Six causes Crimson Bull Hardline could be a greater race sequence than the UCI World Cup… and one why it will not

First we lamented Crimson Bull’s lack of the rights to broadcast the UCI World Cup Mountain Bike Collection to the may of Discovery/Eurosport/GCN. Then we cried ‘what, no extra Rob Warner?’

As the brand new season began, so the complaints began coming in in regards to the new broadcaster’s selection of commentators, digital camera angles, and subscription enterprise mannequin. However, because the season progressed, and Discovery Sports activities developed the product and took on new pundits, we, began to return round to the brand new approach of watching racing. It’s our view that the ultimate races had been slick productions, with insightful commentary, glorious digital camera angles and intensive protection of the highest riders. However that doesn’t imply racing, and particularly downhill racing, can’t be improved. At the beginning of the 12 months we questioned whether or not Crimson Bull would look to develop its Hardline race right into a rival sequence. Nicely, guess what… Yep, there might be double the Hardline races subsequent 12 months, with one in Wales and one in Tasmania. So, what if Crimson Bull expanded this out right into a sequence of three, 4, and even 5 races? We reckon it may very well be good for us as spectators, and the game as a complete, for these causes:

1. The tracks could be gnarlier

World Cup tracks have taken a complete load of criticism over the previous 5 years for turning into sooner and fewer technical. And whereas that’s exhausting to evaluate objectively, subjectively it feels just like the tracks are extra about outright velocity than a mixture of terrain and options.

We’re not alone, loads of racers say it too. Phil Atwill famously complained he might journey a hardtail down the Leogang course again in 2017, whereas Steve Peat advised GMBN in 2018 that the tracks are simpler to journey, which makes the races sooner and tighter. And Tahnee Seagrave identified that the tracks are extra bike park oriented than ever, with much less of a pure really feel.

In the meantime Crimson Bull Hardline is shifting within the different course, with greater and extra spectacular options 12 months on 12 months. For 2022 we noticed an enormous on-off that required the proper judgement of velocity, and a monster 91ft hole adopted it (later diminished to 85ft) to essentially check the talent and sheer nerve of riders. Add that to the litany of super-technical and steep sections and the spectacle is superb. Hardline is well tougher than the toughest World Cup monitor – Mont Sainte Anne however – though we’d by no means dare journey both of them!

There’s nothing flawed with velocity from a spectator’s perspective in fact, it’s actually thrilling, particularly for those who’re watching as a non-mountain biker and might’t respect the issue of a very janky monitor like Val di Sole. It additionally results in some very tight races, the place a single second could be the distinction between first and tenth place, because it was at Leogang this 12 months. However as diehard mountain bike aficionados we’d in all probability all agree it’s one of the best riders on this planet tackling near-impossible terrain that we need to see. If we’re all taking a look at an elite degree downhill monitor considering it seems doable, it’s too straightforward.

2. We’d get Rob Warner again

Ric McLaughlin and Cedric Gracia led out the World Cup commentary final season, they usually had been doing a reasonably good job by the tip offering some entertaining commentary. Including Aaron Gwin to the combination for 2 rounds was an awesome success too, his data was expansive and he supplied some actual perception to the racing.

None of them are Rob Warner although. His pleasure is simply so infectious and his one liners are one of the best. He’s a wise man too, there was perception and intelligence there too, and Rob’s commentary from Crankworx Whistler and Hardline at Dyfi show he’s nonetheless received it.

3. The racing itself could be unbelievable (in all probability)

Crimson Bull is aware of learn how to placed on a race. It has a decade of expertise on the World Cups, and the vitality drink firm already runs an occasion sequence within the form of Crankworx, with rounds in 2023 in Rotorua, Innsbruck, Cairns and Whistler. There’s additionally the bonkers Crimson Bull Valparaíso Cerro Abajo city downhill race, to not point out probably the most well-known occasion of all, Rampage. In addition to, Crimson Bull already organises two Hardline races… why not a pair extra?

