Why do they hold a World Cup race in Quebec?

[hypa]

After watching some wicked action from Mont Sainte Anne, I'm curious more than anything about this...

As a former resident of Quebec, I know the hills in the area aren't very high. I know that a black diamond run on Bromont is one of Whistler's blue runs. I also know that while the east is coming along nicely with bike parks, they still trail far behind us in the west.

Mont Sainte Anne has a vert drop of about 600m. That's only a couple hundred meters taller than SFU, and a third of the height of Seymour (for example). I know that you don't need crazy vert to have a good DH course, but logic says that we should have something out west where the hills are worthy of the black diamond signs they carry. I'd love to see UCI action coming down the Canadian DH course.

So why aren't there any UCI events held out west?

We have crankworx, which is amazing. But it's national, not a world cup event.

[connor]

awesome, so you're going to organize it?

not that that is the only issue.

[pano-dude]

Biggest reason is government funding ( race promotors actually make a living doing it)

[Bryce]

I assume Mt St Anne has a multi-year contract to hold World Cups, maybe after that it'll move. A lot of it also has to do with the venue's ability to support the whole shitshow that goes along (ie teams, media, sepctators etc...).

Didn't Whistler burn their bridges with the UCI back in the Grouse WC days?

[IFO]

Grousse mtn held the UCI 4X/XC/DH event for 3 years starting back in 2001 if memory serves me right..

the events were awesome and it was a shame to see Calgary take it next..

not sure why the venue hasnt returned we have all the potential to host a fantastic race here on the West coast..my guess would be lack of sponsors/funding...

[shirk]

MSA is the longest running World Cup venue going, I don't see them giving it up anytime soon.

When was the last time you rode Bromont? A blue trail at Whistler? Unless they've completely revamped the place and removed some nasty rock sections since the last time I was there I would hardly be calling it a blue.

Cypress would be smart to re-open the bike park with a splash by hosting a WC. Global warming and rising snow levels are not going to be kind to our N.Van ski hills, they'll need something to support the infrastructure.

[sprinter]

How many WC have you organized?

[Robot]

With the high profile that Crankworx maintains, I'm pretty sure Whistler doesn't care too much about hosting a UCI event. As mentioned, the reason that Quebec hills can can host so many high-profile races has more to do with gov't support and less to do with the overall quality of the tracks. Mt St Anne has lots of race history too.

[Rainmaker]

1. there is no poutine in bc
2. french chicks, although hairier, are nicer than lower mainland chicks
3. booze at covenience stores
4. BYOB restaurants
5. there is no poutine in bc
6. its a long ass flight from euroland to bc
7. french crowds are better than BC crowds (this is unfortunate, but its true)
8. Montreal in summer >>>> Van in summer
9. All you can eat buffets at the rippers in MTL
10. Habs>>Nucks



edit: itd be totally amazing if there was a WC stop here, Id help/volunteer in an instant.... And anyone thats going to this weekends race is a lucky SOB

[Oldfart]

And Silver Star held the World Cup finals one year too. From all accounts the Mont St Anne dh is pretty wicked. Unless I am confusing it with Bromont. And Mountain Bike World Cup is more than just DH too. XC, 4x, trials are all there too.

But hey, we get to see the top gravity riders at Crankworks. Not WC but pretty entertaining from what I hear. Whistler would be a no brainer for a World Championship or other World Cup races. It has the terrain and can draw the crowds. But so does Mt ST Anne. You do not need a steep mountain for a great DH. Look at what's on Whistler. Below mid station on the village side is double green skiing in winter. In the winter on that side one mostly stands up and waits for it to be over. On a bike it's hella fast. So if you are referring to MSA being blue level skiing, you cannot equate the two. I have no idea what their bike park is like.

The UCI do have rules with respect to courses. An organizer doesn't get to put on a race just because they have the cash and desire. The course must meet certain criteria.

[shirk]

Pretty sure riders have been calling Bromont and Sainte Anne the best DH courses on the circuit for years.

Having been involved with a WC ski event it's a huge under taking, would certainly take a long standing pro organizer to step up and take it on.

[hypa]

Originally Posted by pano-dude

Biggest reason is government funding ( race promotors actually make a living doing it)

Quebec seems to have a ton of money to sponsor everything from biking events, to cartoons. I'm not surprised if this has a lot to do with it.

Originally Posted by Bryce

I assume Mt St Anne has a multi-year contract to hold World Cups, maybe after that it'll move.

They're doing a great job with it. I remember watching the MSA event the first time last year. It got me hooked.

Originally Posted by IFO

Grousse mtn held the UCI 4X/XC/DH event for 3 years starting back in 2001 if memory serves me right.

Wow, it's too bad that I missed that back in the day. Granted, back then I was stoked to wheelie drop a 3 foot high loading dock on my 4" travel bike. dorp to falt!

Originally Posted by shirk

When was the last time you rode Bromont? A blue trail at Whistler? Unless they've completely revamped the place and removed some nasty rock sections since the last time I was there I would hardly be calling it a blue.

Cypress would be smart to re-open the bike park with a splash by hosting a WC. Global warming and rising snow levels are not going to be kind to our N.Van ski hills, they'll need something to support the infrastructure.

I'll admit, early 00's was the last time up there. It's been so long that I'm not too surprised if they really stepped up with the trails. I remember the east being XC country though. A lot of traversing along flat trails, until you hit the big hill. It was about the height of the watershed.

I agree 100% with you on the local hills incorporating biking into their future. The winters are becoming too difficult to call, with one winter being epic, and the next being warm and dry. Biking is limited based on weather, but it's not as dramatic as winter. Have "wet weather" built trails at Cypress, Seymour, and/or Grouse and you can run it for close to 6 months a year.

Originally Posted by sprinter

How many WC have you organized?

Probably as many as you?

Originally Posted by Robot

Mt St Anne has lots of race history too.

Good call.
They've been around since 91' which is damn near the same time mtn biking was in it's infancy. I'd call the MSA race an original.

Originally Posted by Rainmaker

3. booze at covenience stores

I miss that the most.

edit: itd be totally amazing if there was a WC stop here, Id help/volunteer in an instant.... And anyone thats going to this weekends race is a lucky SOB

Me too.
It would be a hell of an experience, and maybe get the chance to meet some crazy personalities.

[IFO]

i thought MSA was known among the racers as the "rider killer" for its tendency to injure riders..

i've seen some truely god awful crashs in the MSA features in the DH race films over the years..

[hypa]

there are some gnarly rock faces. Like the one that took Peaty down...




and this one.
ouch!

[biggles604]

Originally Posted by hypa

Mont Sainte Anne has a vert drop of about 600m. That's only a couple hundred meters taller than SFU, and a third of the height of Seymour (for example).

A full Seymour run is less than 700m, and SFU is a touch above 250 if you go all the way to the Barnet. Now try and imagine going from CBC to the bottom in under 5 minutes, then you will realise that MSA is steep and fast.