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Ben03 · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:13 pm Post subject: Shift in attention?

It seems that 'big mountain' is no longer an interest to sponsors: Richy Schley and Vanderham ditched from RockyMountain and Robbie Boudon and Watson ditched from Kona in a short space of time. Both are large bike brands and large names. What's the take on this? Are the sponsors right to do this?

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jab uk - South East Mountain Biking

Heffers · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:20 pm Post subject:

that all depends on how you view "right".

one of the main reasons for these riders being droped i would expect is the way mountain biking is evolving. the scene is moving towards events that spectators can really watch. that means slopestyle, 4x and DJ events. this is begining to alienate some really big riders that you would see at the old big mountain eventes like the red bull rampage.

within the last year we've seen Steve Romaniuk dropped from Speialized, Richy Schley and Vanderham ditched from RockyMountain and Robbie Boudon and Watson let go by Kona. the "problem" companies have with riders like them is that they don't take part in the new Slopestyle events as much as the younger riders so they don't raise the companies proile so much. although having said that they still get segments in NWD and some others but that is still a lower profile than the new flood of slopestyle events that are flooding into the scene.

anyways thats how i see it.
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Ben03 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:29 am Post subject:

That's true.

It's like the attention has moved from the video and more to the crowd pulling events.
is the redbull urban series the cause of this this shift?
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jab uk - South East Mountain Biking

Heffers · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject:

i think Reb Bull's urban series is sligtly less of a result as near the cause.

Red Bull are good for the sport in the way they lead the pack in terms of events, so their move towards the urban evens has raised interest in the urban arena. Red Bull have a strong standing in BMX already and more BMX riders have been moving into the world of MTB and bringing their moves and ideas with them...i think this is part of the reason we are seeing the move towards slopestyle etc.

although having said all that, is it just me or are there more films comming out that are DH related, following the world cup etc.
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Ben03 · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:58 pm Post subject:

Heffers · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject:

i guess some of the BMX influence is good for the DJ scene and the new developing slopestyle movement. but then i'd rather see more investment in downhill and singletrack events. i mean there are plenty of events but they don't get the same advertising or coverage. 4X is ment to change that but it can only go so far.
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JAW · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject:

Seems a shame to me. Robbie bourdon goes so huge and does some such impressive riding so it'll be interesting to see who picks him up.

jedi · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject:

the current crop of slopstylers are big bike bmxer's
big mountain freeride is ways different as the rampage will show.lets see how many singlespeed dj hardtails turn up for that one!

Ben03 · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:

Will be very interesting to see the outcome there Very Happy

Do you reckon the big mountain riders who have been ditched will have new signings by then? (the event is sometime this year).
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jab uk - South East Mountain Biking

Ben03 · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject:

Sorry double post, but just got this info regarding Vanderham from www.pinkbike.com :

Here is what he had to say, when we asked him what was going on.
Hello Bike World!

I hope everyone is having a great winter and is ready for a new bike season. Coming off one the most important seasons of my career, I am more excited than ever about 2008. My goal last year was simply to bring some attention back to the “Big Mountain” side of freeriding. I spent the majority of last summer working closely with The Collective crew on a segment for their new film SEASONS coming out in the spring of 2008. Watch for some of the photos to start showing up in your magazines soon!

2008 has also brought about a lot of changes for me, I have recently had a lot of questions about my situation with long time sponsor Rocky Mountain and I want to say we will no longer be working together. I enjoyed my time with the company very much and would like to thank Rocky for their support and growing with me as a rider to this point. Over the last seven years I worked hard to represent the company positively and remained committed to the brand until the last day of my contract. Working in product development, design, and marketing has given me valuable experience and insight into the mountain bike industry. I had many great experiences with long time teammates Wade Simmons and Richie Schley, as well as everyone within the company who I worked with.

That said I am only looking towards the future. My focus will remain on filming strong movie segments, and collaborating on photo projects with the industries top photographers. I will still compete in select slopestyles but I can't wait until there's a big mountain event back in the mix. The rest of my summer will be spent riding at a variety of bike events across the globe including coaching at the Summer Gravity Camps in Whistler, BC.

Over the last few months I have been working on putting together my own program and I am happy to announce the companies I will be working with for the next couple years, Marzocchi Suspension, Fox Clothing, Shimano, Oakley, WTB, FUNN, Dakine, Troy Lee Designs, EThirteen, Acros, and Maxxis.

At this time I am not announcing a new bike sponsor. I'll be back with an update as soon as possible.

-TV

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jab uk - South East Mountain Biking