Video: The FIM eMTB "World Cup" Race in Imola, Italy Was Embarrassing

Aug 22, 2019
by Brian Park  

The FIM E-Xbike "World Cup" Race in Imola 2019 saw racers take on the MXGP track at the ‘Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari’ with eMTBs. There were two classes of bikes, the EXBGP (45km/h limit) and the EXB2 (25km/h limit). Anze Svetek won the EXBGP class, and Mattia Arduino won the EXB2 class.

If eMTB racing is going to be a thing (and the jury is still out on that one), it can't be this...

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446 Comments
  • 615 6
 Came here to trash E-Bikes but realized they just trashed themselves
  • 252 10
 The proper race format for e-bikes should be septuagenarians fulfilling their grocery lists and getting the contents back to the assisted living facility before the afternoon pill schedule.
  • 76 2
 Its April's fool already?
  • 176 2
 Don't call them motorcycles... but let's have the race on a motorcycle track :?
  • 111 5
 This is what happens when gapers try to organize an event around a market that's mainly targeted towards gapers. Good lord that was embarrassing.
  • 43 8
 @scott-townes: This is accurate. I've seen Ebikes at nearly every destination in the PNW over the last couple years, and I can't once think of anybody riding one that demonstrated even a journeyman/weekend warrior amount of skill. If I were to imagine them racing it would look just like the folks in this video.
  • 33 60
flag Hyakian (Aug 22, 2019 at 13:20) (Below Threshold)
 @Rucker10: Those are the ones you see... What you aren't seeing is that there is a growing underground movement of capable and fit riders who are riding them, "cough", other places
  • 3 3
 Thought it was an April fools , tis a spoof though !
  • 25 24
 @Rucker10: Remy Metaillier and Yoann Barelli have been seen riding ebikes on Whistler trails and both expound the benefits of them (not wholly just because they are paid to) - I am thinking they are more than weekend warriors.

Doesnt make them right though!
  • 28 1
 @Hyakian: No doubt. More and more older pros are starting to get into the e-bike thing. Mark Weir was just on singletracks talking about how much he rides his e-bike... the same Mark Weir who did 1 million feet of climbing in a year (without an e-bike).
  • 32 3
 wow.... lame... couldn't even finish the video....
  • 10 4
 @paulskibum: I would love an e-bike to shuttle myself on the long DH trails around here, however the market is still mainly aimed towards gapers with lots of money to spend.
  • 5 1
 @paulskibum: I didn't think to count pro's shilling their brands (as I'm sure they're contractually obligated to do.) So yes, in that regard I would be wrong.
  • 25 1
 This is the more painful thing I have watched on PB...and I watch the Friday Fails every week for the last three years.
  • 28 9
 @thinkbike: This proves the stupidity of those who think they should be classified as motorcycles. If you ran a mountain bike or a bmx race on this course it would even be more laughable. It should be an enduro course with some technical climbing and some DH.
  • 10 0
 @scary1: It wouldn't be so bad if they could duplicate this format:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=phtfV4jUMQE
  • 11 179
flag VPPFREEDOM (Aug 22, 2019 at 17:52) (Below Threshold)
 @gravitysucks53: Still more exciting than a womens world cup DH race though
  • 1 0
 @scott-townes: connandale mottera
  • 9 0
 How nice of somebody to come along that we can all rally our disdain around.
  • 18 0
 @VPPFREEDOM - are you high guy?
  • 9 1
 Whose idea was this?! YOU'RE FIRED! I'd rather be waterboarded. Is a helmet even necessary? Certainly not a full face. Wait. Are those chest protectors?!
  • 6 0
 wow - that is cringe worthy
  • 20 4
 @Hogfly: Mark Weir survived a heart attack that would have killed most people twice over, if an e bike is keeping him out on the trails that's fantastic. I suspect legends who fought off a choke hold from the reaper aren't the main market for e bikes though.
  • 2 0
 I mean, they almost cleared that step-up! A few more pedal strokes that they would have made it to the top ????
  • 7 6
 @paulskibum: The difference is that for those guys its one bike in a quiver. To have the best tool for the job (Limited time while raising family etc.) But doesn't replace their traditional bikes.
The marketing behind e-bikes is "one bike to rule them all"
Thanks Sauron but MTB doesn't need it
  • 4 0
 @BicycleHub: I have an ebike and it isn’t my main bike. I have a hardtail that’s my main bike I ride the majority (70ish%) of the time. I think for younger guys it is one bike in a quiver. Even if it’s a small quiver like mine. If I could only have one bike it wouldn’t be an ebike.
  • 34 10
 @paulskibum: Ahahah guess what I did a bout 10 minutes ago? I ordered a new Ebike from my sponsor... Get ready to see some gnar with it!
  • 19 65
flag pperini (Aug 22, 2019 at 23:59) (Below Threshold)
 This thread is ebarrassing. First of, Pinkbike, which should be promoting the sport, posts a thread trashing it. If you dont want to promote it because you dont support it, then dont trash it. If you dont support it but want to criticize it, at least be constructive about it. But now look at all these responses. You rolled the ball of trolling, now everyone feel like they just need to bash the sport. If you have had a more constructive-critizism attitude towards it in a more positive way, maybe people would react a bit differently. And you guys, seriously, bashing on ebikes is getting old already. Just like 29ers and e-cars, these things are here to stay. The fact that they created a whole event around it and a lot of people participated is a proof of that. Now, was an mx track a good idea? Hell no, these things are not motorcycles and shouldnt be treated like one, in that respective this event could have been much improved. But a joke-making thread on one of the most respected websites on the whole mtb industry was just plain unnecessary, unprofessional and embarrassing...
  • 14 6
 @pperini: ur the troll dude . pink bike put out its opinion that aint trolling get a life
.
  • 10 1
 It's like motocross with zero air time.
  • 4 0
 @pperini: the article just says "it's embarrassing", which it is indeed. There is some tension between motorcyclists and mtbikers for a reason, access to trails is treated differently. In the case of ebike races organized by motocross federations, it seems they did not get it. The other problem is the monopoly of UCI over organizing cycling competitions, which should be forbidden by law according to the European Commission caselaw in other sports.
  • 55 1
 @pperini: what is embarassing is the average skillset of people riding e-bike. Last sunday i went hiking on the patscherkofel with my pregnant gf who is also recovering from an ankle injury so we had to hike on a fireroad.
We got passed by dozens of e-bikes on the way up and also saw them going down.
Only two were not sitting on the saddle on the way down, all were braking constantly with both brakes. 2 were going down with their feet off the pedals!

On the way up, a lady that apparently had a terrible balance managed to hit two persons because the 1.5m gap between them was not enough for her to pass. A guy used his bell because half the fireroad was not enough for him to pass me.

This crap is embarassing. People that are too weak to carry their bike, to pedal their bike and to unskilled to ride in the middle of people shouldnt be allowed to ride 20kg motorbikes at 25km/h in the middle of other people.
There is a reason you need a driving licence for mopeds, motorbikes, cars etc
  • 6 0
 @jorgeposada: uh hum, it's nothing like motorcoss.
  • 13 1
 @zede: Well, there are all kinds of people riding e-bikes, including some very fit and skilled riders (I know a few of them in Switzerland). Sure e-bike have lowered the barrier. Unexperienced people used to find out that cycling is hard and would give up before they have a chance to be a hazzard in the trails. It is no longer the case.

I guess past the discovery of a new product most of them will give up. If they are not comfortable descending a mountain, they will have no fun and will give up quickly. I think we are just in that kind of period where a product is getting trendy, mainstream and selling like mad and thus a wee bit more affordable*. Once everybody will have its own e-mtb, most will collecting dust for years while experienced riders will continue riding them.

