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| Mr Hein Verbruggen Online | ||
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Questions and Answers:2.: How much influence does the medium TV have on the Worldcup? (Course planning, crowd control f.ex.) Well, TV is very important, but the UCI will always give priority to the sports side of our discipline. So, also here I cannot imagine that there will be major course plans or crowd control adaptations as a result of TV. We might seek some consensus from time to time, but certainly technical aspects will be of the crucial importance.3.: Which is you personal favourite discipline? Downhill or Cross Country? A president cannot allow himself to have preferences.4.: Will Mammoth have a Worldcup again? I hope so. I definitely hope so. I know that it was an excellant course, so certainly, we are looking forward to coming back, but that is up to the national federation in America to apply for them. Eddie Wagner <EddieWagner@compuserve.com> Recklinghausen, Germany Friday, April 11, 1997 at 08:20:24 (NZST) 1. Will downhill racing be an Olympic discipline in the year 2000? Is there a consensus on this within the UCI? Unfortunately not. The programme for the year 2000 has been fixed and established and there will be no changes anymore. What is your personal opinion on this? I would like to see downhill in the Olympic programme, and I will certainly be trying to have it in the future. Who is going to take the decision, and when will the decision be taken? That is the IOC, the International Olympic Committee. They make decisions, you know, up to something like three or four yours before the games are organised. So if you're looking at 2004, potentially it's possible that in the year 2000, or 2001 that we might get it in. 2. Why is there no official dual slalom world cup this year? Are there any chances that there will be an official dual slalom world cup in 1998? The fact is that we didn't have a sponsor for this year but we are happy to announce that we will be having one in the year 1998. 3. Why did UCI decide to split the XC and the DH races for the European Championships? First of all that was a decision of the European Confederation, and we have approved it. I know that there is some discussion around at the moment, but the fact is that there are certain countries in Europe that can organise the cross country but cannot organise, because of a lack of mountains (which would be no problem here in New Zealand), a downhill, so I think that a certain amount of flexibility will be required. Many professional mountain bike racers have told us that they dislike this decision because they find it verry inspiring to watch how their "colleagues" fare. They also feel that a combination of XC and DH races is more interesting for the spectators. Does not this decision help to establish an unbridgeable gap between XC and DH racing? No. No, no, I don't think so. Both sports are very interesting to watch, and I can understand the arguments, and I hope that those people ask for it can understand the arguments I have just put forward. Are there any plans to introduce this for the World Championships also? No. Is UCI also going to eliminate classical (combined) world cup events such as Mt. Ste. Anne? I don't think we eliminate classical world cup events! Certainly we have a system that we allocate those races, those world cups, every year. And we certainly would like to avoid what's been happening in road racing were you have those classical races that are so terribly important that, you know, you have problems to get other races off the ground. What we would like to do is use the World Cup as a kind of a tool, you know, to promote the sport in the various countries. And that is a very very important point. As you can go round the world - and look here in New Zealand, where mountain biking is very very popular - well, we can support the sport in the long term by coming here with the World Cup. 4. This year's XC world cup takes the racers from the USA to New Zealand and on to Germany in only three weeks which means that the riders (if they are willing to do all three races) have to adapt to three different time zones and considerable climatic changes. Is this reasonable? These programmes are made together with the riders. You know, we have riders and team representatives in our meetings and we make [decisions] together with them, and - I know that we've been talking to riders about this and they considered it as no problem. They've come from the United States to here and that was not a major problem, and from here they go on, they move on. So, you know, once again the riders have, ah, they approved. 5. Inhowfar does the UCI try to establish "classical" mountain bike races (take Kaprun for example)? In a few years from now, will there still be openings for new venues and organizers to enter the circle? I think I've answered that question. 6. Does the UCI plan to establish any official long distance series in mountain biking (marathon series)? The answer is yes. We would be very interested to be more and more involved in those events. It fits in with our plans that we want to be involved in all types of cycling. All kinds of cycling and the marathon series are getting more and more popular so the UCI is most definitely interested in that. Karl Gross + Max Hochholzer / bike sport news Regensburg, Germany Friday, April 11, 1997 at 07:25:27 (NZST) Aren't you afraid to kill MTB with the internationalisation of the World Cup, going to places where MTB is not popular. (bringing the costs higher for the sponsors, the teams and the medias, it becomes like Formula 1.) Why not to try to let races become classic like the Houffalize race? Yes, well... I think I've answered that one also. What we would like to happen in mountain biking is that the World Cup become a classic race. And then we can work with the