2020 Mountain Bike Team Rumors

Maxipedia wrote:

There is Jack's interview on The Other Site that keeps cranking ”articles” out of this thread. My take between the lines: - Gwin can screw a...

There is Jack's interview on The Other Site that keeps cranking ”articles” out of this thread.

My take between the lines:

- Gwin can screw a team's vibe up pretty bad 🤢
- Intense had the most fun team out there and they decided to kill it because of above primadonna; oh, and money 💩
- Cannondale's cock is much smaller than it used to be 🤫
- Jack is REALLY diplomatic about his ”choice” 🥺
- when you don't have much to choose from, you accept a change of discipline too 😔
- enduro is actually killing top-level downhill and we act it's not happening 💀
- they are ”letting” him ride downhill, a top pro, LETTING him! 🤭
- internet-based bike companies have shitloads of money already, but keep sending them yours, because they invest in your local scene a lot (sic) 🐷
- Jack doesn't seem like a happy pup and it's obvious why 😐
- enduro still isn't the cool thing to do, except for some of us dinosaurs; please stop pretending it is 🙄

There's also my redundant comment that I left in said comment section, but I feel it belongs here too:

I see everybody talking about bikes and components, and while at it forgetting that Jack helped develop the M29 (and had the best results while with his buds on the squad), but few talk about a team's chemistry, which is far more important in a sport such as DH, where having a strong mental game is key, especially with the narrow wining margins of these days. Is anyone surprised that a stuck-up personality like Gwin's and a laid back one like Moir's don't fit well together? I have seen the Intense boys in the flesh at Lenzerheide in 2018 and they were BY FAR the bunch who had the most fun; you can't fake that! So for a while we had this rare thing: a team that is all laughter AND brings in the results. I understand the reasons of change for Intense, but I do miss seeing people race in polka-dot gear and storming the podium. In a weird way this feels like an NBA team loaded with young talent which becomes good before everyone else plans to and then it needs to split up because young talent with good results is expensive and you can't keep it all together...

All in all I am a sad pup today, having read that interview, although I feel happy for Jack that he found a home and at least can keep racing.

cmkneeland wrote:

Although I don't agree with ALL of that, I can say I was really looking forward to watching Jack race on another bike/team this year. I...

Although I don't agree with ALL of that, I can say I was really looking forward to watching Jack race on another bike/team this year. I get that the spot Canyon was looking to fill was for the EWS, but it's such an unfortunate situation for a quality DH competitor to be in.

Dickscruttock wrote:

He could be the nicest bloke in the World, but been nice doesn't win races. Do people remember racers for been nice or winning?. Outside of...

He could be the nicest bloke in the World, but been nice doesn't win races. Do people remember racers for been nice or winning?. Outside of the States no one has heard of him, he is a no one.

Dickscruttock wrote:

He could be the nicest bloke in the World, but been nice doesn't win races. Do people remember racers for been nice or winning?. Outside of...

He could be the nicest bloke in the World, but been nice doesn't win races. Do people remember racers for been nice or winning?. Outside of the States no one has heard of him, he is a no one.

NoahColorado wrote:

Since the inception of the EWS, there's been only 15 male winners. 6 of those have only won a single race. 6 of the 15 are...

Since the inception of the EWS, there's been only 15 male winners. 6 of those have only won a single race. 6 of the 15 are retired (or at least not racing most of the calendar). So you only have 9 active winners, 6 active repeat winners. To suggest that these are the only riders people have heard of is ridiculous.

Furthermore, in terms of reach, one of those active, repeat winners has less than 10k IG followers. Another has just 21k. Cody Kelley has 2.5x more IG followers than these two COMBINED.

And in terms of actually selling bikes, the top five most desirable enduro/all-mountain bikes according to the 2019 Vital user survey are: Santa Cruz, YT, Specialized, Transition, and Canyon. Those brands are not well represented in the above. So, so much for "what wins on Sunday, sells on Monday."

*feel free to check my math

Dickscruttock wrote:

He could be the nicest bloke in the World, but been nice doesn't win races. Do people remember racers for been nice or winning?. Outside of...

He could be the nicest bloke in the World, but been nice doesn't win races. Do people remember racers for been nice or winning?. Outside of the States no one has heard of him, he is a no one.

NoahColorado wrote:

Since the inception of the EWS, there's been only 15 male winners. 6 of those have only won a single race. 6 of the 15 are...

Since the inception of the EWS, there's been only 15 male winners. 6 of those have only won a single race. 6 of the 15 are retired (or at least not racing most of the calendar). So you only have 9 active winners, 6 active repeat winners. To suggest that these are the only riders people have heard of is ridiculous.

