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from vitalmtb,
a message from the riders,
Dear fans and supporters of Slopestyle.
As you will have heard, we, as the full field of male Slopestyle riders at Crankworx Rotorua, have made a joint, but very tough, decision to not take part in official competition tomorrow. But we will be at the event in full support of the girls as they make history, with the first ever female Diamond Slopestyle event. We will also be riding the McGazza train and out there for our fans.
Today has been a tough day and there have been plenty of questions about why we aren’t riding and why this decision was made now. We all came to Rotorua with the full intention to start our season, commit fully to this amazing event and ride to our full potential. So why aren’t we riding?
The short answer; we want to secure a stable and sustainable future for Slopestyle - including the current and future generation of riders. This decision was made to ensure a minimum industry standard is achieved moving forward with rider welfare, safety, compensation, but also communication and decision-making established. Not just singularly for the Crankworx Rotorua event, but for the whole Crankworx and FMB World Tour.
Unfortunately, after years of negotiations, countless meetings, and many letters today we have finally decided to take a stand for the benefits of all Slopestyle riders and the sport. This timeline is not what we hoped for. At this stage we won’t be discussing the specifics of the conditions we requested from Crankworx as an organisation, as we don't believe this is the right place or time to do so.
But we want it known that this is not a ‘shakedown’ for compensation - it’s bigger than that.
Specifically we have raised the following issues as critical:
Safe competition conditions
As riders we always want to put on the best possible show and competition. As we're putting our bodies on the line we believe our requests and feedback on competition timings and practice sessions have been ignored, and once again we weren’t being heard. This is not isolated to a single year or event, and there have been ongoing issues over many years.
Basic rider welfare and participation costs
In the past we’ve come together as a group of riders to personally fund flights for upcoming riders / alternates. We believe in putting on a show with a full field and having a healthy Slopestyle rider collective - we love pushing each other and being pushed by the new blood. But how does new blood make it onto the circuit if they can’t even afford to show what they can throw down?
This year there has been a major reduction in travel support for riders, and especially the alternates. Due to the event locations many riders simply aren’t able to accept their rightful invitation to compete. Rider welfare is basic at best, and when there’s a buffet for the Crankworx members but absolutely no catering at all for the riders, something is drastically wrong.
These are events that we ride in, risk our bodies and careers on, and are a key drawcard for and we believe we should have a seat at the table.
Now is the time for change - time after time we’ve either been ignored, denied or simply not taken seriously which has left us with no other option but to make a point the only way we can. We have felt disrespected and unheard when all we’ve requested is simple support for all riders.
We love this event, we love Rotorua and the fans. We hope that we can find a resolution with Crankworx and FMB to continue the growth of Slopestyle, to showcase incredible riding, and to continue creating amazing memories for fans of mountain biking across the world.
AMA rule book:
A2.2. The following offenses will be subject to disciplinary action by AMAs Pro Racing. This list is provided as guidance to licensed entrants, riders and event credential holders but does not restrict AMA Pro Racing from invoking penalties for other actions detrimental to the sport which are not specifically contemplated herein.
h. Engaging in a rider boycott, public protest or other similar concerted activity meant to stop, delay, or otherwise inhibit the start or completion of any portion of an AMA Pro Racing event.
Participating in acts that interfere with the race is a different thing than simply choosing not to race. The original post has a talking about the latter.
Crankworx events, as far as I know, are just that - Crankworx events.
Just as the Various Red Bull events are.
I don't think they are under the aegis of the UCI.
Frankly, I had thought that the Crankworx events must have treated the Participants well, and Rewarded them for their efforts.
Basically, I thought they were the polar opposite to the UCI events, where the UCI (and the current Promoter of World Cups / The World Championships - whose name escapes me at 5.45am in the morning, I'm sorry) rules with an Iron Fist, has treated Riders and Teams like crap for years and changed rules and regs with next to No, or absolutely No consultation with the Riders and Teams.
Basically, the FIM and AMA / Feld etc , are much like the UCI , but, at times, I think a bit tamer - if you can believe such a thing.
So, that AMA set of Rule points put up, are pretty much similar to what the UCI World Cup and World Championships, through to many National Cycling bodies, have.The are, Basically, Rulers of the Riders.
I doubt you'd see such actions that the riders (Bravo To Them) have taken with Crankworx - the UCI etc would crucify them.
Good on the Riders standing up to an Organization / Company that are , from what I gather, are treating them like sh*t!
