It’s been a wild year in the Mountain Bike World Cup so far. Nino became the winningest rider in history in Switzerland, at Lenzerheide — the last time this destination will feature on the calendar. Rachel Atherton made a comeback after having her first child, igniting the Women’s DH. Jackson Goldstone won his first World Cup, and the struggles of formerly dominant riders like Rebecca Henderson and Loic Bruni continue — the list is extensive.
The 2023 Mountain Bike World Cup has seen a massive change in presentation. Warner Brothers/Discovery has acquired the broadcast rights from Red Bull, altering the production entirely. While it’s no longer free-to-stream, there are more cameras covering a larger part of the course, and the addition of live drones enhance the coverage.
In that production, you might have heard a “Hey, trendsetters!” or two. Our own Josh Carlson is part of the broadcast team. Serving as a Field Reporter covering the UCI Mountain Bike Cross Country and Downhill while still racing the E-Enduro World Cup for Giant Factory Off-road Racing, we spoke with Carlson for a behind-the-scenes scoop. How does it feel to bring these races to screens worldwide?
Falling onto the Silver Screen – How Did This Happen?
How did a mountain biker from Wollongong secure a coveted spot on a European broadcast team? By Carlson’s account, almost entirely by accident. Interestingly, the story begins in Maydena during the 2022 Australian National Champs.
While most were mastering the art of sourdough during Covid, Carlson had embarked on a side project named The Spoken Trail. It gained traction quickly. The concept was simple: he’d ride a trail and narrate the experience to his POV GoPro and upload it to YouTube. Before returning to Europe for his race season, he had a blast commentating at the Aussie National Champs in Maydena.
Aiming to merge The Spoken Trail with commentating, he approached Chris Ball, the EWS Head Honcho then. They discussed crafting course previews for each race. Ball introduced him to the GMBN team responsible for coverage back then.
Thus, ‘Carlson on Course’ was conceived.
Unbeknownst to him, these segments intrigued the producers of the 2023 World Cup broadcast. En route to the 2022 World Champs in Les Gets, Carlson received a call from Ball. Some Warner Bros producers would be present, and Ball hoped they could meet.
Carlson hesitated, saying, “I really can’t. I race on Friday; then, we have to head back to Innsbruck. I can’t stay for the weekend, and they aren’t arriving until Saturday.”
However, a lengthy drive to Les Gets meant Carlson and his mechanic could brainstorm. After some adjustments to their plans, Carlson found himself doing on-camera interviews in Les Gets with Gary Overall from Warner Brothers Discovery.
What Carlson didn’t realise was this was a trial. The footage would be sent to Warner Bros HQ, where they were selecting candidates for presenter and field reporter roles.
Months later, at the EWS final round in Finale, Chris Ball inquired if Carlson enjoyed his stint in front of the camera in Les Gets, suggesting they discuss further opportunities for 2023.
Carlson recalls, “I didn’t think much of it until November/December 2022, when Gary from Warner Bros called saying, ‘let’s make this official.'”
Despite competition from renowned names like Rob Warner, Wyn Masters, Eliot Jackson, Andrew Neethling and Tracey Hannah, Carlson joined the broadcast team. Warner Bros aimed to reboot their image, and Carlson fit the mould.
“This role was years in the making. Meeting the right people, making an effort. And maybe, just maybe, my natural ability to converse on camera is what secured my position,” he concludes.
The Anatomy of a Live Cross – Counting, Directions and Signal Strength
While familiar faces and voices bring the World Cup races to life, the mode of broadcasting has evolved significantly. Previously, aficionados enjoyed free streams on Red Bull TV, but now two versions of the broadcast exist.
Eurosport 1 airs a live feed around the globe at 5 pm Greenwich Mean Time, nestled between Tennis and Sailing programs. This English feed features Kate Mason, Ric McLaughlin, Bart Brentjens (for XC), and Cedric Gracia (for DH). Notably absent on this broadcast are any mid-race crosses to Carlson.
Carlson explains the challenge: “It’s tough for the producers in Paris who manage the international feed to halt and cross to me. If they did, German television might demand a German cross, and the French would want theirs,” he notes.
Carlson’s commentary finds its home on the UK broadcast available on GCN+, Discovery+, and various streaming channels. Replays also air on Eurosport at later times.
“Ric, Bart, and Cedric liaise with the producers. They coordinate so that during the live feed, they momentarily pause their commentary when my segment is inserted in the UK feed,” Carlson states.
During a live event, Carlson relies on a team: a cameraman and producer on-site, another producer in London, and one in Paris, all guiding him. At any given moment, three voices might direct him while he’s live on air.
