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There is no doubt that Asa is potentially leaving money on the table staying with Frameworks.. However, even though the kid has got a ton of talent, I don't think he'd be getting 7 figures as a rookie. The jump to elite is bigger than what the times show. Plus, if he signed with a major team, the pressure to perform becomes huge. Now, he's set for a couple of seasons and there is a good chance that his price can go up if those first two years in elite go as well as a lot of think it will..
Prime Gwin, years ago in wayyyy better economic times said he's making approx $1m when combining all streams of income.
Asa, as good as he is not in the same ballpark commodity wise as peak Gwin. No one is making 1.5m in today's climate IMO.
Reading between the lines here, he may have had to stay on Frameworks, or another RedBull friendly team. The Redbull/Monster energy team association deal has stymeid plenty of Moto racing contracts over the years. Also, big time gear contracts like Fox come into play here also. Matter of Fact, I believe Ken Roczen had to look far and wide for his last team deal with the Redbull/Fox gear combo.
I don't think we have that situation here.. Not too many teams with an energy drink as the main sponsor like we see in moto.. Pretty much every top 450 guy has a gear deal separate from their bike sponsor. I don't believe Asa has a personal contract with Fox for clothing as they seem to be a team sponsor. The moto landscape is quite a bit different from DH..
I'm not so sure about that to be honest. Say Asa wanted to go to Commencal for example.. Amaury Pierron would be his teamate, and he's sponsored by Monster.. I don't think RedBull would sign off on that, TBH. Then Asa loses a sponsor that's worth more than the frame mfg that he's riding for..Not gonna happen/impossible deal from Asa's perspective also. If he likes the Framworks bike a lot, it doesn't take too many hypotheticals like that one to force him to stay put.
If he went to commencal he would also ride with Miriam Nicole who is sponsored by Red Bull.
At the end of the day I think Asa sees neko as a friend and mentor and wants to continue that relationship. I have little doubt Martin and neko intend to get Asa very well compensated in the long run. But I also think neko is a pretty good example of someone from a normal background who essentially has what he wants by navigating the bike industry. He never made a huge salary from a frame deal but he co owns two bike parks, a house in pisgah, and a race series. I think Asa just wants to enjoy riding his bike, do bike related things, and scratching out a living and thinks frameworks offers him the best chance to do that as he starts his elites career. I am sure Martin did due diligence in discussing competing offers.
For example maybe the specialized buyout is a real plan. But also maybe there was an offer from specialized gravity on the table and Asa was looking across the pits at a bunch of serious looking dudes talking French and thought I’m better off over here on FW.
That's true about Myriam being a RedBull athlete on the same team. Everyone on Commencal Muc Off is sponsored by DHaRCO for their riding gear though, so Fox being Asa's riding gear sponsor could still be a sticking point in that scenario. It gets complicated for riders with a bigtime gear + energy drink sponsorship.
DHaRCO is the team gear sponsor just like Fox is a sponsor of the Frameworks team. I don't believe that any of the riders on either team have personal gear deals. The only team in MTB that had the riders having individual gear deals was the Syndicate prior to Fox sponsoring the whole team a few years back.
While Neko may not have been the top dog, he did have a fairly successful career riding for some of the top teams in our sport. His has said his goal with the team was to give his riders the things he thought were missing in the bigger programs. I'm guessing that Asa, and his parents, are looking at a long-term plan where the experience Asa will get now will benefit him more in the future. At the same time, Neko and Martin are using Asa's potential to get a little more out of the team sponsors to keep him signed for the next 3 years.
As for someone buying out his contract, yes, it's possible, but when was the last time we saw that happen in the DH world?
Someone correct me if im wrong but i remember hearing a Neko podcast maybe 12 months ago where they were discussing Asa, and im almost sure he mentioned offering him “shares” in frameworks so to speak as part of future contracts.. it was a while ago so the recollection is pretty vague - can anyone else remember hearing this? Or am I just remembering something that never happened
Pretty sure last season with the Syndicate grabbing Ollie Davis when Jackson was taken out at Hardline.
I'm happy to report Asa is being well compensated, at a level equal to his talent and future.
Despite choices aplenty, Asa decided to stay with a team capable of fully taking care of him, but also one whose business dealings have been genuine and transparent.
Asa's a bright kid, but to assume he was not properly represented and took advise, especially as one of the most branded athletes in the sport is a bit dramatic.
No money nor opportunity left on the table. Opportunity: Taz, Wales...Rampage? Who gets that? Money: Private for obvious reasons, but he's making more at 18 than all of us did.
I hope this ends the above...and let's get back on topic about how the future of of US DH has some sick upstarts with good ppl in their corners.
I recall that also...
re: energy drink team mixing - jordan williams (monster) is on spec'd gravity with loic and finn (red bull).
What we can all hope for is that the groms and grom-ettes here in America see what is possible for a hard working junior, and that all that might cause true growth in USDH.
