The Idea that you put your bodies on the line for so little money is ludicrous. It appears that the 'money' behind these events has been banking on you guys loving what you do more than understanding what you need. More power to you for taking a stand.

I got a lot of respect for you for this. Solidarity with the riders and taking a stand for what's right. You're an inspiration for doing the impossible and now for taking a stand ✊🏻

Thank you for clearly and concisely expressing your groups concerns. All valid reasons to make the decisions which you made. I hope you enjoy your continued success in the mtb industry. Shred on!

Okay that Max impression was p e r f e c t

Well done for making a stand, the company's that sponsor and run these events earn enough to make sure that the people they rely on for the competition and their content can be paid well for their participation

I just turned 60, its great to see you guys stand up for safety, you made a point and that commands respect!!

Well done to all the riders showing solidarity. If you had a riders association, or a company to represent you all, then you could insist on contracts being negotiated up front and you'd get a better event for everyone. Get a safety expert to provide evidence of when is the safest part of the day to ride at each location. Should help with the insurance situation, simple mitigation of risk is evidence they can't ignore. Stay united.

Tom, you are a living leg and absolutely fair play to you and all the crew for just standing up to the corporate bollocks that is crankworx

Glad Emil and everyone is staying with y’all

We need more of this ,we are not their lambs ! stand tall and demand what you are owed.

Damn! I was waiting to see your comp run but it’s awesome to see you guys stand up for what’s right! Hopefully they wake up and take care of you guys! 🍻

Love how you did make this about the girls comp first and foremost! Respect

You are all professional athletes. When you look at what professional athletes in other sports get, they are not treated this way. So I commend all of you for standing up for yourselves. I support your decision. You put your bodies and lives in the line for them and they are not willing to compensate you fairly for it.

I'm proud of you and the other riders for standing up for yourselves. Of course you'd all rather ride--striking was an act of courage.

WTF. £75 pay to ride for the whole event for coming last?!?! Unless you have tons of sponsors it's definitely not economically viable.

Huge big up to you and all the riders!! Well done guys!

I always assumed the invited riders had accommodation and travel expenses covered. Bit of a shock. Idk about the appearance fee, but def travel and accommodation should be on them.

Respect to you and all the riders!

i stand with yall bro

If it's hard for a top rider like you, imagine how impossible is for a Brazilian rider to qualify and compete in Crankworxs? Great day for the womans that was fun and sad day for the mens. Let's hope next event everybody is happy 🤙🏼✌🏻🤟🏻

Thanks Tom. It's good to see you all band together. Money is tight these days but some one out there has enough to boost the funds. Maybe time to get out of sport backers. This is only one issue and for up and coming riders it's massive job. And simple safety. I mean it's not that difficult surely but it appears it is. So big shout out for all you who stand for a better future.

Keep it up! You guys are the reason why this is such a kickass sport!!!

I would be asking for full transparency - a complete breakdown of the financials (P&L) for these events: How much money do they make and what % of that constitues payments to riders? If they're comfortable with the ethics of how the event is being run why wouldn't they share this detail, right? Ps. Epic riding as always - darkfest!!!

I would love a complete and comprehensive break down of how this all works! What does insurance cost, is it site or country specific, if your country has health care do need to purchase more? How much is it? Do you have to pay for plane tickets or it that the organizer or sponsor? What exactly is the prize money after local taxes you have to pay? 100% support you all and glad to see you take a stand.

Hey Tom you had some good practice runs. I’m sure you had a winning run in your bag. But good luck to all the riders and hopefully everything follows through

Mate well done for speaking out I think u all did the right thing it has to change, I hope they make the required changes to slope style so many kids around the world watch and wonder how they can get to that level, and to see that in the end of all the hard work that has gone into their life won’t be rewarded the way it should is heart breaking 😢 Mass respect to all the guys 👏👊 I hope it gets sorted

Thanks for the clarity and keep trying to find a solution that works for every party involved, and don't forget to include the women in this as well.

Support the riders!!!!!!!!!

