maxetak

@kiisseli: They did have a 5th overall in the world championship men's elite last year as well as the women's junior World Champion so they aren't completely off the radar in DH either. I do think they will stick in both in a large part because not only are they very cost-efficiently managed but they have a LOT of publicity on the "privateer media" with BK, Janaynay, EdBull TV, and regular appearances on Dialed, Moimoi, and WynTV. All of us punters have acknowledged those have been our best viewing sources this past season.

Well done Jakob Jewitt! Representing Pivot nicely in the absence of injured Ed Masters ( I know its a different category but still a top five). And of course Morgane's win is nice to finish the season, she's been in the fight all year and its good to end on a high note. I wonder if Pivot will stick around as a team for next year??

I get all of my DH and Enduro coverage from pinkbike and youtube because I do not have the time or interest to watch events live. I would happily accept lower grade camera coverage if it lead to a 30 minute "recap" episode released 24 hours after the event. For heaven's sake I followed WRC rallying through the 80's and that was all 20 second competitor interviews, handi-cams at interesting points around the stages, and a post-event scripted narrative. Enduro could pay Jack Moir and Wyn Masters to find a handful of mates who could document a race and I'm sure competitors would contribute POV footage if they knew it was for self-promotion. "on-board with Morgane Charre... " would give her and Pivot a chance for a banner across the bottom of the viewer's screen and viewers would still associate race action with certain riders and brands so sponsor dollars get well spent. The sport grew from successful grass-roots events. Return to your roots.

@BenPea: too good!

I am looking at this from the view that the event organizers have botched it. They are saying the safety concern is based on a lack of mobility for the emergency medical personnel (semi-seriously: do the French not have crampons and walking sticks for mountain rescue in snow?? Its slippery). So, they have laid out a course along a mountainous route that is acceptable in the dry but not in the wet. In my mind either they had no intention ever of using this course within 24 hours of a French rainfall or they made a monumentally stupid assumption that it only rains in Spain. There is an established bike park in Loudenvielle (maybe not as well sorted as Portes de Soleil or Whistler) that MUST have had some wet days so how the grass and dirt reacts to rain cannot have been a surprise. I imagine there is an oversight committee that signs off on each World Cup venue with regards to event essential requirements. I'm guessing that committee is guilty of oversight. The riders seem to be pretty clear that they can ride the course if they have a bit of practice time to wear in the surface (as they do at every other location) and an opportunity to fit the bikes with condition appropriate tires.

@deco1: I seem to remember him selling Pivot bikes in the UK out of his Mum's kitchen to get started. Pretty sure he's self made.

Hear Hear! BK is one of the top guys and he is speaking out about things he feels are disadvantaging not just him but all the riders. He has often vocally questioned how the current scheme will harm the grass roots aspect of up and coming racers. He has done well for himself in this business but it is through hard work. Loic and Finn wanted to form a union but I don't hear as much from them publicly protesting what's poor about the current sport. BK has to be careful not to cut his own throat. He's a racer/competitor (one paycheck), he's a team manager of a very successful multi age/gender and discipline team (second paycheck), and correct me if I'm wrong but I believe owner of Pivot Factory Racing (not the bike company-just the race team) which would be a third revenue. Also, very popular on social media and well sponsored privately (fourth paycheck?)

@gnarnaimo: Yes! Imagine the effort the broadcast must go through to drown out chainsaws.

@Jimmy0: Much better use of Pinkbike than the Toto Wolfe news flash!

I guess you don't consider Tahnee has a GB chance of a good result here after her confidence boost at Hardline???