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USA announces gravity team for worlds..

LaytonDH

Monkey
Dec 19, 2003
183
0
UT
Good to see too of our locals - Andrew Peirce and Logan Bingeli on the team. They are both riding really fast but have had a few random mishaps pull them down in the points. Andrew qualified pretty well at Mt St Anne against the big boys.
 

Mani_UT

Monkey
Nov 25, 2001
644
0
SLC, UT
DH Diva said:
Is anyone else but me surprised that April didn't make the DH team??.
Yeah her and Myklak but may be they simply did not petition?
Anyway, I am stocked to see Andrew and Logan in the list! It's awesome!
 

DH Diva

Wonderwoman
Jun 12, 2002
1,808
1
Mani_UT said:
Yeah her and Myklak but may be they simply did not petition?
Yeah, Lisa's a ripper too. Either way, congrats to Tara, Jackie and Melissa and everyone else who made it and is on there way to NZ!
 

AtTheGates

Monkey
Mar 5, 2003
259
0
Christopher Herndon (Etowah, N.C.)

Nice, i talked to chris on tuesday before he submitted his petition. glad to see he made the team.
 

T23

Chimp
Jul 13, 2006
42
0
Ok hear it goes, last year none of the gravity team got anything payed for(as far as the jr's go), but this year the automatic picks in jr's (top 2) get there trip payed for. and like last year their are not taking the full 7
 

dropmachine

Turbo Monkey
Sep 7, 2001
2,922
10
Your face.
DH Diva said:
The main goal behind having a jr worlds in the first place for most countries is to target it's young riders and get them to international events so that when they are out of the jr ranks, they are stronger pro's right? More experience, jr development, and all that jazz right?

So if it's really come down to "we'll pay for you to go only if we think you'll win," and down to a trophy, it's no wonder we as a nation are getting are butts handed to us, and why there's not as much depth as there used to be. The point of jr development should be to take the kids that are showing promise and help them get to the next level.

It's rare that young girls jump on a bike and say, I wanna be a downhill mountain bike champ! So here we have one and USA Cycling is making it harder for her to realize her full potential, because she might not make the podium? It just sucks.

And Biker3, I'm not saying your wrong here about why they aren't paying her way, I'm smart enough to realize money talks, but it's not right and I'm not going to be quite about it. We are not going to bring women's DH back to the place it was when missy was racing without putting more effort into helping out or young riders.

I would think it has less to do with medal positioning rather then the fact that its women vs men ina power sport. USA cycling is a business, just like anyone else. And like it or not, watching the women ride compared to the men is straight up dull.

You think people are going to get excited watching women go through a section at 70% of the men's speed? That doesn't sell cycling. Maybe it would to a small fraction of girls out there, but they're hardly the main demographic for DH are they? They're barely a blip on the screen.

The men are the onesputting on a good show. They look fast, go big, and get seen in videos. The women just don't. Don't get me wrong, nothing but the purest respect for them going out there and hauling ass. Hell knows they'd take me out no problem. But its a simple marketing decision. Womens sport, other then the ones where they wear tiny tight little revealing suits, will never get the same attention as the men. Nor will they receive the funding.



Can't wait to see the ****storm that hits with this one. :)
 

Mani_UT

Monkey
Nov 25, 2001
644
0
SLC, UT
dropmachine.com said:
I. But its a simple marketing decision. Womens sport, other then the ones where they wear tiny tight little revealing suits, will never get the same attention as the men. Nor will they receive the funding.
Yeah !!!
What he said!!
Women should start racing DH wearing thongs.

(at least that's what I understood ;))
 

Fonzie18

Turbo Monkey
konabiker said:
I wonder why JD didn't get selected for the juniors?
Aha. I'm suprised his excellent attitude didn't help him get a spot on the team. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Not talking smack on him, JD is my friend and we ride all he time (We're riding tomorrow). I can be the first to tell you that he is one of the best riders I know, but there is something holding him back, and it is not his talent :clue: :clue:
 

DH Diva

Wonderwoman
Jun 12, 2002
1,808
1
dropmachine.com said:
I would think it has less to do with medal positioning rather then the fact that its women vs men ina power sport. USA cycling is a business, just like anyone else. And like it or not, watching the women ride compared to the men is straight up dull.

