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Shaun Palmer probably also did Supercross quite a few years ago, when the competition wasn't quite so fierce as it is these days (as the sports has gotten more and more professional).
While never riding anything with gears (only the Pony Express quasi motorcycle, the thing Bernard actually bought in Slovenia a few years ago) and knowing very little about MX, it is nevertheless VERY clear that MX/SX guys are probably one of the fittest sportsmen on the planet. The strength needed to manhandle ~100 kg of metal under you (compared to less than 20 kilos of our bikes) and the speeds and roughness of the tracks, coupled with the duration of each moto requiring insane endurance... Very few other sports have this combination. No wonder they do tons of strength AND cardio training.
Regardless of how good Bernard is actually on an MX bike skills wise it's hard to imagine him having enough fitness to be competitive in an SX race. He simply doesn't need it for MTB racing.
I could be clueless though.
Kerr trying to race A1 was more about exploiting a loophole in the AMA rules. European riders coming to America to race supercross didn't have to do the road to supercross (select arenacross events) i.e. Dylan Ferandis and Marvin Musquin.I don't necessarily think that he thought he was going to do anything other than try to ride practice.
Cade Clason raced some DHSE races last year and did decently so I get what you're saying, but I think it would be hard for someone to show up today and do what Palmer or Pastrana did back then.
Wonder what they will do with Chris Grice now after adding Jordan, 4 male riders on a team and none of them are juniors is really uncommon. Someone is gonna get the axe or move somewhere else...
He already announced on Instagram that he is moving on from Specialized Factory but staying with the Specialized family. He is probably going down to Gen-S or something like that since his results have not been top tier like we expect from Jordan.
so this one is interesting...stumbled across it via random followers. i see lars follows it, probuilds and some others that indicate it's not some fake transition account.
https://www.instagram.com/transitionfactoryracing/
Any chance of making a separate Palmer fanboy moto stream? We all get how uninfluenced you guys are but I came here for this season's racing rumors and not to hear you live in the past.
Probuilds TRANSITIONing into Transition Factory
Looks like Matt jones has changed from 100%
Yep, spotted that the other day with his normal open face helmet
You sound like the pissed off dude at the bar that hates his life so he shits on everyone else and tells the same story about how he won state champs once. #unclerico
Jesse off RaceFace and Fox?
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnOMgWRjUhK/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
Just saw this. Definitely sounds like it but could just be a thanks as well similar to Remy's thanks to Propane. We shall see.
well canyon is running sram/RS and TLD
The Gehrig twins enjoying "retirement"!
------------------------------------------------------------
Press Release
The Gehrig Twins are joining forces with Specialized for 2023 and beyond.
The Enduro World Series races have dictated the calendar of the two enduro riders for the last ten years, leaving little room for "left and right". With the opening of their own bike lodge Flem Mountain Lodge last summer, the two will no longer compete in the World Cup. But anyone who knows the Twins knows that giving up racing completely is not an option. Instead, the twins will try their hand at other cycling disciplines in the future and expand their horizons on two wheels. In this way, the twins will remain in the world of cycling in the future and continue to pass on their passion for the sport. All combined with their flair for adventure!
As one of the first sponsors of the power duo, Specialized had a great influence on their careers. In between, the two have traveled the world with their enduro bikes, achieved great results, gained valuable experience and made a name for themselves internationally. Now that the twins are on the road more locally, this is exactly the right time for Specialized Switzerland to bring the two back on board. Together, they have a series of events, races and adventures lined up, to ensure that Specialized and the Twins are causing sensations in Switzerland and beyond.
First up is a trip to the Canary Island for the Komoot Women's Rally to conquer the Gravel route Gran Guanche together with 50 other ladies.
Bizutch is so old his old man stories are now 1/3 truth, 1/3 exaggeration, and 1/3 geriatric fever dream.
The only thing missing from his stories about racing Mt. Snow NORBAs in the 90s is the whole class cheering in the end.
Out here acting as if he was the only one who showed up at these events when the sport was at its biggest and busiest. I think kids today would refer to this as "cap".
That said, he's right about downhillers crossing into moto. Bizutch is more likely to agree with another internet poster than for a mountain biker to ever qualify for a main again.
Hmmmmm
race face/fox were a sponsor of the Rocky Mountain team so Jesse wouldn't have had an individual deal with them.