World Cup as a major tour all over the world, to go [to] all countries. He's refering to - because he's from Belgium - and this is exactly what we have in Belgium and we have in France; we have in Italy. If you look at the road calendar then you will see Belgium, France, Italy and Spain - they will occupy about 75%-80% of all events, all races. And there is absolutely no space, no room for expansion into other countries. We don't want that to happen in mountain biking. It's in fact already a more international, more worldwide sport than road racing is. Road racing; a major hindrance is in the fact that those very historical countries who have done a great deal for road racing, to popularise the sport; they made the sport very popular. But they occupy the calendar in such a way that any expansion is almost impossible. We don't want that to happen in other disciplines like mountain biking and track, and so on. Defresne Mike <bikers@unicall.be> Wavre, Belgium Friday, April 11, 1997 at 07:01:29 (NZST) What is your estimation about the future of cross country racing - downhill looks very spectacular, especially on tv but not only there (although cross country is my favorite discipline), but the first appearance of mtb at the olympics could have been better advertising for the sport. What is your opinion on that? Well I think that - she asks about whether the first appearance of mountain biking in the [Atlanta] Olympics could have been better advertising for the sport when you look at television. I agree with her. We still congratulate the Olympic Champion Brentjens, but the very long ring course made it a little bit dull on TV. We have to admit that. I think that [the] Mountain Biking [Committee] is working on this aspect and I think that they will try to make it a little bit more spectacular also for TV, but you know the current popularity of mountain biking allows us to conclude that it is considerably more positive and that we can be more optisistic than this question indicates. Conny Weimann (Zweirad-Magazin) Kehlheim, Germany Friday, April 11, 1997 at 05:48:09 (NZST) 1. What is your opinion of the reduction of the number of athletes in cycling at the Olympic Games in 2000? We didn't lose too many athletes. We went down from 526 to 491 if I recall, which is only 30, [or] 35. Cycling has to show solidarity [with the IOC]. The problem the IOC is confronted with [is] the popularity of the Olympic Games [which] means more and more athletes want to participate but somewhere somehow you have to draw the line. Expansion is not possible. We lost only 35. Some other sports lost more. As a matter of fact I have to add the reality was that although we had 526 [positions allocated] in Atlanta, we only had 495 or 490 athletes, so in practice we didn't lose too much. I think that we have to accept that - that is we have to play the game and get along with all the other international federations. And I am extreamely happy that in the Olympic Games in Sydney we will have four new medals. We were the only federation who got [that]. The next question I have already answered, about the Olympic downhill in 2004. 2. Is there a realistic chance to get Downhill into the Olympics' programme for 2004? 3. What is you opinion on having Dual Slalom as an Olympic discipline some time in the future? 4. What does UCI think of snow downhills and snow dual slaloms on MTBs? We are monitoring it - we are certainly not negative about it. It looks very spectacular, very wonderful watching it on TV. I think it's great. We had an event this year in January on the calendar so we are certainly not turning our back. Michael Hamel/Planet Talk Regensburg, Germany Friday, April 11, 1997 at 05:26:11 (NZST) Hallo, here is Stefano Garinei, Bici da Montagna magazine editor-in-chief, from Italy. We think that doping is one of the most important problem of this time in the cycling scene. We have seen blood tests before the start of some road races, in France and Italy, to save the cyclists'life: are Uci planning the same tests for the mountain bike races? Well it's very interesting that we have two journalists and they both ask questions about doping. The only thing that seems to interest journalists nowadays is doping. And it's very typical that all the other people that ask questions don't ask about doping at all. And I hope that will remain like that. Stefano Garinei <mc9629@mclink.it> Rome, Italy Friday, April 11, 1997 at 00:13:42 (NZST) Why are there so many WC in overseas? Isn´t that very expensive to the drivers? I believe a couple of drivers can´t afford the travelling. As I just explained, you know, we want to have them in all [countries]. It's wonderful that the World Cup of mountain biking [is] the first world cup that's in five continents - that's great! Frank Puscher <frank.puscher@starwatch.de> München, Deutschland Thursday, April 10, 1997 at 22:02:30 (NZST) It had been costumary at elite level races in the United States to include races for racers of lesser abilities, including those considered beginners. It was my understanding that the UCI is against this policy for the World Cup races (for instance those held near San Francisco and at Vail). What is the rationale for this policy? Would not including other racers in the festivities, if the promoters were so inclined, enhance the popularity of mountain bike racing? I think that there is probably a misunderstanding here. What he is probably referring to is that we do not want, as we had in the past, World Champions ... in all kinds of age classes and so on. Peter Thorsness <thorsnes@uwyo.edu> Laramie, Wyoming, USA Thursday, April 10, 1997 at 11:09:57 (NZST) Mr Verbruggen, The past few year have seen the UCI move into the modern era. As well as the undoubted steps forward made in the sport of cycling itself, the UCI's embracement of new technology is there for all to see on the internet at the UCI's excellent web-site. There