Is World Cup Racing Ruined Forever? | Dirt Shed Show 502

[@gmbn]

What do you think about World Cup Racing as we know it changing? Do you agree or disagree with any of the changes?

[@milesjcarter]

For me it depends on what the planned Continental Series are like. The potential is there If they get proper live coverage, sponsor interest etc for extra races that many people want. That would require the UCI to invest in the sport and its growth though which is something it seems like they aren't keen on. The sceptic in me says this is actually a cost cutting measure to reduce the scale of the races and facilities that need to be provided. I don't know if the UCI has the best interests of MTB racing at heart, part of me wonders if they would rather it didn't exist so everyone had to watch road cycling

[@andysmallman7843]

I have to agree on the 5 person podiums, I quite like it and see no reason to change. I'd be interested to know more about the expected impact of the changes in relation to xc. And what are the implications? Does it mean that the days of the 'break out independent riders - Candice Lill in XC and Anna Newkirk in Downhill will be a thing of the past and resigned to the history books. This feels like a very shortsighted measure. Isn't it a good think when someone can effectively come straight from national standard racing and make an impact as a privateer. MTB racing should be inclusive rather than exclusive, even at the top tier - shouldn't it?

[@diamondsearle]

My personal opinion is that nearly every aspect is worse and not getting better. Commentators and video coverage is poor and difficult to watch. I have discovery plus to watch it but even the app (phone and tv) are a pain to use. And now no fort bill next year 😢 honestly don't know if i will even watch next year. I loved watching the pinkbike and privateer types and the stories behind them. There will be no avenue for these teams now! At least as i can understand it.

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

For me, if I were DH European Cup King I would have 1) 40 men and 20 women Elite finals 2) 5 on the Elite podiums and 3 on the Juniors 3) Have multiple DH races in the United States and try and earn that name of World Cup.

[@GlenOkert-n4k]

Who is making the "Changes" got a name?

[@Gogsy74-cz6rl]

Not having 5 on the podium is like not having Rob Warner commentate! Another mistake.

[@Mockle07]

Lol who gives a shit about how many people stand on a podium?! People will honestly complain about any old shit 🤦🏼‍♂️😂

[@nickt471]

@@Mockle07I bet more people give a shit that don’t

[@nickt471]

@@MrStuartFord I bet he would find you annoying too 😂

[@frienduro24]

I disagree. There are only 3 medal types. Many, many other race formats don’t do top 5s

[@diamondsearle]

​@@frienduro24Thats kinda the point bud its a thing!

[@KuroSanArts]

Theo is a real character, you should def get him on the show sometime! I've not bothered with the world cup since it went paywall, I watch a few vlogs from various riders running up to each race, but as for the event itself I honestly couldn't care less about it now, a lot of my mtb friends are pretty much the same way. I'd love to see the viewing figures for the last 2 years compared to the old format!

[@45graham45]

Same

[@PaulJakma]

I didn't know there was such a thing as an upper-class / public-school SA accent, but after hearing Theo I think I may know now. ;)

[@darrencshaw]

While the races are behind a paywall it'll continue to be almost impossible to bring in non-industry sponsors. Are Coca-Cola or MasterCard going to come in to a viewership of several thousand? Very much doubt it. Put it free-to-air and it becomes an easier sell to sponsors. It also means that trackside / event sponsorships can have their prices increased, making more money for the organisers and securing events for the future.

[@Seppster58]

Awesome show. Thanks for the shout out guys. I was giving you guys a big cheers with coffee in my stunt mug while watching this!! Got one last year. Use it all the time. And yes, I am a big Owen Superfan. Keep it up guys.

[@gmbn]

WHOOP!

[@deakon7984]

100% should be at least 20 women in finals and 5 on all podiums imo

[@Catcrumbs]

At the world champs this year there was 2% between the top twenty Elite Men. Only the top 6 women could get as close to the fastest woman. The depth of talent in the Elite Women's category does not support a field greater than 10.

[@Aimaiai]

@@Catcrumbs maybe thats an industry and social problem. I feel like there should be more support for women taking sports like this seriously the same way sports like tennis do.

[@Catcrumbs]

@@Aimaiai The industry and social problem we are faced with is organisations acting like women's professional sports are inherently entitled to the same esteem as the equivalent men's sports. Your suggestion is a reflection of that. No one gets 'support' at the bottom level at the sport, so the ratio of female:male participation at that level reflects the relative enthusiasm for participation. Women are less likely than men to choose to take up MTB. As a consequence of that, talented women are less likely to be discovered and progress through the sport to elite level competition. This ultimately results in a less competitive Elite Women's category which is simply not as interesting to fans, particularly as women are less physically able than men. Extending 'support' further down the ranks of the Elite Women's field only has the effect of subsidising uncompetitive women at the expense of men who actually make the sport interesting.