*seriously in most LBS I visited this year it is easier to find an e-MTB in the 1500-4500€ range than a FS trail bike. LBS only seems to stock crappy entry level hardtails or dentist specced full suspension trail bikes. You have to go online to find a proper trail bike in a decent price range.
  • 15 1
 @scott-townes: i bought a Kenevo for self shuttling as the people using them on the local tracks were doing 3 runs to my 1 with my DH bike or Enduro. it has made a massive difference to what riding i can get in in the time i have and it's got almost as much travel as my Tues.
The market for them is embarassing though. i left the Kenevo group on FB because people were all fannying about with 3 mudguards at a time and not actually riding. but genuinely its a hell of a bike to ride.
  • 3 19
flag pperini (Aug 23, 2019 at 1:24) (Below Threshold)
 @bowski123: opinion? Thats exactly my point. Pinkbike is an institution, not a person...as an instituition with high level of influence in the given industry you dont just "say your opinion" just because you have one...unlike us regular people their "opinion" has an influence and i believe that making constructive critizism about this event would have had a much more professional impact in the communication compared to simply calling it embarrassing and period. But they chose to behave like most people commenting here which is just simply childish...we can all have a constructive discussions on how emtbs are not motorbikes and why the mx track was probably the worst idea ever etc etc. But this pointless bashing thats going on here is just plain stupid...
  • 1 0
 In super slow motion@jorgeposada:
  • 2 0
 The can't be recycled?
  • 3 0
 We are seeing more and more people use them on Enduro pre-ride days that don't offer ample shuttling. We just did an absolutely vicious Enduro with a ton of climbing. Shuttles were unable to run on pre-ride day due to poor road conditions from rainfall. As such, the people on e-bikes who pre-rode had a significant advantage in being less fatigued on race day than those who pre-rode on normal bikes.
  • 2 0
 @opignonlibre: i have also seen skilled riders on e-bikes but they were riding on single trails. On fireroads on the other hand, it is really scary.

Regarding the price, the fact LBS have no problem selling ebikes for 3000-4000€ just shows that ebikes are considered as motorbikes by ebikers. They have issues justifying spending 4K€ for a regular bike, but for an e-bike it's ok for them.

Also LBS have no problem for reducing the price of an ebike of 10% or more (i have heard a guy discussing the price of specialized ebike and it was going in the good way). Now when i tried discussing the price of a DH bike two years ago they looked at me like I was offending them. I wonder if the margins they make are way better on ebikes.
  • 2 1
 @aidy: Massive difference in the cornering as well? I hear they're incredible.
  • 1 0
 @mexicant: @Eastern-States-Cup has been trialing that exact format at their enduro series this season.
  • 3 1
 @thinkbike: Did you watch the vid? I've never seen a more perfect example of them not being motorbikes and, in fact, being pretty much just pedal bikes.

It is an embarrassment though. No arguments there.
  • 7 1
 @Rucker10: You haven't met the right people then. True that many are newbies or Kooks if you're being unkind but there are dude who rip. I have few friends that ride e-bikes that will downright embarrass a good 90% of the people on this forum on any kind of bike.
  • 3 0
 @Dustfarter: I would rather call them pretty lame motorbikes.
  • 2 1
 E bikes are the same as moto bikes right?
  • 2 1
 @ElakeEdvin: You can call them whatever you like. It still doesn't make you correct Smile
  • 1 0
 @Dustfarter: Doesn’t make him wrong either. Also - I don’t believe you. I have yet to see one person who actually spent his or her own money on an ebike “rip.” I see lots of hacks with overpriced motorized bikes making fools of themselves.
  • 1 0
 @scott-townes: Going downhill it corners pretty damn well, obviously it takes a lot more bossing around than the Tues but compared to downhill bikes in the early 00's it's not that much heavier to ride than say an old muddyfox rock'n'roll with monster t's and gazoloddi tyres. it's hard work on tight uphill singletrack and especially on the technical bits but if you were to use it to self shuttle up the fire road and rip down it's fantastic.
  • 3 0
 @zede: Totally agree. It’s the same everywhere you find these things. With the exception of some sponsored pros or really experienced older riders, the majority of e bike riders seem to be complete and utter “Joeys”. That’s not to say that we weren’t all clueless noobs at one time. Gotta start somewhere, and the learning curve is steep for this sport. However getting the idea that because you can now get a bike that’s easy to pedal uphill now allows anyone to try MTB riding.... nope doesn’t work that way. None of us started out (and I started very late in life) with 50-60lb bike that can easily hit 25mph and transport you effortlessly to double black D trailheads. It’s a complete recipe for disaster on so many levels. You really do have to “earn your turns” in this sport. Being able to pay for a top end e-bike doesn’t make you a rider. Money doesn’t buy bike handling skill. Sweat, effort, training, orthopedic injuries, and experience does.
  • 4 5
 @remymetailler: do you know how much damage the production of batteries do to the environment. Single use plastic is peanuts compare to that. Seems a little hypocritical.
  • 4 6
 @Isey: Says the person posting from his smartphone... you're all a bunch of hypocrites.
  • 1 0
 @aidy: Does the feel and skill set of riding your e bike translate to you normal dh bike?. The weight freaks me out.
  • 1 0
 @paulskibum: I would think most pro riders have ebikes but keep it abit quiet cos of all this over hyped outrage!
  • 1 0
 My friend is currently trying to buy an eBike, but can't get one cuz they are so hot the models using popular Bosch and Shimano units are sold out everywhere.
  • 1 0
 @dthomp325: I’m sorry for your loss. Let him down gently.
  • 1 0
 Okay, let's be fair... eMTB have a market. I work in a bike shop and see some die-hard customers that live for biking. One of our customers recently had a triple bypass surgery and he can't let his heart rate go up for the foreseeable future. He got an eMTB to allow him to get out the trails without risking his heart. In such a case, an eMTB is perfect for a true biking fanatic who just wants to ride. I don't like beating on eMTB because I do truly believe they have a market that has value. However, that video was the single worst display of biking prowess I have ever seen.
  • 1 0
 @zede:

AFAIK, working in a shop that carries Specialized, the margin on the Turbo Levo is almost the same as Enduro/Stumpjumper. Something to consider - the more expensive the bike, the smaller the margin is. Cheap hybrids actually have huge margins, while expensive, S-Works models have much smaller margins. E-bikes naturally end up being in the upper price range due to the fact that they have a motor on them, and tend to land themselves in smaller profit margins.
  • 1 0
 @Gambit14: well that is weird then.

