An honest, insightful, logically argued post of surprising quality. The issue of a fatally, especially (and unfortunately) is most relevant: we are all still very much spectators in the Colosseum, we watch others do what we wish not to. To be enticed. Tragically, big wave surfing and motorsport have had their fatalities and as such, the opportunity cost is seen to be sufficient to increased financial reward. Wave of the year nets $50k. Prize money is the argument's flaw, in my estimation: Vettel and Rossi don't make money from race winnings, they make its from brand association and driver (rider) fees. Here Rampage is the perfect (high-risk) gateway event for exposure, to gain an attractive bike or apparel contract. But yes: mountain biking will have to suffer a fatality before it's graded as a truly extreme sport. A conflicting state of affairs, but a fact all the same. As a final point: the most extreme of all sports, with the most severe gatekeeping (in terms of talent, fear and ability) has virtually no financial reward and very little hero worshiping, yet by far the highest fatality rating: high altitude alpine climbing. So, if they aren't complaining, well... Caveat: I love riding my mountain bike. I am in no manner a downhill rider. Yet I follow the events. A tame trail rider at best.
