At the request of Mr Trumpore...
So Fraser throws out the comment:
Aaaaand, GO!
So Fraser throws out the comment:
Cue various comments:this thread would be a good place to mention that this will be freecaster's last major MTB event for awhile. Apparently next year they are NOT doing the World Cups and will instead focus on some european local events due to $$$ and the UCI.
That's a pisser. I'm sure the UCI are quite expensive to work with. If it weren't for all the amazing photo/video offerings from all involved (yourself, for instance - thanks!), I'm sure I'd be completely flipping out right about now.
Keep up the great work!
That is terrible news!
bummer.
that is a serious downer...holy hell that sucks
Any idea what the problem is with the UCI??? I'm feeling a petition coming on And in regards to the $$$ side of things, I for one would be ok with a small fee to lessen the burden.
Just when freecaster was really begining to get sorted with the live feeds. I will seriously miss the nice sunday afternoons with warners commenting and some awesome racing, such a bummer.
The UCI arent complicating matters for say dirt and other filmers, like worlds last year?
etc etcI love how sports org hamper progres for cash. I really wish dh/4x biking went snowboarding way and showed the middle finger to the existing org. First MSA, now this. Seriously, f.... them
re. freecaster and uci....talked to the owner of FC at crankworx, and he said the UCI dropped a demand of $100,000 on the table for broadcast rights next year, as they already make no money off it freecaster's decision wasn't a hard one, unfortunately....as like all sports orgs, it's an old boys club who thinks people should pay them to sit around and be act like they're important......freecaster and the other web content over the past few years have been the best thing to happen to dh racing, and as usual the UCI doesn't get it, at all.
Some comments:
I want the full story before jumping to conclusions re: Freecaster vs. the UCI. Wasn't there some controversy last year over the fact that Freecaster were upset that independent film makers (working for race teams etc) were being allowed up on the hill to film, which kind of violated Freecaster's "exclusive rights" agreement with the UCI? I'm filling in gaps here, but I remember something like that. If Freecaster's falling out with the UCI stems from UCI's refusing to enforce this, then I have somewhat less sympathy...
If the above doesn't apply, who at the UCI do we write to to complain? I figure if enough of us write to tell them what a bunch of dickwads they are they might get the idea...
I also can't help but think that if Freecaster ditched Warner, entertaining as he is, an external sponsor with more $$$ might be more willing to come forward. AS it is I doubt anyone outside the bike community wants to be associated with the coverage. I think I remember Whitely expressing a similar view...
nope, that was all UCI apparently as Ray didn't care one bit....UCI is just looking to squeeze money out of everyone....just like the IOC, or any other governing body, an old euro boys club that thinks they deserve to be treated like kings.....
The UCI demanded a payment of $800 for the private filmmakers, this would allow them to film the final few corners at MSA but not further up the track, if if remember correctly there was also a 5 min limit on the footage. It was only for the worlds.
So, I, for one, would love to see the Freecaster coverage continue next year. Popular rumors (although none seemingly without bias) seem to be that this is a case of the UCI generally being a bunch of self-important twats, something that is generally a safe bet regardless of the underlying causes of this particular issue. I'd like to know who, in particular, we should write to at the UCI to express our disgust at this state of affairs.Whatever you feelings about Warner, he's a damn good commentator. Sounds pretty weak otherwise imo.
As for companies "wanting to be associated," ... lame.
Next thing you know, these weirdos won't allow your bike company to run ads in their magazine because their name is "Evil Bikes."
Aaaaand, GO!