So how does your customer with a bypass surgery does to reduce his heart rate downhill (between the adrenalin and the intense effort of going down, the HR goes up very fast) ?
If I had heart condition that doesn't go well with high HR, I would not be able to climb or to go down (unless we are taking about going down on a fireroad ?).
  • 1 0
 @zede: He doesn't descend very hard. I can ride down the sketchiest stuff and my heart rate isn't going to go up unless I'm working physically to go fast.
  • 1 0
 @ColquhounerHooner: Your telling me ?!?!!!!???
  • 1 0
 @Gambit14: Red herring... Profit margin and actual profit are different. A 40% profit margin on a $5000 bike is still quiet a bit more than a 60% profit margin on a $500 bike.
  • 130 3
 DEAR GOD!!!! who thought this format would be a good idea or exciting???
  • 22 0
 This reminds me of one of the first ever mountain bike races i remember seeing (1980's) in Southern California, it was hosted in a stadium on a Super Cross format track. Also painful to watch...
  • 25 1
 E(bike)xodus 26:1

The human-powered MTB disciples hath created an event, to be a raced hither and with batteries.
And so it was a showeth of shit forthwith.
And the disciples laughed at whosoever rideth with batteries, as they earned their turneths to the top of Zion.
  • 41 8
 Ebikes, while they are motorcycles, are not dirt bikes.
  • 13 11
 @hamncheez: Taken straight from the Oxford dictionary of English.

motorcycle /ˈməʊtəsʌɪk(ə)l/
noun

a two-wheeled vehicle that is powered by a motor and has no pedals.
  • 20 7
 @EuanBisset145: English doesn't have a Académie française, or other centralized defining body. So, taken straight from the colloquial, a bicycle with a motor in it is a motorcycle.
  • 8 5
 I wonder why we don’t have a French body to define the English language haha

In all seriousness though moped would be more correct but even then a moped has a throttle and the pedalling/motor portions work separately unlike electric bikes which offer assistance and only when pedalling.
So it seems e bikes do not fit into any of the aforementioned categories hence why they are called Electric bicycles.
  • 12 1
 @EuanBisset145:

Moped - 1950s from Swedish, from (trampcykel med) mo(tor och) ped(aler) ‘pedal cycle with motor and pedals’.

aka - a low-power, lightweight motorized bicycle.
  • 7 0
 @Hyakian: Reminds me of my kids Strider bike races....
  • 2 0
 @EuanBisset145: the dictionary definition and the legal definition could be different in different countries or states.
In the UK the vehicle meets a legal test.
Motor vehicle- a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on a road.
Electric Pedal assisted cycles are excluded from this as exempt along with mobility scooters and lawnmowers - think council. An electric scooter would not be as its sole power comes from the electric.
Mopeds with pedals have to be registered before 1977 (think chicken chaser).
Its interesting that ebikes are excluded. Consider that a ‘road’ is a highway that the public has access to and includes pavements, hedges adjacent, etc. Road should be taken to mean an actual road be that tarmac, unmetalled or a county rd.
There you have it. In the US it may be different. Ebikes are legal in the UK on both the road and as exempt as a MV, can leave the carriage way as a bike or horse could.
Still dont fully agree with them.
  • 14 1
 Anyone who spends $8000 on a evoke vs a 450cc motocross bike needs a mental evaluation.
  • 1 0
 @MTBrent: In Steezus' name, Amen
  • 4 0
 Let’s race dodgems ( bumper cars ) on a F1 circuit !
  • 3 0
 @Matt115lamb: I vote yes! As long as Colin Furze makes them!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGr0oifJMEI
  • 96 3
 That is why I don't filter emtb on pinkbike, I love watching the world falling apart and have a good laugh at it!
  • 5 0
 @Alain2 save me some popcorn, I will be over soon with beers. Big Grin
  • 92 1
 Getting an eMTB now because apparently anybody can race at an international level. Watch out Tracey and Troy, Australia has a new luminary on the World Cup circuit
  • 40 0
 Any semi competent rider could smoke these jabronis
  • 9 0
 @kleinblake: Hilarious in the interviews how they all emphasized how hard racing a bicycle with a motor was. Although I do have some respect for the woman who finished even though her motor wasn't working for part of the race.

No way is this a legitimate sport, looked like the chunky guy who won obviously had a stronger bike. The sponsors of this should be embarrassed and ditch it but they probably are obligated to stick it out for the year. Will be interesting to watch this off road moped abortion racing series. Most elaborate podium ever when they don't even have podiums for world cup DH anymore.

Having said all that at least they had ruts to deal with and it's probably fun to race, especially if you have the strongest motor.
  • 7 0
 @kleinblake: Jabroni; Such a cool word!
  • 50 0
 Reminds of when the crossfit games held a crit and I watched the live stream. Some of the worst bikehandling, strategy, and crashes I had ever seen. It was entertaing in a sad sense.
  • 9 0
 Got a link to the carnage?
  • 12 0
 Or the time they just randomly decided they are gohna have a cyclocross race but noone of those people were even remotly interested in riding a bike. It's like "oh well has the word cross in it, must be part of this discipline".
  • 18 1
 @blcpdx: Bravo sir. X-fit roid junkies crashing themselves riding a straight line is a mesmerising - I couldn't look away.
  • 8 0
 @blcpdx: Thank you for that. It was exactly what I would have expected.
  • 5 0
 Shit, they are way wider than me
  • 2 1
 @blcpdx: Thanks for finding/sharing.....office mates probably heard me laughing my tail off watching this
  • 11 0
 @Arepiscopo: Allow me to introduce you to the wonderful world of shitting on Crossfit by Infinite Elgintensity: youtu.be/bDwkJtObamo?t=183 ("cyclocross" carnage)
  • 1 0
 @blcpdx: Oh god... Someone tagged 45:55 and it's so bad to try and listen to. She doesn't even understand what she is trying to explain to the audience.
  • 1 0
 @blcpdx: lol thanks for the laugh.
  • 4 2
 @blcpdx: Train wreck. And roid junkies is right. I didn’t realize the women’s group was just women at first.
  • 3 0
 @clutched: I just went down the rabbit hole of anti-crossfit videos...absolutely hilarious! thank you for that!
  • 2 0
 @blcpdx: Damn, this is the gift that keeps on giving. I almost felt sorry for them (specially the high-sides) until I remembered they're crossfitters.
  • 1 0
 @blcpdx @clutched the internet needs your fine work. thank you for keeping PB comments wonderful
  • 1 0
 @blcpdx: Haha! The Norwegian girl who won is dating a friend of mine who actually is a very competent biker. (Maybe she got som pointers)
  • 43 1
 It seems that eMtb gets the format that it deserves. I wonder what the MotoX guys were thinking while they had to look at this.
  • 4 0
 Literally LOL’d at this
  • 43 1
 There appears to be a severe lack of hustle with many of the racers.
  • 8 0
 I've seen more hustle in chess!
  • 41 2
 Not hating here, but if you're out to prove that e-bikes are not like motorcycles, it's probably not a good idea to run a race on a moto track.
  • 40 0
 Looks to me they proved that pretty damn well with this mess. It does truly show the difference between a MX bike and an ebike.
  • 6 7
 @dhridernz: absolutely spot on comment... However, still cannot understand the hate, reminds of the 26" vs 29" or Snowboard vs Ski debates. Anyhow, I am an advocate and there is a way to make this a better race, we've been doing it for several years now. On top of that, I still race my regular bike as well, more action all the way around...
  • 12 1
 @chillaxin: No one was concerned a 29er rider would lose them access to trails
  • 36 0
 That was so painful. I couldn’t bear to watch more than 20 seconds worth.
  • 8 2
 I didn't even bother to watch it because I already know what kind of people would enter this type of race.
  • 2 0
 You got me beat by 12 seconds... -She.
  • 8 0
 Stopped watching when I actually heard moto gates drop and waited, for what seemed to be a lifetime, to see who got the hole shot.
  • 34 0
 It would be pretty cool to have a uphill mtb race lol. like some famous downhill track raced upwards.
  • 3 0
 That's it! It's the only way to make it interesting or challenging
  • 31 0
 "What do I do for fun? Babe I race E-Bikes. You know what that means? Means I put my life on the line every time I throw a leg over the saddle Sweetheart. These tracks will eat you up and spit you out. The name's Chet Platinum, can I buy you a drink?"
  • 8 0
 *series greenlighted*
  • 4 0
 @danielfeary: Pretty sure that's just the movie "Hot Rod" except an e-bike, not a scooter
  • 1 0
 Why do I picture Chris Hemsworth saying this
  • 34 0
 [Ron Swanson giggling]
  • 2 0
 Underrated comment forsure lol
  • 25 2
 I've never watched motocross before, and I have to say that I am initially underwhelmed, though keen to keep watching to see if it improves once I understand what's going on a bit more. This is the sport that Gwin crossed over from to dominate downhill? Damn, they must be more skilful than they look.
  • 5 19
flag ktm87 (Aug 22, 2019 at 12:39) (Below Threshold)
 yea motocross is the same track but wayyy different. this was a snooze. motocross is exciting. all those rollers these guys are going over the moto guys are jumping 60+ feet on.
  • 15 0
 @ktm87: Yes, that is the joke
  • 7 0
 @ktm87: whooooooosh
  • 3 0
 @fruitsd79: don't think he heard the whooosh on that one, went so far over his head it was in orbit
  • 18 0
 I checked out a bit of this not knowing what to expect. As soon as I watched 30 sec of this I had to look over my shoulders to make sure that no one saw that I was watching it...I also then put my hood up too. Oh and it's exactly what I expected...
  • 31 0
 Getting caught watching porn would be less embarrassing than caught watching this.
  • 3 0
 @nyhc00: Comment of the year!
  • 22 1
 Kill it before it hatches!!!
  • 7 0
 Nuke it from space. Just to be sure.
  • 20 2
 Did I follow that correctly - the girl who was filmed pushing her bike up the face of a jump ended up on the top spot of the podium, alone; having clearly raced in a category of 1?