This complex system utilises radio cameras and associated equipment – think of antennas, satellite vans, and more. The advantage is that they’re not physically tied down, but the gear’s range can be hampered by inclement weather.
Carlson recounts the challenges of positioning: “Finding a reception spot on the course is tricky. At Novo Mesto, the only reception areas were a gravel corner and a few small jumps. They happened to be sponsored by Whoop, so they were dubbed the ‘Whoop whoops’. It’s hard to discuss a basic corner during a cross-country race.”
One day, timing mismatches further complicated things. Relying on a delayed live feed on Carlson’s phone, they struggled to time live crosses for passing riders.
“Suddenly, I spoke for an extra minute with no riders in sight. The producer told me, ‘Josh, the feed’s off. Keep speaking.’ I didn’t know when I’d be cut off. But, in Novo Mesto, cloud coverage reduced our signal. I had to reposition,” he shares.
Unforeseen issues can arise. Once, when producers aimed to end a segment, Carlson went out of range. Luckily, he wandered back into the signal to hear the producer’s urgent, “Stop talking.”
The Not-So-Live Crosses – Clever Content
If you’ve been watching on GCN+ this year, you’ve likely seen one of Carlson’s gear features. The objective of these segments is to bridge the gap and elucidate the jargon that commentators frequently use, catering both to the casual observer who might have just switched from a tennis replay and to core riders keen on in-depth details about professional techniques.
What might surprise you is that these segments are not filmed live during the race, even if they appear to align perfectly with the day’s unfolding narrative.
Take, for instance, the time Carlson highlighted tyres and tyre inserts at Val Di Sole, coinciding with Mathias Flukiger’s race being compromised by a puncture.
Carlson chuckled, “The tyre feature had been planned at the start of the week. It was fortuitous timing, but punctures are a recurring theme in many races. So a regular viewer might think, ‘Ah, that’s what an insert is.'”
While it seemed serendipitous that a flat tyre had such a pivotal impact on the Val di Sole race outcome, tech features like these are intentionally timeless—they lack specific dates or timestamps. That’s why you won’t hear Carlson mention, “We’re at Val di Sole,” or comment on the weather in Nova Mesto, ensuring the content remains evergreen.
Learning the Ropes and Crafting Narratives – Josh’s Unique Talent
Carlson boasts a unique advantage in the world of sports commentary: he’s still racing. While many commentators have transitioned from the track to the booth, Carlson is actively immersed in the competitive scene. He’s intimately familiar with the multifaceted stress of race day, especially when sprinkled with the relentless pursuit of the media.
“I know what it’s like being hassled by the media, and I lean on my experience being on the other side of the fence. When you’re watching GoPro or getting a massage or whatever, having someone come up and say hey can we do an interview, you understand the importance of it, but you’re like, ‘mate, I’m just busy right now,’” Carlson shares.
Using this racer’s insight, Carlson approaches his interviews differently. He sidesteps direct athlete interaction, choosing instead to liaise with the performance or sport managers. Not only are these individuals tuned into the athletes’ hectic schedules, but they also deftly shift the responsibility of interview timings from the athletes. It’s a win-win: athletes have one less thing on their plate, and Carlson gets a relaxed conversation.
Carlson believes, “I know that when I can just stand there and casually chat, there’s no stress or drama, and they’ll give me more information. It’ll be more relaxed and more casual. That way, there’s no friction from anybody saying, ‘oh man, I gotta do this protection piece, but I really should be eating, or I need to get a massage.’”
His seasoned racer’s perspective also equips him with a keen sense of what questions to steer clear of. When he has the mic ready, Carlson focuses on keeping the athletes on their toes, veering away from the typical questions they’ve likely answered a dozen times.
“At Nova Mesto, I interviewed Tom Pidcock, who’s known for being pretty short and closed off,” he says. “I asked him if he’d changed his bike setup because it started raining. He says, ‘no.’ Then I asked him, is there any part of this course that you can enjoy? Anywhere you can have fun? And you could see him stop and think, and then he gave me a good answer.”
Capturing Defining Moments – Enduro Guy Turned Reporter
Carlson, with a history deep into the sport, isn’t some new kid on the block. He’s rubbed elbows with many riders and team managers, especially those from the downhill scene. There’s a whiff of familiarity there. But, when you dive into the world of XC (cross-country), it’s a different ball game, and let’s say it requires a bit more finesse and a name tag.
“I’m not really a shy person (you’re not kidding – ed), but when you’re walking up to brand new people you’ve never really met before, introducing yourself as a reporter. It’s quite difficult,” he says, probably reminiscing on all the awkward handshakes and mistaken identities.
