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Considering he's world champ you'd think he'd be on the muc off team, but then again someone said Dan atherton could win a World Cup this year so any thing is possible
With respect Phil has been struggling to be a regular top 30 finisher the last few years. And like Kade and Kaos his skills may be more valuable producing content rather than racing World cups.
And that sucks cos those boys really lit up the vital raw , sleeper co. and Ben cathro videos over the world cup weekends.
Sad to see the gifted steezy and technical riders are being forced out of the racing side of the sport now . I wanna see some rowdy shit being done on some wild lines not just a load of Frenchies deathgripping it on ski pistes
Phil losing sponsorship almost annoys me the most out of all of this. All the guy has to do is post a phone clip on a dodgy pleney loamer and I'm convinced to buy the bike. Brands will regret giving up large engagment numbers on social media just to save a few quid in the short term.
Try 10 years.. Sam was on Nukeproof from 2013-2023 and Sram/Rockshox for nearly 20 years (2005ish to 2024?)
Regardless, stoked to see him and some other "old dogs" race Hardline in less than a month
edit, apparently I can't count because 13-23 is 11 seasons
Anton Cooper at NZ XC series, new bike, new team?
Pretty sure you can see the chain in this shot (2nd screengrab), most likely not Pivot since the double chainring configuration keeps the chain higher. Could be wrong though.
I was thinking 5ten. How many flat pedal shoes did he sell for them for many many years? Boat loads for sure. Oh well, pass on adidas. Ride concepts should drop a dime
‘A load of Frenchies deathgripping it on ski pistes’ is my whole mood for 2025.
To me it was clear it was SRAM, he was a Blackbox athlete, all that jazz. But you make an interesting assessment here and I could be in the wrong. And thinking of that, I realise that Stikman is very active on this forum, works for SRAM (although not with athletes, from what I understand) and I just couldn't picture somebody in that environment ignoring Sam. But it seems weird him not listing SRAM as support...
Mx
Pardon my French, but Momo on Les Gets 2024 (and Momo -period) or even any Thirion line is anything but "deathgripping on a ski slope".
His ex teammate Elliott Heap is also riding a Foes and has a load of Hope components fitted, which could also suggest SRAM were not onboard with the whole Foes project.
The immaculately honed skills of the French riders differs immensely from the wild flair of the British riders I mentioned . Thomas estaque and Hugo frixtalon are entertaining skillful riders who are completely different to Benoit, loic and loris and amaury. Those boys are elite racers who have have supercharged wild winning runs but they're not the guys who pull sick whips and doubles when they don't have to .
Some of the most entertaining riders in the past ten years have been guys who weren't on the podium regularly and it will be a shame to not see them at races from now coz they can't get a ride in "the business"
Big news from SCOTT today as they welcome Benoît Coulanges to the team.
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The SCOTT DH Factory is thrilled to welcome none other than current Vice World Champion and two-time World Cup winner Benoît Coulanges to the team. This exciting French addition will strengthen the squad for the 2025 DH racing season and beyond.
At 30 years old, Benoît Coulanges is already a force to be reckoned with in the downhill scene. During his time with Team Dorval AM, he built an impressive résumé, claiming two French Championship titles and earning countless World Cup podiums. Known for his blistering speed, pinpoint precision, and relentless determination, Benoît is a serious threat on any race weekend. Needless to say, he’s hungry to reclaim the top step of the podium.
Benoît joins the team roster, including rising talents Dylan Levesque and Gonçalo Bandeira, who are eager to make their mark on the international downhill scene. Both riders have shown their potential and are in the start gate to push their limits in the upcoming season, learning from each race and gaining valuable experience alongside their new teammate.
After a challenging year of injury and recovery, Ethan Craik is also set to make his long-anticipated return. Determined and hungry for success, he’s ready to prove his resilience and skill, aiming to reclaim his place among the top guys. With his grit and determination, Ethan is prepared to battle for the top step of the podium and inspire with his comeback story.