You guys did the right thing, you all deserve better, fans are behind you 100%. Help create the future of the sport that athletes deserve

for those who complain you me we werent at the show... why? travel, time, expenses, obligations, work, etc... and you didn't have to worry about the hospital. imagine having all that and threat of loss of sponsorship, injury, etc... Tom we get it. Be ambassadors of the new world and get paid for what you do. The sponsors have so much money for a reason... Isted is the record holder. if he had crashed it wouldnt have been red bull giving him wings. Ronaldo has records too... mainly in earnings...

great video tom

What I understand is that the total dollar value that "redbull/crankworx" couldn't afford to pay you guys. Was the appearance money only? Which if I'm not mistaken was €32000? How can a milti million dollar event not have that kind of funds available? Well done for standing your ground ✊

Why were Red Bull / Monster and other large sponsors not in there negotiating alongside you? They are the ones with the pockets to put on an alternate series if needs be, or at least end partnerships with events that won't work for mutual benefit, so they have far more leverage than just the riders do to help rebalance the burdens across this event ecosystem.

Respect Tom 🇬🇧

The riders should be the highest payed at these sort of events!

Fucking awesome. Congrats, ladies! Appreciate your stance on the whole thing.

I was stunned to find out there are no appearance fees. I thought there had to be

I’m hoping riders take things fully into their own hands and start hosting their own events for slope style in the same sort of spirit as dark fest. Aware it is a lot of work but would be exciting to see!

Respect man, its ridiculous that they can't agree on what you guys asked for. The fact you pay for what you do etc esp if you come in last or get injured is ridiculous. Surprised the events gone on this long as it is.

With you all the way, it would appear that Crankworx are not respecting some of their core values as posted on their own website, especially as regards to health both mental and physical. If riders are having to be concerned with cost of accomadation/transport/insurance, before even getting to ride before a paying crowd and the possibsility of getting some remuneration towards covering those costs, it is going to have an impact on their mental health . Good luck to all the riders with their stance.

We stand with y'all! I agree, it doesn't add up. They are making plenty of money and I guarantee they aren't flying and traveling on their own dime!

I think it would be Rad to get some more Rider thrown events for the Riders & Fans going that are Fan funded by donations. I'm sure MTB fans would gladly help support the sport we love so much and those in it : )

💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥

this is the video ive been waiting for haha *edit* shocking state of affairs should have a much bigger purse..

Stick it to them boys... they need you and should treat you accordingly.

Stand strong guys. Sucks not having the competition to enjoy but you guys deserve a better shake than that! I was under the impression you fellas made decent coin. That’s an absolute disgrace what you describe. Step up your game promoters or whatever is responsible and give these fellas what they deserve.

why are all the big sponsors not more involved with these events? having sponsors is pointless unless they are paying out. Its really good that you supported the girls out there and just a shame that they wouldnt do more to keep you guys riding.

Tom... question ....was there already talk amongst the riders before you guys even entered New Zealand of a stoppage protest or was that started and planned there ❓❓ Hope all riders get a better deal for all future events ❗❗ Cheers to you 🤟🎶

100% with you guys and your decision. It's disgraceful what they're offering when you look at what premiere league footballers get paid!

Podium purses for Red Bull MTB events, for example, are laughable considering the amount of money they spray everywhere else (ahem, TWO Formula 1 teams?!), plus MTB at this level is every bit as dangerous as F1. Time for the riders to be treated like the fucking daredevil rock stars that they are. Ladies included!

The organisers must earn well from this with all the spectators there they should be on top of this kind of thing

This all makes me wonder if the outcome eventually is the rider invites become more regional for each respective event?

Are you riders competing at Crankworx Innsbruck?

Whoever did that impression of max was almost spot on!! Hahaha shame about the state of mtb in 2024

For a second there I actually thought that was Max 🤣

If you think this is bad you should see how much it costs to try and become a racecar driver. Sadly some sports are for the rich or well sponsord only. I cant say if this is because the money isnt there to make it viable or if its just a case that rich kids will take the spots so there's no need to change. It will be super interesting to see how this all pans out 🍿

"That's why i jumped it" best flex ever

Its about damn time pro bikers start talking about money! We will never make headway if we don't talk about money. This goes for every industry out there. Keeping money a secret ONLY benefits those in charge. People, talk to your coworkers and friends about money. Raise the standards and raise everyone.

Didn't something similar happen at rampage and they did something about it?

Shite not to see you guys throw it down but nothing but respect for that

Mad respect to you and all the riders!