However, races are like fast-forward episodes of a reality show. Familiarity brews rather quickly. He continues, “I think there was a bit of ‘you’re the enduro guy; what are you doing here?’ But then they see me riding the track or ride with me on track and see that I can keep up, and it just builds maybe a little bit different level of respect. I think they realise that I’m not there to take the piss, and I’m there to help them and showcase their skill,” he says.
Drawing attention to the stark difference between XC riders and downhillers, Carlson points out, “They know more about the road than they do about gravity, and they can be hard to find at the races because they’re locked up in their hotels. Downhillers are lunatics, and they’re out there partying and happy to socialise — they’re two very different athletes,” he says.
With a glint in his eye, Carlson reveals his broadcasting blueprint: more personality for the XC folks and a touch more professionalism for the downhill party animals. “They are professional athletes and showing the way they set up their bikes. The way they train and prepare, and how detailed and focused they actually are,” he says.
For all his comfort on the bike, stepping into the world of journalism for Carlson is a bit like a cat getting a sudden bath. Sure, he might seem composed (and dare we say, dashing? That fringe!), but the ride isn’t always smooth. Whether it’s getting unceremoniously cut off mid-interview for, let’s say, some “unexpected translations” or testing his vocal cords against the throbbing beats of Euro dance tunes, it’s Journalism 101 on the go for our man.
Grappling with asking hard questions live on TV – Tell Us an Awkward Story
While Carlson may appear seamless on camera, he hasn’t been trained as a journalist. Yet, he’s been thrust into the limelight, expected to deliver top-notch broadcasting on mountain biking’s grandest stage.
However, the journey hasn’t been without its bumps. From getting cut off mid-interview by the producers after bringing in a translator for a rider with limited English to trying to conduct an interview next to a PA system blaring Euro dance tunes, the learning curve has been steep.
Yet beyond mere technical missteps, part of the reporting challenge is looking someone directly in the eyes and asking them a challenging question. It’s a hurdle even veteran journalists sometimes stumble over, but Carlson has had to navigate this terrain live on TV.
“In Lenzerheide, Nino had just set the record with his 34th World Cup win. Post-race, I was interviewing Mathias Fluckiger. But then the instruction from the producer for the international feed (live on Eurosport) was, ‘You have to ask Mathias about Nino’s victory,’” Carlson recounts.
For context, Fluckiger and Schurter had a physical altercation at Lenzerheide the previous year. Fluckiger had recently returned from a doping suspension, had broken his thumbs, and was donning the Swiss National Champs jersey. To complicate matters, the producer wanted Carlson to press him about arguably his biggest Swiss rival’s victory in their homeland after a previously emotionally charged encounter.
“After posing a question about his race, Mathias started sharing openly, delivering a heartfelt response. Meanwhile, my producer is off-camera, urging, ‘Ask him, ask him now,’” Carlson recalls. “I was left wondering how I’d segue to asking him about Nino.”
That precarious moment of asking Fluckiger about Schurter remains in Carlson’s memory as one of the most challenging. Thankfully, Fluckiger managed it gracefully. But there have also been several self-inflicted blunders.
Shortly after, Carlson was amidst a media crowd in the finish area, angling to get a comment from Schurter or his Team Manager, Thomas Frischkencht, after the monumental victory.
“My team and producers were quite literally pushing others aside, ensuring we secured this crucial interview. It was intense, and I kept wondering, what question would be appropriate? A miss here, and the moment would be lost forever,” Carlson says.
“We finally got to ‘Frischy’ — Nino’s long-time team manager, whom I wasn’t well-acquainted with — and fired off questions about Nino and the significance of this win. And then, he started tearing up. Later, I learnt that when someone becomes emotional, it’s best to give them a moment and then divert attention,” he shares. “Unaware of this, I pressed on with another question.”
Though he may have deviated from conventional wisdom, it resulted in a reflective response from Frischkencht.
“Upon posing the question, while he was still visibly emotional, I impulsively hugged him — and it was all captured on camera. I later realised that, too, might have been a faux pas. The moment’s intensity just swept me along,” he adds.
Rolling on – Growing and Learning Through the Season
As the next segment of the World Cup season looms, we’re certain it’ll bring more pivotal moments, emotive interviews, and perfectly-timed pre-recorded segments. The broadcasts will undoubtedly improve, with Carlson and his team steadily finding their rhythm.
Keep an eye out, aficionados, for Carlson will be on-site, delivering big stories, slipping in quirky Rodney Rude allusions, and refining the art of posing challenging questions.
Photos – Ian Mann, Josh Carlson, Red Bull Content Pool / Bartek Wolinsky, GCN+