With the race season fast approaching, the SCOTT DH Factory team is geared up and ready. A dedicated training camp will kick things off — perfecting bike setups, honing their skills, and pushing the limits on World Cup-worthy terrain. Buckle up and stay tuned — it’s going to be a wild ride!!
"I’m very happy to join the SCOTT DH Factory. SCOTT is an incredible partner for my growth and performance. I can’t even pinpoint what I’m looking forward to most - I just can’t wait to be back in the start gate!"
Benoît Coulanges
SCOTT DH Factory
“We are looking ahead to an exciting season of racing with our newest addition to the DH Factory team, Benoît Coulanges. With this tall Frenchman, we have a very competitive team structure that will hopefully translate into success down the road.”
Patrice Afflatet
Team Manager
SCOTT DH Factory
The SCOTT DH Factory - Partnerships
Kicking off 2025, the SCOTT DH Factory is stoked to keep rolling with our incredible long-term partners!
We’re also thrilled to welcome MICHELIN as our new tire partner. With MICHELIN's legendary grip, the team is ready to shred every track and tackle any conditions that come our way.
Additionally, MOTOREX joins the team, ensuring every component runs at peak efficiency and top performance. Their cutting-edge lubricants and maintenance products will keep our race bikes dialed in all season long.
Some XC related news.
Rebecca Henderson, Simon Andreassen & Jennifer Jackson all on Orbea-Fox factory team.
aaaaaaaaah, there it is. This is one of the big ones I was waiting for.
When Momo is between the tape, the only death grip involved is between my butt cheeks and the couch cushion.
No new gambler
Gonçalo Bandeira??
daprela on rogue racing
Is that a ransom with fox 40s on? Cause I'd be interested to see their hidden shock approach in the downhill, would make for a low centre of gravity at least?
So, can the currently 15th placed team (who may have signed contacts and spent £) be bumped down the list by a late announcement eg BC? Or have I misunderstood the calculus?
I tried to read the new UCI team list on the other site but gave up about 20 words in before my head exploded.
So, only riders on top 15 teams can race and 5 alternates?
So where does that put Gwin Racing? I mean, the guy's won more WC races than any other American (save Julie Furtado, maybe)...are we gonna get to see him race this year? Did WB fix it so that they get him as commentator only?!
What about other teams like "Rogue Racing"? If you're not on a top 15 team, you're on the sidelines?!
If there was ever a time for DH to split from UCI, it seems like this is it.
just a matter of when (below pic is from July '24)
Disappointing to see there are still teams willing to support Daprela after what he is alleged to have done. There are a ton of other riders without teams that are almost as fast and come with none of the baggage. I would've thought sponsors would prefer their riders to be fast and good human beings, rather than just fast.
Oh hell yeah that looks really cool
so the alternates are considered under a bunch of different criteria, that can be summarized as "cover for the UCI to choose who they want."
We don't know for sure all the details of Gwin's team, but the way it looks right now, it's likely if his team is chosen, it's at the cost of another team that has more UCI points than his team has.
So either Gwin races and somebody else deserving doesn't, or vice versa.
and that's what the UCI wanted.
You said it yourself mate: “ALLEGED”
So it's guilty until proven innocent now, is it?
Alleged still doesn't look good to people buying products. If I was a bike shop owner and somebody applied to work there and was alleged to be replacing customers' fork oil with olive oil and skidding the showroom bike tires in the parking lot, I wouldn't hire him, because our customers wouldn't trust him to work on their bike. Daprela is alleged of much worse. I just can't see how that makes sense for Rogue Racing's sponsors.
Alleged, not charged and no conviction
Roque Racing, small team and I assume a small budget. Maybe his “baggage” priced him into a smaller lesser known team.
Antonio Brown of the NFL was convicted of assault charges on his wife and the NFL still let the guy play. Not alleged, convicted.
Give TD a chance until he’s charged and convicted. Too much bashing of riders on the forum based on speculation and not facts. Leaning into slander in some cases imo
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