dirty-sundays

I loved that era. It was raw, it was real, it was painful. Today everything is build and shaped perfectly, bike suspension is set up by using computers, riders are top level, using gyms and airbags for training. The early freeride days were (for most of us) just about party and doing stupid stuff. I probably haven't watched a full video clip since the days of Fro Riders, Bender and Metal Mulisha :D

@vinay: The sponsorships are not only about car brands, it's about any big companies with big budgets investing in this sport. Although the car industry is an interesting one and they almost all got involved - which was clearly not the case in other industries. I think each car manufacturer is a business and always looking for the most profit, so if people want electric cars, they'll build electric cars, if people want to ride bikes, they'll build bikes. At some point we will see a large amount of public transportation and bicycles taking over, especially in the cities. That will be the future. Historically there have been lots of car brands that started with building bicycles. So you could say we're in the same industry of personal transportation vehicles and that industry keeps shifting all the time. Besides of sponsoring, there were some (poor) attempts in the 90's of car brands offering mtb's. This time it could be more serious with the changing environmental situation and especially the e-bike market. Let's talk again in a few decades and see.. ;-)

Absolutely correct. Nike sponsoring was a big deal as well. The Olympics brought money and attention and that money pays for doping and attracted cheaters. After 99 it changed. I wouldn't blame all on doping - or Palmer leaving the sport ;-) Maybe the MTB World Cup wasn't ready for it yet. Nowadays the situation seems better, TV coverage and social media are a game changer compared to 20 years ago, you're not solely relying on those 10-30k spectators and a blurry 30min recap of the World Cup weekend. I loved the WC scene how it was in the 90's or over the past years. We'll see what happens next, hopefully we won't hit another Rocky Road... :D

MTB Marathon is still the most popular MTB racing discipline in terms of participants. Lots of races have easily over 1000 racers, even up to 17.000 at the Birkebeinerrittet. For the new riders and racers: It's kinda like Gravel racing, just a bit more exciting with single trails and fun stuff. ;-) Hopefully they'll have a live coverage soon, that 10min recap looked good, but they rushed too quickly through it.

@cookiemonster615: the article is about the first half of the World Cup season and they are both team mates. MVP actually helped Sam get a spot in "his" team. As for the Olympics, I hope that Milan does not have to stay home, because MVP is not contributing as many points as he could and then the Netherlands end up with only one spot. (The points from the 2 best male riders count towards the JO qualification)

Sam Gaze will take his spot and deliver for the team!

Used to be 30+

Bravo for posting this! Masters Worlds should get more attention, those guys are still fast!

So awesome to be able to watch this! I hope we'll see similar streaming quality from the XCM World Cups and World Championships - last year Denmark was a disaster. Cape Epic is showing what's possible!

Dirty Sanchez is a legend! MTB Hall of Fame needs him! :D