[@ricwilson6612]

You can almost see Redbull starting a gravity series of their own. Maybe that's what it takes.

[@stefanturley2894]

They will turn it into a pump track competition 😂😂

[@winklertribe5268]

This is what happens when an organization (UCI) sells out the sport just for the money!!! The UCI is destroying mountain biking!

[@RyanTate-re9ph]

Loved Erlingson's honesty, was really refreshing.

[@Bob_Shy_132]

The McKaskill clip was epic! Especially riding a bike with a bike! Pure savage!

[@gmbn]

Danny's always so creative!

[@alexarmstrong1134]

@@gmbnhow do you pronounce Adidas 🇨🇦 (ah-DEE-das)

[@drumbrakes]

@@alexarmstrong1134 It was founded by a German called Adolf Dassler. The Adidas name is made from his nickname Adi, which is pronounced more like Addy, and then the start of his last name. So think of it as Addy-Das. Obviously the name Adolf fell out of favour for some reason a while ago (but long after Herr Dassler was born) , so we don't hear it very much these days.

[@MarkHughes-t8u]

I like Owen. He is great, Martin and Owen is always the best.

[@marcevans6500]

That’s my canyon in the bike vault and yep it’s a 26er martyn

[@jpfidalgo7]

Super Nice 😎

[@gmbn]

Super Nice!

[@Laner84]

5 on the podiums has to stay ! again it's our mtb heritage!

[@BaldBloke]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it ! *5 Rider podiums*

[@junka1975]

Keep it 5 rider podium. The trouble with bringing in outside industry sponsors is they may want to change formats to what they're used to and save money and make things more mainstream and fit in to a broader spectrum, but to change what has become a fun loving tradition of the sport, to make it more conforming to the norm takes away what the essence is to die hard fans. Let newcomers see the sport for what it is, rough edges and all.

[@tomdeslong]

Awesome, thanks, eventually going to have some fancy sliding trays but this works perfectly for some left over wood.

[@DNDinitials]

The bloopers were great, should keep more in imo.

[@fud1376]

Only 15 Female finalist's in Elites...That's just wrong!!! OMG And all the rest of it..Do any of the people who made this decision ,Ever ride a MTB...!!!

[@Catcrumbs]

Yeah, there should be 10 Elite Females at most. The depth of talent just doesn't support the proposed amount.

[@charlielynes]

Hello to you all, still watching this as I type so... I like some of the changes proposed. More Elite Teams, No protected riders, but I get it's moving on from our current understanding of what things have been, should be. Our sport has evolved now, we can still keep our views and contribute to our sport. I hope this will reinvigorate all of our National Series, that in turn offers the chance of an excellent Continental series. The podium number is sacrament - Do Not Change! The TV deal needs to fulfill it's potential and these changes are pretty logical in helping that happen. Flame away... 🔥

[@martynashtonGMBN]

Fair

[@taylordarion3477]

Love the vibes you gave off

[@gmbn]

It was a fun day in the shed!

[@Capped-virus]

Keep 5 podium places, but send groups of 5 downhill racers down the hill at the same time. That would get me to watch 😁.

[@martynashtonGMBN]

That could be epic.

[@MrEpicstormer]

Yea 5 rider podium is an oddity butyou guys are right its only a good thing for them sponsers. No benefit to losing that.

[@vincentceas4996]

Let's go for 10...

[@dasanoneia4730]

i think weve past the current golden age and have to find our way again but it seems to me that these in the pursuit of profit are ruining the sport i miss the old days

[@gmbn]

In your opinion what year was the golden year of mountain biking?

[@dasanoneia4730]

@@gmbn for me funny enough was during the pandemic 2021 2022

[@ikerteuscher]

Red Bull World Downhill Series for 2025 and commented by Rob Warner!!!

[@frankharradence732]

love the way DH racing embrasses the fans, the riders are approachable and as a fan you feel connected to the teams & riders. The danger of large non bike company sponsorship is that it may distance the fans from the sport, a classic case as in F1... most of us can see the teams/drivers only via a strong NASA telescope or on TV.

[@stevengoodwin3154]

Top ten on the stage with a 3-tier podium. That's more sponsor representation, more inclusion and recognition, and still only 3 bottles of champagne.

