UCI Aiming for 5 Round Snow Downhill World Cup in 2020

Feb 4, 2019
by Paul Aston  
Bike and Snow Muttereralm Innsbruck Foto Stefan Voitl

The UCI announced last Friday it is aiming to introduce a five round World Cup series for snow bike downhill in 2020. The published press release focused mostly on cyclocross, XC and BMX developments but snow mountain bike racing was also raised.

There have been many snow bike races in the past (and I have done a couple that were great fun), but to see a UCI sanctioned series is interesting. A 2019 series is already on the UCI calendar and comprises of three events in Châtel, Vars, and Isola, which are all based in the French Alps. Not mega-exciting so far, but, continue reading the PR and there is mention of a five-round World Cup series to be "held on several continents" in 2020.

bigquotesFollowing the announcement of the inclusion of snow bike in the UCI Regulations, three events, all organised in France, have been registered on the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar in 2019: Châtel (7‐8 February), Vars-Hautes‐Alpes (14 March) and Isola 2000 (20‐21 April). The objective in 2020 will be to organise a UCI World Cup for the speciality, with five events to be held on several continents.—UCI Press Release. 1/2/2019

The forthcoming races hold a Category 3 status, which means there will be UCI points available to riders and could help them to gain enough points to race World Cup downhill on a real, dirt surface.

Nat Ross shredding corners with an epic Snowbasin backdrop.

The details are pretty sparse so far with only one page of rules in the UCI rulebook so we spoke to Sébastien Gillot, UCI Head of Communications, about the plans going forwards:

How was it determined that there is a need for a Snow Bike World Cup?


We have heard the interest from the mountain bike community to find an activity for the winter season. While relatively new, snow biking has already demonstrated a significant potential of development. And we are convinced that this thrilling format will soon attract a whole new audience around the world.

What would the courses for these World Cup events look like?


Snow biking events can take place on any pre-existing ski Super-G courses.

What bikes would be outlined for use in these events?


Any kind of mountain bike downhill bicycle can be used.

How will you choose the destinations for these Snow Bike World Cups?


Organisers of the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup have already expressed interest to host such events, but in general any interested organiser can apply for such an event.

Kilimanjaro Mountain of Greatness

What do you think? Should snow racing become a staple in the mountain bike calendar, or should it be reserved for the occasional fun race or fat bike festival? Let us know in the comments.

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222 Comments
  • 216 16
 I cant think of any problems with the current WC.... So heck why not fire up another entirely new WC event series dedicated to racing on snow. No sense in waisting valuable time and money to fix, reconstruct and restructure the current WC. Easiest way to solve problems is to ingore them and move on. Duh.
  • 47 5
 Money to be made, bro. Money to be made.
  • 9 6
 ...Only if they compete on Downhill ski runs,going the EXACT same speed
  • 112 18
 Overall I think WC DH is great and the problems are overblown by pinkbike commentators. This is great for the sport, the athletes and the fans. Probably the most exciting thing the UCI has for mountain biking in decades.

