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For those playing along at home, here’s where we stand with the most ridiculous rumors so far…
#3 - Phoebe Gale off FMD, going to Reece Wilson’s new AON team, after being prominently featured in the Orbea FMD press release.
#2 - Aaron Gwin back to mentor the kids on lower budget Trek Factory after becoming a partner in Crestline bikes last year.
#1 - Old man Dan Atherton returning to stomp $$$ DH podiums on a prototype belt drive after his most recent 57th at a 2018 Crankworx stop.
There’s a few others close to the top 3, but unfortunately we’re no longer doing 5 rider podiums.
This wouldn’t surprise me. I spoke with his agent on the side of the hill back in snowshoe 2023. He alluded to last year being a bit of transition/test and then Richie would decide what he wanted to do for 2025. Yeti was willing to back whatever he decided.
Makes sense, besides rainbow stripes which only started last season the man has nothing left to prove in enduro. If his heart is in racing DH full time then he should go for it
Yes it has indeed been the worst year of "rumours" and tangents
my favourite was:
Camile Balanche to Pivot cos there is a photo of her wearing a Pivot tshirt,
A post or two later, someone says, you now that's a photo of Emiline who works for Pivot not Camile.
not really race team related but sam pilgrim off good year.
Trialing Conti's
Must have had too many flats.
Looks like Remi and Emmett from Rocky might be on with Commencal.
ol matt jones had sh1t loads.
whatever pays the bills i suppose.
The fact that the only two flat tyres (I think) at hardline wales last year was jono and Matt Jones who both run good year tells you everything you need to know
Sometime in 2017 - "Enduro will breath new life into mountain biking and once included by the UCI, it will draw crowds bigger than we have ever seen at a single event. It will be more spectator friendly than any of our other disciplines we currently have or ever have" - UCI spokesperson (probably).
2025 - "ENDURO IS DEAD" (pretty much everyone in every forum)
2028 - "UCI/WB really screwed the pooch on Enduro, good thing NORBA2 figured out that if you actually cover it, people will watch because it's what they actually ride."
Camille Balanche on a new bike... Looks like a Session (I'm just kidding, I can't figure out if it's actually a Yeti or something else)
The song could be a hint (or she might be fooling us) : 2 chainz by Lil Wayne
This is a stretch for sure but doesn't Yeti use a metal head badge and Pivot's is painted?
Edit: And fwiw Insta comment from someone saying those are DT Swiss wheels... (PFR runs Reynolds iirc)
Pivot has a painted one, also seems like the DHX2 is the popular choice for the Yeti riders, meanwhile the Float X2 is the popular choice for the Phoenix.
Not a team rumour, apologies but it’s only 26 days until Hardline in Tasmania and I’m excited 🤘 enjoy your Monday everyone
By central knobs pattern (3-2-2) she seems to run the Michelin DH22 tire on front wheel.
quick interview with Sam Hill about what 2025 looks like for him
https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/sam-hill-interview-january-2025
SH: "...It’s actually been super disappointing that many long-time sponsors that I have stayed loyal to throughout my career can’t even make an effort to reply to emails or messages."
Damn, choosing to not pick up the phone/email when SH calls is a choice for sure. He's not on top of the game anymore but at least pitch him some gear ffs.
Curious if how that relationship ended. Did he really communicate with them his plans towards the end of last contract? What was the negotiations like as it was ended. If he left them with a sour taste and now you want our help again. Not saying it's that but sometimes athletes have false sense of worth when they bring less and less to the table.
"can’t even make an effort to reply to emails or messages"
Is the take away ghosting is a weak mans way of dealing with things. Sam has had many closers with sponsors over the years I don't remember a time he spoke ill of any them after. I'm inclined to believe Sam.
As someone has had previous employees contact me (not that i had the power to affect their rehire-ability or chances in an interview) it would have to literally be someone i didn't feel safe talking to, to not at least give them a "sorry, we don't have room for you on the program this year" email.
of course, i've worked with lots of folks who don't have that kind professionality, however.
Phil Atwill and the Propain Positive team appear to have parted ways with Propain. Instagram is now labeled "Positive Crew". They're either up for grabs or stepping back from UCI level racing. Hopefully somebody gives them the steam for more World Cup racing, Phil has some of the most unique bike handling skills around.
He was with nukeproof for the last 5? Ish.. maybe 7? Years of his racing career.. and then out of nowhere nukeproof closed its doors leaving riders and staff without jobs, or rides and owing quite a few of them money.
Needless to say This wasnt a good way for the relationship to end, but it was Sam getting screwed and not the other way around.
Talk to the person having having had a relationship with & listen to them, after there is nothing wrong with replying "I'm sorry i wish we could help this round but we can't" is all that needs to be done.
Ghosting Sam Hill? They’re gonna be kicking themselves after he wins that easy Tasmania Hardline race by 25 seconds.
i don't why or if it's related, but I've heard that Propain made a good offer to one of the biggest Italian teams, primarily Enduro. I don't know how the negotiations went on, especially since Propain doesn't really have a team anymore, now even without Positive...
Vergier to Commencal Muc off or Commencal Les orres ?![]()
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