[@JeffMTBinVA]

All the UCI info has been really vague. It's not really going to hit home till we start seeing news of teams folding. I know DH is the topic but I would love to see them do better Enduro coverage. This is a segment that gets very little attention. Live coverage might not be feasible but those 15 minute recap videos days later are not enough.

[@martynashtonGMBN]

It does feel like Enduro has lost its way

[@lsugimoto8361]

I too would like to see more coverage of Enduro but I realize that the vast miles that the stages covers makes it not doable. With proper coverage I think Enduro would really gain popularity

[@unreal1066]

Do a programme like world rally championship

[@jokermtb]

Theo is right…… And keep a five rider podium

[@fotisskaris9041]

New rules are made from marketeres and not from sports specialists... So they are crap. Erlagsen is on the point (I realy liked this guy). I want also to remind to Bernard Kerr that before Discovery there was Mercendes Benz and Red Bull as big sponsors!

[@markomytrail3217]

5 on the podium

[@KDog2264]

The question that needs to be asked is why are they doing the changes. Things worked suddenly. They do sweeping changes. Why? 5 position podium should be kept.

[@ravennexusmh]

viewership is down, maybe because they took it off redbull and put it on a paid service. i have enough paid services to pay for.

[@gmbn]

We're not entirely sure viewership is down. It's more readily available for those with a Eurosport subscription so we'd be surprised if it's down by much if at all

[@nickt471]

I didn’t know that podium thing till you Said. Shouted at my phone. That’s shit

[@NZWozza]

Most of my friends stopped watching it. Just too hard now. In New Zealand I had to sign up to 'Stay Live'. Then had to pay someone else to watch world champs (this part has always been the case). Then was in the UK for one race and had to pay for a VPN as can't watch via 'Stay Love' in the UK. Before that GCN app was easy, and when it was free on Red Bull - I could tell casuals to check it out, and maybe they got hooked.

[@chrise_mtb281]

Will there ever be a gmbn trail somewhere? Coed y brenin has mbr..it would be cool to create a trail somewhere with gmbn backing

[@gmbn]

Never say never! We'd be keen to put something together

[@chrise_mtb281]

@@gmbn sounds like a job for blake builds

[@Alan_27ATH]

Enjoyed seeing bloopers. Maybe do a blooper special at the end of the show per month 🤔

[@gmbn]

There's a yearly special we save them up for at Christmas time! Here's the last one: embn.me/Bloopers9

[@mikewerndly8381]

Someone's trying to get into the Olympics

[@FrothNinja]

A trike is not a bike - it's in the name The random tandem is a bike

[@SubversionGarage]

Atmosphere seems ripe for someone to create another series. UCI can go play by themselves

[@DZig]

OOOOOOOOOOOO, what a great show! HA HA HA!

[@MilaMitchell-y7c]

Continue to delight us with your incredible ideas. Your videos are a gift!🚌🏋️🥩

[@rickywoods3101]

HELLO FELLOW SHORT CHUBBY MAN .

[@rickywoods3101]

Im also indian 😉

[@brad9117]

#SAVETOP5!

[@Videomorgue]

If Owen is done getting his hair cut, I need my bowl back.

[@purelymountainbiking4697]

Shout out to Mr Smooth ..Ryan Mid, top Geeze with the absolute Steeze 👊👊

[@jessebaker1243]

5 person podiums are special to downhill MTB!!! Must keep.

[@elrictdb]

#captioncontest (In David Attenborough's voice - make sure Martyn's impression is up to snuff please) - And here on the nature cam, our patience is finally rewarded as we capture the new father venturing out into the woods. If you look closely you can see the dead look in his eyes indicating the toll it's had on him, providing for his mate and offspring.

[@RosinaPaolini-y9g]

5 on the podium please and then add the lantern rouge for historical posterity!

[@rsmithuk]

10 racers limit per team is quite the limit if combining enduro and DH into gravity isn't a big number when you also see the Mens and Womens split.

[@purelymountainbiking4697]

5 on a podiums a must, so many competitors it makes sense and offers better opportunity of goals

[@joehoeper4648]

What is the argument for having a 3 rider podium? Seems like they are meddling with something they don't need to.

[@davidbritz27]

A good change would be to have a rider of the day, similar to F1 but not because I think DH is the F1 of mtb, that way even if someone misses the podium they can get recognition.

[@juanes1235]

Did you guys watch the “Red Bull Cerro Abajo” last weekend in Genova? It was sick!

[@SergejGrabun]

This! If you did not - DO watch it!

[@robkar7999]

Poor Blake

[@gmbn]

Blake has been there filming, keep an eye on the channel for more soon!