You think people are going to get excited watching women go through a section at 70% of the men's speed? That doesn't sell cycling. Maybe it would to a small fraction of girls out there, but they're hardly the main demographic for DH are they? They're barely a blip on the screen.

The men are the onesputting on a good show. They look fast, go big, and get seen in videos. The women just don't. Don't get me wrong, nothing but the purest respect for them going out there and hauling ass. Hell knows they'd take me out no problem. But its a simple marketing decision. Womens sport, other then the ones where they wear tiny tight little revealing suits, will never get the same attention as the men. Nor will they receive the funding.



Can't wait to see the ****storm that hits with this one. :)
No ****storm from me, ;) I just want to clarify some things.

Again, I know that when it comes down to the bottom line money talks, and money makes the decisions. I'm not blind to the reality of it. But I just remember when there was a time that women's DH was more marketable and more fun to watch.

When I was in high school, one of my teachers showed us an old bike video (well, I guess it was new then!). It was the one that featured Missy and followed her story, retread maybe? I at that point I had only ever ridden XC but after seeing that video, and seeing the women of that era ride, I was absolutely hell bent of trying DH racing. Of course my parents were not supportive of this and wouldn't let me race, and wouldn't but me a bike so I got a job a saved up the money to get my first full suspension bike. The spring I graduated from High School I went to a local shop, found out who the downhillers were, started riding with them and went to my first race.

Women's DH seems to be on the decline and has been for a couple years now. The old legends (Missy, Anne-Caro, Cheri, Leigh, Elke) have retired. And nothing seems to be inspiring young female riders to get involved, or when they do they are discouraged when they don't receive the same support as their fellow male racers. Is it so bizarre that I would express my opinions about this? I am after all a female gravity athlete so I guess I do have a vested interest in the whole affair. Or is it so wrong that this girl was upset when she found out she didn't get any financial help too? I don't expect anyone to agree with what I'm saying, but it's my opinion and I'm going to express it.

The whole thing about, women's dh isn't a profitable sport so it doesn't matter if it receives the same level of support is a dangerous way to think to me because lets not all forget that to USA Cycling the whole sport of DH isn't all the profitable and it's obvious that they don't care so much about it anymore. But do you all just except that that's the way it is. Do you guys say, "Oh no big deal. We're not profitable so we understand why you didn't bother to build a MX course, it's okay." No, you express your opinions as you rightly should.

The decline of women's DH in terms of field size and talent will continue to be an accumulative affect until we find a way to turn it around, get numbers up and get those personalities back that made it what it was in the late 90's. I know that most people don't care if it does turn around or if it goes away all together, but I do and I'm going to support the girls any way I can until then. Again, I'm not trying to argue with anyone here, but it seems like no body gets why I would care or thinks that I should care about it, but I do.

Anyways, like I said before, I'm stoked to see that some of the athletes did end up getting some help. I had no idea that nobody got any help last season so I was a little shocked to say the least as I know in years past they have given all the jr riders a fair amount of financial support and general guidance. I hope that chrissy can do some fund raising and make it over there, she seems like a really nice kid with some spark.

I'm going to go ride now.
 

TheInedibleHulk

Turbo Monkey
May 26, 2004
1,886
0
Colorado
DH Diva said:
And nothing seems to be inspiring young female riders to get involved, or when they do they are discouraged when they don't receive the same support as their fellow male racers.
This is nonsense. You know what a female downhiller has to do to recieve sponsorship? Show up. If anything the lack of competition in women's DH has made it easy for anyone who can get down the hill in one piece to get a pro licence and get sponsorship. Most bike companies are tripping over themselves to give stuff to the women. Hell I can think of a few who have factory rides and couldnt harldy win a sport men's race. I'm sorry but if you want to get stuff you have to get fast first, not the other way around. As for USA cycling paying for the jr. X men and not the girl, I have no real opinion. USA cycling doing anything for any downhiller is a step in the right direction.
 

dondon

Monkey
Where the hell is Evan Turpin, why is he not on the list. There is room for more. He missed one Norba because he was in hospital with a huge staph infection, but now hes not going?????