Would you rather watch the pros racing on snow live in the winter or read about online deals/team rumors?
  • 64 12
 I don't know why you guys are complaining, I'm STOKED to have more content to watch during the winter.
  • 36 6
 @theging: how are we supposed to be taken seriously as a sport when they sanction "disciplines" such as this one? there's a reason this hasn't been done since xgames '97. i agree, this will probably provide decent content, but to sanction this as a UCI discipline is absolute insanity. this should be done as a side show, see Redbull, and produced to the nines.
  • 113 1
 @Flowcheckers: I'd rather have a 10 round summer DH WC series... Hell, I'll take three southern hemisphere races in January and February...
  • 6 2
 @pinhead907: Exactly. WC DH teams have limited budgets. This way some outside teams can come in and give the UCI some more money for a made for tv crash fest/spectacle.
  • 13 1
 Shandro's return 2020
  • 9 1
 What are the problems people actually have with the current WC? Genuinely interested.
  • 2 0
 @Flowcheckers: exactly !
  • 14 2
 The only way this could be good is if it they race down proper singletrack DH trails in the snow like Vinny T has been doing. Not ski slalom courses.
  • 15 3
 Possibly because the UCI intending on bidding for DH as an Olympic discipline. DH would only be logistically possible with the Winter Olympics given that the Winter Olympics necessitate reasonable sized mountain with chairlift access for alpine DH/Super G skiing
  • 5 3
 @MonEddy: Literally bullshit. That's like saying they are hoping to get BMX freestyle in the Winter Olympics after they have invented the sport of snow BMX freestyle.
  • 2 1
 @MonEddy: That would be incredible if DH made it to the winter Olympics and not the summer, at least some countries would have snow DH races for team qualifications I'm assuming.
  • 11 2
 Gimmicky shite! Just add more events to the real DH calendar FFS! *facepalm*
  • 10 11
 Enter Down Country Racing
  • 19 0
 @Flowcheckers: we do have 2 hemispheres with opposite seasons, plenty of dirt to be ridden all year. How about lengthening the "world" cup series to 10 events all over the world
  • 3 0
 @shredddr: Nail. On. Head.
  • 4 0
 @jamesdunford: For me (can’t speak
for the rest) it is the number of rounds, length of season. I know, as an example, that some Aussies would rather have more races. They are traveling anyway. Better race.
  • 1 0
 Wonder if they’ll still have the no spandex outfits rule
  • 2 2
 Counting on Sam Hill to make a debut champion in snow ... come on Sam!
  • 2 3
 @shredddr: I would like to see more WC races, but that has nothing to do with this. The incentive for this is to get DH into the Olympics, so it's not an either or situation. But getting DH into the Olympics might get it more exposure and grow it which could lead to more races.
  • 3 0
 This would be great but as people are mentioning, spending this money on a longer dry race season is the answer, the good old day of 9 WC rounds and NORBA series which were like WC races anyways with stacked fields!
  • 8 7
 Wa wa waa!

Shut it cry babies.

What's not to like?
  • 5 0
 @jamesdunford: my problem is, they start the summer wc then massive break until fort bill. So rather than faffing in the snow. Get a race every two weeks moving towards the Southern Hemisphere. Make the travel easier for them buy running each race in a logistical order. Plus they would have to put more varied tracks in. All good, Job done. They can charge less as the uci will make more overall in a season.
  • 2 0
 @shredddr: Exactly! That's why it's a "World Cup" not a Northern Hemisphere Cup.... One round in Africa, Oceania and South America respectively ... Surely the prospect of bringing cycling to the rest of the world offsets the logistical issues?
  • 4 0
 @jamesdunford: why don’t they just make the dh World Cup a 12 rounder , makes more sense to me !
  • 2 3
 @theging: cos this is pinkbike and far to many people are interested in complaining about things rather than just riding their bikes and getting stoked
  • 1 0
 @Flowcheckers: I think you're right about it being in pretty good shape. I don't think that many of the pro's will be wanting to compete in this series, at least not those that rely heavily on the DH World Cup to get by. I could be wrong, but I feel like they'd rather invest more time and energy into training and staying healthy, rather than racing in the snow. Let's hope I'm just wrong on this one, though.
  • 2 0
 You don't think the top pros will be interested in going to the Olympics to have a chance to represent their country and compete for an Olympic gold medal, while providing their sponsors huge mainstream exposure?

You're wrong.

That's what this is about and every person on here that says there should be a longer World Cup season instead is an idiot banging their head against a brick wall while falling to see the big picture.
  • 1 3
 mmmmm yes, because people with a difference of opinion are mongoloid idiots that MUST be smashing their head against a wall because I KNOW EVERYTHING AND IF YOU DISAGREE YOU"RE JUST WRONG. youre a cuck, get a life
  • 1 0
 @74tenomresc: Maybe I was too harsh but not many people seem willing to acknowledge the reality of the situation. The UCI clearly doesn't want a longer World Cup season and its not going to happen any time soon. This is only about the Olympics. Its apples and oranges.

