More than 120 mountain bikers, including the world's top 30 and over a dozen teams, have signed a statement condemning the International Cycling Union (UCI)'s decision to reduce the number of podium places at the UCI Mountain Bike World Series (XCO) from five riders to three.
The five-rider podium has long been an exception at World Cup events, dating back to 1994 when 17-year-old junior Cadel Evans finished 5th in the elite category at the Cairns World Cup, causing such joy and surprise among the organizers that they decided to add two more spots to the podium. This became a tradition.
"This podium is a unique symbol of mountain biking, which has given countless riders and teams more visibility and opportunities. It has been a breakthrough for many athletes and provided additional opportunities for smaller teams," the statement reads.
Signatories include 2024 Olympic champions Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, world champions Puck Pieterse and Alan Hatherly, and Nino Schurter, who has won nine World Cup overall titles and ten World Championship titles.
"In our sport, competing for a podium spot has always meant finishing in the top five. This has given the sport depth and value, allowing more riders to gain attention and adding value for athletes, teams, and the sponsors and brands that are the backbone of professional mountain biking," the statement notes.
Teams are already under immense pressure due to rising costs and increasing difficulty in finding sponsors – as evidenced by the more than one-third decrease in the number of UCI-registered mountain bike teams this season.
The five-person elite XCO podium has provided additional opportunities for sponsors and increased rider visibility, and it was part of the sport that has withstood many changes and was also included in UCI regulations. However, the UCI and Warner Bros. Discovery – who are partners with the UCI from 2023-2030 – announced that changes would be made for live broadcast, advertising, and marketing purposes, effective in 2025.
The new World Cup season begins this weekend in Araxá, Brazil.