This is not racing.
  • 56 2
 She‘s world champ now. Are you? LOL
  • 10 0
 @vhdh666: I’m world champion of being “speedfreek on Pinkbike” in much the same way that she’s a “world champ”

It’s easy if you run a one horse race.
  • 2 0
 Have must have never seen a 4X race
  • 1 0
 She said in the interview her motor wasn't working for part of the race.
  • 2 0
 @Laymo: Ah right. That would be pretty frustrating.
Still, I don’t suppose it matters if there’s no one competing against you.
  • 2 0
 @Laymo: she must have a top quality motor and an awesome mechanic.
  • 17 0
 Watching a beached oil tanker rust away would be more exciting than this.
Accidentally flushing a $100 down the toilet would not be as disappointing as this.
Doing a crossword puzzle had more surprises than this.
Watching 2 bums fight over a shopping cart would be more worthy of recording.
If a tree fell in the forest and there was someone there to hear it...that would be more newsworthy.
If the Kardashians posted something on social media about what they are wearing, that would be more interesting.
When an elephant takes a dump at a parade, that has more action.
The guy walking behind the elephant cleaning up the mess has more to say than these riders.

Okay, I'm done.
  • 21 2
 I'm totally ashamed of these things that happen here in Italy. I completely dissociate myself from this. :-(
  • 8 3
 Are you talking about politics or this weird „sport“?
  • 4 0
 @eldiddo: touché
  • 2 0
 Bravo I am also ashamed of the fact that it was organized in Italy
  • 2 0
 well, given now in Italy all the bikers became ebikers, I guess it's a faithful representation of the italian biking landscape, no? And Italian eloquence in english at 59:30 Big Grin
(I'm Italian)
  • 3 0
 @keru: visto che sei italiano ti rispondo in italiano. Noi ci scherziamo ma in Italia la e-bike diventerà un problema nei prossimi anni, sopratutto nelle zone alpine ad alto tasso turistico.
  • 1 0
 @pk71: quest'anno ho visto il triste confronto tra le Dolomiti e le Alpi svizzere tedesche. Le prime 70% ebikes, le seconde 20%...
  • 17 2
 Wow what a snooze fest. The riders didn't even seem to give a shit either.

Although, this might be the best format for ebikes. Something super boring and lame.

Also, why are riders taking the outside line? You're going like 15mph, you can just follow the inside line every time.
  • 15 0
 You're telling me this goes on for 1 FREAKIN HOUR, 2 MINUTES, AND 37 SECONDS?! The only people who watched the whole thing did because they died just after they pressed play. Wink lol
  • 14 2
 No... the format for e-bike racing of the future will be what happened at the Tour de Mont Blanc.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrie0HuhRwg

Endurance Team racing over great distances and long amounts of time, allowing teams to cover ridiculous amounts of ground and have lots of opportunity for "expedition" type adventure while racing.
  • 9 0
 now that makes alot of sense, run a format similar to Red Bull Romaniacs or similar events
  • 7 2
 @expat: Right? I'm not a huge fan of e-bikes, but I think this format has some potential. Of course, they're limited a bit in how far they can range by access to backup batteries, but still...

also could get into some interesting strategies with how much "assist" one uses for the e-bike if you started making rules around when they can replace batteries. One guy can go further than the others before he "pits" because he doesn't use as much juice while the other one goes faster but has to pit sooner.
  • 1 0
 Is battery life an issue with that long term race?
  • 2 0
 @Svinyard: I believe they have to carry an extra battery.
  • 2 0
 @Svinyard: Isn't that part of the point of making it an endurance race - battery life maintenance - you want o run out of juice at the top of the last decent and not before.
  • 5 0
 You can race ebikes in any format, you just have to design the courses such that the total length is 2-3 times the distance the biggest allowable battery would last on maximum pedal assist, and feature sections that penalize heavier ebikes. That way, you have to take into account strategy and match the rider skill with the particular bike configuration.
  • 1 1
 @Hogfly: yes, yes... as some of those concepts you speak about are actually being used today in some emtb races especially one's that I have been a part of...
  • 1 0
 Yeah, this makes so much more sense and takes advantage of the unique capabilities eMTBs offer. Riding eMTBs around a MX track is ridiculous and why FIM should stick to actual motorsports and leave biking to those who understand it.
  • 12 0
 There's a guy on my local Strava who has KOMs on a few climbs and proudly has "member of X eMTB racing team" in his profile.
I always wondered what that it looked like, as I can't really take him seriously.

For some reason this is even worse than I imagined.
  • 14 1
 I think the chick in the white forgot to charge her bike after her last ride over to the Dairy Queen
  • 13 1
 WTF am i watching? We truly are a species with to much f*cking time on our hands...
  • 5 0
 Let's go hunt for a dinner.
  • 14 1
 Good lord...
  • 10 0
 Take the Fng pedals off and put in a bigger electric motor/battery and call it EMX.

My Kid could have raced this and he is six.
  • 2 0
 Haha exactly. The guy winning has the idea
- "hey eMTB guys I have an eMX can I play too?"
- "yea sure so long as you 'dial it back' to fit within our 'regulations' ".
  • 1 0
 Ktm is making a 50 sized mx bike that is electric. He'd roast these clowns.
  • 1 0
 French company LMX Bikes do something similar. Hybrid of MX and DH MTB components. Now certified for road use under Euro Moped regulations. It hauls.
  • 8 0
 When I was a kid, all I wanted was a dirtbike. However, all we could afford was a BMX bike. I did everything to make it and myself look like a dirt bike. One time I took my BMX to the local motocross track and quickly found out that my BMX was not a dirtbike. It was a horrible experience. This reminded me of that.
  • 7 0
 I am confused? was the leader on a electric motorcycle? seems he had acceleration without pedaling. To me all the bikes should be the same and are only pedal assist but you have to pedal. Also the track format was not exciting lol... this might be entertaining on a WC XC course as its tighter and more technical. IDK how the announcer got into this lol... and who were the racers? seems like random people from the crowd as most verse bikers would be able to make all the climbs on the jumps.
  • 2 0
 That guy was seriously hauling ass!
  • 2 0
 He should have jammed a plastic carton in between his rear tyre and frame to save the others' embarrassment
  • 12 1
 The worst, well covered race ever.
  • 6 0
 I liked how the director put the camera on a jump and then 20 seconds later the riders came along. Definitely had to recalibrate for this shit show
  • 8 0
 Oh so it actually happened? Thought that was april fools. Organize Ebike competitions but not on an MXGP circuit. Carioli may have laughed real hard.
  • 3 1
 It's not april fools but it's still a freaking joke! My first BMX race at 5 years old (35 years ago) was more challenging than that!
  • 5 0
 That was pretty much "The Room" of bike racing.