[@SergejGrabun]

@@gmbn I saw him in a lot pov from other riders, so definitely knew sometimes is brewing :) can't wait to see the video

[@koosb8162]

I like to see five riders on a World Cup podium. Not every MTB event in the world has five, but where this has been a tradition in World Cups for decades it seems heartless and pointless to want to change it.

[@ZeeDroid75]

Don't agree with the 3 rider podium one bit. We should be more concerned with the safety and riders that do Slope Style. They were already challenging rules earlier this year. Some things NEED to change, others (5 rider podium) should stay the same. Cheers

[@martynashtonGMBN]

[@Grant3399]

#CAPTIONCONTEST Rich after re-enacting a scene from one of his favourite movies, Forrest Dump.

[@sandywatson1082]

TDF has winner, 2,3 rookie sprint and king of the mountings That 6, so Keep it 5

[@martynashtonGMBN]

That’s a great point.

[@combo4676]

Danke!

[@gmbn]

Vielen Dank! 🤘

[@combo4676]

@@gmbn you guys do great job supporting mountainbike culture!

[@martynashtonGMBN]

Thank you so much Mate.

[@ExplosiveNotes]

Bogs and hedges... almost

[@Dillonfinley]

#CAPTIONCONTEST "when your dropper post comes up with a little too much force"

[@Wyatt1314.]

Theo does have a business degree

[@Jormvngandr]

Changing the podium to 3 riders? pure blasphemy... Keep it a 5 rider one & keep every fan of the sport happy instead of the UCI bank account...

[@martynashtonGMBN]

I dothink that 5 rider pile-up

[@JasonTrew2018]

#Captioncontest: "This is Rich Payne, in your face"

[@donczns]

3 podium just saves a couple of bottles of bubbly. Keep it 5

[@parkinkevin]

How about a 7 rider podium? That would be AWESOME! 😎😱

[@Charboneee]

I agrre, should stay 5 riders podium. It is such cool and unique thing.

[@InitialP_Photography]

Hmm, we used to have big sponsorship 2 years back from, hmm, Mercedes and, hmm, Red Bull, then the UCI stepped in and ruined the whole game, maybe step back 2 years (and we'd lose that useless Rick guy too, he's utterly the worst thing in the sport currently).

[@dretubecreek]

Fully Agree!!!!! 💯! It kind of feels like in the snowboarding scene back in 1998 the FIS talking over ISF (it still smells fishy) and commercialised snowboarding. Or how Disney took over Star Wars and killed it. Etc…. Don`t let the business kill our downhill.

[@pavschodyko6531]

So true, merc and sugar drink are small fish companies 😂😂😂

[@martynashtonGMBN]

Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it but I’ll just push back a tad on Ric. He’s genuinely one of the nicest guys in the sport. He’d be the first to admit he’s not Rob Warner (but who is?). Ric comes at it with a different style, trying to copy Rob would be suicidal. So, I think Ric does a pretty good job, probably one of the hardest jobs in MTB.

[@diamondsearle]

​@@martynashtonGMBN i agree Ric seems like a great guy but he needs someone with a more exciting passionate commentating style to join him. I have no issue with Ric but downhill commentating doesn't really seem to be his bag. There are not many people who i could point too however that would do a significantly better job. Ex riders have good insight and are good at spotting the details but few of them have the excitement levels for it that make it engaging. As much as i want to like it it is hard to listen to at times "over the roots" "round the corner" 🤔 not great. I think i liked it way more when rachael atherton joined for one of the events. (Not sure if i made that up)

[@diamondsearle]

​@@martynashtonGMBNon a separate note i think you would actually be very good at it! You don't have to be a downhill genius and everyone knows you and enjoys your passion for bikes! Would you have a stab at it? I would tune in!

[@williammorellato3176]

The changes in World Cup Racing confuse me as it’s worked for the past 30 years, but I guess we’ll have to see what happens in 2025, I want to keep it as positive as I can but unfortunately I totally disagree with them changing podium winners to 3 instead of 5 and less women in the races it’s just ruining the community of racing. On the other hand another great show as always #CAPTIONCONTEST “Today we’re seeing which is better, XC or Downhill”

[@gmbn]

Hopefully it works to improve national and regional racing. That's the major plus side we can see, but time will tell if it's the right move or not!

[@omgeeerald4299]

How EVERYONE looks like when they check their action cam to see if it’s recording. #captioncontesr

[@matt_acton-varian]

The Continental series idea could help with an extra layer of competitive action - and it could be the very thing that helps the sport grow and get more investment in the process. It works for road, where second tier teams and World tour junior development squad members push for the chance to race in the big events. They have their own races on courses about 80% length and difficulty, and still draw big crowds and sponsors. I do agree that the 5 podium spots should absolutely stay. It's a unique quirk of the sport and is absolutely iconic.

