Exciting announcements but what does the future hold.

I’ve flicked through a few ideas on what to write on this post, some of which can wait as exciting developments are happening in the sport.

With the new sponsorship deal for the UCI World Cup series with Rocky Roads and the end of Freecasters’ contract to show them, there was some concern as for the future of the gravity side of the sport; this was made worse by the cancellation of the 4X series. As I reported previously it was looking a bit bleak and I was more than happy to embrace the idea of a move away from the UCI, though I've always been a fan of the underdog. 

Talking to a colleague in work about skating he had said that independent competitions were becoming more and more popular with skaters and fans alike because they were free from the rules of governing bodies and large events like X Games, also the prize money for the independent events was much higher as the money raised went back to the event rather than into the large company/governing body.

New series, more money for the winners.

In response to the cancellation of the 4X series the 4X Alliance have started to organise their own World Cup series as I mentioned in the last post. Though I have heard nothing more on this as yet, another exciting piece of news came out this week; Freecaster and Nissan (previous sponsors of the UCI World Cup) have collaborated to create a new Downhill series to happen next year called DH1. Intended to run alongside the UCI World Cup it will be interesting to see how it takes off especially with Freecaster showing it and teams Like the Steve Peat Syndicate and the CG brigade (all of whom ride Santa Cruz bikes) already signed up and a reported 53% bigger prize fund. Also this series is open to amateurs as well as professionals which should encourage more people to get involved. To keep up with what’s happening ‘like’ the Facebook page. Having read a little more into this I have seen it's not an entirely new series it's just being marketed differently and while a lot of other big name teams have not signed up for this years series once it establishes itself in this form it may attract other teams. 

Back when Nissan were main sponsors

With coverage still up for grabs for the UCI World Cup who knows what the future holds. Apparently there are four companies competing for the rights according to Nicole Gruber-Gil of the UCIs marketing department in an interview, with some unfortunate quotes, on the Rocky Roads website. ‘Four cross-cancellation is almost irrelevant’ Why they decided this was a good sub heading, apart from to get irate fans to read a fairly uninformative and dull article, I’m not sure. Though I must mention that Freecaster do seem to be one of the vying companies and that the UCI provide the coverage, Freecaster broadcast and  provided commentary from the inimitable Rob Warner. 

A slightly more encouraging article was on the Dirt website in the last week which said the UCI would welcome any venues wanting to hold 4X events at the same time as their events and that the popularity issue was restricted to certain regions where it had not taken off as well as others. You will also notice that the 4X is being replaced with another XC event, and while that’s still taking away from the gravity side of the sport the reports of a possible Enduro World Cup breathe a little hope for those of us who like going downhill fast and could be interesting with Dan Atherton looking to compete heavily in that area of the sport next year.

Currently the future still lies, with the UCI but if independent series’ gain popularity and coverage more teams and riders will get involved with them, either way it increases the amount of racing those of us who watch get to see and increases the amount of competitions (and prize money) for the riders and coverage for teams and sponsors. Teams not involved with this years DH1 series may look at it next year but for the moment the UCI World Cup is the title to race for and the one that gets the most coverage.

Joe Barnes at the 09 Glencoe SDA 

In national news Joe Barnes took the win at the Glencoe SDA round which hopefully give him a boost for next year, also Joe is another one to keep an eye on if a World Cup Enduro series happens with his 10th place at the Megavalanche this year. There is a BDS round at Caersws this weekend which a few top riders look to be attending and in other BDS news,organiser Dave Franciosy will be taking a break from it next year. All the best to him and thanks for the hard work.
Also there's the Ritchey Oktoberfest at Ashton Court happening on the 15th which Steve Peat and Martin Ashton will be competing in, wish I'd entered now just to say I'd have rode against them even if I have no where near the fitness for it! Will be watching anyway.