Are you Watching World Cup Mountain Biking This Year?

Who's tuning in for MTB race action this season?

By Matt Miller
June 11, 2023 Last Updated: June 11, 2023

10 comments

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Nino Schurter at the UCI XCO World Cup in Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic on May 14, 2023 // Bartek Wolinski via Red Bull Content Pool

Despite being a little more difficult to watch this year than when it was on Red Bull TV, it’s hard not to get excited about watching World Cup mountain biking. Whether it’s toe-to-toe racing and sprint battles on XCO courses or watching the last man or woman come down a chewed up downhill track trying to unseat whoever is in the hot seat, World Cup mountain biking is the everyday mountain biker’s connection to the highest limits of the sport.

This season started at Nove Mesto last month with the first cross-country racing of the year, and continues this weekend in Lenzerheide, Switzerland with cross-country Olympic, short track, and downhill. Will you be watching?

If you don’t plan to tune in this year, tell us why in the comments below.

10 Comments

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highland.hippie Queensland // 2021
Jun 12, 2023

We will watch live when convenient (often occurs very late at night or in the wee hours of the morning), and catch up via on-demand otherwise.

Thus far, the Discovery/GCN coverage has been... underwhelming. Footage, commentary, editing all sub-par. It's early days, but they have a LONG way to go.

2 reply

MinasGeraisBrasil 2013
Jun 12, 2023

For my situation and for the vast majority of Brazilians, paid transmission is unfeasible due to the cost. It could at least be free as it currently is (no voiceover in Brazilian-Portuguese). I'm sure that the Brazilian public is very relevant and I think there was a big drop in the audience, at least around here. Sadly, what RedBull has done for our sport cannot be measured.

1 reply

inchmile Colorado // 2012
Jun 12, 2023

I have enjoyed watching WC XCO in past years, but this year w/o Redbull, it requires a special fee access only.

ark 2018
Jun 11, 2023

It’s too hard to work out where to watch it and if you do you’ll probably find a spoiler before you get to see it.

I miss Red Bull.

Will it still have Rob Warner, Claudio and Tracey Hannah? They were great.

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Jun 11, 2023

My bikes would be pissed if we were sittin here in the A/C watching bikes n peeps have fun while they aren't out playin in the dirt!!

andycb15 Illinois // 2022
Jun 12, 2023

I don't want to spoil anything, but the outcomes of the men's and women's DH finals were incredible. Historic. Definitely recommend watching.

0 reply

vapidoscar Ohio // 2018
Jun 13, 2023

I would have paid for Red Bull coverage. I would watch GCN+ for free. Wrong combination this year. I'll watch semis, juniors and U23 but not going out of my way to do so.

Kgrinder Missouri // 2023
Jun 14, 2023

I would love to watch but I don’t know where to watch. Red Bull had decent coverage and at least you knew where to go to see some good mountain biking. Now it’s too hard to find the content. I think it’s too bad because seeing the races, I believe gets more people into the sport and riding. Especially, the younger generation.

Eric.R.Knopf 2018
Jun 12, 2023

I'm watching the youtube highlights for the cross country races. A combination of riding more this year, having trips planned out of town for most of the race weekends, & thus not wanting to pay for 3 races that happen when I'm home. I've loved watching the racing the last couple of years but want to be outside more than I want to watch 3+hours of racing

OhioFatBiker Ohio // 2016
Jun 14, 2023

When the trails are closed I watch the races on the trainer. I am fortunate that the cost is not too much of an issue with GCN+, but I am sad it is not on Red Bull TV anymore. I could point my youth team to a free option to check it out and see some of the best riders in the world. It is unlikely they will sign up for a paid service to watch something if they were not already following it. I think it is an impediment to growth of viewership.

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