Lol, come on son, didn’t say he wasn’t riding the next day. not sure if you know who he is but you know he dropping sick stuff a couple day later.
It is an interesting conversation regardless, the article below is referencing Event insurance, which yes, is different than
you are my employer insurance. However, these riders are not full-time employees. Which sponsor takes the cost for medical? Your drink sponsor (red bull), your clothing, shoe, frame, or component? We know insurance coverage isn't coming from the company that gives you a bars and stem. So the "title sponsor" could easily say "you aren’t paying insurance, so why should we".
I remember Tyler McCaul coming in 5th place in 2013 and telling me that he could barely cover his whole trip with his earnings. In 2014 Kyle Strait was awarded $4,000 for his 4th place result, leaving just $1,000 take home after his expenses for two weeks in the desert. At an hourly rate that's probably worse than minimum wage. This year Cam Zink made just $3,000 for his 6th place finish, and the pay scale falls off fast after that. Many riders in the Top 10 couldn't even cover their gas expenses with the pennies they made for their efforts.
Perhaps the biggest of all, the riders are not covered by an event insurance policy. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
This is MADNESS.
How can Red Bull do this to the best in our sport in good conscience? It's literally costing the Pros money to hurl themselves down the gnarliest mountain Red Bull could find, and they're not covered if they fall.
That's blatant exploitation. Seriously. And it's to the point where riders are facing more potential for worse injuries.
Riders must bring their own insurance to the event, and are then required to sign a liability waiver freeing Red Bull of any responsibility.
www.outsideonline.com
