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But seriously, is Gee THAT tall? He never seemed to be a giant, while it's known that Peaty and Greg are very tall (even the Rat is supposedly quite tall, but he kinda looks small when in the company of Steve and Greg).
Candide isn't sponsored by Audi. Gwin wont be sponsored by Audi. I'd bet money on it.
With the amount of KTM stuff Gwin has been posting lately it seems that a collaboration with them is the obvious conclusion, although it's difficult to see why they would get involved in DH sponsorship.
What I know is that it looks like Specialized have come out of this quite well. They have traded Gwin for the current dh world champ, his protege Vergier and one of the greatest mtb riders in history Jared Graves. Not to mention they still have Brosnan and Ropelato (who mentioned coming back to DH full time in 2016).
We have seen what happened to Gwin if the bike isn't exactly to his liking when he moved to Specialized. I just hope that whoever he is riding for in 2016 can put the equipment he needs under him fast. Otherwise Bruni, Brosnan, Minnaar etc will clean up at the world cups.
As for the bike, due to my long legs i ride a large Reign. I just about fit on it leg length wise (it could be a bit taller) while i prefer the shorter cockpit of the L compared to an XL. Can't see why an XXL would be needed then (though granted, seat heights on DH bikes are a bit different to enduro/AM/XC/etc. bikes).
Sponsoring Candide would be more logical for Audi, since they are THE brand associated with ski racing and now also ski jumping (in the ski racing world it's like Audi or bust, if you don't drive an Audi, people look at you funny, at least that's what i heard).
Also, skiing is a lot more of an upper-class sport (it's gotten crazy expensive) than mountainbiking, therefore it's more logical to sponsor skiing for a high end car brand. MTB also doesn't have the same exposure ski racing has.
And I've seen some sweet bike racked Audis in my time. I'd drive a quatro wagon the the bike mountain if I could afford it.
The sport is getting silly. Cam Zink gets on the cover of a gun magazine with his bike handlebars as a tripod. Oh, Gun Manufacturer team sure to come, feeble masses will indicate.
Audi chose to make a TV spot.
Cam Zink is riding the sell-out wagon whereever it goes.
You are talking to a dude who's paycheck knows first hand you are 100% wrong.
Ski racing = road biking.
Candie Thovex = someone very similar to Aaron Gwin. Candide is not a racer. He's a fairly well known freeskier, but still a freeskier. "Freeskiing" is a niche in a niche. Sort of like DH mountain biking.
Audi is looking for a viral video. Not to appeal to a sport. People shared the Candide Thovex video cause it was mind blowing, (it even made its rounds on Vital) not because it appeals to the "core ski set". Same will ring true for whatever he's doing on the bike side with them. Skiing, must like mountain biking, doesn't matter to Audi. Brand perception on the other hand...thats what they care about. And rightfully so.
Want to make a wager?
Audi sponsor the entire FIS Ski World Cup, Ski Cross World Cup, Ski Jumping, various national Ski teams as well as many individual skiers such as Jon Olsson, Svindal, Hirscher, Ligety etc.
I'm saying that it's unlikely that Audi will get involved in mtb because of such low viewing figures and participation compared to winter sports. Not to mention demographics. They might get involved in an odd viral video or commercial sure, but not committing hundreds of thousands to a world cup team. That´s what this thread is about.
Who mentioned road biking? Last time I checked Gwin is a downhill rider. Not sure what your point is there.
So what part of my statement is wrong? Please tell me why Audi are heavily involved in winter sports?
Audi sponsor the entire FIS Ski World Cup, Ski Cross World Cup, Ski Jumping, various national Ski teams as well as many individual skiers such as Jon Olsson, Svindal, Hirscher, Ligety etc.
I'm saying that it's unlikely that Audi will get involved in mtb because of such low viewing figures and participation compared to winter sports. Not to mention demographics. They might get involved in an odd viral video or commercial sure, but not committing hundreds of thousands to a world cup team. That´s what this thread is about.
Who mentioned road biking? Last time I checked Gwin is a downhill rider. Not sure what your point is there.
Audi is involved heavily with ski racing but ski racing and freeskiing couldn't be further apart (much like road racing and DH racing...hence the analogy).
To my point did you know Audi makes a road bike? http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/dream-bike/audi-bike-people-who-lov… and has an interest in a cycling team? http://www.krykisports.com/
I'm not saying they have as much interest in cycling as they do skiing but I'd argue the demographic of the entire sport is a lot closer in size than you care to think. (cycling vs skiing)
The funny part is we are saying the same thing. Audi isn't sponsoring Gwin or anybody else in cycling. They are using him for a commercial spot. Go read what I wrote further up.
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