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Interesting. Mondraker Opens a New Base in the USA - Pinkbike
That helps explain a bit more about them focusing on two American riders in Dak and Pinky. Clearly trying to increase their presence in the States... could Gwin end up there as well....
Toby Price signature air brake. Would point to an Aussie. Olly Davis?
Why not Gwin on Mondraker? (Any team)
Their current bike is still in the process so he can help with development. Plus they just opened an office in the US so they need to market it well for this market.
I see some folks above were faster with that idea.
So, I feel like I missed something big: Did John Hall and Aaron part ways? I see John posting up lots of Intense content while Aaron very clearly ended a partnership with Intense.
Consensus seems to be that Hall has moved to a salaried development role at Intense and AG is doing whatever it is we're all waiting to find out...
I have to assume that it became a bit more difficult with the hall/gwin arrangement now that they live so far apart. Hall is right next to Intense. I have to also imagine that being a WC mechanic and at every event team manager is a young mans game (at least once you have a family). It would make sense for Hall to want to step into a more influential role at a bike brand if given the opportunity.
Randy isn't just a trainer. He was McGrath's mechanic during the heyday.
He was also a multi-year World Cup/NORBA National Intense factory team racer.
And yes, Ryder's dad. Buddy collects a lot of heyday memorabilia and was able to run down to Rock Creek for Nats to Randy to sign his copy of Chain Smoke.
Interesting…OD was on a new C frame at home recently, but surely he’s not French enough for that team ?
Used to be. Originally from Vancouver, they moved to Washington state in the US I believe for tax purposes but I may be wrong on the reason
The Commencal Ride Addiction team has had the odd NZ rider on the team over the years so an antipodean rider isn't unheard of.
Commencal Muc-Off has strong ties to Australia with DHaRCO as their clothing sponsor while Commencal's retail subsidiary is very strong in Sydney and having a local Australian rider on the team would only boost their presence in Australia.
Not a rider rumour, but looks like Commencal Muc-off will be on Burgtec components?
it'd be cool if it was actually a rumor
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Jett is the only Daddy Lawrence I’m concerned about
apologies in advance for the shit post!
Listen kids.
There is a Tomac named John, and a whole ‘nother Lawrence family that involves riding with and wrenching for some fella’s named Palmer and McGrath, and lots of love for 20” wheels and loose-over hardpack.
REMEMBER the roots of mtb dh are actually in road bikes, bmx and winter sports. Moto is just how badass people from the MTB industry figured out how to get paid for a generation…
Mountain Bikes- cul de sac lifestyle approved since ‘87
I have no idea what you're saying but I 100% agree!
A young Australian will be riding a baguette with German rubber...
A radioactive Scot moving onto a concentrated new team...
A fish out of water will be set free from his ball and chain...
Cool and thanks for the reminder.
People seem to place him squarely on Frameworks tho.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsX6GRHV3AQ
BK on The Ride Companion podcast. I thought I remember him saying something about Danny is crashing with him in NZ and he is set for a ride next year. "the bike is in my garage, just sorting a few things out."
I cant find the time stamp now.
But that is at least some good news that Danny has a ride for 24
That would be sick!!!
BKs podcasts are so good as he just throws it out, $60k less budget compared to last year, riders keep the same salary and he takes the loss. And that sponsors are serious about reducing or even canceling enduro sponsorhip as there is simply no exposure from it. Also interesting bit about the Dyfi and how much that park does for the local comunity and that Dan has been elected as city council :D
Or it shows how much he's been making as team owner? There were comments on a podcast last year that stood out at the time. I can't remember details but it was something along the lines of him absorbing something like £100k of costs due to flight increases, and Morganne more than doubling her salary after a good season. So the team obviously had plenty of slack in the budget to accomodate these changes.
BREAKING NEWS: Dan Atherton to Team Dyfi City Council, now riding His Majesty's Royal Frames!!!
Corris Community Council by the looks of it
(https://corriscommunitycouncil.com/cynghorwyr-councillors/)
One thing he mentioned that stood out to me was how Discovery/ESO don't understand mountain biking. He mentioned it focused on Enduro but it applies to DH as well.
That's how we end up with the lack of story telling / buildup of excitement throughout practice, qualifying, semis, and finals. It's also how we end up with drone shots from far away or shots that don't show the rider's lower body or bike, and cutting away from the rider mid run to show the team manager.
ESO simply isn't run by mountain bike racing fans. Additionally ESO is only focused on being the only one making money off of mountain bike racing coverage. If the sport gets smaller they don't care as long as they are making the money from it.
This is the Team Rumors spirit!
I definitely don't know the people, but here are my guesses:
First bike hints towards a Commencal, as I don't know of any other ”French” brand that is in the circuit. Although Commencal are from Andorra, but French enough, I guess.
Was thinking of Radon or Nukeproof for the second one, but Radon doesn't have a team since a while now and I could not find a Scot on Nukeproof, but I am pretty sure the concentrated new team is whatever Intense has going.
The keen fisherman must be the Keswick Kestrel, but the only ”chain” I can think of is Chain Reaction Cycles and they haven't been sponsoring him at any point in his career, plus the team changed its name a while ago. He's been riding Nukeproof frames, but that is something else.
Could some of the hints be, erm, not very precise? :D
Mx
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