Its as if a mother told a son she was getting him a new toy for Christmas and the son reacts by saying he doesn't want it, and that he wants more toys in the summertime instead.
  • 1 0
 @nouseforaname: this is only about the olympics for the UCI and it’s naive to thinks otherwise given that the IOC made an explicit statement about 5-6 years ago saying that downhill mountain biking would only ever be included in the Winter Olympics and never the summer. It is not a matter of “inventing” a new sport as snow DH has been around for years (think about the old Winter x-games and the on going European Winter snow DH races).
  • 151 0
 How about just a 10-12 race actual WV season instead?
  • 30 1
 All the props to @5afety3rd !!! Why can’t the UCI see this and just extend and expand on a good thing? Bring DH to the west coast of N.A. for goodness sake!
  • 7 1
 100 up votes!!
  • 4 0
 The UCI has a lot of demands and a hefty price tag. It cost resorts WAY to much to host an event.
But I’d love a longer season!
  • 4 0
 @crash-brother: There would be if any locations on the West Coast of NA actually bid for one.
  • 8 0
 @tornateo: So lil Snowshoe in backwoods West Virginia and Windham MTB park can afford the fees, but the huge mega resorts in CO, UT, CA etc. cannot? Vail Resorts alone probably generates more revenue than the entire UCI calendar combined. UCI is Eurocentric and has limited slots for NA stops...maybe the truth is most of these resorts probably already have concerts or other events those weekends that generate more income, so downhill gets a pass...
  • 2 0
 @motard5: I think for some resorts want the publicity but others look at how much it costs to host vs. how much they actually make from it? Whistler for example would have more than enough cash to host an event. Im not a fan of the UCI, just stating my opinion and one reason some resorts don’t
  • 3 1
 In other news, I wish I could edit posts. Some of those sentences sound pretty dumb!
  • 1 0
 @tornateo: same, although WV has a WC this year hahaha
  • 1 0
 I am confident the uci would do more than ten rounds if resorts were queueing up to host a round. How many stops does F1 have? Twenty?

Money drives the whole thing. If you pay, you can have a round. Obviously Vail doesn't think it's worth it.

I think this snow idea is excellent. All they are doing is giving races that already exist UCI backing. Much easier than trying to get someone to hold a round on a new continent, starting from scratch.
  • 1 0
 precisely, where in the winter, we go to say the southern hemisphere.... what the fuck, this is total bullshit
  • 2 0
 @jaame: Also have to remember that it costs the manufacturers a huge amount to run their whole production for each round. I think it was in the interview with the new UCI head where it was mentioned that they'd like to have more rounds but they risk losing manufacturer support as most said they wouldn't or couldn't afford to do more.

