That's not necessarily better for the riders though. What if Lachlan doesn't do nearly as well next year? A team signs him based off of this...
That's not necessarily better for the riders though. What if Lachlan doesn't do nearly as well next year? A team signs him based off of this year's performance, he has a bad year next year, and then he's dumped because he couldn't bring in the points the team needs to maintain their status. It's far better for the riders for teams to sign them for multiple years, to help develop them and allow them time to get better. Another great example is Ryan Pinkerton, dude killed it in Juniors, super confident on that GT and then he went to Mondraker in elites and just did not have the year I think most people were expecting from him. I think he hasn't been getting along with the bike as well, but we know that it's not a bad bike give Dak and Dunne's killer season. He has the time to improve and get better and get more used to the bike without having to look for a new team right away since Mondraker isn't at risk of not being able to compete in world cups next year.
This is one of the issues I have with WBD's "clear pathway" claims. Outside of the spots for nationals and continental series it's going to be...
This is one of the issues I have with WBD's "clear pathway" claims. Outside of the spots for nationals and continental series it's going to be hard to progress as the riders on teams competing in the big league will be under contract. So if teams don't have the additional funds required to add riders to their roster they either have to cancel those existing contracts or the up coming rider has to wait for a contract to end and a spot to open upon a given team (possibly leading to shorter contracts becoming the norm). Either way it's bad for riders in general IMO.
Agreed. It ultimately will consolidate a lot of power into the hands of teams with top riders. But I don’t think it really will help those top riders come contract time as it would be very hard for a new team to sign several points scoring riders even if they have the budget (as opposed to one big name and a couple development/recovering riders. The one exception being the national, world, continental champion rule(assuming that includes former champions) As those riders can essentially circumvent elite/wildcard team status and still be guaranteed being able to race. Giving someone like Reece Wilson or Aaron gwin the ability to focus on themselves with their own program and sponsors of their choice. But realistically they already had that opportunity. But compare to someone just as talented who has podiumed on world cups but not won a championship and they may have to take less money to guarantee themselves elite status. Especially after a mediocre or injured season.
Personally I think it’s a pretty moronic way to go about things. I’d much rather see the world cups open to most people. Add a playoff for the last few rounds with a smaller field. At least then you’d add excitement and hopefully bring in/back a few of the eyeballs that you are turning away by cutting participation.
ah I think they also got the wrong end of the stick, ramp-age is everywhere.
(disclaimer, this is only a small part of the track we have seen, the tunnel is closed, so I can't go by easily to check the probably horrifically steep trail, hopefully it will produce close 3 minute racing for the masses)
ah I think they also got the wrong end of the stick, ramp-age is everywhere.(disclaimer, this is only a small part of the track we have...
ah I think they also got the wrong end of the stick, ramp-age is everywhere.
(disclaimer, this is only a small part of the track we have seen, the tunnel is closed, so I can't go by easily to check the probably horrifically steep trail, hopefully it will produce close 3 minute racing for the masses)
Yes, if it comes down under the lift or somewhere near to it the lower section of the track won't be short on gradient.
Heard through the grapevine that Solitude Mountain Resort local to me is trying to get infrastructure in place for the US Open and a stop Monster Energy DH series in 2025, and potentially a World Cup stop by 2027. Anybody heard anything similar? Would love to see some DH racing close to me. They're really gearing toward putting a full bike park in to compete with other nearby parks, so it definitely seems possible.
Heard through the grapevine that Solitude Mountain Resort local to me is trying to get infrastructure in place for the US Open and a stop Monster...
Heard through the grapevine that Solitude Mountain Resort local to me is trying to get infrastructure in place for the US Open and a stop Monster Energy DH series in 2025, and potentially a World Cup stop by 2027. Anybody heard anything similar? Would love to see some DH racing close to me. They're really gearing toward putting a full bike park in to compete with other nearby parks, so it definitely seems possible.
That is a wild rumor. If any resort(s) in Utah were set-up to host a large bike event it would be Deer Valley (ultimately the same corporate overlords as Solitude, Alterra) or Park City (Vail Resorts).
Solitude has limited parking, limited accommodations, and limited restaurants. Everyone would need to stay in Salt Lake Valley and drive 30-40 minutes up each day. Doesn't make much logistical sense.
Heard through the grapevine that Solitude Mountain Resort local to me is trying to get infrastructure in place for the US Open and a stop Monster...
Heard through the grapevine that Solitude Mountain Resort local to me is trying to get infrastructure in place for the US Open and a stop Monster Energy DH series in 2025, and potentially a World Cup stop by 2027. Anybody heard anything similar? Would love to see some DH racing close to me. They're really gearing toward putting a full bike park in to compete with other nearby parks, so it definitely seems possible.
