WTC doesnt see Rev3 as anything more than a regional competitor. They have a long way to go before they really cut into WTCs business, and frankly, WTC has mostly insured the pros will stay with them with the new points plan. So long as Kona stays the top prize, and you have to earn the points to get there, WTC has the top pros basically locked up. Next years Rev3 will mostly have second tier folks. Whats interesting is if you win Kona, you can afford to go play somewhere else most fo the time, becauee you have to do one WTC IM to prove you get to go back for each of the next five years.
Im assuming the grandfathered in the previous 5 years winners at Kona so Chrissie, Crowie, Macca, et al can mostly do what they want for now, but in 5 years time, dont be surprised if what we see is all the top pros racing all the big points events and most races having little or maybe perhaps even no pro field. 500 points in august at Timberman just isnt worth it if you have a shot at 1500 at Euro champs.
In fact my guess is you'll see late pro entries at races like timberman by people who have bad days at the big races and they'll come in unprepared, and wind up injured in their quest for Kona.
It all smells of very bad things to come.
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