Also where is Myklak, lawyer and Pruit, Cathy broke her collarbone but will be good for worlds and shes highest ranked us women on uci.
WTF. I can understand if some of the people have told usa cycling they dont want to go - but otherwise?
 

DH Diva

Wonderwoman
Jun 12, 2002
1,808
1
dondon said:
Where the hell is Evan Turpin, why is he not on the list. There is room for more. He missed one Norba because he was in hospital with a huge staph infection, but now hes not going?????

Also where is Myklak, lawyer and Pruit, Cathy broke her collarbone but will be good for worlds and shes highest ranked us women on uci.
WTF. I can understand if some of the people have told usa cycling they dont want to go - but otherwise?
No doubt. With the season April is having, I have a hard time thinking she didn't want to go. Doesn't make sense to me. She's been really kicking butt this season.
 

ska todd

Turbo Monkey
Oct 10, 2001
1,776
0
I was pulling for Evan to go and he seemed pretty down this morning when I talked to him that he didn't make the team. He's putting in a ton of effort and I know he really wanted to go down there. He podiumed at the Open and has been one of the more consistent Americans this year. But, I guess they also needed to make sure that Specialized and Haro had riders on the team too ;)

-ska todd
 

ska todd

Turbo Monkey
Oct 10, 2001
1,776
0
I haven't talked to Cramer yet about it but I'd gather their discretionary decisions were based on previous performances at the elite level and previous experience at Worlds. Evan hasn't been to Worlds before but both Chris & Cody have. Justin is racing on a Norba license this year so is eligible as I understand.

-ska todd
 

T23

Chimp
Jul 13, 2006
42
0
Yeah JD just needs to keep his mouth shut from time to time other than that could be a great DHer,but we'll see..
 

thePINKster

Monkey
Jan 31, 2006
184
0
bay area, Cali
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

usa cycling IS PAYING FOR JUNIOR WOMEN!(aka: me)

i just got an email from matt cramer, saying they are and they hope i can make the trip (hmm.. lemme think. DUH! nothing's gonna stop me from goin!)

YAY FOR USA CYCLING!!
 

tacobelldhr

Monkey
Jun 1, 2005
231
0
lake forest
biker3 said:
Nah Bond rolled the Juniors last year. He was series leader by that point and he was JR nationals champ which actually happened later. If anyone would have gotten paid for, it would have been him. He qualied 7th at Junior worlds so he was def right up there.

rolled huh..the only reason bond won over all was because i raced 16 under at deer valley...quite the wrong word if you ask me.
 

stephanie

Monkey
Dec 7, 2005
308
0
East County via East Coast
thePINKster said:
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

usa cycling IS PAYING FOR JUNIOR WOMEN!(aka: me)

i just got an email from matt cramer, saying they are and they hope i can make the trip (hmm.. lemme think. DUH! nothing's gonna stop me from goin!)

YAY FOR USA CYCLING!!
Congrats Chrissie :) I'll be living vicariously through you!
 

biker3

Turbo Monkey
tacobelldhr said:
rolled huh..the only reason bond won over all was because i raced 16 under at deer valley...quite the wrong word if you ask me.
The comment you just made is the exact reason why no one likes you on the circuit. Its the right word because Bond has heaps more speed and manners than you. Stick to riding the lift with your mom, chode.
 

