2022 Mountain Bike Team Rumors

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Sesame Seed
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Sesame Seed 12/9/2021 2:22pm
12/9/2021 2:22pm Edited Date/Time 12/9/2021 2:23pm
mtbman99 wrote:
It seems like redbull do a good job of taking care of their sponsored athletes health and wellness at least. They fly them into their rehab...
It seems like redbull do a good job of taking care of their sponsored athletes health and wellness at least. They fly them into their rehab centers and seem to support them through the injury without dropping them. Gee and Brook McDonald both have had stories about their support.

I know we see the cleaned up version but it must be worth it seems like they are signing mostly top level athletes
Or - they entirely do not take care of their athletes and only work to preserve their own bottom line. Case in point - Richie Rude.
All the 'health and wellness' yet instead chooses to pop some pills (or whatever) and bite down in the process.
Red Bull's a Media conglomerate at the end of each and every day - their human-approach to structured competition is merely a by-product of seeking outright profit. Their watered-down Rich Energy is apparently buying out HAAS Machine F1 Entry.
...Red Bull Boss Helmut Marko was all too quick to want to have their F1 drivers basically shower in their team pajamas at CoffeeBoi onset

I'm all for riding bikes and competition but, it's a fine line between clever and stupid.
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groghunter
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groghunter 12/9/2021 2:40pm
12/9/2021 2:40pm Edited Date/Time 12/9/2021 2:40pm
mtbman99 wrote:
It seems like redbull do a good job of taking care of their sponsored athletes health and wellness at least. They fly them into their rehab...
It seems like redbull do a good job of taking care of their sponsored athletes health and wellness at least. They fly them into their rehab centers and seem to support them through the injury without dropping them. Gee and Brook McDonald both have had stories about their support.

I know we see the cleaned up version but it must be worth it seems like they are signing mostly top level athletes
Sesame Seed wrote:
Or - they entirely do not take care of their athletes and only work to preserve their own bottom line. Case in point - Richie Rude...
Or - they entirely do not take care of their athletes and only work to preserve their own bottom line. Case in point - Richie Rude.
All the 'health and wellness' yet instead chooses to pop some pills (or whatever) and bite down in the process.
Red Bull's a Media conglomerate at the end of each and every day - their human-approach to structured competition is merely a by-product of seeking outright profit. Their watered-down Rich Energy is apparently buying out HAAS Machine F1 Entry.
...Red Bull Boss Helmut Marko was all too quick to want to have their F1 drivers basically shower in their team pajamas at CoffeeBoi onset

I'm all for riding bikes and competition but, it's a fine line between clever and stupid.
For sure. Like I mentioned before, we can only judge them on what we know, and in their case, the best window we have is how they handle Rampage and the riders participating.

And that picture doesn't paint them in a good light.
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mtbman99
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mtbman99 12/9/2021 3:05pm
12/9/2021 3:05pm
Rampage is an event they sponsor they are not signing contracts with all the competitors.

How about Crankworks or UCI sanctioned events then tones of athletes get injured during these events and there is the expectation that the athlete has insurance to cover them and not the events responsibility to help the athlete


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Jakers
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Jakers 12/9/2021 3:46pm
12/9/2021 3:46pm Edited Date/Time 12/9/2021 3:50pm
Rheeder still on intend suspension in that latest video... was there ever an official sponsor/partner announcement?
Endurhevia 12/9/2021 3:55pm
12/9/2021 3:55pm
Jakers wrote:
Rheeder still on intend suspension in that latest video... was there ever an official sponsor/partner announcement?
Rheeder still on intend suspension in that latest video... was there ever an official sponsor/partner announcement?
Nop,he was running an 11.6 shock I think in the video...
And also, he is running an ext fork on the fuel ex
JamesR_2026
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JamesR_2026 12/9/2021 3:58pm
12/9/2021 3:58pm
Jakers wrote:
Rheeder still on intend suspension in that latest video... was there ever an official sponsor/partner announcement?
Rheeder still on intend suspension in that latest video... was there ever an official sponsor/partner announcement?
Yeah, he announced that he was not having a suspension sponsor so he could run whatever he likes.
So it's Intend by choice, not sponsorship.
2
Aye
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Aye 12/9/2021 7:16pm
12/9/2021 7:16pm
iceman2058 wrote:
Team news from Nukeproof: ----------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the team: Louise Ferguson [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2021/12/09/11681/s1200_louise.jpg[/img] Nukeproof are stoked to welcome Louise Ferguson to the team. The timing seems perfect...
Team news from Nukeproof:
-----------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the team: Louise Ferguson