A couple of random thoughts:
1. Someone needs to watch enough of this to figure out what place Marco Melandri finished and see that it get recorded on his Wikipedia page.
2. I think Niki Makk is my new hero.
  • 2 0
 Why, Lisa, why,WHY?!
  • 9 3
 Shaming the woman for struggling with the pic is a cheap move it must be said. Use a pic of whatever the fuck that due was riding that had acceleration even when he wasn't pedaling .
  • 5 0
 "The bikes are performing very well on the straights, as well as the jumps out there"

Not a single jump happened during the entire race since they're meant for MOTOCROSS BIKES and meant for high speed.

Also, of course the dude with the custom ebike (lime green bike). You can see he's not even pedaling but he's absolutely hauling.
  • 1 0
 How could that not be considered obvious cheating? He has something going on with his bike, he's hauling ass while not even pedaling.
  • 8 0
 jesus wept, while laughing so hard at this shit show.
  • 8 1
 Everytime i see an adult on a e-bicycle, i despair for the future of the human race. -H.G. Wells
  • 4 0
 other highlights include:

- a dude winning while sitting down and just flying at double the speed of anyone else, and they run over and cart his bike off for inspection before he can even start celebrating

- someone who works for production (sounds like shes an event planner?) notices that no women entered and hops in to claim the title
  • 8 2
 Next time someone asks why I don't want to share trails with people who ride e-bikes, I'm showing them this video...
  • 3 0
 Who thought it would be a good idea to hold this on a motocross track? Have the organizers ever ridden a bicycle before? Did no one test this format before it went live?

Soooooooooo many questions. That was 5 minutes of my life i'm never going to get back. Frown
  • 6 1
 Agreed!!! My 5 year old son just did a BMX race on his full suspention bike for crankworx (mostly because his age limited his allowance into other races). Hes new to mountainbiking obviously... If you were to put these races side by side... you wouldnt be able to tell the differance.
I want to reiterate... hes 5 years old.
  • 3 0
 Back in the day circa 1998 I took my Cannondale Super V zzyzx forked MTB to a local MX race so I could ride it around the track during 'track walk'. There was a step down I was pretty sure I could clear as it was mid way down a steep decline. The track was freshly disced so it was really soft (by MTB standards) however I tried anyway. As I hit the lip the front end just sank and I got thrown OTB and landed full scorpion face plant in front of the entire pit knocking myself out and having to be attended to by the Ambulance crew. I wasn't able to race MX that day, and became the joke of the pits for awhile. lol
Sorry for bring MTB into disrepute. haha
  • 2 0
 The Onion (a satirical news media company) is now talking about suing Ebike manufactures for stealing all their headlines about Ebikes. A Specialized Ebike PR person said, "...as always we want to get out and stay ahead of the curve where we can!"

Side Note: RIVETING Commentary! Get those guys a medal and a scratch and sniff!
  • 5 0
 This is one of the greatest things I have ever seen. I laughed so hard I cried.
  • 6 0
 Dude in the yellow is definitely on a 50cc.
  • 19 0
 That's Nino Sharter.
  • 6 0
 Is this sailing or motorboating?
  • 5 0
 It's official, I'm going back to rollerblading....Or watching lead paint dry.
  • 4 1
 I've raced motocross for many, many years. I like my analog bikes and I love my ebikes, ebikes are NOT motocross bikes. The same track in its intended glory: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Qqj9uWIUE
  • 4 0
 You can laugh at them all you want, but that’s the future.

Also, they hate us more than we hate them. And there willl be more of them.
  • 3 1
 Does the UCI sanction any E-Bike races? Because if they don't, and its purely FIM, that means a world body is recognizing that these bikes are "Motor Bikes" and not bicycles or pedal assist bicycles. And that can open up a real can of worms when its comes to trail use and other usage things as well IMHO.
  • 2 0
 And upon the plains of Imola the Beast revealed itself for what it was. Man could no longer deny what their own eyes saw. The Beast writhed across the ground and as it did men closed their eyes & covered their ears for the noise was most annoying & the sight of the Beast prostituting itself in the mud caused some to vomit excessively. Others saw the Beast & thoughts of greed & deceit filled their minds. They fell on their knees before the beast and suckled at it's bloated downtube, full of exploitation, marketing & needlessly ever changing standards. After what seemed like an eternity of torture and pain of both mind and soul, man realised his folly... But the Beast was in the World.
Revolutions 27:5
  • 5 3
 I'm gonna get downvoted to f*cking hell for this. The bike market is down overall, and ebikes are up. They are here, and more to come. I would love to see (specifically in the US) local trail stewards get their heads out of the sand and commence earnest and thoughtful policy towards mtb ebikes. Here's my thinking: ebikes are here and increasing. Like it or not the market always wins (think legal pot). I'd love to see a local trail steward/group address this elephant in the room. Trail access depends on it. Otherwise you have a bunch of conflict on the trails, when meeting reality head-on might be a better long run tack.
  • 7 0
 well based on this video they should all just go down the local mx track instead
  • 3 0
 the market doesn't always win. mountain bikes have been a thing for 3 decades and the access battles continue in some places. EMTB will only make the battle harder.
  • 3 0
 Wow! Not many World Cup sports I watch and think "I could win that" but man, WTF?! Were the competitors chosen whilst they were in Evans Cycles buying their eBikes 'cos none of them look like they've ridden much!
  • 2 0
 Ok I’m not opposed to an ebike, even though I never rode one. Was everyone else bar the leader stuck in first gear? The winning bike rider seemed like he was pedaling to just remind the spectators it had a crank. It kinda reminded me of a town back-in the UK? Swarms of people on the streets, and that one elderly, in a formula1 mobility scooter racing to get nowhere.
  • 5 0
 That was uncomfortable to watch for the minute I committed.
  • 2 0
 Couldn't get past the 30 second mark.
  • 2 0
 f*ck tonne of comments; some good, some bad. Either way that was some amatuer f*ckery that shouldn't be allowed to happen. However you feel about E-bikes, that abortion makes a mockery of our sport.
  • 2 1
 how horrible that competition and what a shame the winner had to pass with that supposed bicycle that was rather an electric motorcycle

(que horrible esa competencia y que vergüenza debió pasar el ganador con esa supuesta bicicleta que mas bien era motocicleta electrica)
  • 1 0
 So hoped that this would turn into today's "Friday Fail" but couldn't watch much past the start, if we're expected to take E bikes seriously this is not gonna do it for me. Best thing would be an attitude adjustment to all who purchase one, almost 100% that I come across on the trails have real issues, so maybe its not just the E bike that's giving them a bad name?
  • 8 5
 Perfect! If we're going to have e-bike racing keep it with the dirt bikes (FIM) where it belongs. Sure it looks ridiculous but it's a ridiculous concept to begin with.
  • 6 0
 ahahahahahahahhahahaha
  • 3 0
 Whyyyyyyyy ..... ?

lol that's feraking awful. And anyone that's ever ridden a bike shoulda seen that a mile away.

like riding a road bike at the Indy Raceway... fak
  • 4 0
 When I think of moped racing this is what I picture in my mind. Slow motorcycles.....
  • 5 3
 I have to admit that it makes it painfully obvious that indeed, E-bikes are not motorcycles. Not at least at this power level. That dirt is thick and chunky, that's why it looked super slow.
  • 7 3
 If they have a motor they are motorbikes, or motorcycles. Pedal-assisted motorbikes, an age-old category before someone started calling them motor-assisted bycicles. But a bycicle by definition has no motor!
  • 4 0
 I feel bad just clicking play. I'd rather watch kids on 80cc motos do this.
  • 3 0
 This is the most boring MX race I've ever see.....wait. What the hell is happening here?

