2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series: A Sport only for the Elite?
With just one month to go until the 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series begins, the official team list has been revealed. But behind the excitement and polished PR, the reality is clear: access to the highest level of mountain biking is increasingly determined by money, exclusivity, and corporate interests.
This year, 40 elite teams, primarily those with deep pockets, have secured their Premier Division status, guaranteeing them entry to every race. The UCI frames this as a thrilling, high-stakes competition, but in truth, the barriers to entry have never been higher.
What’s "New" for 2025?
Under Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports, the series has seen major changes, but not necessarily for the better. The UCI proudly announces that the competition is “more intense and thrilling,” yet for many fans and riders, it simply means more obstacles.
Want to watch the races? Be prepared to pay, as live coverage has been locked behind a paywall on WBD Sports channels.Want to race at the highest level? Unless you're part of a well-funded team, your chances are slim.
Who Gets to Race?
In a supposedly global sport, only 40 teams, out of 101 applicants, have been granted full-season access. While the UCI highlights “Wildcards” as a path for outsiders, these 8 spots per event are hardly enough to counterbalance the increasing elitism of the series.
Privateers and individual riders can still enter, on paper, but only if they meet stringent requirements. Meanwhile, the introduction of "Golden Tickets" through Continental Series events might sound like an opportunity, but ultimately, only the top five finishers will earn a single race entry, making it another uphill battle for those without sponsorships.
The Future of Mountain Biking: A Closed Club?
With the sport becoming more exclusive, one has to ask: is this really a step forward for mountain biking? Sure, the big teams and major sponsors benefit, but for independent riders, grassroots teams, and fans who don’t want to pay to watch, the direction is worrying.
Instead of making mountain biking more accessible, the 2025 season seems to be reinforcing a pay-to-play model, both on and off the track.
See you at the races, if you can afford it.
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