Nukeproof are stoked to welcome Louise Ferguson to the team. The timing seems perfect with Louise fresh off winning the second round of the Crankworx Summer Series Downhill on her new Nukeproof Dissent 297 (received just a day before the second stop of the Summer tour). Louise hails from Fort William, Scotland, now living in Queenstown, New Zealand for the past 2 years, she will be racing Crankworx series and various other races with Nukeproof.

“We’ve known or Louise for a while with her backflipping exploits on the Scottish trails, but a meeting with her at the Megavalanche a few years back put her on our radar. When we received a message to say she would like to ride with us it was and easy yes. Her energy on the bike is infectious and inspiring, plus her time in New Zealand has seen her push herself to a new high. Stoked to see her at events like #futuregroud as well as the races. She’s an awesome attitude and we’re stoked to be supporting her this year along with her other sponsors”. - Rob Sherratt, Nukeproof Global Marketing Manager

Quickfire Q&A with Louise:

How long have you been riding?
So I learnt to ride as a kid but only really got into biking when I started uni. That’s when some friends planned some bike trips and I tagged along. Since then all the big decisions in my life have been around riding bikes; what jobs I’ve had/where I live/who I meet.

New Zealand, how did that come about?
I’m from Fort William, Scotland but currently staying in Queenstown NZ. Like everyone else here I turned up for a season and two years later I haven’t left yet. The bike scene brought me here and I’ve fallen in love with it!

What is the day job?
So, I’m a tiler in Queenstown, being a tradie* is pretty sweet. It’s completely different to biking so keeps me frothing to ride and helps me afford racing.
*Louise joins a long list of tradies on Nukeproof, we’ve now a team comprising of a plumber, plasterer, electrician, window cleaner and water engineer, Nukeproof DIY is coming soon...

Best thing you do none biking related?
Just be myself. I don’t really do much else. I guess moto, I bought a crf 250 last year and that feeling of learning is super addictive. Bikes are fun.

Favourite place you have found to ride?
This one is tough, home is epic and I miss the riding there. Queenstown has some epic trails too. Probably Torridon or Craigieburn though, I have the best memories doing bike trips in the mountains there.

Favourite band/ music type?
I’m pretty cruisey with music, I’ll listen to most things but like smashing podcasts at work or on long drives. Some of the mtb ones are super interesting.

Can you buy Iron Brew in New Zealand?
Haha you can still buy the full sugar ones and one of the supermarkets just started selling buckfast 😂 A taste of home.

How did the Nukeproof deal come about?
My first memory of Rob is standing at the top of the Megavalanche course at 6.30am freezing. Getting super nervous about dropping into that ski run and him making me laugh. It made me relax a bit and I’ll always appreciate that.
My first DH bike was a Nukeproof Scalp that I bought second hand. I used to crash it down the World Cup track back home and I remember crashing once and I couldn’t get my bike untangled from the bushes for a good twenty minutes! It never broke and helped me get through that phase of crashing every run.

What are you looking forward to this year?
I'm pumped to keep progressing and riding my bike heaps. It’s never been my job but I’d like to prioritise riding and race my bike. I’m looking forward to getting sendy in Queenstown and then head to Europe for New Zealand winter to race and ride.