[@poshiesymons666]

The own number thing is like nascar

[@benandlouiseturner1621]

5 rider podium must stay !

[@brian6speed]

Bernard always uses #15.

[@woodruffskinner1745]

WE NEED 5 PERSON PODIUMS

[@Davem19835]

Tyre levers,? You don't need them you have hands!! Challenge me, just use your hands!

[@irfuel]

Ooh the tough guy has spoken!

[@advtyun3917]

#CAPTIONCONTEST what do you mean we have to go back home?

[@Wi3Mmtb]

##captioncontest "be aware squirrel I'm coming into the woods"

[@emonty62]

My shirt says 5

[@llullwllallkll]

the changes they should be doing is the race commentators..please bring back rob warner & elliot jackson ✌️✌️✌️

[@glenhuizenga6251]

#captioncontest - Rich: "Hey look... a trail cam!"

[@GlenOkert-n4k]

Hi if it started with Five...Leave it the hell alone. Unfortunately nothing is permanent except change...

[@danieltaylor7309]

Always thought 5 rider podiums were a bit weird... Its a bit.... Finishers medal isn't it 🏅

[@gmbn]

Fair enough!

[@Tbl-z2d]

#captioncontest: I said: Rich, let’s go to the pumptrack.. not take a dump on the track

[@vivianfaithfull4748]

5 podium says MTB appreciates how much goes into racing. No negatives so why not?

[@ChrisCapoccia]

The first hack of the van bike holder seems like a bit of a faff that you have to mess around with loosening and re-tightening handlebars every time. Hopefully you get them straight

[@darrenwall5439]

Eoin = Mr.Oh..😂😂

[@sled5196]

#captioncontest when you realize Martyn wasn't watching your sick trials skills when he said he was 😔

[@noddy8064]

5 end off

[@ariskardas]

12:26 why stop at 5? Let’s have podiums of 10 people… or let’s give everyone a medal. Everybody is amazing and tries hard. 😂

[@alsmith7353]

It's a shame that a corporate perspective for commercial ease can dictate terms for a sport.

[@zkx1048]

Awesome video! I have a question about your hoodies, is the gmbn word logo hoodie - light blue, the same shape as the gmbn embroided lable hoodie - sand? Because i have the sand one and it fits me great and im wondering if the blue one would lay the same on me?

[@hammy-on-a-bike]

#captioncontest the face you pull when you try and out Karen a rampant rambler 😅

[@ptchristanMTB]

Keep 5 podium please.

[@robertbjorkman2238]

I dont think that 3 or 5 rider podium is the problem. The problem is that you have subscribe to a whole bunch of channels to watch the Worldcups. I cant watch it in any other way in Sweden

[@cornishcactus]

#captioncontest Every over 50 MTBer's Facebook profile pic be like. . .

[@PaulHudd-s9i]

Do you think Bernard has enough influence to create a downhill series himself?

[@lsugimoto8361]

So Frameworks Team will not be racing in World Cup DH? Not happy about that No protected rider I like. Last chance qualifier I like, No semis I like. Less riders on race day I like. I guess time will tell. I like NHRA racing and the pressure every race to qualify.

[@mindseyedesign462]

@@lsugimoto8361 will be a few great smaller bike companies out now. It’s insane to cut privateers, they are the spirit of downhill

[@1brenmaster]

Ive done the subscription thing for the last 2 years. Its honestly doesn't feeel like any improvement on what Redbull gave us except without Warner. Next season i think ill be searching for the dodgy link. Ill probably go to a race or two tho because nothing beats being there.

[@gmbn]

Do you feel like the experience viewing at the event has been changed for better or worse?

[@1brenmaster]

@@gmbn well the last race I went to was Poland. The organizers had the stands vip only and were clearly charging more than the locals were willing to pay so the stand was empty and the finish paddock a bit dull. That said the track was practically 3 deep the length of it. With every available space including up trees used at the last feature. It was a great venue in fairness but hopefully lessons will be learned

[@omgeeerald4299]

#MustBe5

[@harrylindsey6407]

#captioncontest When you’re halfway down the trail and suddenly remember you left the stove on…

[@ariskardas]

13:28 maybe don’t talk about things you don’t know. You think luck, weather, conditions yellow flags in qualifying etc don’t make a huge difference on MotoGP and maybe sometimes have the clear favourite end up way behind the podium??? Tough luck!