BC VAN

Monkey
May 4, 2005
624
0
biker3 said:
The comment you just made is the exact reason why no one likes you on the circuit. Its the right word because Bond has heaps more speed and manners than you. Stick to riding the lift with your mom, chode.

i agree with you on the fact that tacobelldhr isn't the most subtle when it comes to comments, and you could have left it at the reason no one likes you. be it true or not?
but any comment that has a person's mother involved is below the belt.
for instance you wouldn't like if a person said
"he'll stick to riding the lift with his mom as soon as he gets done riding your mom on the lift". you have no idea about his personal life and mother /father subjsect can be a bit personal.

i think its awesome that his parents show support of his racing by being at the events.
 

T23

Chimp
Jul 13, 2006
42
0
And actually his parents are great people, so no mom jokes, not only that his dad is super fast.
 

Rye_Bread

Monkey
Mar 22, 2006
437
0
Boulder
just because the rules were written by USA cycling doesn't mean USA cycling follows them....look at their requirements for a DH course....the didn't follow any of them for Sonoma. Also their handbook says you have to have two of the following 3 to race slalom/4x: 1. two 26" wheels 2. two working brakes 3. three or more working gears, but my friend with a single speed that had two working brakes and two 26" wheels still got DQ'ed from slalom
 

Rye_Bread

Monkey
Mar 22, 2006
437
0
Boulder
biker3 said:
The comment you just made is the exact reason why no one likes you on the circuit. Its the right word because Bond has heaps more speed and manners than you. Stick to riding the lift with your mom, chode.

problem is he's right, look at the way the times and points came out...

congrats mikey and chrissy
 

PatBranch

Turbo Monkey
Sep 24, 2004
10,451
9
wine country
Rye_Bread said:
just because the rules were written by USA cycling doesn't mean USA cycling follows them....look at their requirements for a DH course....the didn't follow any of them for Sonoma. Also their handbook says you have to have two of the following 3 to race slalom/4x: 1. two 26" wheels 2. two working brakes 3. three or more working gears, but my friend with a single speed that had two working brakes and two 26" wheels still got DQ'ed from slalom
That is BS. Wouldn't a singlespeed be a disadvantage? I can't see any advanatges.
________________________

Congrats Chrissy! :thumb: :trophy_br
 

Msisle Dad

Monkey
Jul 1, 2003
569
0
Catonsville, MD
TheInedibleHulk said:
This is nonsense. You know what a female downhiller has to do to recieve sponsorship? Show up. If anything the lack of competition in women's DH has made it easy for anyone who can get down the hill in one piece to get a pro licence and get sponsorship. Most bike companies are tripping over themselves to give stuff to the women. Hell I can think of a few who have factory rides and couldnt harldy win a sport men's race. I'm sorry but if you want to get stuff you have to get fast first, not the other way around. As for USA cycling paying for the jr. X men and not the girl, I have no real opinion. USA cycling doing anything for any downhiller is a step in the right direction.
Did you notice that no one picked up on this hot potato?
 

profro

Turbo Monkey
Feb 25, 2002
5,617
314
Walden Ridge
I agree though. Its sad how bad some of the women in the pro class are. But after saying that, I have to say that some are complete rippers and I totally respect their training and riding skill. Lisa and Joanna are two that I have met and ridden around and they are real professionals. Too bad neither of them are heading to worlds.
 

Msisle Dad

Monkey
Jul 1, 2003
569
0
Catonsville, MD
SuspectDevice said:
Female Pros sell more product and do a better job representing their sponsors. Sponsorship is about sales, not split times.

Who do they sell to? more female dhr's ?

At snowshoe there were approx 129 racers doing dh. less than 10 were women.
 

Fshflys

Monkey
Jun 29, 2005
139
1
BC VAN said:
any comment that has a person's mother involved is below the belt.

i think its awesome that his parents show support of his racing by being at the events.
Thank you, well said. Thanks for giving back to the community, more of your kind would be appreciated. I was standing on the MTX course at Sonoma when YOU stopped to talk with me, asked how my son liked the courses. Thank you for your concern. When I told you he had won at Deer Valley, you replied, yeah, I saw the results. Is it any wonder 90% of the crowd was rooting for you at Sonoma. Class Act.