Welcome to the team Louise, stoked to have you on Nukeproof. You can follow her adventures here: @louise_anne.
Is there any word if Katie Winton will be continuing with Nukeproof?
mwolpin
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mwolpin 12/9/2021 8:26pm
12/9/2021 8:26pm Edited Date/Time 12/9/2021 8:27pm
iceman2058 wrote:
Team news from Nukeproof: ----------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the team: Louise Ferguson [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2021/12/09/11681/s1200_louise.jpg[/img] Nukeproof are stoked to welcome Louise Ferguson to the team. The timing seems perfect...
Team news from Nukeproof:
-----------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the team: Louise Ferguson



Nukeproof are stoked to welcome Louise Ferguson to the team. The timing seems perfect with Louise fresh off winning the second round of the Crankworx Summer Series Downhill on her new Nukeproof Dissent 297 (received just a day before the second stop of the Summer tour). Louise hails from Fort William, Scotland, now living in Queenstown, New Zealand for the past 2 years, she will be racing Crankworx series and various other races with Nukeproof.

“We’ve known or Louise for a while with her backflipping exploits on the Scottish trails, but a meeting with her at the Megavalanche a few years back put her on our radar. When we received a message to say she would like to ride with us it was and easy yes. Her energy on the bike is infectious and inspiring, plus her time in New Zealand has seen her push herself to a new high. Stoked to see her at events like #futuregroud as well as the races. She’s an awesome attitude and we’re stoked to be supporting her this year along with her other sponsors”. - Rob Sherratt, Nukeproof Global Marketing Manager

Quickfire Q&A with Louise:

How long have you been riding?
So I learnt to ride as a kid but only really got into biking when I started uni. That’s when some friends planned some bike trips and I tagged along. Since then all the big decisions in my life have been around riding bikes; what jobs I’ve had/where I live/who I meet.

New Zealand, how did that come about?
I’m from Fort William, Scotland but currently staying in Queenstown NZ. Like everyone else here I turned up for a season and two years later I haven’t left yet. The bike scene brought me here and I’ve fallen in love with it!

What is the day job?
So, I’m a tiler in Queenstown, being a tradie* is pretty sweet. It’s completely different to biking so keeps me frothing to ride and helps me afford racing.
*Louise joins a long list of tradies on Nukeproof, we’ve now a team comprising of a plumber, plasterer, electrician, window cleaner and water engineer, Nukeproof DIY is coming soon...

Best thing you do none biking related?
Just be myself. I don’t really do much else. I guess moto, I bought a crf 250 last year and that feeling of learning is super addictive. Bikes are fun.

Favourite place you have found to ride?
This one is tough, home is epic and I miss the riding there. Queenstown has some epic trails too. Probably Torridon or Craigieburn though, I have the best memories doing bike trips in the mountains there.

Favourite band/ music type?
I’m pretty cruisey with music, I’ll listen to most things but like smashing podcasts at work or on long drives. Some of the mtb ones are super interesting.

Can you buy Iron Brew in New Zealand?
Haha you can still buy the full sugar ones and one of the supermarkets just started selling buckfast 😂 A taste of home.

How did the Nukeproof deal come about?
My first memory of Rob is standing at the top of the Megavalanche course at 6.30am freezing. Getting super nervous about dropping into that ski run and him making me laugh. It made me relax a bit and I’ll always appreciate that.
My first DH bike was a Nukeproof Scalp that I bought second hand. I used to crash it down the World Cup track back home and I remember crashing once and I couldn’t get my bike untangled from the bushes for a good twenty minutes! It never broke and helped me get through that phase of crashing every run.

What are you looking forward to this year?
I'm pumped to keep progressing and riding my bike heaps. It’s never been my job but I’d like to prioritise riding and race my bike. I’m looking forward to getting sendy in Queenstown and then head to Europe for New Zealand winter to race and ride.

Welcome to the team Louise, stoked to have you on Nukeproof. You can follow her adventures here: @louise_anne.
Aye wrote:
Is there any word if Katie Winton will be continuing with Nukeproof?
Keep in mind, she wasn’t on the factory team. She had to build her own program and they stepped in and helped on the frames.

Obviously she is still a top 10 rider, so I’d love to see her get a factory ride again.


Primoz
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Primoz 12/9/2021 10:14pm
12/9/2021 10:14pm
mtbman99 wrote:
It seems like redbull do a good job of taking care of their sponsored athletes health and wellness at least. They fly them into their rehab...
It seems like redbull do a good job of taking care of their sponsored athletes health and wellness at least. They fly them into their rehab centers and seem to support them through the injury without dropping them. Gee and Brook McDonald both have had stories about their support.