So yes, it is all about the money... but it goes both ways. It's the same with F1... it's was a huge challenge and took a long time as well as a lot of money flowing back to the teams in order to get to the current 21 races in 2019. F1 is much different as well... way way more money flowing around. It's something like 70% of F1's revenues actually are paid back to the teams. In 2017, it was 1.4 billion that went back to the teams. Even the last place (10th) team received 19 million (top team got 180 million). So if you run your team right and do well, you can actually break even or make make money running an F1 team. F1 is not really comparable to WC DH.
  • 1 0
 @motard5: Vail makes too much money off weddings to host DH. Same reason their "bike park" is not great
  • 128 1
 Can wait for grass skiing to have a WC series.
  • 46 1
 There's no point in challenging Candide.
  • 8 0
 there already is a FIS grass skiing world cup series...
  • 15 0
 @racerfacer: different kind of grass dude, ask Candide...
  • 1 0
 this kills me
  • 4 7
 #commentgold
  • 6 0
 No not grass, skiing down a wc dh track if mtbers are gonna race down their ski tracks
  • 58 4
 didnt we do this already in the x games and it sucked ass? everything old really is new again. this is why we cant have nice things
  • 7 1
 i want modified sleds again in xgames. holy shitballs was that cool
  • 13 0
 and shovel racing, too
  • 5 1
 remember when xgames use to be cool? bring back the saucer cross!
  • 6 0
 @werts: xgames has so jumped the shark, sadly
  • 11 0
 Haha yea, and Andrew Shandro said: "We thought racing on snow was cool.. We realized in reality it wasn't"
  • 11 0
 Yeah it blew. I remember one year it warmed up too much and everyone would randomly go OTB when they hit a soft spot. To bad they don't just do a southern DH WC tour. Would be rad to see something in south america, africa, new zealand ect.
  • 6 0
 @Deep-Friar: Silver Star in BC tried to organise a snow bike race event and one year it was too soft the next it was bullet proof ice and just too dangerous. You can guarantee anytime you want to put on a race for skiing it will dump with snow and anytime you want to do a powder 8s comp it wont snow for weeks.
  • 1 0
 @paulskibum: the first year it was good. Second it was solid all practice day then warmed up to have a giant slush pit on a flat. It was still fun haha
  • 51 0
 Want mtb action during winter?

What about southern hemisphere?
  • 45 0
 I cant believe they chose snow biking over a longest skid competition
  • 33 0
 I clicked through to the press release. The meeting was held in ... Middlefart, Denmark.
  • 3 0
 F**king this!
  • 32 1
 Let's just add 2-8 more actual WC downhill races? Trying to promote a snow bike DH race is a niche that does not and will not exist no matter how hard it's pushed.
  • 1 4
 But if they have fricking electric motors attached to them?
  • 27 1
 Stupid as fuck. What a waste of resources. How about putting that into sport developement, and creating races that more cyclists can attend. This is just stupid made for tv bullshit. Snow is seasonal, and regional. What a waste
  • 2 0
 Or even put some of it into cleaning up the Pinkbike comment section
  • 27 0
 Seems like a conspiracy by the tire manufacturers to make 2.7 tires relevant
  • 3 0
 I got a good laugh out of this one. COTD!
  • 21 1
 Megavalanche style or bust...
  • 4 1
 This! The ski courses they're talking about using are plenty wide for several riders at once. This would make the action much easier to understand and approachable for the average viewer.
  • 20 5
 As if Fatbikes weren't enough of snoozers, the UCI decides to create an entire WC around it. LOL, LOL, LOL.Classic UCI (not a clue)
  • 10 14
flag transitions-are-neat (Feb 4, 2019 at 9:19) (Below Threshold)
 Funny since it's for DH bikes not fat bikes. Nice try though
  • 8 2
 @transitions-are-neat: Second pic is full on fat bike, so there is that....
  • 7 0
 I'm just waiting for Eddie Masters to put on the fat suit again and race fat bikes in the snow in flip flops
  • 4 0
 @mikkel: dammit. I hated the idea until you said that. Master's (in the fat suit) for snow bike World Championships!
  • 3 1
 @mikkel: *jandals

Jandals bro

www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jandal
  • 14 2
 They have barely been able to introduce new locations for normal DH world cups and have been losing rider interest due to the venues getting boring, so they decide to have a fat bike DH WC? Seems logical.
  • 15 0
 On existing super-G ski course?? excuse me what the f*ck
  • 1 0
 Expect Gee Atherton in the start hut
  • 15 0
 Fabio Wibmer spit his coffee out this morning Smile
  • 3 0
 he's already taken part in snow dhs. in Austria there has been a race series for years.
  • 14 0
 April Fool's joke leaked 2 months early?
  • 10 0
 Doesnt the uci realise it’s only winter for half the planet at a time . If they want to host events during the winter why don’t they explore the Southern Hemisphere. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, south East Asia even has a booming mountainbike scene.
  • 2 0
 Coming from an American, you are spot on
  • 8 0
 Anyone else first thought was Andrew Shandro segment in Seasons where they mentioned the early 90s and MTB on snow, MTB trying to find it's footing, etc.. "Yeah. It's not like we're gonna ride on snow"..!

