Pinkbike Poll - What Matters Most: World Cup or World Champs?
Well, that was a hell of a season. On the downhill side, we had some of the tightest racing in the history of the sport, at least in the men's field. We also have a new World Cup overall winner in Amaury Pierron who, while he had some success previously, really came into his own in 2018. The new generation is here, it seems, and they're fast as hell. And what's left to say about Rachel Atherton? She returned from some injuries to add to her World Cup tally (is it 1,000 wins yet?) and yet another World Champs title. Legendary domination, really.
The cross-country crew made it an exciting year, too, with Nino having his work cut out for him, and battle after battle in the women's field that culminated in an incredible final lap upset by Kate Courtney in Lenzerheide. Wild times. Cross-country racing is strong and, thanks to some great live coverage, and it's more electrifying than ever before.
![Image by Piotr Staron]()
If you follow racing, and I mean really follow racing, you no doubt have an opinion when it comes to what's more important: A season-long World Cup series that takes into account consistency over the year, different venues and courses, and some strategy... Or the one-day, all or nothing World Champs where racers must deal with a special kind of pressure.
So, if you were a top-flight racer who needs to pick one to focus on, would you care more about the World Cup overall title, or would representing your country at the one-day World Championships sit at the top of your priority list?
The cross-country crew made it an exciting year, too, with Nino having his work cut out for him, and battle after battle in the women's field that culminated in an incredible final lap upset by Kate Courtney in Lenzerheide. Wild times. Cross-country racing is strong and, thanks to some great live coverage, and it's more electrifying than ever before.
That's gotta feel good. Kate Courtney slipped away from Annika Langvad on the final lap and took America's first elite cross-country gold medal in seventeen years.
If you follow racing, and I mean really follow racing, you no doubt have an opinion when it comes to what's more important: A season-long World Cup series that takes into account consistency over the year, different venues and courses, and some strategy... Or the one-day, all or nothing World Champs where racers must deal with a special kind of pressure.
So, if you were a top-flight racer who needs to pick one to focus on, would you care more about the World Cup overall title, or would representing your country at the one-day World Championships sit at the top of your priority list?
What would matter more to you: The World Cup overall title or winning World Champs?
If you were a top racer, would you care more about winning the World Cup overall title, or would you put more weight on being a World Champion?
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Or would you rather win World Champs and know that you're faster than the fastest racers in the world who are all giving it everything they've got?
And another thought - I cheer for Canadians in both the regular World Cup and also the "World Champs". I would be just as happy if a Canadian won a world cup race as I would if a Canadian won World Champs.
When it comes to racing, reg. season is way more important but when it comes to watching, World Champs hands down is the best.
Both are incredibly impressive, yet both require different things. Again, that our sport has both in the same year is an awesome thing that other sports simply lack. And that is really sweet that we get to celebrate both avenues to greatness within our sport.
World Champ is full gas, all or nothing, leaving everything on the line. Hence usually why it’s at the end of the season.
The whole “winning for your country” thing is pointless, as everyone is aware of what country the World Cup overall winner hails from.
Bruni seems like a nice guy, but Pierron clearly deserves all the accolades. Which is why I find World Championship somewhat obnoxious as it only serves to take away from the rider who just crushed an entire World Cup season.
They need to tweak it somehow so that it’s still a big deal, but so that it doesn’t detract from World Cup.
I think if you asked Pierron about every World Cup race he’d probably say they were all “all or nothing” races for him. I’d argue that for the top 4-5 finishers that every race is “all or nothing”.
World Champs is exciting and I’m happy to have an extra race to watch, but ultimately I feel like it’s mis-branded.
The BEST rider in the world this year was Amoury Pierron. Therefore the CHAMPION of downhill in the WORLD is Pierron.
Even Sam Hill has said that it is all or nothing, and more so than a normal WC round. Yes, World Cup racers want to win the World Cup race they are participating in, they hate leaving anything on the table. But the consequences of winning the World Champs race is what makes it even more all or nothing. No points for second place.
Normal WC may be all or nothing for those trying to prove themselves, but for the competitive pool there is strategy and a points race.
Worlds is the last race of the season and doesn’t impact the overall so it truly is an all or nothing.
Look at the CX World Championship in February; MvdP had dominated the whole season with about 30 wins - turns up and has an off day, finishing 3rd.
In my view, the World Champion should be the Number 1 based on results over the season, not on a particular day.
That said, I certainly enjoy the excitement of those stand-out performances.
Riders with 3 or more world champs medals:
Nico Voiulloz
Greg Minaar
Sam Hill
Gee Atherton
Fabien Barel
Loic Bruni
Steve Peat
Most of whom won multiple UCI overalls as well. Aaron Gwin is the only multiple overall WC winner who isn't on that list. Only Fabien Barel and Loic Bruni didn't win the WC overall at some point.
I guess my point is that mostly we're talking about the same people anyway. Those who have won either world cup overalls or world champs come from a list of about 10 names.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UCI_Mountain_Bike_%26_Trials_World_Championships_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_downhill#Medal_table_by_rider
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UCI_Mountain_Bike_World_Cup#Men_4
Overall is important as in consistency over a season but like another said one race to prove ya faster than everyone in the race they are giving it they’re all, I think the both important as each other and I like the way it’s run. Just need a longer wc season
You win a race, you are the better rider that day.
World Champs. Some riders are willing to accept injury as an outcome of laying on the line.
Stragety during the World Cup season dictates to “pace” yourself ???? and be injury free.
Winning the WC means a season without major injury .... and for a Pro (as per question) that means money, bike, expenses.
Taking part in the WC .. well firstly you have to be selected by the national body so it is that national body you are really representing, if you don't play the right politics then ??? ... the sum total of their support being: "here is a jersey and if you damage it you need to pay for a replacement" to the other side and for example the training and support given to the Swiss XC team.
Maybe some countries even make the riders pay for their OWN jersey... but depending on the national selection comittee you (or as a pro your sponsors) may need to get there on your own expense and provide your own bike and pay for your own medical and physio throughout the whole year.
In DH world cup overall is bigger then world championships. Someone can get lucky (take huge risks and get away with them) and win a world championships, but to win the overall you have to be best.
World Champs is cool, but unless you are consistently winning like Bruni and Rachel or getting on the podium, it can be like a “hold my beer” type of race. Which then allows for dark horses to get a chance at a top result.
Doesn’t matter though, keep em both!
I do like to see riders compete in as many disciplines as it is good for the sport. Olympic DH would be such a great event IMO; the biggest World Champs of them all.
Without 'normal people' press racers would only have brands of bike part manufacturers on their jerseys. And I think, MTB can use some of the juicy contracts with cable-tv or plumbing companies, just like the road cycling does.
So yeah, I don't really care about whatever mountainbiking medal was won by the Dutch at the Worlds this year. At least not in relation to my country. The four medals the ladies picked up at the BMX worlds earlier this year however, yeah these makes me proud.
www.fatbmx.com/bmx-racing/item/45475-2018-uci-bmx-world-championships-baku-aze-women-junior
www.fatbmx.com/bmx-racing/item/45477-2018-uci-bmx-world-championships-baku-aze-women-elite
If you ask the racers what is more important to them, 10/10 will answer World Champs.
That's the way it always been.