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Norco or back on a Trek as a separate team.
Why would he give Specialized any publicity let alone take a penny from them when there are so many other manufacturers, with platforms capable of winning WCs, who'd be banging on Aaron's door?
Given Specialized's counter-offer must've been so far from Aaron's proposed figure that it warranted him simply severing the relationship, from the perspective of an athlete's "brand" (sorry), it'd be counter productive for Gwin to be throwing a leg back over a Demo.
Specialized & Aaron= dead & buried.
Would quietly still like to see the Gwin/YT/KTM, small team thing come about. In many respects it'd be quite a symbiotic relationship that could work well for all parties.
If YT have ever stated that they've no interest in the race/DH side of the game then I call total bullshit on that smoke-screen- they have EVERY interest in DH for the very reasons they've an interest in Freeride. They're a brand that's like a big personality (not said at all unkindly) with the tools to back it up. They're intention from a publicity perspective is to make a staying statement in the big, hard & gnar world of pure gravity focussed mtb, while relying on price-point differentiation (which is hard to beat) & great product reviews to continue to sell product (which they're doing very successfully for their size).
A complete aside but still on-topic, in the modern age of digital media a crazy stat to find out would be what the collective views of vids featuring Andreu, Kelly Mc, Yannick & Zink's are for the last two years on YT bikes, then compare it with the popularity of any other team/manufacturer/rider combo on the web & compare the numbers. In terms of exposure (& consistency of exposure) for YT then numbers would be pretty staggering compared to the next closest manufacturer; it'd certainly at least be head & shoulders above the Big S, SC (disregarding Danny Macaskill), Giant, Intense, GT etc.
Back on topic anyone think Specialized would walk away from downhill all together again? Maybe they let Troy finish his contracts this year and see the momentum Graves gets for Enduro? I think it might not be as much a sure thing Loic and Loris are heading to Specialized as people think.
- The frenchies have their own team with Finn. Title sponsor is Spesh but only for shoes and clothing (still 100% for helmet/goggles). They will be riding on a Canyon designed frame, but it's welded together in the NS Bikes factory because they don't trust Canyon.
- As for Troy. He explained that he is not the only rider on the factory team, hinting that it wasn't Ropelato to come back but intact another dominating enduro racer to follow the yeti - spesh switch infinity. The new bike they have coming is top secret - part carbon, part titanium, part alloy. The best of strength, weight and good looks. Chain stays are TI to make a cool noise when the chain slaps. Down tube is alloy to protect from rocks without having to waste money on a rubber protector which is needed for carbon. The set tube will be made of carbon to give a slight bit of flex when sitting down, just for comfort reasons. All parts of the bike will be bonded together with duct tape. This frame will not be built around the ohlins, but instead the new Push Industries Eleven Six. This process of the new frame will cut manufacturing costs so they can increase the RRP to double the current Demo. Makes sense right?!
- Graves admitted that he and Spesh are already in the process of a new enduro that involves the switch infinity design - it will be based around the rear axle.
- Gwin is said to be on the new demo frame but under 23 and Martin Whitley. The 23 team will all be on whatever frame they like but have to run ohlins forks, x fusion shock, rim brakes, motocross tires supplied by KTM so that they won't come off, 3x9 gearing, an 540mm bars. Gwin's salary is $1,475,000 for the first season, set to rise if he gets some good results.
- Richie Rude. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to say just yet. Ill leave it with the hint above.
- Connor Fearon is ditching Kona after all the years to pursue his dreams in bobsled. Said to be joining the Jamaican team.
This is all the inside info that my step uncle's best friend was able to get out of TB, LB and LV. Trust me on this.
Looks like Gwin?
Ahhhhhh i think it's gwin!
Edit: damn, you gotta admit that looks more like Blinky than Gwin. Thought those stickers and back of jersey were just Bell for bell helmets.
If not, the 'BELL' on the jersey and bike is not in reference to the company.
http://mountainbikeradio.com/thepath/mike-and-sean-bell/
Check it out pretty cool kid
Sounds like peatys replacement for next year.
I was kinda hoping it would be phil atwill
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