Well, fast forward some 20+ years....
  • 9 0
 Yes I thought of the exact thing too. It’s not like there is somewhere else in the world that’s not covered In snow during the northern winter. Oh hang on , we could just extend the season and have races in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • 4 0
 @Stumpy2: yeah, and make it an actual “world cup” not a europe/north americian cup. I’d like to see an event in asia and another one in south america.
  • 12 0
 Snow 4X? Sure. Snow downhill? Pass.
  • 5 0
 My thoughts exactly
  • 3 0
 My thoughts!
  • 2 0
 bump!
  • 9 0
 Find an activity in the winter.... How about ski or just take advantage of it being summer in the southern hemisphere to extend the wc series
  • 1 0
 Wasnt there recently a PB poll that showed most readers bike 12 months a year?
  • 10 3
 Ewww, I hope this doesn't gain traction, there is a right tool for the job, bikes on snow don't really work that well (cue butt hurt fat-bikers) and the type of terrain that make DH fun to watch isn't all that feasible in mid winter (esp. with lots of snow). Seems slippery, slow, and lame.
  • 4 1
 You haven't seen the clips of Vinny T, Fabio Wilmer, Aggy or the many others who have gotten into shredding in snowy winter conditions? It's certainly not slow. Insane? Maybe.
  • 1 0
 @gtrguy: Yeah you're right about those dudes, they do rip! I was more thinking relative to WC ski racing on GS tracks, I just don't think you could go that fast on an mtb, but you also don't have the challenge of variable terrain like the summer. Bikes are crazy versatile but I just can't buy into a UCI backed snow DH quagmire.
  • 2 0
 @mpope: I agree about the Super G courses not making the most sense but hey, it's the UCI a lot of what they do doesn't make sense. Maybe there's more to it then just sticking riders on the regular SG courses.
  • 10 0
 Or just add 5 rounds to the WC DH in the southern hemisphere...
  • 1 0
 this
  • 10 2
 ugh.... try adding a couple more rounds to the regular WC series before adding snow races. I won't be tuning in to mtb snow racing.
  • 7 0
 I'm picturing the super-G course in Chatel... That's scary fast enough on skis, wouldn't want to consider taking a bike down it.
  • 4 0
 With your name I think you'll be fine.
tup
  • 1 0
 I had to double take when I saw SG. Didn't stuff like Mega or Frost bike take place on easy pistes, not steep, water injected, nastiness?
  • 4 0
 Not enough people are commenting on how terrifying/insane this is. I would very much not like to ride a bike down this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj3aCjXI94E
  • 1 0
 Get your application in for the course previews Mr Bell!!!!!
  • 10 1
 bring back 4X too!
  • 2 0
 Best MTB action and very telegen! PLEASE UCI! BRING BACK MY LOVE!
  • 1 0
 Nah snow biking better
  • 4 0
 I freaking love to follow WC DH, but this just doesn’t excite me. Like many others have posted it’s much more preferable to have a longer summer season. As we’ve seen before DH racing is overall pretty awkward (lots of slipping and sliding) and the speed just isn’t there. It will be interesting to see if the big guns signup to race on snow.
  • 1 0
 *awkward on snow that is...
  • 5 1
 So what are they hoping to accomplish

I don’t see top pros risking injury to do this

Plus teams aren’t budgeting for this either.

