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I have no info but sometimes business partnerships end whether amicably or not.
Like the Rob Roscop situation.
What's going on with Sam then? Looks like he's over in Maydena and riding with Troy - although no mention of him in any of Nukeproof's socials since they've been over in Taz and done their team shoots etc, and there's no mention of nuke in any of his stuff since he's made his way over there - bit odd? Hopefully he's racing
He’s registered for dh.
curious what’s going on at canyon with Jesse, Dimi, and the spectral.
imagine Ford built the GT40 for Le Mans, and Ken decided to race the mustang. Not a bad car, but, wasn’t built to race Le Mans…
Maydena is pretty gravity oriented but the other is pretty flat and pedally. Imagine they’ll be on the strive when the rounds return to euro but we will see.
That would be interesting given how particular Jesse is about bike set-up (Dimitri and Jose might too but don't have info on that). IIRC it took him ~3 years to get the Altitude dialed and I have to think that getting new everything (except tires) dialed would be a similar effort. Doing it twice sounds daunting... (Yes he's a pro and it's his job etc. etc.)
Pretty sure in a podcast a few weeks back he said he was planning on riding the Spectral for the first 2 rounds and using the long break after to spend more time on the Strive.
https://youtu.be/uT9_HLBleZQ
he‘s on a size S spectral according to the upper video, so there isn‘t a strive at the moment that fits him (S strive is more like a M).
Begs the question what was discussed during contract negotiations. He had to have rode a strive at some point right? He would have had plenty of time to get comfy testing a strive. Why spend all that time testing and dialing in only the spectral for 1 or 2 rounds?
So. New strive in the works? Rode the smallest one he could and it was too big? Maybe they were close to a finished product of a new one, he rode it, it wasn’t going to be ready so he focused on the spectral to be in the championship hunt at the beginning of the series. Use the break to dial in the new strive.
Honestly, just check out his post in the Tech Rumors thread. he straight up talks about it. plus his downtime podcast:
He’s pretty open about a lot of things. But this is the rumor forum. I want to believe and talk sh*t about the possibility that something else is going on.
In the TN Pit Bits https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/pit-bits-tn-national-downhill-and-xc-… Spomer says that Neko has apparently broken his hip/pelvis. And right after debuting his Dale's Pale Ale helmet.
Gutted. Heal fast, Neko.
He said he broke his hip socket and will have surgery in the next couple days. Heal up fast Neko!
Even the Team Rumors thread turns into a tech discussion on this site. Can't have nice things
Looks to me like most bike riders are here just to nerd not to ride?
Can't ride a forum thread. Can nerd out in one though.
The only nerding is tech nerding though. You ever hear about the spice of life?
Guesses as to whether Neko will be able to race this season, or if he might find a replacement rider for Frameworks?
I have really enjoyed watching his progress with the new bike, and have been a fan of his for quite a while. I’m hoping his hip fracture is clean and the surgery goes well!
Neko? I'd be surprised if we see him racing again this year with an injury like that. Such a bummer, especially after doing so well in NZ.
D’oh! I was chatting on another thread about Dak!
Yeah, I honestly don’t know if there’s a chance that he can recover by the North American races, but I’m sure hoping he can! That Crankworx run was so good.
I think Logan is officially on the team, and Asa (although he’s not a Junior until next year) so possibly they could recruit another rider.
I see no option, other than for Frameworks / Mullaly to grab anyone they can to ride the bike(s). Is there a fast, "semi self funded" rider out there, with an empty calendar? I wouldn't know, but it would be worth cheering on.
Roger Vieira had a successful 2022 at WC as a privateer and is looking for new opportunities!
Super bummer for Neko. Looked to be on a great pace this season.
Regarding a replacement rider--as has been said, if there's a rider who doesn't need a salary they could probably put all of Neko's travel expenses, flights, etc. into him/her. But, I HIGHLY HIGHLY doubt Neko has the cashflow to be paying another rider a salary. He's going to be using his team rider 'salary' to pay himself while he's on the mend.
Pretty sure neko said in one of the videos he was forgoing a salary when he started frameworks and only asked sponsors cover the costs of his team. Basically said doing well for himself since he was a teen and living with his parents while his travel expenses were paid for early in his career he was in a position to do so to pursue his dreams rather than focusing on the $$$.
Noga out of the Derby round w/ head injury. Sucks but I'm really glad teams/riders are being careful...
Looks like he is on Privateer Bikes for 2023, at least for enduro
Cathro on a dorado at the sda this weekend.
Makes total sense for that big man
Who was the guy building his own frames and doing pretty well on last year's US downhill races?
Isak Leivsson?
If so, he moved to Norway fairly recently.
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