I don't agreee with that at all. Look at the new Specialized Epic FS bike...that is really different and "cutting edge" (whether it actually is better remains to be seen but it took alot to develp that).
to actually make something 100grams lighter IS cutting edge. Do you think the 03 XTR group would be taken seriously if if were heavier than last years? What makes those disc brakes so exciting is the lack of weight.
That type of technology benefits ALL biking.
Also, just because a bike is a hardtail with V brakes doesn't mean it is ancient. Road bikes have basically the same setup for the last 100 years yet I would say the most recent bikes are so much better than ones from a couple years ago.
Also, there is nothing wrong with small innovations--like new material mixes (like OX steel, M5 alloy, carbon fiber, etc).
STI/ERGO was a HUGE innovation in road bikes. Do you think that developed because recreational riders needed to shift faster and more? It is a racing development.
To say that a hardtail from 10 years ago is the same as a hardtail today is to ignore alot of innovations that we take for granted now. Better geometry, new materials, lighter components/frames, vastly improved shock technology, tires, tubeless, wheels, bearings, etc,etc
I also agree with the guy that says it is not "just about the bike". It is an athletic endeavour and the athelete is who we are cheering for. I think you missed my point about the road racing crossover-- the fact that XC racers can be competitive in road racing says alot about the high quality of athletic endurance and skill of XC racers.

Also, what if they did put a serious DH section on an XC course? DH riders wear all that padding, full face helmets and radically different geometry bikes. A XC rider would have to have BETTER skills than a DH rider to tackle climbs, ST and then a (real DH-worthy)DH section with a short-travel, XC-geometry FS bike? Or should they wear padding and suck for 90% of the race so they don't wipe on the DH section?
No, I think the XC courses are technical enough and some are more than even the pros can handle. In Sarentino, they changed the XC course because the pros wouldn't ride the dangerous DH section (Roland Green came in 2nd on the FS Fuel).
It is XC. The point is not whether an athlete can clean a monster drop. Just as impressive is the speed at which they compete on the given courses. F1 is the top because of the utter speed the drivers have to deal with.
ok, too long! anyway good topic