So no money for the pros , it’s a another idiotic idea

Can we ditch the Uci yet ?????
  • 2 2
 They just want to sell fatbikes
  • 1 1
 It’s like Gwin hart or hill winning In the slop after rainfall against riders who hit it in the dry. Difficult conditions can make for epic races.
  • 2 0
 They are trying to get DH into the Olympics, and if it happened it would be the most exposure DH has ever had. So there is some incentive for racers and teams.
  • 5 0
 Ride down a World Cup Super G course.... Most people can't ski down them..... with Skis on. How many bike park trails go straight down Double black ski runs, I'm gonna guess none. People will die, lots of them.....
  • 4 0
 "Snow biking events can take place on any pre-existing ski Super-G courses." So pretty much UCI isn't really pushing for anything proper to be built venue wise other than what can be pushed around with a snowcat the night before. A bermed Super-G isn't going to be all that exciting. Perhaps throw in some icy woods sections & some urban bits through a ski village & you might actually have a descent race. Also seems like a bit of a way to piggyback on trails already sanctioned for ski races.
  • 6 1
 I can just about recall watching Peaty and i think Palmer doing an Xgames snow bike event about 20 years ago. Was carnage. Bring it on.
  • 2 0
 Yeah Palmer won the snow slalom one year, he was the only one jumping the doubles.
  • 7 0
 Welcomed by nearby urgent care facilities.
  • 9 1
 No
  • 7 0
 The only way this makes sense is if they hit publish 55 days early....
  • 5 2
 I read everyone are pissed but did you read "Snow biking events can take place on any pre-existing ski Super-G courses.", because if it's really what i'm thinking of, iit looks like more fabio wibmer full gaz monster gap than boring fatbike !! And if i'm right, it would definitely be awesome !
  • 3 0
 personally, what i think they need to do is focus more on what the riders themselves and the true fans of the DIRT world cup want... which includes about twice as many rounds as they have had in recent years and tracks that demand more technical bike skills instead of a contest of who has the most balls and least regard for safety down a 70kmh straight away. i know this has been brought up many times, but tracks like champery are where riders with real all around ability are able to shine. however, this trend of mostly fast straight tracks would be very hard to put to a hault. the sponsors want to make the tracks as viewer friendly as possible for all the people who know nothing about the sport ; then causing bikes to be manufactured to cater to these new age tracks. i love that the sport itself is growing and becoming less 'niche', but i just hope it doesnt become f*cking mega avalanche. www.youtube.com/watch?v=inMa7ze8hTk
  • 4 0
 Have these guys ever been on an existing ski Suger G course? Riding a bike down birds of prey sounds like something that would make the Rampage guys soil their skinny jeans.
  • 1 0
 Riding a bike down Chief at Okemo, that would almost be as much of a joke as their bike park with how flat it is but they still hold FIS super g races on it
  • 6 0
 This is really stupid. Current WC series could be much approved....
  • 7 0
 Why?
  • 9 3
 This is so Euro it hurts.
  • 2 0
 Megavalanche is euro too
  • 6 0
 WHAT ABOUT DUAL SLALOM YOU AHOLES????
  • 2 0
 UCI long term plan to get DH into the Olympics even if its Winter.
Fact before XC was accepted to the summer Olympics UCI/FIAC was trying for a slot at the Winter Olympics first.
Bike are going to need to be slacker.
Think of the massive number of spectators at DH Ski events.
  • 2 0
 I think I'll reserve judgement until I see what it will truly looks like. I wish they would just have a longer DH season or have races in the southern hemisphere like many others have already suggested. Even urban races would probably be better than snow.
  • 2 0
 Hello UCI, it's the Southern Hemisphere here, there is no off season! Come race in Aus and NZ! But I guess if we can't even get a few races in the USA, there isn't much chance of that. The reason given for doing this just shows how ridiculously Eurocentric the UCI is!!
  • 2 0
 If anyone gets the chance to ride their bike down a ski slope do it! It is so fun, granby ranch held a winter series in 2017 and it was so fun, I hope they do it this year. It could open up more opportunities to ride in the winter and have more fun with less traction!!
  • 7 1
 Poor 4X...
  • 1 0
 Just extend the current WCDH to run for 12 months so that’ll be 12 races but athletes can opt to partake in say 9-10 max?? Both north and southern hesispheres can organise races to the best weather and possibly be more cost efficient for privateers , only a thought????
  • 5 0
 Are we being punk'd? is this for real? It's not even April?
  • 2 1
 Does it clash with the legitimate DH we follow and enjoy, why would a top class rider even bother with this when the full DH circuit gives him / her an overall win, grasping at straws, like those idiots that run football, whatever that is.
  • 3 0
 Punctuation, bro. Punctuation.
  • 1 0
 @COnovicerider: a comma is punctuation.
  • 5 0
 There snow way this can be true.
  • 4 0
 I'm not so sure throwing shit at the wall is the right way for UCI to stay relevant
  • 1 0
 If the UCI plans on hosting these events globally that would be one thing other then just in one region. With that being said, I would think all the federations should have a vote as this could become a national series throughout for all.
  • 2 0
 What a F-ing joke, anyone who competes in this has no soul.
Why not make a summer snowboard series and run it down whistler!!?? Or A ski series with wheels on them!! That would be cool too.
  • 1 0
 I think the draw is obvious here. These resorts are already packed with non biking people during the winter months, what better way to advertise mtb than to have some skiers see a high level race and extend the schedule. The resorts get another "activity" to advertise and closing the super G course one weekend is probably not the biggest deal to their ski curstomers.