That is a wild rumor. If any resort(s) in Utah were set-up to host a large bike event it would be Deer Valley (ultimately the same...
That is a wild rumor. If any resort(s) in Utah were set-up to host a large bike event it would be Deer Valley (ultimately the same corporate overlords as Solitude, Alterra) or Park City (Vail Resorts).
Solitude has limited parking, limited accommodations, and limited restaurants. Everyone would need to stay in Salt Lake Valley and drive 30-40 minutes up each day. Doesn't make much logistical sense.
Super intersted to see if this has any legs.
Yeah - trail builder friend of mine has been working with the trail crew advising on some new features and plans and he heard it there. AFAIK Deer Valley has no interest in hosting summer cycling events, They've denied a few potential stops to reuse the old Nats racetrack. Nothing's been done since the Scott Enduro Cup shut down in 2018/19.
With parking and in-resort amenities I agree. Solitude could host a US Open and smaller DH series but they'd need to put in work for a World Cup. The terrain would make for a pretty sweet race though.
Heard through the grapevine that Solitude Mountain Resort local to me is trying to get infrastructure in place for the US Open and a stop Monster...
Heard through the grapevine that Solitude Mountain Resort local to me is trying to get infrastructure in place for the US Open and a stop Monster Energy DH series in 2025, and potentially a World Cup stop by 2027. Anybody heard anything similar? Would love to see some DH racing close to me. They're really gearing toward putting a full bike park in to compete with other nearby parks, so it definitely seems possible.
The 2025 Monster series will look pretty much the same, Big things coming for 2026.
Agreed. It ultimately will consolidate a lot of power into the hands of teams with top riders. But I don’t think it really will help those top riders come contract time as it would be very hard for a new team to sign several points scoring riders even if they have the budget (as opposed to one big name and a couple development/recovering riders. The one exception being the national, world, continental champion rule(assuming that includes former champions) As those riders can essentially circumvent elite/wildcard team status and still be guaranteed being able to race. Giving someone like Reece Wilson or Aaron gwin the ability to focus on themselves with their own program and sponsors of their choice. But realistically they already had that opportunity. But compare to someone just as talented who has podiumed on world cups but not won a championship and they may have to take less money to guarantee themselves elite status. Especially after a mediocre or injured season.
Personally I think it’s a pretty moronic way to go about things. I’d much rather see the world cups open to most people. Add a playoff for the last few rounds with a smaller field. At least then you’d add excitement and hopefully bring in/back a few of the eyeballs that you are turning away by cutting participation.
The new entry rules for the 2025 season for Enduro & Downhill explained.
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/explainer-what-are-the-entry-pathways-for-the-2025-downhill-and-enduro-world-cups.html
ah I think they also got the wrong end of the stick, ramp-age is everywhere.
(disclaimer, this is only a small part of the track we have seen, the tunnel is closed, so I can't go by easily to check the probably horrifically steep trail, hopefully it will produce close 3 minute racing for the masses)
Yes, if it comes down under the lift or somewhere near to it the lower section of the track won't be short on gradient.
Heard through the grapevine that Solitude Mountain Resort local to me is trying to get infrastructure in place for the US Open and a stop Monster Energy DH series in 2025, and potentially a World Cup stop by 2027. Anybody heard anything similar? Would love to see some DH racing close to me. They're really gearing toward putting a full bike park in to compete with other nearby parks, so it definitely seems possible.
That is a wild rumor. If any resort(s) in Utah were set-up to host a large bike event it would be Deer Valley (ultimately the same corporate overlords as Solitude, Alterra) or Park City (Vail Resorts).
Solitude has limited parking, limited accommodations, and limited restaurants. Everyone would need to stay in Salt Lake Valley and drive 30-40 minutes up each day. Doesn't make much logistical sense.
Super intersted to see if this has any legs.
Yeah - trail builder friend of mine has been working with the trail crew advising on some new features and plans and he heard it there. AFAIK Deer Valley has no interest in hosting summer cycling events, They've denied a few potential stops to reuse the old Nats racetrack. Nothing's been done since the Scott Enduro Cup shut down in 2018/19.
With parking and in-resort amenities I agree. Solitude could host a US Open and smaller DH series but they'd need to put in work for a World Cup. The terrain would make for a pretty sweet race though.
The 2025 Monster series will look pretty much the same, Big things coming for 2026.
Clay Harper and Chris Ball have separately visited a site(s) near SLC recently.
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