I know we see the cleaned up version but it must be worth it seems like they are signing mostly top level athletes
Sesame Seed wrote:
Or - they entirely do not take care of their athletes and only work to preserve their own bottom line. Case in point - Richie Rude...
Or - they entirely do not take care of their athletes and only work to preserve their own bottom line. Case in point - Richie Rude.
All the 'health and wellness' yet instead chooses to pop some pills (or whatever) and bite down in the process.
Red Bull's a Media conglomerate at the end of each and every day - their human-approach to structured competition is merely a by-product of seeking outright profit. Their watered-down Rich Energy is apparently buying out HAAS Machine F1 Entry.
...Red Bull Boss Helmut Marko was all too quick to want to have their F1 drivers basically shower in their team pajamas at CoffeeBoi onset

I'm all for riding bikes and competition but, it's a fine line between clever and stupid.
Never thought I'd see an F1 rumours (that I didn't see anywhere else, even after Googling) on a MTB forum. If anything, it's likely Mazepin Sr. will take over the Haas entry, Red Bull has enough on their plate - two teams (Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri, previously Torro Rosso) and a nascent engine development program (it is thought they will be doing their own engine for the 2026 regulations instead of teaming up with a manufacturer, like Audi/Porsche). It makes no sense to pick up an additional team, let alone one that has a base in the USA, a small base in the UK and most of the manufacturing done by outside contractors (Dallara).

As for what Red Bull does, of course it's all just marketing. But solving spinal cord injuries (Wings for Life) and helping out their athletes with the best care possible also helps their bottom line, as the image of the company is improved in people's eyes. And they are taking care of their marketing products as well (healthier athletes compete better and win more contests, giving more exposure to Red Bull).

I'll show my offtopic behind out Smile
4
1
Sesame Seed
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Sesame Seed 12/10/2021 4:44am
12/10/2021 4:44am
Primoz wrote:
Never thought I'd see an F1 rumours (that I didn't see anywhere else, even after Googling) on a MTB forum. If anything, it's likely Mazepin Sr...
Never thought I'd see an F1 rumours (that I didn't see anywhere else, even after Googling) on a MTB forum. If anything, it's likely Mazepin Sr. will take over the Haas entry, Red Bull has enough on their plate - two teams (Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri, previously Torro Rosso) and a nascent engine development program (it is thought they will be doing their own engine for the 2026 regulations instead of teaming up with a manufacturer, like Audi/Porsche). It makes no sense to pick up an additional team, let alone one that has a base in the USA, a small base in the UK and most of the manufacturing done by outside contractors (Dallara).

As for what Red Bull does, of course it's all just marketing. But solving spinal cord injuries (Wings for Life) and helping out their athletes with the best care possible also helps their bottom line, as the image of the company is improved in people's eyes. And they are taking care of their marketing products as well (healthier athletes compete better and win more contests, giving more exposure to Red Bull).

I'll show my offtopic behind out Smile
...yeah but since you're so wise to F1...

The subtle dog-whistle racism across their Social 'meeds this racing season gets overlooked...

...it's all good.

Back to Team Rumors.

Lauren Peterson and Seamus Powell attract a Probiotic Chew upstart in 2023.

Boom.💩 Boom.💩 Booooooom. 💩💩💩💩💩
1
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DubC
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DubC 12/10/2021 10:15am
12/10/2021 10:15am
Team rumors forum this year is a bigger disappointment than the anti-vaxers keeping this pandemic trucking right along. Come on Vital, make some burner accounts and spill the beans for us already....there's barely 2 weeks left on some of these contracts. This fire needs some fuel!!!!
27
5
barryjenson
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barryjenson 12/10/2021 10:56am
12/10/2021 10:56am
Top tip,

You can tell a rider who is leaving a team as they stop tagging their sponsors… now go see Instagram
3
Ahab
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Ahab 12/10/2021 10:59am
12/10/2021 10:59am
barryjenson wrote:
Top tip,

You can tell a rider who is leaving a team as they stop tagging their sponsors… now go see Instagram
Shaw 'nuff!
4
1
iwil815
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iwil815 12/10/2021 11:29am
12/10/2021 11:29am
Doesn't look like Haley Batten or Chris Blevins are on Trinity anymore. They just released their full rider list and those two are conspicuously missing. Bigger and better things for both of them after the years they had?...

https://trinityracing.co.uk/trinity-racing-confirms-roster-for-2022/?fb…
jive turkey 12/10/2021 11:38am
12/10/2021 11:38am
I think Red Bull maintains relationships with people who are hard workers, at the top of their respective sports and most importantly, have great attitudes.