Even in moto, the energy drink thing isn't an issue unless their name is on the team like Monster energy with Kawasaki or Star Yamaha and Red Bull with KTM. Jett and Sexton were on HRC together with different energy drink sponsors.
As good as Asa is he hasn't yet lined up for an elite race, he still has a lot to prove. Having someone like Neko to help mentor and guide him through his first couple years is huge and something you aren't going to get from a team like Trek or Specialized they are hiring guys that are expected to come in and win and know how to be a professional.
specialized gravity finally gets some female talent - rosa marie jensen now on the squad, bumped up from Gen-S
ROSA MARIE JENSEN JOINS SPECIALIZED GRAVITY :
Since its inception in 2022, Generation Specialized (Gen-S) has been developing and nurturing young talent. As the development team for Specialized Gravity, the focus of Gen-S is to allow young riders to grow and develop, ultimately with the aim to graduate to the World Series team, Specialized Gravity.
We are proud to announce that Rosa Marie Jensen, the young Danish talent who has been growing through Gen-S, will be stepping up to Specialized Gravity.
LEARNING FROM THE BEST :
She joins the prestigious team, riding alongside Loïc Bruni, Finn Iles, and Jordan Williams.
This move offers Rosa an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes, helping to accelerate her development and performances on the world stage.
This well-deserved promotion comes just in time for the first World Cup of the 2025 season in Poland on 18-19 May, where Rosa will make her debut in junior women's category. Her race program will be tailor-made, focusing on selected World Cup rounds, with a key focus on the European and World Championship events later this year.
AN INCREDIBLE START TO THE SEASON :
Rosa's upgrade follows a fantastic start to the 2025 season.
Earlier this month, Rosa made waves at the opening round of the Continental Series in Portugal. In her first year as a junior, she not only clinched the win in her category, but she also secured a stunning 2nd place overall, a performance which speaks volumes of her talent and determination. From her early days with Gen-S to the international stage with Specialized Gravity, Rosa has continued to impress with her speed, focus, and spirit.
We can’t wait to see what she’ll bring to the World Cup circuit under the Specialized Gravity banner.
One of my favourite things about this thread is the the mix of people commenting. One one hand people who seem to have behind the scenes knowledge vaguely referring to things they know to be true but can't say, and people with no idea of the actual details confidently stating things they have no direct knowledge of. This is what keeps me coming back.
Keep it coming
I'm sure that Asa is happy at frameworks, happy with the bike and happy with his deal. Can't put a price on hapiness 😁.
Actually, it is most likely Frameworks paying Asa.. However, that money is coming from the team sponsors.
Back it the day when I was working in the warehouse at Diamondback, I heard a story of one of the top team riders demanding that they change some of the team sponsors to products he wanted to ride.. The head of marketing told him, "Those team sponsors are responsible for 75% of your paycheck..."
Some interesting comments on Asa’s contract signing Insta post, first is the UCI saying he will be elite this year, but probably a typo from the social media manager:
Second is quite interesting for me, as Asa’s dad states that Martin will never be his manager, seems a little offhanded since Martin had a lot ties with frameworks:
Obviously, Martin has been a wizard in the MTB world. However, Dad might recognize that Martin has his fingers in many pies and that it might not be the best for his kid. I think it’s simple as that. Sometimes people see too much emotion when it’s just facts. I feel like Dad - honestly don’t know him - has had a plan for Asa all along and it’s working to perfection so far.
I'm guessing his parents might be managing him for now.. I think a lot of people are assuming since Martin is managing the team for Neko that Asa is automatically going to be with 23 degrees... While his parents seem to be pretty smart, I think when his next contract comes around, having an agent probably wouldn't be a bad idea, IMO...
*was managing the team
Just a random internet fan, but in the episode covering Asa on S3 of Red Bull Race Tapes I got the sense his parents, and especially dad, are pretty involved in his career and that they sacrificed a lot to help get him the opportunities to showcase his talent racing (and I think it is just awesome to see that). Wish him nothing but the best, and the photo of signing the contract on the tailgate is fucking awesome.
I missed that...
It would be a pretty big conflict of interest for Martin to represent both the team and Asa as a rider in contract negotiations.
That depends on the timeline of when Martin stepped aside as Neko shifted to more of team manager and less a rider role.
Martin has done this before with TWR (Neko, Brannigan, Leov, Laurie, and G willy), YT Mob (Neko, Angel, and Dak), and Frameworks (Angel).
Also, Specialized Gravity operates in a similar manner. Pure Agency runs the team and reps Loic and Finn (maybe all riders)
Mitch Ropelato on ohlins, Brembo brakes and blacked out frameworks frame?
For the record, I'm not saying anything shady is going on and conflicts of interest like this can be addressed and worked around.
Goes well with the confirmation that Magura and Specialized Factory Racing are parting ways:
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