Furthermore, in terms of reach, one of those active, repeat winners has less than 10k IG followers. Another has just 21k. Cody Kelley has 2.5x more IG followers than these two COMBINED.

And in terms of actually selling bikes, the top five most desirable enduro/all-mountain bikes according to the 2019 Vital user survey are: Santa Cruz, YT, Specialized, Transition, and Canyon. Those brands are not well represented in the above. So, so much for "what wins on Sunday, sells on Monday."

*feel free to check my math

Dickscruttock wrote:

He could be the nicest bloke in the World, but been nice doesn't win races. Do people remember racers for been nice or winning?. Outside of...

He could be the nicest bloke in the World, but been nice doesn't win races. Do people remember racers for been nice or winning?. Outside of the States no one has heard of him, he is a no one.

NoahColorado wrote:

Since the inception of the EWS, there's been only 15 male winners. 6 of those have only won a single race. 6 of the 15 are...

Since the inception of the EWS, there's been only 15 male winners. 6 of those have only won a single race. 6 of the 15 are retired (or at least not racing most of the calendar). So you only have 9 active winners, 6 active repeat winners. To suggest that these are the only riders people have heard of is ridiculous.

Furthermore, in terms of reach, one of those active, repeat winners has less than 10k IG followers. Another has just 21k. Cody Kelley has 2.5x more IG followers than these two COMBINED.

And in terms of actually selling bikes, the top five most desirable enduro/all-mountain bikes according to the 2019 Vital user survey are: Santa Cruz, YT, Specialized, Transition, and Canyon. Those brands are not well represented in the above. So, so much for "what wins on Sunday, sells on Monday."

*feel free to check my math

brash wrote:

Commencals recent streak with their race winning Supreme is working well on the sales front at least here. Seeing a lot of them and for good...

Commencals recent streak with their race winning Supreme is working well on the sales front at least here. Seeing a lot of them and for good reason, it's a great bike at a great price.

In the good old days with cars it was "race on sunday, sell on Monday" and that somewhat is true in the MTB industry.

then you have Paul the Punter with more sponsors than the SC Syndicate and he can't bleed a set of brakes or Jump a double so what do I know lol

Primoz wrote:

To be honest, Bruni's winning does nothing to me wanting to buy a Specialized. They just don't make bikes that i could ever like (geometry, spec...

To be honest, Bruni's winning does nothing to me wanting to buy a Specialized. They just don't make bikes that i could ever like (geometry, spec, price, etc.).

Matt Hunter's 'genuine' is a different story though. Maybe i'm special. Racing is cool, but looking at the winner and thinking "this bike is cool, i have to buy it" just doesn't happen for me. The 'look at me too' social posts also do nothing to me, me quitting Instagram 2 or 3 years ago might also have a factor in this since i was tired of all this kind of posting. True content that is actually worth more than the 2 seconds it takes to look at, THAT'S content to me. If i stick with Matt, it's Silvia Winter Trails and Trail Hunter in Patagonia I still go back to even after all these years. Content like that just wants to make me ride. Plus his Eskapee story, where it was pointed out he didn't want to put him front and center on Instagram (at the time) rally struck a nerve with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_DSavn6SJA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odl9fj6I8yE
https://www.eskapee.com/issues/the-absent-hunter/

Primoz wrote:

To be honest, Bruni's winning does nothing to me wanting to buy a Specialized. They just don't make bikes that i could ever like (geometry, spec...

To be honest, Bruni's winning does nothing to me wanting to buy a Specialized. They just don't make bikes that i could ever like (geometry, spec, price, etc.).

Matt Hunter's 'genuine' is a different story though. Maybe i'm special. Racing is cool, but looking at the winner and thinking "this bike is cool, i have to buy it" just doesn't happen for me. The 'look at me too' social posts also do nothing to me, me quitting Instagram 2 or 3 years ago might also have a factor in this since i was tired of all this kind of posting. True content that is actually worth more than the 2 seconds it takes to look at, THAT'S content to me. If i stick with Matt, it's Silvia Winter Trails and Trail Hunter in Patagonia I still go back to even after all these years. Content like that just wants to make me ride. Plus his Eskapee story, where it was pointed out he didn't want to put him front and center on Instagram (at the time) rally struck a nerve with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_DSavn6SJA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odl9fj6I8yE
https://www.eskapee.com/issues/the-absent-hunter/

metadave wrote:

This. I love racing and I'll get wrapped up in the drama in the moment, but my DH racing days have been over for a while...