If someone was deficient in any of those criteria, then I think there is a possibility Red Bull would want to separate from them.

Just a guess…
5
1
misterha2011
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misterha2011 12/10/2021 12:11pm
12/10/2021 12:11pm
iwil815 wrote:
Doesn't look like Haley Batten or Chris Blevins are on Trinity anymore. They just released their full rider list and those two are conspicuously missing. Bigger...
Doesn't look like Haley Batten or Chris Blevins are on Trinity anymore. They just released their full rider list and those two are conspicuously missing. Bigger and better things for both of them after the years they had?...

https://trinityracing.co.uk/trinity-racing-confirms-roster-for-2022/?fb…
I believe Trinity is technically a U23 squad and both age out since their racing age will be 24 in 2022. No idea who will pick them up or may they'll go privateer.
grambo
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grambo 12/11/2021 12:57am
12/11/2021 12:57am
jive turkey wrote:
I think Red Bull maintains relationships with people who are hard workers, at the top of their respective sports and most importantly, have great attitudes. If...
I think Red Bull maintains relationships with people who are hard workers, at the top of their respective sports and most importantly, have great attitudes.

If someone was deficient in any of those criteria, then I think there is a possibility Red Bull would want to separate from them.

Just a guess…
Jon Olsson vs. Andreu Lacondeguy
2
willsmooth18 12/11/2021 3:25am
12/11/2021 3:25am
grambo wrote:
Jon Olsson vs. Andreu Lacondeguy
Gee Atherton vs. Julien Dupont
Jakers
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Jakers 12/11/2021 9:42am
12/11/2021 9:42am Edited Date/Time 12/11/2021 9:43am
Not the juiciest of rumours... but marcelo gutierrez doesn't seem to have had a red bull helmet in his possession in 2021
2
jive turkey 12/12/2021 5:12am
12/12/2021 5:12am
jive turkey wrote:
I think Red Bull maintains relationships with people who are hard workers, at the top of their respective sports and most importantly, have great attitudes. If...
I think Red Bull maintains relationships with people who are hard workers, at the top of their respective sports and most importantly, have great attitudes.

If someone was deficient in any of those criteria, then I think there is a possibility Red Bull would want to separate from them.

Just a guess…
grambo wrote:
Jon Olsson vs. Andreu Lacondeguy
I haven’t worked with either of those guys.
Velia Prost 12/12/2021 5:00pm
12/12/2021 5:00pm
Evan Wall to Devinci, heard in the bar……
6
Big Bird
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Big Bird 12/12/2021 7:23pm
12/12/2021 7:23pm
Velia Prost wrote:
Evan Wall to Devinci, heard in the bar……
Ah... But who bought the round? Was it big money bragging or someone lying for a drink?
1
metadave
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metadave 12/12/2021 11:58pm
12/12/2021 11:58pm
Velia Prost wrote:
Evan Wall to Devinci, heard in the bar……
Big Bird wrote:
Ah... But who bought the round? Was it big money bragging or someone lying for a drink?
Wait, can get free drinks for team rumors
5
fishman
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fishman 12/13/2021 12:55am
12/13/2021 12:55am
Greenland definitely on the syndicate (well Santa Cruz at least). Saw him riding one mid week at ponty last week.
15
mtbman99
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mtbman99 12/13/2021 8:34am
12/13/2021 8:34am
Jakers wrote:
Not the juiciest of rumours... but marcelo gutierrez doesn't seem to have had a red bull helmet in his possession in 2021
Pretty sure he is semi retired now so that would make sense
1
barryjenson
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barryjenson 12/13/2021 10:43am
12/13/2021 10:43am
And Laurie just thanked olly his line spotter for the work this year. (On Instagram)
1

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