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Todd Wells on MTB 2010

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Uploaded by Colt McElwaine | December 15, 2009

Todd Wells talks about the upcoming 2010 Mountiain Bike season and the problems between US Cup and USA Cycling.

Speakers: Todd Wells
Categories: Interview
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Comments15 comments

 justin raynes 2 years ago

For one large race in the USA, fontana is a great example. Because alot of people go there to play basket ball, base ball, play on the playground, tennis, and other things I wont mention from what i've seen on the trail. But alot of those people become spectators, and that what makes the sport bigger.

justin raynes 2 years ago

I so agree with todd, also we need to be in more urban locations, so that more spectators can watch, cause that is what makes the sport bigger, why is foot ball so big, cause you can watch it and its in a city. The richmond xterra mtb trails would make a sweet pro-tour race, and a butt load of spectators come to watch.

Fred 2 years ago

When I think of USA Cycling I think of a bunch of lazy ass fat people in Colorado getting all the sponser's money in their pockets and getting fatter and not giving a about MTB racing.

Jed Zilla 2 years ago

Ty,

Thanks for the response. I am still curious, what are the major differences that could not be worked out with the governing body which I assume to be USA Cycling? Is it the fact that pros shooting for an Olympic slot in 2012 are driven to compete in specific events (UCI primarily?) that will enable them to gather the points needed?
I understand the move to a motocross model as that makes sense in many ways. I think the biggest hurdle has probably been that the UCI/Olympic component exists in MTB and not in Moto-X...
So we have heard from someone who is with the US Cup. USA Cycling how about stepping up and giving your point of view?
I do agree with Ty that we should be going out and riding or in my neck of the woods skiing, however, I think keeping this dialog going will give the privateers and fans a better idea of the mechanics of the sport we all love...

Ty Kady 2 years ago

Hello everyone, this is Ty Kady from the US Cup. These posts were brought to my attention, and I wanted to chime in.

Again what is expressed below is strictly my view and not that of any US Cup associate sponsors, team riders, US Cup affiliated promoters etc.
First, I think we need to give Todd, JHK or any other rider who speaks on this topic a break. Their entitled to their opinion, input and views. I personally welcome the dialogue, as long as it’s productive.
Look I'm as frustrated as the riders. To think we wanted to be here on December 17th, trying to redirect the US Cup and its events is an insane assumption. However, it became apparent to me, that we needed to hand the Pro XCT series back to our governing body for 2010 because of fundamental differences on what we felt was right for mountain biking and promoters.
I personally think for the sport to grow to the next level here in the states, that there has to be some tying factor to ensure consistency of the events, marketing and media, and that includes a series title chase to keep sponsors, spectators and fans involved. That was the whole concept of the US Cup coming in and helping subsidize Pro XCT events with money, awards, marketing, leader’s jerseys and a #1 series plate.
Obviously JHK sees it different "which I firmly believe to be positive — is the move away from an “all-encompassing” series with one title sponsor....I know this first hand, as I won the inaugural 2009 Pro XCT with a minimum of media attention." (see singletrack.com)
The series model is working in Super Cross where Clear Channel is the marketing entity, while the AMA is the governing body. Each knows their own role, and together the synergy=great events.
Monster Energy has stepped in and infused huge dollars into the sport, riders are making money and getting massive media coverage and the AMA Supercross and Motocross series is a breeding ground for America’s next talent.
The USA is the most dominant nation in the sport of motocross in the world. We just wrapped up our 20th Motocross Des Nations title in Italy this year, which we now have the all out record.
http://www.racerxonline.com/article/motocross-des-nations-race-report-2009.aspx
Don’t believe me? Go call Johnny T and ask him about it and why his son Eli Tomac is one of the next hot prospects in Moto…..and not XC racing.
I think the US Cup along with partners like Cycling Dirt, MB Action, Velo News, Cycling News, Channel MTB etc did a great job with the tools we were given. I think the series had more energy, marketing and momentum in 2009 than it has had in many years. But I know JHK and others don't feel that way and that's OK. I know we did everything we could.
I also want to repeat that the US Cup will not be running a competing series to the PRO XCT, so people can cancel the panic button! We understand that to split the country even more than it is now would have a negative impact. In fact that is one of the major hindering factors in the growth of MTB racing in my opinion, there are just so many dates in the US, and trying not to overlap them is a very difficult task. If you want to host UCI events in the US, you not only have to consider the dates here in the states, you have to dance around the UCI calendar as well, which often proves to be a very difficult undertaking as a promoter.
The US Cup will be announcing our calendar of events shortly, and I feel they don't interfere with athletes like JHK, Todd, Adam and the rest of our US Athletes vying for Olympic birth for 2012.
I hope that these top athletes’s like Todd, JHK and others will join some of our US Cup events, and hopefully share in the added prize money and media coverage we are offering. If they can't attend, no problem, we will share these tangibles with the privateers of the Pro ranks and continue to try and build the amateur element in mountain biking.
I appreciate everyone’s view and opinion and for caring about this topic, however I think everyone should give the "blogs" a break for a while, go for a ride and enjoy the Holidays.
Take Care,
Ty