This. I love racing and I'll get wrapped up in the drama in the moment, but my DH racing days have been over for a while. Guys like Matt and what they're doing are what I strive for now. I'll watch every video he puts out before I worry myself about team recap vids.

Except WynTV. Give me that all day.

Maxipedia wrote:

There is Jack's interview on The Other Site that keeps cranking ”articles” out of this thread. My take between the lines: - Gwin can screw a...

There is Jack's interview on The Other Site that keeps cranking ”articles” out of this thread.

My take between the lines:

- Gwin can screw a team's vibe up pretty bad 🤢
- Intense had the most fun team out there and they decided to kill it because of above primadonna; oh, and money 💩
- Cannondale's cock is much smaller than it used to be 🤫
- Jack is REALLY diplomatic about his ”choice” 🥺
- when you don't have much to choose from, you accept a change of discipline too 😔
- enduro is actually killing top-level downhill and we act it's not happening 💀
- they are ”letting” him ride downhill, a top pro, LETTING him! 🤭
- internet-based bike companies have shitloads of money already, but keep sending them yours, because they invest in your local scene a lot (sic) 🐷
- Jack doesn't seem like a happy pup and it's obvious why 😐
- enduro still isn't the cool thing to do, except for some of us dinosaurs; please stop pretending it is 🙄

There's also my redundant comment that I left in said comment section, but I feel it belongs here too:

I see everybody talking about bikes and components, and while at it forgetting that Jack helped develop the M29 (and had the best results while with his buds on the squad), but few talk about a team's chemistry, which is far more important in a sport such as DH, where having a strong mental game is key, especially with the narrow wining margins of these days. Is anyone surprised that a stuck-up personality like Gwin's and a laid back one like Moir's don't fit well together? I have seen the Intense boys in the flesh at Lenzerheide in 2018 and they were BY FAR the bunch who had the most fun; you can't fake that! So for a while we had this rare thing: a team that is all laughter AND brings in the results. I understand the reasons of change for Intense, but I do miss seeing people race in polka-dot gear and storming the podium. In a weird way this feels like an NBA team loaded with young talent which becomes good before everyone else plans to and then it needs to split up because young talent with good results is expensive and you can't keep it all together...

All in all I am a sad pup today, having read that interview, although I feel happy for Jack that he found a home and at least can keep racing.

stoic_machine wrote:

Yeesh about time to put this forum thread to bed till next year hey Palmer? Last two pages have been just hot trash bickering.

stoic_machine wrote:

Yeesh about time to put this forum thread to bed till next year hey Palmer? Last two pages have been just hot trash bickering.

iceman2058 wrote:

Press Release: Muc Off Muc-Off is proud to announce it will become official title sponsor for World Cup downhill racing team Commencal / Muc-Off by Riding...

Press Release: Muc Off

Muc-Off is proud to announce it will become official title sponsor for World Cup downhill racing team Commencal / Muc-Off by Riding Addiction, previously known as Commencal Vallnord, for the next three years.



The global team based in France is well-known for taking over the downhill scene in the past two years, with 25 World Cup podiums since 2018, including 17 wins. The 2020 team consists of Amaury Pierron, World Cup Series Winner in 2018 and Runner-Up in 2019; Myriam Nicole, 2019 World Champion, Thibault Daprela, Junior World Cup Series Winner in both 2018 and 2019, Rémi Thirion, World Cup Series Veteran, as well as team owners, Gaëtan and Thibault Ruffin. French Canadian young talent Tristan Lemire aiming to debut at the World Cup in 2021, will be racing this season primarily in select North American and European races.



Meet the 2020 Commencal / Muc-Off Roster

"The Commencal Vallnord downhill team has established itself as one of the most electrifying teams on the UCI DH World Cup Series these past few years, and we couldn’t be prouder to become a part of such an exciting programme. We look forward to working with the Commencal / Muc-Off team on developing new and exciting products, as well as supporting them in their mission to dominate the sport. To see the brand with so much presence at World Cup level makes me personally very proud and this I know is echoed throughout the whole team at Muc-Off." - Alex Trimnell, CEO at Muc-Off

Muc-Off will be supplying the team, including both riders and mechanics, with a full arsenal of products from their Clean, Protect and Lube collections. This includes the renowned pink Nano Tech Bike Cleaner; the flagship product that launched the brand back in 1994.

With Muc-Off’s recent investment in state-of-the-art tribology equipment, the team will also benefit from the brand’s in-depth research and development around high-performance products and world-leading drivetrain optimisation.