Seriously which of this riders lined up thinking, 'Yea, this seems like good fun!"
  • 6 1
 Putting them on a motorcycle track is next level trolling
  • 4 0
 I could only watch about a minute of it, but that was everything I hoped it would be.
  • 4 3
 What an insult. Take enduro gravity style bikes, put them on what is basically a boring flat XC course at mountain bike speeds... on an MX course. No idea at all. Ebikes have their place. I've been riding a Kenevo since 2017. It's a bike with inbuilt shuttle or a range extender to get more gravity trails in than I would have time for otherwise between a job and time with family.
  • 1 0
 In the early 1980's Charlotte Motor Speedway (NASCAR) decided it would be a good idea to promote the up and coming sport of BMX racing and held an exhibition race just before the big yearly 600 mile stock car race. They held it in the infield grass (3"-4" deep to slow down race cars if they slid off the track) with no start hill and 2' to 3' wooden ramps that had no backside at all. 8 to 15 year old kids slogged around this thing on 20" BMX bikes and most couldn't hold enough speed to even wheelie drop the first jump or two. This is what this video reminded me of. I am not really pro or anti e-bike but someone has to be smart enough to at least put it in the correct venue.
  • 1 0
 Great story, would love to see video.
  • 2 0
 Watching XC eliminator is more interesting than that.... Watching the IXS junior DH cup is buttloads more interesting... fuck watching my sister at roller derby is more interesting than that
  • 1 0
 The Qulbix guy clearly had a full powered electric motorcycle while the others had pedal assist bikes. He peddled like 4 times and suddenly he's magically hauling ass up a hill past everyone. Dude looks like he's laughing to himself on the podium, like "I cun't believe I shust git away with that".
  • 5 0
 This is why the Amazon is on fire.
  • 5 0
 needs fast forward and benny hill sounds to be perfect
  • 1 0
 exactly what we've expected from this Race Format...this is pure bullshit. I do think E Bikes are a cool thing and a proper E Bike Race Format can be really good and interisting but this is just useless as fuck...i wonder if these Riders think they are real Bikers...huch sorry not sorry..
  • 1 0
 I couldn’t make it through the first 30 seconds. If anything it shows how “safe” and slow emtbs are. I honestly think they should be legalized everywhere except private land where the managers don’t want them. I own one and it’s super fun to ride quick laps on before work. I’m pretty fit and definitely don’t need one, but they are super fun, just don’t sign me up for this fu***** race.
  • 1 0
 I like the location.... There has to be some changes though.... MINIMUM speed in the 30-35km/hr range. Limit the MAX speed to 60-65 km/hr, must have and use pedals to propel the bike. Run the damn thing BEFORE the motocross guys tear the track to pieces. Motocross-level protection is optional, but helmet w/neck protection, goggles, hand, shin/knee and elbow guards are not. The bikes _can_ be fun... make it look like it. Does NOT have to be street-legal bike and in fact...probably shouldn't be street-legal.
  • 1 0
 Why was the guy in front (fluro yellow and black 'bike') riding what seemed to be a mini-motorbike with a throttle whilst everyone else seemed to be riding e-bikes? It seemed to ride completely differently to the other machines. What a circus.
  • 2 0
 I tried watching with the race commentary on mute while listening to the significantly more energetic Warner / Page commentary from Danny Hart’s 2011 Worlds run in Champery and it was still terrible.
  • 1 0
 Ebikes=tennis racquet that helps you serve the ball at 170mph.

You still have hit the ball.

Think about my comparasion. Then re-think getting an Ebike.

Human powered bikes are ridden by awesome people you have all types of physical challenges.
Just pedal. Find your speed, your pace, your fun and you satisfaction.
Don't get a motor.
Cheers,
  • 1 0
 My god..... what did i just watch.....I know nothing about this event and I'm happy for that. But.....what was the idea of this event?
Is someone taking the piss??
I love bikes ....... but ,,,,,,, .......
  • 5 0
 Hahahahaha
  • 4 0
 that was just boring motocross
  • 1 0
 It's but even *that* good!!
  • 3 1
 I'm going to just go back to watching something more entertaining....like Sharknado 63. I'm all for eBikes....but this was neither the time nor the place.
  • 3 0
 This must be a joke... Anyone who came up with this idea should be fired right away...
  • 1 0
 I really thought this was a joke at first...I was waiting for the punch line where everyone starts laughing or something...then I checked the date and alas it is not April 1st...what is the world coming to...
  • 4 0
 So glad I didn’t filter!
  • 4 0
 I hope side cars are next!
  • 2 0
 I was expecting them to release some lions or charging bulls into the course at a random moment to spice things up; then I fell asleep it was so dull hahaha
  • 4 1
 Im so glad i didnt bother turning the E-bike filter on. This absolutely made my week.
  • 3 0
 I can't believe they had flaggers for this ... in helmets ... trackside. WTF
  • 3 2
 Even cyclocross rides are cringing at the patheticness, full face helmets for plodding around this, that girl that can't get up the hump, did her battery run out??, or just shit... Lol..
  • 2 0
 wow...what did I just watch? I could only go for 40 secs and had to turn it off. I don't know how anyone went 5mins of this.
  • 1 1
 This was retarted..!!!! Same everything as in the MXGP’s, even the commentator....... I bet the MXGP organization is trying to make even more cash than they already have with this bullshit. They are a bunch of dirty thieves anyways!
  • 4 0
 Next big thing will be e-road bikes racing in Laguna SECA
  • 2 1
 I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm pro eBike and this absolutely, conclusively proves that they are absolutely NOT motorcycles. Look, they can barely get around an MX track.
  • 1 0
 I remember @RichardCunningham reporting a XC race in the late 90s MountainBikeAction doing the same format, just before a motoX race in a stadium.The crowd threw beercans at the racers...
  • 1 0
 What the f*ck is this utter shit? (said by a man who’s been riding an ebike 95% of the time since the end of last year but is currently riding steep rocky gnarly trails on a 150mm unassisted hardtail).
  • 1 0
 That was just painful to watch. like Im all for e bike if it gets someone out there that would not normally be able but not this this needs to go away for ever and be forgotten
  • 1 0
 I think I just threw up.... Totally re-affirms how much I hate those things. (I think they have there place, such as a true rider who physically can not pedal a normal bike, but otherwise whats the point? L A Z Y)
  • 1 0
 What the hell did I just watch? I could only manage thirty seconds, the pain was just too great.

That was so ridiculous that I’d assume it was a joke ... except it wasn’t.