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What, specifically, do you expect the riders to protest against?
Having to pay to ride, even though they are the stars of the show.
Not being able to vote for track changes.
Not being able to sell merch in the pits.
So they want free plane tickets for "privateers" to remote events, more prize money and a buffet spread?
Seems reasonable. These people are almost killing themselves on every run. haha.
PAY THE MAN!
How many riders in MX/SX are going to tell the people who sign their checks, I'm not riding today because I don't like the rules?
They have some gripes for sure.
All motorsports have entry fees, even F1 and NASCAR do.
You can sell merch (like the Lawrences do), just have to pay some sort of vendor fee or percentage spoit like any other business profiting in the ground of a rented venue by another business.
Whether or not they can effect change is very much TBD. Turning off a portion of your fans while asking for more money from people who can ride this out comfortably much longer than you can is not a winning strategy, but I guess that's what they feel is necessary. Likely get a few concessions that of little consequence to the promoter either way.
Hot take: who cares that they have to pay an entry fee? You have a lot of guys out there on the SX track that have absolutely no business being out there.
Awesome. Fully support these guys. Hopefully they get exactly what they want and more.
Hate to be harsh towards privateers, but if everyone of them stayed home it would not affect me going to watch a race. I’m there to see the top 15 in 450’s and top 10 on 250’s
Its actually sad what's going on with some of these privateers. I'm thinking about the Bobby Piazza situation and others of his caliber. Begging and borrowing and doing weird schemes to get to the track. The whole SX "dream" pretty much did these guys a disservice by taking them away from finding a real job or education. No one cares to watch them and no one should be supporting them.
How much does a pit vending site cost?
All good things, and there has been sporadic talk about all of those things occasionally, but is there really a big widespread desire for any of those things from the actual riders?
Feld should provide health insurance for anyone who makes the night show. I think thats a fair deal. These guys put their bodies on the line and Feld profits from that. Its the least they can do.
And what insurance company is going to provide for that? They don't even want to insure homes in florida and cali these days.
I'm surprised professional sx racers are able to get coverage at all anymore. When i was a kid and got hurt i always had to say "mountain biking" and never "racing motocross."
Sooner than later insurance company execs are going to realize they can save a small amount of money by not insuring pro sx racers. When that time comes your solution will be the only way to keep the sport rolling. That won't help anyone during the week who gets hurt in training.
Pit Row
Even at our local races, you can buy coverage for that specific race. I dont know the name off hand.
I'm curious if anyone has actually read the fine print in their standard health insurance. There may be carve outs for organized extreme sports competitions (at least my parents were always convinced there were).
thats probably why you see that stand alone insurance for the race being offered, is because in reality most standard health insurance is not explicitly covering mx racing
Hard disagree.
I had family members live that life many years ago, lived like homeless people more or less, were excited to make the main program, typical injuries along the way, and they regret nothing. Great memories and stories to tell. Were on the same track as some of the greats. Didn't keep any of them from getting an education, having families, careers, etc.... never once heard any of them say yeah I wish I wouldn't have spent that $$$ 40 years ago or wish I would have got my career started a few years earlier....
Everybody's insurance is different. But you can certainly purchase insurance for a race and Feld should do that. That is a reasonable expectation that a set of united riders could have.
And that's definitely the more optimistic way of looking at it. From my point of view I'm seeing 60+ entries compete for 22 gates, so half the field in their mid 20's still using dad/friends money to get to the track that they don't really belong on or mostly roll around on. Not as bad this year but go back 1-2 years and you had multiple riders in the main getting lapped 2, 3, 4 times over
Watch what you wish for. The sport of SX is one boycott away from becoming a 2 wheeled Monster Jam. And Feld would love that.
It's not the privateers of slopestyle, it's the entire men's field. All of those guys have tons of support, but it's not factory team level. The only way a protest would work is if everyone got together, but the sport has improved payouts significantly, dirt wurx does a great job, and the sport overall is stable.
Beyond apples and oranges . . The reason boycotts or union tactics never went anywhere is because there's 10-15 guys making beyond enough for it to be worth their while. The show will go on without whoever joins the protest and there's no shortage of willing and able gate fillers.
Not sure if you were arguing with me, but we are saying the same thing.
Agreeing, not arguing
I thought so, but couldn't tell haha
The complaint or what those calling for boycotts claim to want, the last few years, is more purse money going to riders further back in the field and even outside the main event.
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