Only issue I could forsee is if there just isn't enough of guys who want to practice snowbiking to make it seem like a legitimate sport compared to DH and XC. I certainly don't expect the top tier guys of DH to crossover, but if it can't produce it's own stars than it won't last.
  • 3 0
 cue the clip of shandro talking about racing on snow with the dude from espn
  • 5 0
 Why
  • 1 0
 Because
  • 1 0
 Quite possibly part of a strategic push to get cycling in to Winter Olympics. CX has been close and it’s possible by having multiple cycling events the UCI feel like they’ll have an offering.
  • 5 0
 Let's ask Eddie Masters.
  • 4 1
 On super g courses?
Sounds like a pretty lame idea.
Put it on tech bordercross tracks and you’ve got a winner.
  • 3 0
 In Chatel you have the derby and a 8 cross with nice jumps on it. It was so much fun and cheap (30 euros 5 years ago with lunch and alcohol).

vimeo.com/62775696

I can't imagine a such event in Whistler, it will be at least $200.
  • 4 0
 Did that new New Balance guy come up with nonsense?
  • 1 0
 Great in theory and I'm all for anything that puts mtb in the spotlight (and on chairlifts) BUT if they race on Super G courses it's going to look lame as shit compared to skiers ripping super g courses.
  • 3 0
 i don't think is a good idea
  • 2 0
 Just make the regular WC a year round event with races all over the planet... And do this for ski racing as well!
  • 5 1
 E-Snow-MTB
  • 1 0
 You forgot Fat...
  • 6 2
 As dumb as crashed Ice
  • 8 0
 Okay, crashed ice is actually awesome.

(Said the Canadian)

Oh... I get it now.
  • 2 0
 If it means we see less E-bike content in our favourite mountain bike media, then let’s have a go!
  • 1 0
 In the same press release they have announced an E-Bike world champs.

> "Regarding mountain bike, it was agreed that the inaugural UCI E‐Mountain Bike World Championships, to be held in Mont‐Sainte‐Anne, Canada, will take place on 28 August 2019, during the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships presented by Mercedes‐Benz. The UCI E‐Mountain Bike World Championships will be held on a 7.3km cross‐country course and the race will last between 1h30 and 1h45. Further information will be made available shortly. "
  • 3 0
 I thought skiing already has a world cup?
  • 1 0
 Talk about not knowing who your market is this will do nothing to grow the spot of mountain biking just give a bunch of Gerrys something to gawk at
  • 1 0
 Seasons are perfect so far. Snow sports in winter, bike in summer.

This is like just money making wish.