On top of that, Commencal / Muc-Off will be running the full Muc-Off range of tubeless products - from Tubeless Valves and No Puncture Hassle Sealant to the Muc-Off Rim Tape and other tubeless accessories to ensure the riders remain puncture-protected during the course of the 2020 UCI World Cup Series.

All riders - with the exception of Red Bull athlete Myriam Nicole – have now received their custom Bell team helmets, designed by the in-house creative team at Muc-Off, and will be racing in their own individual designs by the start of the season. Amaury Pierron was the first to benefit from his very own design and the Monster Energy x Muc-Off custom helmet, with bold pink tiger print and silver stars, has already been taken for a few test laps at the team training camp in Portugal.



"We are very excited to start that new chapter with Muc-Off and we can’t wait to be at the races under our new Commencal / Muc-Off colours. It’s a great opportunity to work with such a powerful brand and a great bunch of committed people who share our vision of racing! Their proven range of bicycle care and maintenance products will definitely give us a competitive advantage, ensuring our Commencal Supremes work perfectly in any condition as well as looking box fresh on and off the tracks!" - Thibaut Ruffin, Team Manager at Commencal / Muc-Off by Riding Addiction

Find out more here.

iceman2058 wrote:

Press Release: Muc Off Muc-Off is proud to announce it will become official title sponsor for World Cup downhill racing team Commencal / Muc-Off by Riding...

Press Release: Muc Off

Muc-Off is proud to announce it will become official title sponsor for World Cup downhill racing team Commencal / Muc-Off by Riding Addiction, previously known as Commencal Vallnord, for the next three years.



The global team based in France is well-known for taking over the downhill scene in the past two years, with 25 World Cup podiums since 2018, including 17 wins. The 2020 team consists of Amaury Pierron, World Cup Series Winner in 2018 and Runner-Up in 2019; Myriam Nicole, 2019 World Champion, Thibault Daprela, Junior World Cup Series Winner in both 2018 and 2019, Rémi Thirion, World Cup Series Veteran, as well as team owners, Gaëtan and Thibault Ruffin. French Canadian young talent Tristan Lemire aiming to debut at the World Cup in 2021, will be racing this season primarily in select North American and European races.



Meet the 2020 Commencal / Muc-Off Roster

"The Commencal Vallnord downhill team has established itself as one of the most electrifying teams on the UCI DH World Cup Series these past few years, and we couldn’t be prouder to become a part of such an exciting programme. We look forward to working with the Commencal / Muc-Off team on developing new and exciting products, as well as supporting them in their mission to dominate the sport. To see the brand with so much presence at World Cup level makes me personally very proud and this I know is echoed throughout the whole team at Muc-Off." - Alex Trimnell, CEO at Muc-Off

Muc-Off will be supplying the team, including both riders and mechanics, with a full arsenal of products from their Clean, Protect and Lube collections. This includes the renowned pink Nano Tech Bike Cleaner; the flagship product that launched the brand back in 1994.

With Muc-Off’s recent investment in state-of-the-art tribology equipment, the team will also benefit from the brand’s in-depth research and development around high-performance products and world-leading drivetrain optimisation.



On top of that, Commencal / Muc-Off will be running the full Muc-Off range of tubeless products - from Tubeless Valves and No Puncture Hassle Sealant to the Muc-Off Rim Tape and other tubeless accessories to ensure the riders remain puncture-protected during the course of the 2020 UCI World Cup Series.

All riders - with the exception of Red Bull athlete Myriam Nicole – have now received their custom Bell team helmets, designed by the in-house creative team at Muc-Off, and will be racing in their own individual designs by the start of the season. Amaury Pierron was the first to benefit from his very own design and the Monster Energy x Muc-Off custom helmet, with bold pink tiger print and silver stars, has already been taken for a few test laps at the team training camp in Portugal.



"We are very excited to start that new chapter with Muc-Off and we can’t wait to be at the races under our new Commencal / Muc-Off colours. It’s a great opportunity to work with such a powerful brand and a great bunch of committed people who share our vision of racing! Their proven range of bicycle care and maintenance products will definitely give us a competitive advantage, ensuring our Commencal Supremes work perfectly in any condition as well as looking box fresh on and off the tracks!" - Thibaut Ruffin, Team Manager at Commencal / Muc-Off by Riding Addiction

Find out more here.

Shiftay_Robbay wrote:

Amaury's helmet is HAWT I must say!

GUILLO wrote:

Its not a team rumor but I think SC is filming the video of the new ebike in Chile

Its not a team rumor but I think SC is filming the video of the new ebike in Chile