Rumour has it we are announcing Mark Wallace has joined the Norco Factory Team in 3, 2, 1...
FOKK! G-Bot!!! I forgot you won that one. I knew Pastrana qualified good, but for some reason was thinking that was the year of Ryan 'spectacles' White, the Giant/Tomac prodigy & that when Travis double flatted at the end of qualifying hucking that stupid pile of finish line jump, he packed it up.
Congrats 20 years later brother! Is that a Racer's Edge jersey?
Mark Wallace Named to Norco Factory Team
January 10, 2023 – Port Coquitlam, BC\
Norco Bicycles has signed Mark Wallace to its Factory Team program for the 2023 race season, and beyond.
With a Norco Factory Team (NFT) 2023 race schedule targeting the UCI World Cup series and World Championships, the decision to partner with the talented Duncan, BC rider was an easy one based on his years of consistent results, the goals he has set for his future, and who he is, both on and off the track.
“When I hear or have ever heard the name Mark Wallace, I think ‘Professional’. He’s been the consummate Canadian throughout his career, but the second he rolls into the start gate, its game on,” said VP of Marketing Peter Falk.
“Mark has worked with some of the best in the business and I’m really excited to see what we can accomplish together.”
The announcement also positions the Norco Factory Team as a proudly All-Canadian squad taking on the World Cup, each with roots in the Backwoods of BC.
Wallace joins 2022 Junior World Cup Overall and Canadian National Champion Gracey Hemstreet in her first Senior year, and rising star Lucas Cruz following his best year of international and domestic racing to date.
“Everyone on the team has been so welcoming and I know they are a lot of fun to hang out with! I’m looking forward to getting into some racing with the crew and getting to know them better!” said Wallace.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be around some very knowledgeable people throughout my career and I’m hoping I can pass some of that along to Lucas and Gracey.”
Coming off a 21st Overall in the World Cup last year, including a 10th place and three Top 20 finishes, Wallace is excited to continue his legacy of success, and help develop the next generation of DH technology with the legendary Canadian brand.
“I’m thrilled to be riding for the brand! I grew up riding Norcos, so it’s cool to be back! The personalities on the team create a great environment to perform and with strong partners supporting us, we have everything we
need! Norco is also dedicated to creating a strong race program which is really motivating!” he added.
Additional announcements regarding team co-sponsors, race schedules and other details will be made available as the Norco Factory Team heads into an exciting 2023 season.
You're so right about the pinnacle of the sport back then. I tried to find Doug Henry's result vs finish time (because when I'm being semi-factual, I try to spot the source) and couldn't find the right result.
What I did find was the 2022 Mt. Snow National. There were SEVENTY EIGHT racers in Vet Ex 30-34 year old group. DH entry list was huge in every category. That age group actually beat the younger age groups every time that season in Expert. I just remember all the old dudes had been racing for so long and just had more race craft and better set up bikes than all the new kids coming into the sport who were buying stuff and trying to figure it out.
Raced my 3rd DH in 3 weeks straight on a broken wrist in agony loving every second.
Bet you're in this results sheet somewhere
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/mtb/?id=2002/aug02/NORBAmtsnow02/Downhill
Well got one right this season!!!
Taking a good guess that blending will take his spot on canyon
Was here rumor that Norco is shutting down racing program and thats why Blenky is out…🤷🏻♂️
And SC free agents generally use Sram/RS and Fox clothing...
It wasn't a rumor, they paused (https://nsmb.com/articles/norco-presses-pause-on-factory-teams/) then un-paused their race program.
Oh, I'm there alright - as a DNF. Different age group. That course was rough AF.
I did better in the mid-90s as a junior, but I wasn't a cracker jack by any means. But man, those old NORBA/WC events were just great times. So many people, huge pits, so many shenanigans.
I can't believe the number of racers. And going through those names is a trip down memory lane for sure. RIP DavidK.
Blame it on the dying cries of rumor season or the agitation of having to wait for the big announcements to come but this long time lurker and fellow old guy suggests we take the nostalgia to the newly created Get off my lawn! forum https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/get-my-lawn and leave the team rumors free from the “remember when everything was cooler than it is now” back and forth.
In case it gets deleted, what the actual f??? It‘s not like SC don‘t have ebikes?
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