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- Both Gwin and Neko started in 2019 with Gwin's Intense team
- Gwin announced a few weeks ago he resigned on his program (believe I saw it was a 2 year deal this time)
- I would be very surprised if Neko signed a longer deal than Gwin in 2019 given Gwin was the premier rider of the two. Assuming that is the case (not longer), his contract would have been up this year as well.
- He has not made a similar extension announcement. This doesn't mean he has not extended just that he hasn't announced anything.
- Seth (the 3rd rider) started with the team in 2020 as a junior and they moved him up to elite in 2021 (a year early IMO but what do I know). At this point, Seth and Neko were placing around the same. My guess is he has a 3-year deal which would take him through 2022. I expect he will continue his progression and could be a solid rider for Intense for years to come.
Gwin and Neko have ridden together for quite some time now. While Neko's results haven't been anything to write home about over the last few years (not sure Gwin's have either), he does bring a lot of intangibles given his heavy involvement with promoting/starting DH races in the US. Perhaps that would be good enough to keep him on if he wants to stay on. I am sure more will come to light in the next couple of weeks.
Neko is one of the most marketable and sought after USA racers. It would not surprise me he got a better offer than Aaron could pay him despite his results slipping. It’s also possible that neko is putting his own program together because he’s focusing less on his own racing. We’ll have to wait and see.
Luca Shaw - Wide and Deep Chasm In-House Competition
Laurie Greenland - Northern California Cooperative
Jackson Goldstone - Northern California Cooperative
Nina Hofman - Northern California Cooperative
Izabela Yankova - Anti-Generalized Force of Attraction
Kye Ahern - Congenial Trip
Dante Silva/Loris Revilli/Antoine Pierron - Latex filled Chasm
Mille Jonset - Principality Bicycles Whole Piece
Hugo Marini - Principality Bicycles Soil-Removal
Connor Fearon - Prohibited Competition Unlimited
Dakotah Norton - High Latitude Cycle Industries
Luca Shaw - Wide and Deep Chasm In-House Competition --> Canyon Factory Racing
Laurie Greenland - Northern California Cooperative --> Santa Cruz Syndicate
Jackson Goldstone - Northern California Cooperative --> Santa Cruz Syndicate
Nina Hofman - Northern California Cooperative --> Santa Cruz Syndicate
Izabela Yankova - Anti-Generalized Force of Attraction --> ??
Kye Ahern - Congenial Trip --> ??
Dante Silva/Loris Revilli/Antoine Pierron - Latex filled Chasm --> Canyon + ??
Mille Jonset - Principality Bicycles Whole Piece --> Commencal 100%
Hugo Marini - Principality Bicycles Soil-Removal --> Commencal Muc-Off
Connor Fearon - Prohibited Competition Unlimited --> Forbidden
Dakotah Norton - High Latitude Cycle Industries --> ??
Latex filled Chasm -> Stan's supported Canyon (sub)team? Dante Silva is already supported by Stans and Canyon USA.
Joining the Syndicate??
As long as we're reaching what about Dak to Atherton?
(None of the above makes sense given Dak's roots and who he hangs out w/ but the guy also has a career to look after so knows, that's what makes this fun!)
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