Jed Zilla 2 years ago

If the UCI were comping inscription then why is that formula not being used in Mountain Bike? Is this because of a disconnect between USA Cycling and UCI?

Yes, I uderstand the plights of the promoter. I have been involved at the local level of race promotion for almost 10 years. I can only imagine what it is like at a national level.
The point I was trying to make (which I did poorly) was that companies such as Trek who have access to athletes such as Lance would be able to use those contacts in promoting UCI events in the US. I think the drawing power of someone like Lance is reflected in the interest of this year's Leadville 100.
There are plenty of great "stories" with the athletes that are now in the pro ranks of Mountain Biking. USA Cycling has some heavy hitters for sposnors. My question is why is that not being leveraged into a more seamless event promotion structure which would include a cohearant race schedule with more UCI events?
Yeah, I know I might as well ask for a Unicorn AND a Ferrari....
I would just like to see Mountain Biking come back stronger than it was in it's heyday..

Nick 2 years ago

I challenge the industry to get me a Ferrari.

Ian Moran 2 years ago

Does anyone realize that there were so many cross races (in which I went to almost all of them) because UCI was comping the inscription fees. Ofcourse they are going to have more UCI events, give the mountain bike promoters a break, unless we get some athetes such as Tiger Woods (before scandle) no ones coming to the table with any big money. Sorry Todd but no one over at Pepsi knows your name so I bet it makes it difficult to bring sponsors like them in!

Mark Bernet 2 years ago

I hear everyone making requests for people to step up, and put on these races, but what can you yourself do for the sport, rather than make request for others to make it their own problem.

Rich 2 years ago

I thought that Sho-Air stepped up last year and helped create some interest and hope that mountain biking was on the upswing again. I for one am really dissapointed with USA cycling for not trying to work with Sho-Air and for not keeping the momentum going.

sra 2 years ago

why are we back to total confussion for the racers who love a sport that again seems to be going backwards. Can it grow by being fractured?

Jed Zilla 2 years ago

From a layman's perspective, Sho-Air seemed to have a pretty good formula for last season. What was the reason for the falling out? I'm sure fans will never know. What will happen is more fracturing of promotions on a national scale where elite athletes will be torn on which event to compete in.

Here is my challenge to Sho-Air and any other big time, deep pocketed individual or company (you listening Trek, Specialized?): Pry open your wallet and spend money in the US to promote AT LEAST 3 more C1 level UCI events for MTB. A total of 6 events per season in the US is not a very lofty goal. It has been shown via CX that UCI events can be put on in the US on a pretty frequent basis.
If there was agreement and communication with the promoters in theory you could have 3 weekends in a row of UCI events in the US keeping the big names stateside and getting bigger draws.
Getting back to Sho-Air and USA Cycling, come on check your egos at the door and work this out! Don't kill our sport..

Julio Mateo 2 years ago

Yeap! Totally agree with Todd. Races here in PR are very passionate. Over more when they are UCI.

GB 2 years ago

USA Cycling needs to get off the power trip.

Craig Hoyt 2 years ago

Great interview Todd! I agree I thought that MTB racing was coming back, but its SO confusing now... Todd hit it on the head we all need to come together and get MTB racing back to where it belongs.