XC racing is not all there is to mountain biking. That’s my opinion, and it doesn’t mean I’m disconnected from the sport. I watched the women’s race in the Rio Olympics, and while the course back then was engaging, this current course is less exciting as a significant portion of it is on a road. The only variation is a few rock drops that are quite subdued.
As someone who doesn’t ride their mountain bikes on dirt trails but considers themselves a mountain biker, I don’t think urban downhill races should be disparaged either. They offer a different experience within the sport. However, it’s essential to showcase the wide variety of terrains and challenges that mountain biking has to offer to attract more people to the sport.
I hope non-mountain bikers watching this don’t get the wrong impression about the sport. XC racing might not be very appealing for newcomers to pick up if they only see this type of racing. It’s important that we highlight the many facets of mountain biking so that everyone can appreciate its beauty and complexity fully.