Well, that certainly cooked that goose ????
  • 4 0
 What is number 81doing?
  • 3 0
 When you thought this ebike shit coudn't go any worse.. there you go.
  • 1 0
 I have always imagined that an ebike race would be on a tech course...Ebikes are fun on tech climbs. But this Imola race is a joke..
  • 3 0
 This is exactly that what ebiking is Big Grin
  • 3 0
 Watched 6 seconds then immediately deleted my browsing history.
  • 1 0
 Embarrassing. I only watched the first lap! Why not put them on an XC course? It'll be like watching XCC on an XCO course (for the faster class anyway)
  • 1 0
 FWIW - the Emtb forums agree completely...eMTBs (and MTBs) should NOT be raced on motocross tracks. What was the FIM thinking????
  • 3 0
 Looks like they thought it would be like supercross???
  • 3 0
 This is like Friday Fails but for the whole week.
  • 3 1
 My toddler's Strider race was more interesting than the 30 seconds I spent watching that.
  • 3 0
 Lol...what a fucking joke
  • 1 1
 The FIM messing something up? Big surprise...

I think the AMA idea of running the ebikes with the off road/ here scramble series seems like a better idea... It couldn't be worse...
  • 2 3
 Once again, while this is hilarious and great content... I think that it would be worthwhile to actually highlight e-bike formats that show promise, like the E-Tour du Mont Blanc. Uphill, downhill, hike-a-bike, all in the CHamonix region over multiple days with a team who carries their own extra batteries and self-supports with limited aid stations.
  • 1 0
 lol That was one of those so absolutely atrocious I had to watch a little videos. Quite possibly the dumbest thing I've seen in recent memory. lol
  • 4 1
 rather poo in my hand a clap....
  • 2 0
 Where to even start. The need to wear a roost guard is specially hilarious.
  • 1 0
 Let's add some hurdles, a sand pit and steps to have them run up for true excitement....oh wait, that's just cyclecross. This just looks like every cyclecross I've ever seen.
  • 4 1
 I’m just happy they aren’t riding my local trails
  • 2 0
 What ding-dong thought an MX track was in any way conducive to a good show?!
  • 1 1
 You know it's bad, like real bad when somewhere out there some 'hardcore' e-bike dude (who has long since sworn off ever riding an 'analogue' mtb), is furiously masturbating off to this.
  • 3 3
 Not sure whats worse , watching roadies ride , or people riding e-bikes , kinda feels the same actually as they both cheat while riding the one uses drugs the other a battery , i rather stick to pedal power
  • 1 0
 Ebike does not equal moto. That was horrible. A real race for them would be something like an Enduro, with timed climbs and no battery changes.
  • 2 1
 I love my Capra and my Decoy - but why this crap on Pinkbike? Thought this is a MTB site! I guess no one wants to see MX or EXB here.
  • 1 0
 This is just painful to watch. It’s just like a bad accident where you know you’re not supposed to look at it but just had to....painful, just plain painful.
  • 1 0
 I'm in Love with my Kenevo E-bike, but that thing was fu.... shit, especially when you See how awesome the Moto Guys rock this Racetrack
  • 2 0
 Not great to watch, but they raced and seemed like they had fun. Can't knock it too much!
  • 3 0
 That’s like watching gay porn. Only few get excited...
  • 2 0
 It stirs feelings in you that you didn't realise existed?
  • 2 0
 That has to be the worst endorsement for E-MTB ever, totally frikkiin ridiculous!
  • 1 0
 Hang on. I thought everyone on here thinks an ebike is the same as a cr500 motocross bike? This video clearly shows they are not.
  • 3 0
 Anyone else make motorcycle noises while they watched this?
  • 3 0
 Not while watching it...But probably all those "riders" did exactly that. *braaaaaaap braaaaaap nengnengnengneng braaaap*
  • 2 0
 And just when we think UCI sucks for cycling we see what FIM is capable of.......
  • 1 0
 Hilarious! I just waited for one of the guys in the finish area to taser a racer of his bike. Totally overmotivated.
  • 1 0
 Fell asleep watching it and woke and they where still going jeeze that was boring
  • 2 1
 it would be cool to see e-bikes race on enduro terrain, sort of in between mtb enduro and offroad motorbike.
  • 3 0
 Ebike racing could be a Mega where they start at the bottom and race up and then down again. That could be cool to watch and ride. Needs big mountains though.
  • 1 0
 here's my dream electric bike - no pedals

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fekPNnRj_CU
  • 3 1
 It doesn't seem to work in the mx format
  • 3 1
 this is embarrassing. to ebikes and riding in general haahaha omg
  • 2 0
 that went on entirely too long
  • 4 1
 Worst .. race .. ever
  • 3 1
 So is PinkBike for or against eBikes?
  • 3 0
 Pam: Say that I'm lying or say I have the job. Make a definitive statement, Gabe. Gabe: Statements of such nature, while they have their place, are overused in a competitive business environment. Pam: Great.
  • 3 0
 In a word, pathetic.
  • 2 0
 my god this is way worse than I expected...
  • 3 1
 Wow those dentists are fast...
  • 2 0
 Imagine being the play-by-play person for that that broadcast.... press F.
  • 1 0
 ebikes and Ferrari in the same sentence, oh hell no. And don't call that racing, it's just fooling about.
  • 2 0
 52:30 saddest podium ever.
Did she win or lose?
  • 2 0
 They got like 3 feet of air that time.
  • 2 0
 WTAF is that shit? Oh dear...
  • 3 1
 KTM Freeride EX-C is the only E-Bike I will ride!
  • 4 2
 E-Bikes will go away before 26 does!
  • 2 0
 I have to sell my ebike now...
  • 1 1
 Why does there even need to be sanctioned racing or competition? Go compete amongst yourselves to who can get up access roads fastest
  • 1 1
 These "athletes" should be f*cking embarrassed.....as should the organizers. At least nobody showed up to watch and WHY THE f*ck are they wearing full face helmets????
  • 1 0
 Ride motorcross or mountain bike. They are and should remain separate disciplines.
  • 2 0
 Even claudio commenting this event won't save this.
  • 2 0
 That was pure dog shit ????
  • 1 0
 Let's identify the word race. ... and completely give it a new definition. What is the pathetic sadness was that bullsh it
  • 1 0
 This was like watching one of those kids strider bike races, only not cute and not entertaining.
  • 1 0
 what on earth did I just watch.... I'm gonna go watch some 2girls1cup as a palette cleanser.
  • 5 4
 Downvote me all you want but if nothing else it’s pretty clear that e-bikes are not the same as motor or dirt bikes.
  • 1 0
 True. They aren't the same as mountain bikes or bicycles either.
  • 1 0
 Can anyone give a timestamp list of highlights? I cant be bothered to watch an hour of this
  • 2 0
 I think that's the saddest thing I've ever seen
  • 1 0
 I think it would be the next big thing if wore Lycra shorts, shoulder pads and Crocs.
  • 3 0
 Un-the fuck-Like
  • 2 0
 Arrrrrghhhh never do this again Pinkbike ! ????
  • 2 0
 All that saddle time on the emtb really paid off
  • 1 0
 What an absolute shit show. Why are they wearing chest protectors and full face helmets?
  • 9 0
 To protect themselves against the crowd throwing stuff at them
  • 2 0
 Mopeds. I won't even watch.
  • 1 0
 What the f@ck!?!?

Chest protectors and full face helmets?

