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The UCI Cancels World Cup Series | The Global Mountain Bike Show Ep.17

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Summary of the video (Episode 17: The Global Mountain Bike Show)

This episode covers a dramatic “insane week” in mountain biking, highlighted by major mainstream attention on downhill racing, standout World Cup performances in Les Gets, and major discussion about the future of Enduro-style competition.

1) Downhill World Cup buzz: Macron comment, big wins, and crowd-control concerns

  • French President Emmanuel Macron publicly commented on downhill mountain biking, praising Max Alran after his first French World Cup victory in downhill at Les Gets.
  • Mainstream media has also picked up the sport, with tabloids framing downhill as the “wildest sport you’ve never heard of.”
  • The hosts emphasize how the downhill race weekend looked and felt spectacular, including rapidly changing conditions (wet track turning to faster/drier racing).

Crowd behavior becomes the key debate

  • Viewers describe chaotic scenes where spectators rush onto/near the track as the rider finishes, even when barriers are not fully preventing access.
  • There’s concern that this creates real injury risk—described as a “bittersweet” issue because the atmosphere is part of what makes Les Gets iconic.
  • Comparisons are drawn to other major sports events (e.g., the Tour de France), where staging and barriers are used to prevent spectator incidents.

2) Cross-country excitement continues the “top level spectacle” theme

Cross-country racing is discussed as extremely exciting, with emphasis on:

  • Technical ability and fitness driving performances (including discussion of van der Poel).
  • Evie Richards, cited for strong performance and visible exhaustion at the end.

The hosts suggest downhill could benefit from more coaching/technical development talk—jokingly proposing “downhill coaching” ideas similar to what XC riders might need.

3) Harriet Harnden’s dominant downhill breakthrough

Harriet Harnden is celebrated for:

  • Her first downhill World Cup win (elite level) in Les Gets.
  • Also taking the €100,000 Gates Belt Drive prize.

Her results across disciplines are framed as unusually broad mastery: cyclocross, XC, enduro, and now downhill, marking her as a standout “all-round” elite rider.

4) Gates Belt Drive: a major prize that could shift technology adoption

The video explains the significance of Gates offering a €100k purse as a catalyst for belt-drive adoption in elite downhill:

  • Belt drive isn’t entirely new to cycling, but this prize is presented as a major signal that Gates intends long-term commitment.
  • The hosts connect the belt-drive push to earlier brand experimentation and discuss potential downstream effects for other riding areas.

Technical discussion and adoption predictions

  • Belt drive may be most plausible on larger-travel bikes and trail/enduro due to drivetrain/weight/gear-integration needs.
  • Cross-country adoption is considered unlikely because XC still prioritizes extreme lightness and climbing efficiency.
  • A key question is raised: how Shimano and SRAM will respond—whether they’ll build competing belt-drive systems or remain focused on derailleur dominance.

5) Enduro’s restructuring: EWS ends, Crankworx launches a new series concept

A major news focus shifts to Enduro:

  • The UCI Cancels/Enduro World Series (EWS) structure is described as ending (framed as “Enduro is dead” sentiment, followed by more constructive details).
  • Crankworx announces it will run a new series concept “similar to EWS,” described as a fresh Enduro direction.

Biggest reveal: Enduro Rider Championship

  • A global ranking system called Ride My World is introduced.
  • Riders earn points across categorized events (analogous to UCI-style tiers, e.g., cat 1–4).
  • At year end, the top ~200 riders (stated as ~140 men and 60 women) compete for a world championship via a 3-day Enduro Rider Championship.
  • The format is pitched as selecting the “greatest parts” of Enduro, potentially including:
    • Night stage racing
    • A possible gnarly downhill-specific stage
    • An ultra-long “adventure” stage
    • (Speculation mentioned) possible mass starts

6) Why this new format matters: grassroots access and less geographic barrier

The hosts argue the old Enduro World Series became too Euro-centric and travel-heavy:

  • Southern Hemisphere riders faced months of travel, high costs, and uncertain sponsor payoff.

The new structure is presented as better aligned with Enduro’s participation culture:

  • More local racing opportunities to build points and earn pathways upward.
  • A clearer ladder for newer riders (including UK-based riders) to progress without needing rare/expensive access to distant world-series events.
  • They also discuss legacy riders who moved on from the world series but continued riding other Enduro events—suggesting strong ongoing demand, but a need for a better competition pathway.

7) E-bikes and the future ranking system

  • The video claims e-bike racing hasn’t fully gotten its chance historically, citing limited runway and logistical constraints like battery demands.
  • The new Ride My World + Enduro Rider Championship system is described as including an e-bike category, seen as more achievable and inclusive as e-bike technology improves.
  • The episode frames the future as encouraging broader entry rather than elite-only participation—especially for riders coming in from grassroots racing.

Presenters / contributors

  • Ferg Ryan
  • Adam Skroxton
  • Owen Coote
  • Richard Payne (introduced as “the mayor of the pain cave”)
  • Chris Hutchens (named as contributor to the new Enduro Rider Championship / ranking system concept)

Original video