Crimson Bull has more cash than the UCI too. Much more. It appears to love spending it on excessive occasions too, and whereas cash in sport isn’t all the time a great factor it will in all probability result in: Higher protection, extra cameras, enhance groups’ funding, feed more cash to riders, assist mountain bike growth, and toughen the race venues which themselves is perhaps completely different to the standard World Cup tour locations.

Bernard Kerr: “I’m actually so stoked, it’s in all probability my favorite race of the 12 months so having two of them is rad!”

4. The riders need it

OK we will’t declare to have spoken to all of them, however these we did appeared fairly sizzling on the thought. “I’m actually so stoked, it’s in all probability my favorite race of the 12 months so having two of them is rad,” Bernard Kerr advised us.

He’s already signed as much as guinea pig the brand new monitor for Hardline Tasmania, and as an outspoken critic of the present World Cup sequence you’d count on him to be onboard.

“Hardline has the potential to convey downhill to the lots,” Adam Brayton mentioned, including that he reckons the race sequence is the “way forward for downhill”. It’s actually his type of driving, downhill velocity, tech, and larger jumps than you’d ever see at a standard downhill race.

Josh Lowe: “I’m an enormous fan of Hardline, it’s a brand new style of occasion that mixes massive options from freeride with racing. It’s what I like to do and the actual fact that there’s a sequence is tremendous thrilling.”

There’s no motive each can’t exist concurrently although, in keeping with each Adam Brayton and YT rider Josh Lowe.

“I don’t assume it essentially must be a competitor to World Cup racing,” Josh advised mbr. “To me it’s completely different and it’s personal sort of self-discipline that bridges the hole between freeride and racing. I believe we must always have a good time that the game has extra to supply.”

They may nicely have some extent, which is…

5. Competitors is an efficient factor

Not simply between athletes, that’s a given. We’re speaking about competitors on a much wider degree, it will pressure race organisers and venues to develop into higher with a purpose to entice the viewers. If motocross can squeeze in 5 completely different race sequence, there’s undoubtedly area in downhill mountain biking.

The truth is, mountain biking is ideally arrange for one more race sequence, as a result of Hardline by its very nature is completely different to the World Cups. Whereas there’s cross-over, they might every entice a barely completely different rider and fan, particularly with the rising reputation of freeride. Take a look at riders like Kaos Seagrave and Kade Edwards; who wouldn’t tune in to observe them race on a course bristling with massive booters?

“World Cup tracks are nonetheless gnarly, technical and quick however they’re by no means going to have the ability to embrace the jumps that you simply see in one thing like Hardline,” Josh mentioned. “For that, you’ll probably have various kinds of riders who need to compete.”

6. The followers need it too

Who doesn’t need extra racing to observe? If you happen to’re already a fan then the lure of extra of all of it should absolutely be there, particularly once we’re truly getting much less downhill racing in 2024 – the World Cup takes place over six weekends and venues, one lower than in 2023. New followers usually tend to stumble throughout the game too if there’s an uptick in racing too, probably resulting in extra individuals on bikes.

Bernard Kerr advised us the urge for food from followers is there for a full on Hardline race season. Which leaves logistics as the principle stumbling block. “Our primary factor could be needing sufficient nice venues to get a full eight rounds or so,” he mentioned. “But when it may occur I might be there.”

And the one motive why we predict it received’t be a great factor?

An excessive amount of danger for organisers

One of many primary obstacles we will see is that, because the jumps get greater, so the necessity for good circumstances will get extra vital. One thing that may by no means be assured whenever you’re in hills and mountains. This 12 months the Hardline was cancelled as a result of wind. Even the World Cup DH was hit by excessive climate this 12 months in Andorra and Loudenvielle that precipitated components of the course to be modified and a few racing cancelled. Scale up these jumps and circumstances should be good – nicely, calm not less than – to run an occasion, and contemplating how costly these occasions are to placed on, will Crimson Bull be prepared to take the chance of cancellation at brief discover? Will there be a stress on riders (even when not overt) to race when the hazard of crashing as a result of unpredictable climate is simply too excessive? It’s actually a priority.