...
  • 7 1
 It was good while it lasted.
  • 6 0
 Well here comes a bunch of weird rules.
  • 2 0
 Like it or not, this adds a degree of 'legitimacy' to Enduro when it comes to trying to get it on tv and getting it noticed by an even wider audience.

You can try to have wider acceptance and more tv action, or you can have a relatively closed off series that people outside of a sub-section of mountain biking don't know anything about.

You want people to keep getting paid? Probably even paid better? All while helping the sport reach a wider audience which then helps the industry in turn? Then you have to deal with things like this happening.
  • 5 0
 Let talk about money ...???????????? Bad decision!!!
  • 5 0
 There really can’t be a good outcome to this...can there?
  • 4 0
 Well there goes all the GNARLY courses.....they make it more tame than DH trails....
  • 5 0
 Are you reading all this EWS? You just left your roots behind.
  • 2 1
 Come on Chris Ball. EWS vs UCI. Whom needs whom more? Whom will influence whom more? Whom sees brand damage vs bought brand cred to a damaged brand. Whom sees Asia Pacific and far flung remote gnarly options with low event capital proponents being significantly diminished and curtailed?

Prove us wrong, but this is retrograde and cant see the sport benefit vs the lost control here. Just become like a function of many in a large organisations strategy, and control will naturally diminish.
  • 5 0
 Rampage and Hardline will be under UCI next year Big Grin
  • 1 0
 So from now on every innovation that substantially changes the look or workings of a bike (like disc brakes) will be first forbidden, then tried, and after changing policy 3 times, finally accepted 15 years after market introduction?
The bike industry will love this... As will the fans...
  • 1 0
 the time is now right to add a layer of neutral governance

Oceania - 3 voting delegates of 45 total

Africa - the cycling powerhouse, has 9

Europe - 15 voting delegates

Tell me more how Enduro is not going to be effected by the pure structural fact of how UCI works day to day, now that is has but obtained the right to "....allow the EWS to represent and guide the direction of enduro within the UCI".
  • 5 0
 Oh boy...
  • 3 0
 Maybe the racers really want those rainbow stripes and this is the only way to make them available.
  • 5 2
 There are raimbow stripes Tshirts here in every gay parade. I can get them some but not from the floor! Fuck the raimbow stripes, it's rasta skull shirt for EWS champions
  • 3 0
 @donpinpon29: Ha I'm talking about the ones you keep for life, homes. Serious racers want that sh1t.
  • 4 0
 They will put their boring sanitised stamp on the EWS. Shame
  • 4 0
 This is equivalent to Nestlé taking over a previously popular brand...
  • 2 1
 Agree that this is bad news and I am a UCI hater. There is maybe one upside for the racers. Will there be an Enduro World Championship race?
  • 2 0
 At least we can all say we remember when enduro was cool... So there's that...
  • 2 0
 It's just like letting that girl leave her toothbrush in your bath. All of a sudden you have to sit to pee
  • 1 1
 Don't buy into Enduro labels, it's just bike industry marketing to justify high bike prices! When bicycles cost more than a car or motorcycle, there's something wrong with this industry!
  • 1 0
 Don't buy a house, they too cost more than a car or motorcycles
  • 1 0
 EWS + UCI = bad combination

Hopefully it doesn't go the way of UCI DH...

EWS should have swayed over DH events and let UCI manage roadies...
  • 5 3
 And FFS...don't let Red Bull near it!!
  • 4 1
 Noooooooooo
  • 2 0
 I hope this is good news.
  • 2 0
 I hope this is not the beginning of the end
  • 3 0
 Terrible idea....
  • 3 0
 RIP EWS
  • 3 1
 EWS at Bikeparks from now on ????
  • 7 0
 No, only city streets with no more than 3% grade.
  • 2 0
 The evil empire claims another victim. Dammit
  • 1 0
 Maybe some good will come of it? Like Redbull level film coverage? I dunno probably dreaming here..
  • 2 0
 C'mon it worked out great for NORBA!
  • 1 3
 Great move by Ball. I like that the series champion will get the rainbow jersey instead of having a one day race. This will make the EWS more important and will make mountain biking more of a priority for the UCI. From reading the comments of pure hate I would guess nobody here ever watches World Cup DH because its completely unsupportable with the UCI in charge
  • 2 2
 *Insert generic quote about people not reading the article and saying how it’s not that bad here*
  • 1 0
 Bummer. First step towards failure.
  • 1 0
 That's gotta be 'fake news'!
  • 1 0
 If they get Crankworx I'm switching to water polo....
  • 2 0
 RIP EWS
  • 2 0
 Oh no....
  • 2 0
 doomed
  • 2 0
 Barf...
  • 1 0
 Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo
  • 2 0
 NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
  • 2 0
 Next ? FIFA!
  • 2 0
 we are DOOOOOOMED!!!!
  • 2 0
 Hmmmmm...
  • 1 1
 Look out. We are going to start seeing everyone Lycra clad on the EWS. R.I.P baggies.
  • 1 0
 could totally happen, with time trial-like helmets and shoe covers!
  • 1 0
 Except for Sam Hill and he will still win
  • 2 0
 D'oh
  • 1 0
 Not good.....really not good
  • 1 0
 Would be cool if there was an EES...european enduro series
  • 2 0
 bye bye ews
  • 1 0
 Welcome to the dark side..
  • 1 0
 came here just for the comments, did not disappoint.
  • 1 0
 Lol yeh nahh dum move uci can EAD
  • 1 0
 This is a nightmare
  • 1 0
 Noooooooooo!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 FAWK!!!
  • 1 0
 Weasel words.
  • 1 0
 NEXT!!!!
  • 1 1
 Dark days ahead. This is worse than the debate on legalizing marijuana.
  • 1 0
 Bolloxed...
  • 1 0
 fck
  • 1 0
 Hahahahahaha!!!
  • 1 0
 RIP EWS
  • 1 0
 WHY!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 dopers beware
  • 1 0
 Nooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Fuck!
  • 1 1
 That’s all folks!
  • 1 2
 What does this mean for bike prices?
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