can be no other head of a world class sport who has made himself available on the internet in the way you have. What further developments do you see the UCI making in order to get cycling's message of a great sport and a great way to keep healthy no matter what your ability across to the ordinary man in the street? Thanks for going so far so quickly. Very important question for us because it touches directly on what I would call our mission statement. We have over the last [few] years we have changed our mission statement. In the past the UCI - it's mission had been to occupy itself mainly with elite top level racing. We have changed that. We want to be involved in all types of cycling that is shown in not only the importance we give next to road racing, to mountain biking, to track riding, BMX. We have cyclo cross, we have indoor cycling, we have trials. But we have shown also the fact we have major [interest] also in new [event formats] with the bike. We have a very big interest also in the Masters. We want to be involved also in other uses of the bike itself. So it's clearly stated we want to be involved in all types of using bikes, which means for instance the bike as a means of transport from place A to B. We think that the UCI should enhance that role in the promotion of the use of the bike in general. I like this question very much because we [want to promote] all our activities - what you see, what you hear - are geared to achieving that objective. We think indeed that cycling is one of the best things to keep healthy. It's a very healthy sport, a very green sport, and that's what we certainly, what we want, to be using as major arguments in the promotion of our sport. Ken Matthews <ken_matthews@usa.net> Singapore Wednesday, April 09, 1997 at 09:10:38 (NZST) When are you and your colleagues going to sort out the mess that has been created regarding bicycle designs - especially on the track? This question comes up a couple of times. I think we have sorted out the mess now. We have had major problems in the past to put the bike measurements in rules, to have it on paper, and put an exact definition of what is and isn't allowed. And we were caught by surprise, and no one wants that to happen again.If the present rules are kept - regarding the banning og Obree Mk 1 & 2 riding positons, will the records re-set at the pre-Moser times/distances? No. The records will not be re-set. As they are now, because we know that within the rules that will be applicable as from the 1st January 2000, that even with this material, records can be broken. We know that. Andrea Ingram <GGP95AI@sheffield.ac.uk> Sheffield, United Kingdom Monday, April 07, 1997 at 09:42:08 (NZST) The latest restrictions on the bicycle specifications to come into effect on 1st January, 2000, seem to be destructive to the sport. To 'go back in time' does nothing for the sports galmour and attraction of the general public. We should not be a sport that hinders technical developments or we will stagnate.
It is generally agreed that we must control the
riders position on the bicycle - nobody should have
any problem with that but to restrict bicycles to
being of double triangle configuration and wheels
of equal size is destructive to the sport.
It will also make it most expensive for many
countries who have already got this equipment.
Is it possible that these regulations will be
altered before 1st January, 2000, to enable our
sport to progress like any other into the new
millenium? [Answered by previouse response.] Ron Cheatley <genmach@xtra.co.nz> Wanganui, New Zealand Friday, April 04, 1997 at 13:00:02 (NZST) Will the restrictions on frame design which apply to road and track bikes from Jan 1st, 2000, apply to mountain bikes and/or BMX? No. It is designed for road and track.If not, is it possible that similar rules will be introduced for mountain bikes, in view of their increasing cost and complexity? It is a subject which we follow and monitor very closely. For the time being our mountain bike commission recommends that there shall be total liberty as far as mountain biking is concerned. And so there are no rules, and for the time being we don't have any intention of changing that, but we will monitor it. Dave Gittins <gittins@senet.com.au> Adelaide, Australia Thursday, April 03, 1997 at 12:30:21 (NZST) With the limitation of 22 Riders for a pro team next year, is it possible that a MB rider ( or Cyclo-Cross Rider) belong to this team (as a 23th)? No, that is not possible.Antoine Vayer <Antoine.Vayer@wanadoo.fr> France Tuesday, April 01, 1997 at 11:10:30 (NZST) Sir, I'd like to take this opportunity to express my personal distress at the seemingly arbitrary rulings the UCI has made in its attempt to control the technology of cycling. First it was the seemingly anti-Obree rule about 5 cm of setback. While I am not a fan of the Obree position, it certainly is the case that a flat 5 cm rule affects small people much more than people of my tall stature. Then, more recently, it was the 15 cm long aerobar ruling to get rid of the 'superman' position. This time the rule seems to affect us taller riders much more than it would the short. As an amateur, I am basically unaffected by these rules. Even at as high a level as the national time trial championships, I never had anyone look at my bike to confirm it complied with the rules. (Some bikes clearly didn't comply.) In fact, my TT bike looks like being illegal on many grounds with the latest news I've heard. My off-the-shelf aero bars are about 30 cm long and project about 18 cm in front of the front wheel. And I have a fairly conservative and normal TT position. And I hear rumour of curved tube frames being banned - the article in the press specifically mentioned my Corima frame as the type to be banned under the proposed rules. With this background information, I do in fact have two questions to pose to you today.
