Video: World Cup Overall Winner Loic Bruni's 2023 Season Recap

 RED BULL should just host their own series at this point... More eyeballs = more better. Not to mention, RB would have insight on how to make the events better overall.

 Yes, the RB/Warner thing was a shame.

But you know what I really think is a shame? The number of people who claim to be DH's biggest lifelong fan, still banging on about something that is well in the past now, that we cannot change, and unwilling to put their hands in their pocket to watch the sport they claim to love so much.

 Yes, my wife and I barely keep up with UCI anymore other than maybe the highlights on YouTube. We used to religiously watch all the races live: XC, downhill, etc. Maybe they will learn their lesson and return to the old paths. At least they still have Rampage. We are hopeful that Rissveds will eventually take the cup!

 @JonDud: Yeh, because RB used tape like entry level race series did and it was always a lottery, especially at Fort William if it was windy, what the tape was doing, then folk crashed and got it either caught in their bikes or their bikes were stuck in the tape. Then in 2023 we all missed how much better the racing was with the new tape as we were busy crying about Rob not being the commentator and finals not being free. But those juniors, who are the future all being free and no tape to worry about, riders pushing and riding harder was just so boring because Rob wasnt shouting "look at the time"... its interesting to watch some of Robs stuff back, its not as glorious as folk remember it all being.

 @snotrag: I have to agree. Good quality commentary is important, but if people can't imagine watching DH racing without one particular commentator then in what sense do they actually like watching DH racing?

The paywall thing is more relevant for a niche sport and there is for sure a risk in cutting down an already small viewership. For me it's not a big deal because of everything else that comes with Eurosport/Discovery so I get all the Road racing, MTB racing, Alpine Skiing and Sport climbing that I follow for one subscription. But I can see how people who only want the one thing are going to be frustrated.

 I disagree. Both XCO and DHI was on an Top level last year. I think downhill racing is on the rise and will get better every year. Last year probably has been one of the most intense since years! Sure Cedric was annoying AF in the comment both but this doesn't pull down the racing itself.

And thanks @snotrag true words!

 @kmsafety: "religiously" - dude, people pump a whole lot more into their religions than the $0/month you used to pay to watch. I think the word you're looking for is "casually". Either that or I'm the pope.

 @snotrag: for me personaly.... its warners plans to make an elite only series blocking priveteers from WC level. They want it to be like F1...... well f*ck that. DH is an action.. extreme or what ever sport. It's chaotic and anything can happen and I LOVE that. I do not wanna see the same pros every race taking the same lines racing for hundtreths of a second.. I wanna see the denim destroyer, I wanna see an unkown young blood show up upset the the apple cart.......
That's why I'm not paying an never will
Remember, DH with RB was never free... it was paid for by fattys buying they're sugary muck

 @snotrag: I agree with your comment with the streaming options last year, but this year, if you live in US you have to have a subscription (Max) and then an add on on Subscription to that. That is just crazy, even if you are a huge fan of downhill. You probably don't care because you don't live in the US but we are the largest market for bike sales and if manufactures see no marketing value to the US I believe way less money will be poured into the sport.

 @betsie: Redbull had the broadcast rights. The UCI is responsible for taping the course. The actual work is probably done by the local ski resort employees, but the UCI oversees the work.

 @Go-Ride-dot-com: so why did it take so long for this significant change. This change came from somewhere... Maybe it's a coincidence that broadcast rights changed and the course taping and race schedule changed significantly at the same time.... If you believe that then that's really up to you.
I don't believe in Nessie or UFO's either.

 @betsie: It's definitely not a coincidence, but that doesn't mean it's what you say it is either. Discovery have a contract not just for the broadcast but for the overall organisation of UCI MTB racing. They run the whole thing. So yes, the new look and style of course taping is a Discovery thing, as is the new semi finals format etc.

But RedBull did not have the same contract as Discovery, they just had the broadcast rights and everything else was run by the UCI. So (AFAIK) RedBull did not tape the courses poorly because RedBull did not tape the courses.

 SAME FEELING BRO !!!!!!!!!!

 @wingguy:
to shed some light on all the "organisation confusion"
WB/discovery has the rights on the worldcup
ESO (enduro sports organisation, chris balls company) is responsible for the organisation of the series
UCI is responsible for the rules and guidelines
LOC are responsible for setting up the races.

 @cro-magnon: To shed some light on the light, Discovery owns ESO ;-)

To be more precise, Play Sports Group and DNI Europe Holdings own ESO. DNI Europe Holdings also owns Play Sports Group. Discovery owns DNI Holdings Europe.

So long story short, Discovery have a much, much greater level of control over the UCI WC series than Red Bull had.

 @BenPea: It has nothing to do with the money! I mentioned nothing about money. Using the term religiously is a common word used by some, e.g., if you do something religiously, you do it regularly: I ride my mountain bike religiously, I really do. The pope is leading many people to hell because he is religious and religious people do not, please God by their spiritually dead deeds/works, but only those who are born again or born from above will please God, because they are NOT dead in their trespasses and sins but have been made alive by God's Holy Spirit. It does not matter whether you are a catholic or a protestant it matters whether you are 'truly' born again. It matters not what you say or profess, but what you do and how you act. However, if you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Unless you are born again you cannot see the spiritual Kingdom of God, therefore you cannot enter what you do not see and this Kingdom is filled with holy people, who love God, their neighbor, and their enemies: they are those who are set apart for the purposes of God and not for selfishness and ungodly gain. For those who are born from above love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and like this commandment they love their neighbor as themselves and they love their enemies, do good to those who hate and despitefully use them and pray for their enemies. God's enemies may plot against His people, “but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He sees that their day is coming” (Psalm 37:12–13). God laughs at those who set themselves against His anointed (Psalm 59: . Either way you will stand, and we all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for everything we have done in the body, both good and bad, every idle word, every thought and intention of the heart will be brought into judgment. Fear God and not man who, yes fear Him who can kill both the eternal soul and body in hell. So why do you condemn Christians? Why do you look down on Christians? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So, let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall."

 @kmsafety: I'm going to need some sort of guarantee on the whole seeing the Kingdom of God thing before I sign up for another birth, if that's ok. The first one was hella messy, and my head and body have grown significantly since then, so you'll understand my concern.

 this isn't threads