Who the hell put this together?
  • 1 0
 i want to see all the retired bad-ass pros race against each other on ebikes
  • 1 1
 That was lame af. Getting what would normally be a 3hr ride done in a little over an hour is fkn awesome though. Don't get one, they suck.
  • 2 0
 Hahahahahahahaa hilarious
  • 1 0
 Bahahaha, so glad I didn't turn on my ebike content filter!!! This made my day.
  • 1 0
 I'm glad we saw this because we now have concrete proof just how truly fucking awful an ebike race is. SAD!!!
  • 1 0
 Meanwhile, in the main event the MX riders prepare to race 60 laps of the Imola GP track
  • 1 0
 Dating myself here, but looks like an event from "Battle of the Network Stars".
  • 3 1
 E-bikes are not to shame, FIM is.
  • 2 0
 Come back UCI, all is forgiven!
  • 1 0
 Wow! that was erm - crap??
What the actual f##k was that?
Someone at the FIM just reinvented XC but made it 100% worse.....
  • 1 0
 WTH is up with the bike of #12 - that thing is not just pedal assisted is it?
  • 2 0
 The e-mtb track in the recent Cannondale Ad was heaps better
  • 1 0
 reminds me of the MTB world championship at road atlanta 30 years ago. or whatever/whenever that was...awful.
  • 1 0
 if, anything would explain, that e-bikes are NOT motorcycles, this is it. E-bikes are super fun....bikes.
  • 1 0
 Wtf is this? They look like a bunch of absolute DORKS! C'mon guys at least STAND UP!
  • 1 0
 Track choice, track choice, track choice & bike choice for this track gimme a KTM SX450
  • 1 0
 This just proves e-bikes are just bikes.......for the racing is just as boring as non-electrified mountain bike racing......
  • 1 0
 Why I'm thankful E-Bikes are not allowed on any dirt trails where I live, can't stand them
  • 1 0
 It's been recorded before and it's well known as Monty Python's "Upper Class Twit of the Year" race.
  • 1 0
 I'm actually embarrassed for the bikes who take this racing surface seriously. There are some deranged people here.
  • 1 0
 This should be illegal. So sad to watch them struggling in the moto ruts. Mountan bikes belong to mountains.
  • 2 0
 Is this a joke?
  • 1 0
 That’s just XC Eliminator with more riders ????
  • 1 0
 Reebok Eliminator. Is that John Tomac!
  • 2 3
 Funny we came to the exact same conclusion earlier in the week rideemtb.com/2019/08/19/fim-e-xbike-world-cup-in-not-what-ebike-racing-should-look-like
  • 1 0
 Couldn't watch it its too gruesome.
  • 1 0
 woah that was hard to watch
  • 1 0
 Please, don’t give me that shit...
  • 1 0
 I didn't know pinkbike was expanding into comedy
  • 1 0
 At least it is zero emission LOL Trudeau approved.
  • 1 0
 Well... That was a fun watch...
  • 3 1
 Wow that was bad...
  • 3 1
 Well that sucked.
  • 2 1
 what a waste of a lot of perfectly good ebikes
  • 2 0
 Somehow this race is only slightly better than the race above....which is like saying genital warts are only slightly better than chlamydia.
  • 1 0
 Heard what? There's more than 1 sad ebike race video out there with dudes wearing full face helmets for no reason?
  • 2 0
 oh dear!!!!!!
  • 2 1
 Even the "highlights" at the end are boring AF.
  • 2 4
 Here's another video that shows the highlights. Looks like a pretty awesome format to me (even though I'm not a huge fan of e-bikes).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=REVNtsLdON0
  • 1 0
 I thought this was a parody !?
  • 2 2
 This event was but on by ebike manufactures . To prove ebikes are not motorcycles
  • 2 0
 THE FUTURE IS HERE!
  • 7 10
 Add them to the EWS, but in their own class and have limits like pedal assist only (no throttles), max of 600kwh battery and 250w motors. To add to this, make it a class for people with some disabilities & retired racers.
  • 1 0
 lol why are they racing on what looks like a re-purposed dirt bike track?
  • 2 0
 holy shit thats bad.
  • 1 0
 Can we just get the Nitro R/C cars out already!!!!
  • 2 0
 hahahah what a shitshow
  • 1 0
 What, exactly, is the job of these Race Marshals lining the track?
  • 1 0
 This absolutely has no future. Brutal!
  • 3 1
 eMTB haters rejoice
  • 2 0
 Future of motocross!
  • 1 0
 Second dumbest thing i've ever seen. Say no to eMTB racing.
  • 1 0
 That's not funny that's comedy (>Wink
  • 1 0
 GNCC has what seems like a legit way to race eBikes.
  • 1 0
 "It's like watching flies f**k!" george carlin
  • 1 0
 That was horrible to watch.
  • 2 1
 See. Told ya they're not motorcycles. *drops mic*
  • 1 0
 Put Schurter in, I wanna see what happens!
  • 1 0
 One Word...STUUUUUPID!!Smile
  • 1 0
 First steps are simple ridicoulus but the EXBGP category is plain stupid
  • 1 0
 If they want to race "E-MOTO" bring back Alta !!!
  • 1 0
 What the hell?
That looks like a proper MX track.
e-mtb's for the loss.
  • 3 1
 Kill it before it breeds
  • 1 0
 What a fockin joke!! Hope the race will look better in MSA...
  • 1 0
 I'd rather be caught watching porn by my mom then watching this
  • 1 0
 wait until your knees croak- then you will sing a different song
  • 1 0
 I couldn't watch it all. Hopefully it had exciting finish.
  • 1 0
 just delete this shit PB. Please. For the love of God.
  • 2 0
 Shame...shame...shame...
  • 1 0
 Do u still have Sex or already an ebike?
  • 1 0
 Wow yeah, that was fn horrible. Bored after a lap or two
  • 1 0
 I'd love to see this at hawkstone if they have a mudder.....
  • 1 0
 ha ha ha! That is ridiculous! just made my Friday!
  • 2 0
 utter dogshit!
  • 1 0
 Let me you throw an x on the name to make it extreme
  • 1 0
 Can I still vote for the Most Stylish Mountain Biker of All Time?
  • 1 0
 That's funny and sad at the same time.
  • 1 0
 I cannot stop laughing ???? ????????
  • 1 0
 LMAO this is exactly what they look like on trail
  • 1 0
 It would only get worse with e-scooters
  • 1 0
 Id rather watch motocross racing. At least they are fast! Total snoozefest
  • 1 0
 Tell me more about how ebikes don't suck.
  • 2 0
 I pick paint drying
  • 1 0
 FFS please give these morons some MX bikes, this is sickening
  • 1 0
 Filters working great PB...
  • 1 0
 is it a joke or just corruption money spent?
  • 1 0
 I may finally be able to win an MTB title afterall
  • 1 0
 Wow just wow ????‍♂️
  • 1 0
 I actually meant to say embarrassed for the riders....
  • 1 0
 Im fine with eBikes, Knock yourselves out, but that was collosally shit.
  • 1 0
 I had to stop watching after the green guy took off. No, just no.
  • 1 0
 This is embarrassing!!! lol
  • 2 1
 EWS > EWC
  • 4 3
 Sad.
  • 1 0
 my eyes!
  • 1 0
 my eyes, dude..my eyes..
  • 1 0
 so sad...
  • 1 0
 what the hell?
  • 1 0
 Silly
  • 1 0
 This is pathetic lol
  • 1 0
 Joey Party...hilarious!
  • 3 4
 Holy shit, that start looked more parodic than trump's twitter account !
  • 3 2
 Please. Save us. Storm the beaches.
  • 1 4
 Lighten up ludites get your heads out of your angry arses
Looks like a bit of fun to me and riding on a mxgp track
Do you D H rollers hate ALL other sports ?
  • 1 0
 Dude, it doesn’t take s Luddite to see that spectacle for what it was: Fking ludicrous.

My wife rides a Pivot ebike, she watched that video and couldn’t stop laughing, then I told her it wasn’t a parody and she started laughing even harder.
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