1-Don't you think it is possible for the UCI to create rules that will
allow innovation to occur (after all material and engineering science are
progressing rapidly these days) without upsetting the balance between rider
and bike? A rule set that will allow stability in the rule base for many
years at a time.
This is a question from Michael Hanslip - it's a very interesting question because you know, once again, he refers to all the rules. It's a very technical question and a little difficult to answer, for me. Basically I refer to the previous answer[s]. He has to realise what we are trying to do, and we will succeed of course.Michael Hanslip <yogi@mdi.ca> Canada Monday, March 31, 1997 at 10:13:55 (NZST) Why doesn't the UCI allow for classes of recumbent cyclists? The UCI is obviously interested in speed and racing... recumbents are the fastest bikes in the world. What's the deal? Are UCI board members stockholders of major "conventional" bike manufacturers that fear their investments would be threatened if recumbents gained the popularity they deserve? I've never seen a "conventional" bicycle that could beat my recumbent in a race on the street or in a velodrome. "Conventional" bikes are antiques compared to recumbent technology. Isn't the UCI also interested in progress? I've ansered that question already. We don't want engineers winning races and if he says .... that the conventional bike is an antique compared to recumbant technology, then he has exactly proven why we want to restrict it, because we believe our sport is still about the person on the bikes - the bike is not the most important thing. Jeff Bales <deco@theriver.com> Tuscon, USA Sunday, March 30, 1997 at 17:03:59 (NZST) Does the UCI have any focused plans to raise the participation of women in mountian bike racing? Yes, we do. We have a very active Women's Commission. We are looking at all kinds of possibilities to increase the participation of women.Do you think sponsors like "Penthouse" in Europe encourage or discourage women from entering the sport? This is a very difficult question because I think it would be both. It would encourage some but discourage others. I don't have any market research to [indicate either way].Trudy Zawodny Wellington, New Zealand Tuesday, March 25, 1997 at 19:18:07 (NZST) When do you plan to introduce tests for EPO doping? And how many positive drug tests have there been in mountian bike events? I've answered that question. We will do testing in all our disciplines.David Drake <david@kennett.co.nz> Wellington, New Zealand Tuesday, March 25, 1997 at 19:05:23 (NZST) I've heard about some UCI plans to restrict bicycle design. How will the plans affect downhill bikes? Is there a place in the UCI world for unrestricted bicycle design? We have no plans to restrict bicycle design in mountain biking.Tom Bennion <bennion@actrix.gen.nz> Wellington, New Zealand Tuesday, March 25, 1997 at 19:02:49 (NZST) Mountain biking is still booming in the South Pacific, judging by race numbers. Perhaps this is helped by the World Cups. Do you see a day when more than two World Cup rounds will be staged outside Europe and North America? I think that's already the case. We organise, we organise more than two World Cups outside Europe. We would encourage that. We want to have them all over the world. I see this question is from somebody in New Zealand and we are in New Zealand, so we like to come out here now, and also in the future.Dan Langille <dan@dvl.co.nz> Wellington, New Zealand Tuesday, March 25, 1997 at 19:00:08 (NZST) I'd like to know your opinion and the UCI's position on the advancements of Downhill racing technology and how far can the racing teams go with it? Specificaly, I'm refering to the recently unveiled Cannondale DHF which has a computer controlled front suspension. Will the UCI allow any type of bicycle to be raced that conforms to it's present standards or will new limits be set? As a senior sport class Downhill racer my concern is that the sport of Downhill mountain biking will become an elitist activity out of the reach of 99% of the cycling population like Formula-1 racing is. As I said before. He asks "will the UCI allow any type of bike to be raced that conforms to its present standards or will new limits be set?" .... He is concerned that downhill racing will become an elitist activity .... At the moment we are following the advice of our mountain bike committee. But this is an argument to which I am myself extremely sensitive, because I think that cycling should be a sport for everybody .... and this was a major argument when we came up with our rules for track racing. Phillip Bartoszewicz <barto@citenet.net> Montreal, Canada Monday, March 24, 1997 at 11:01:08 (NZST) Is the UCI going to include veteran and master level racers in future World Cup and World Championship races? And if not, why not??? I've answered that one too. As far as the Masters race is concerned we have World Challenges for Masters so we encourage that very much. But once again I think he is also referring to World titles and we do not intend to give this to Masters. [We'll give] a different title, but we very much want to [encourage] them. Donald Newman <diiorio@ccc.saclantc.nato.int> Lerici, Italy Sunday, March 23, 1997 at 14:48:28 (NZST) | ||
Mr Hein Verbruggen,
head of the
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