Who does downhill on a ski race track?
  • 3 0
 I wouldn't watch it
  • 1 0
 I’m sure it’s not April 1st is it?? Or have just been asleep for 2 months
  • 2 1
 Maybe fat tire/shooting biathlon course...high speed, jumping stuff in snow is kinda silly but whatever gets people paid!
  • 2 0
 Only if its actuall snow bikes
  • 2 0
 @mtbracer4098 trip to France next year?
  • 2 0
 bmx ? sure... cyclocross ? also ok ... fatbikes ? nah-ah...
  • 2 0
 Never heard of Glacier race Saas Fee? youtu.be/8yruW6qH5Mo
  • 2 0
 Love to have a race in Whistler !
  • 1 0
 Maybe I missed it; and I can’t be bothered to go back and look; but snow DH racing and no mention of a fat bike?
  • 2 0
 Why not add 5 more rounds to the dh wc, duh!
  • 2 0
 hahaha - Final nail in the DH coffin
  • 3 0
 What the actual fuck.
  • 1 0
 What, is it April already? I know I slept bad last night but this is very odd to wake up to....
  • 2 1
 Reckon they just got sick of Aussies and South Africans on the podium and tried to find a way to exclude them?
  • 1 0
 Wait, are you being serious?
  • 2 0
 @COnovicerider: Nah just having a joke mate. More having a dig at how exclusive the field would be given how many riders have access to ski hills to play on.
  • 4 1
 @COnovicerider: Next you'll expect there to be a Jamaican bobsled team....
  • 2 0
 "Any kind of mountain bike downhill bicycle can be used."
Barf
  • 1 0
 Expect 32" wheels, even longer wheelbases, and spiked tires!
  • 1 0
 Don't suspension makers literally warn people against riding their bikes in these conditions?
  • 1 0
 Not exactly, they just recommend using lighter weight fluids that would be equally viscous in the cold to warm heavier fluids
  • 1 1
 @vtracer: That's not strictly true. Take a look at S4's winter kit for example, it's more than just fluids. The seal tolerances need to be changed iirc.
  • 1 0
 Sometimes you just gotta go for it
  • 1 0
 @sherbet: When things get cold, they contract which can lead to harshness in ride quality when the tolerances on bushings & seals gets too tight similar to how a brand new fork before bushings are broken in may have some overall harshness
  • 1 0
 @vtracer: Can also lead to scratching the stanchions from what I've heard, again, which is why the kits are more than just oil.
  • 2 0
 "Let us know in the comments". Oh we will, we willllll
  • 2 0
 Work on a better summer race season, more races
  • 1 0
 Quite possibly the worst idea the UCI has had in a while, just bring us Southern Hemispherains more races PLEASE
  • 2 0
 Only if we keep the rockgardens even in the snow Big Grin
  • 4 4
 I don't think the points should count towards qualifying for normal downhill but I'll definitely still watch it.
  • 5 4
 Sign me up il have a bit of that
  • 2 5
 I don't like riding my bike on snow...i have a snowscoot for that time of the year. But i thinks it's going to be good for the sport, because the sponsors are going to get more exposure in the winter and hopefully bring the sales back up at that period...
  • 1 0
 Waterskiing WC in summer!
  • 2 0
 Weak short lived fad.
  • 1 0
 Is Eric Barone a friend of Mr Gillot?
  • 2 0
 It’s not April 1st...
  • 3 0
 Crap, you beat me to it...
  • 2 1
 Havent competed in a snow DH in forever, its so much fun!!!
  • 2 0
 April 1st already?
  • 1 0
 Just add more rounds to the current UCI World cup....
  • 1 0
 Riding on ski slopes is fun as hell. But why Super G?
  • 1 0
 Biggest huck off the long jump ramp! Survivor wins.
  • 1 0
 i vote they have a mandatory mogul field section on every course
  • 1 0
 "downhill bicycle"
  • 6 5
 I’d watch
  • 6 2
 I'd compete
  • 2 0
 @bmx95ify: sounds fun as hell
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