I really think it's a tricky situation. In the end, I believe it falls on the sellers of products to cough up the prize money to allow these events to transpire and give them opportunity to advertise their products to the likely interested viewer. I understand the riders. I think it's time for an independent rider series promoted and produced by the riders themselves. We've witnessed peak economic era, but it's on the slide now and these corps are losing sales as people tighten their wallets. On the corporate level, they ain't feeling the vibe anymore. these are dudes in suits so remember that. LOL

The problems starts when those who do it for the love of it work for those who do it for the money. (As a collegue of mine in VFX once put it, years ago)

Y’all have the full support and respect of the fans. Thanks for the update!! Time to step up Crankworx.

I figured that the last place guys were operating at a loss, but for 3rd place at the pinnacle of slopestyle to only break even is absurd, no wonder even Emil was behind the strike. What bothers me as well is that every event it seems that some of the course still isnt finished while you are practising, features havent even been test ridden to see if they work. Considering they have a whole year to get it ready its just unacceptable. I think extreme sports athletes, especially slopestyle riders are seen as 'rebels' and the 'bad boys' etc of the sport, they have the stereotype of going out partying and acting like hoons, people who arent to be taken seriously... but in recent years this has changed and riders are now for the most part a professional act, unfortunately it looks as though the industry and event organisers still don't take the slopestyle athletes seriously, as reflected in their continuing dismissal of your letters and demands toward slopestyle events.

I don't know your exact requests, but flights for 16 riders + hotel + food should be like 3k€ per person. It's ridiculous if they don't even wanna pay this.

I would have protested also but it would have been settled back in January.

Why did the girls ride, are they not in the same position?

Can’t wait for the day when they pay extreme sports athletes the same or better than traditional sports. I don’t care how fucking tech golf is to play, nothing compares to these dudes hitting big ass jumps that could kill them or surfing gnarly waves. Soon people will care more about these guys, hope I get to see it happen.

But.. If you get more money... They get less money! LOL. Thing they seem to forget is without you guys they don't have an event. Hopefully this strike/ whatever you want to call it changes their perspective. Events 20 years ago were supposed to be a display of talent. Too bad todays contest focus mainly on eye balls and profit and not actually the contest.

Darren Kinnaird probably flew in first class, and a corner suite aye.

You need to know how much money the event organisers make before you can estimate your worth, anyone know how much profit they make after salaries and expenses?

My ex father-in-law organized the UCI Junior Peace Race for Road Cyclists in the Czech Republic for more than 20 years. For each an every event he had to come up with the money to cover accommodation, 3 meals a day as well as the insurance for the whole event (covering individual health issues as well as accidents for all riders). And he never ever had any large media coverage as Crankworx has. As far as I know, the same is true fir any UCI event. I bow my heads to all of You who decided to not longer put up with the circumstances forced an you by Crankworx. They should be ashamed of themselves. keep my fingers crossed you (the riders) will finally be heard and understood and circumstances will change for you…..

It sucked flying up to Rotorua to watch crankworx standing in the rain watching everything except the men's slope style it was one of the main reasons we went to watch ⛳

I wish i could understand when he was talking

Why don't sponsors support they younger folk?

🤯 Had no idea how bad it is We just figured it was all expenses paid Absolute joke I hope another company sees the worth a steals the show And does it right by the riders🙏🏻

I feel like watching the woman's crankworx is like going back in time 10-15 tmyears trick wise.

I hope you guys don’t ride another crankworx unless your demands are met. You guys are the only reason there is a competition in the first places. It’s absolutely disgusting how you guys have been treated! 💪👊

Why not do your own events?

Just curious...why did the women ride ?? Do they get everything the guys get ??

As I said on Max's vid: 32k + travel/housing accommodations per event is a rounding error for corps like Red Bull, Monster, Shimano, Fox, etc etc. It's a damn shame you riders have to take such drastic measures to make your point known over (what is at the end of the day) insignificant money to the people making the most off of these events.

its not just them the trainers companys make loads of money and i feel they dont really put the money back into the sports not the cool ones anyway.

