Finals Start Lists: Val di Sole DH World Cup 2018

 I understand Martin Whiteley's reasons for wanting it this way, but it's effing ridiculous. It's far too complicated to figure out a starting order for finals just because it's better for TV. Utter. Bullshit.

 @ka-brap: Nothing rakes in new fans like having to post separate articles about who starts when!

 @ka-brap: It is not better for TV. The new order was insert to provide a more fair system for when the weather is inconsistant or changing. This way the top riders more or less have the same situation when riding their race run and weather does not have such a big influence on the top riders.

So, even if you know that rain will set in at timepoint x, and you on purpose do a slow quali to start before that expected timepoint you will still have to start with your competitors who are within the top 20...

This of course only applies to the top 20 riders. I admit it is annoying for us viewers, but I do see that it is fairer solution for the overal.

 @Sistinas: While that could be part of it, Martin Whiteley has said it is better for the top athletes to make sure they and their sponsors get proper TV time. Check his interview with Vital MTB. He was the main force pushing for this new nonsense.

 If the new start list is about getting TV time for the bigger sponsors then surely they'll have the fastest riders anyway and therefor get in the live feed.

If the riders then chose to put a slow qualifier in so they ride early then that should be between the team managers/sponsor/rider to sort out not the uci to alter the show for them.

 Found the answer in the Quali comments...she crashed in practice and won't race this weekend.