Our local High Schools have over 100 students on their mtb teams. Chive TV is always on at the local EOS gym. $12,000 Pivots are hanging off the backs of cars in Arkansas. I feel slopestyle could be much bigger if it was promoted better. Not only do you not get paid enough but they don't do a very good job of promoting the sport. If they can't generate enough advertising dollars to get you paid that's their problem they need to figure it out. Find a savvy entrepreneur and go in a different direction. Have you seen what the Rabil bros are doing for Lacrosse in the US?

if you can afford to pay a full time personal filmer to come all the way to nz, you obviously get paid enough.

Yeah, I don't get it. You guys are professional athletes. They need to do better. And to be 100% honest, I only watch these events to watch my favourite athletes that I follow on youtube etc. I tune in because of the year round effort and entertainment each of you provide.

The event runs as a not for profit. Its not as if organisers are making money that they aren't cutting you in on.

Every ride you want it to be your best ride but when the conditions are unsafe then you're not riding at 💯 but the risk levels are much higher, and you don't brake bones and place 3rd? You only cover expenses!? Where's the benefits and what's the reality for the 5 that didn't make podium. Respect for making a stand 👍

Solidarity dudes!

Until the riders are transparent about their sponsors and money in totality with the events, we as spectators don't really understand. I can sympathize with the risk you are going trhough, but I also don't have all the data to say "hey i support your arguments". All we can really say is "hey i like you and got your back, but I have no f'in clue" You all don't get sponsored without the sponsors knowing you are making tv appearances or a sizable social media presence. We don't understand all of the contracts either. The riders also can have non exclusivity on events they compete at so you can take the money from other places. They can also get bonuses by competing. Also how do you put a number on the presence your social media gets because you competed, that too turns into dollars. Your livlihood is funded by your skill on the bike from many places. I doubt most of the sponsors would even pay without you going to comps and part of the money you get make is because people see the brands you are riding at these events, the average person buys products and the the riders are part of the marketing budget. Everyone involved in these needs a lot of money to make it happen.

respect

its like people who want to be in the industry now don't remember how its always been. people rarely earn a living just on a bike it's always with brand deals etc or their own brand that takes years and years and years of work on top of riding. if your reputable and consistent.

We stand with you. Respect to all the athletes! We want you to be safe, respected and able to earn a living. And those who profit with your risking your lives cannot exploit you.

Do it another way ... attend, but just put jumps in, no tricks, just plain, boring jumps. See what they say then! Throw down for yourselves in practise, whatever, but when it comes to the actual 'contest', just don't .. 😜

As well as being a competition, these events are a production, same as any other concert or festival. it should be no different than booking You guys are the talent of this production. The talent is every bit a part of the production as much as the producers, camera people, marshals etc. and should be paid accordingly, separate from the prize pool. You guys need to unionize and get a good collective bargaining contract going like any other major sports leugue. You guys deserve a lot more, but should be payed and treated at least the same as any average camera person or other staff member for the production.

£75!!!! That’s absolutely pathetic. No wonder you all said no 😢

When you can earn more money by doing kids MTB course in a day then in Rotorua, then you know it's fucked up and greed by organizers.

I wouldn't even brother turning up if invited, if that's all you get for coming last $140 / £75 pounds, having to pay for flights, accommodation and insurance out of your own pocket, when your taking all the risk with those big tricks and puting yourself in danger if something was to go wrong!, it's not worth it!. If you are just getting started and have no sponsorship deals how are you going to keep funding this!, you will be in debt. There needs to be some change within the sport where the riders get paid well for attending to help with costs incurred while travelling and attending these events or there needs to be sponsors that riders ride for who help with costs during these events otherwise you will end up with no events because nobody will turn up for it, due to the rubbish money being offered againist the risk/cost taken by the riders.

Well, unfortunately there's no free lunch. If you want to earn money choose another sport. Golf, tennis, soccer, football. I don't get it, but that's the stupid world. PS: You guys are awesome!

There is no doubt you guys are underpaid, vs the skills and the work that you all put on. Not even talking about the risks on your health. You guys are superhuman. But I think you guys are barking on the wrong tree. Crankworks is a competition, nothing else. Not a demo or a show where they just ask you to perform whatever you want. As a result, your sponsors should pay you to attend these competitions: traveling, hotels, food should all be covered by your sponsors, not you or the competition organizers… it’s like that in I think almost all the sports. I’m involved in Motorsports and no series are covering travel, hotel, food for the competitors. The sponsors are there to cover all that, including your salary…