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Independently owned teams will go with who they feel will give them the support, equipment wise and financially, plus a European based company could be easier to deal with..
exactly my point and question, Intense need to get those finances in order to actually keep a race team. Look how long term some other independently owned teams have been with the same brand (Commencal Muc-Off, Specialized Gravity, Pivot). I'm probably just lamenting the continued demise of an iconic brand
Maybe they can sign Dak and some Americans. I believe Dak helped develop the Intense bike. Plus, it would be great to see Lou back with Nukeproof. As the demands of competition increase, riders and brands need to be in closer proximity to each other. They are losing money on traveling for development, etc. Travel budgets will be absorbed by the races themselves.
This. The last three iterations of their team have all been super cool only to be axed right as they’re starting to build momentum.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Joe Breeden is shopping around. He’s definitely taken on Gwin’s philosophy of being worth more to smaller brands.
Also spotted this factory Trek on the uplift trailer today. Was being ridden by some Irish guy 🤷🏼♂️
So Trek Factory has "ocean" side views next year?
Just my observation but I live in western Canada and can’t think of the last time I saw an Intense in the wild. This includes plenty of time in Whistler, Squamish, etc. I assume they sell more in the US but can’t comment. Makes me wonder if the race team is worth their investment.
I see lots over here in the warm bosom of sweet mother 'Berta as Calgary Cycle and then MEC used to sell lots, but since they split ways with MEC, I think they have had zero presence in Canada outside of Gravity Driven racing on on the Dunbar series. Most of the NA focus currently seems to be on the US market pushing the collab with QBP.
Honestly, my 2018 Tracer is still one of the most memorable bikes I've ever owned, that thing crushed. I'd love for them to be more accessible here because when they're good, they're good.
Oisins story, Gavin rides for trek, so a good indicator. Also Maxxis tires which is what trek runs
I thought you said ocean because it kind of looks like the sea in the background, and you can see the sea (😉) from where the trail centre he was riding.
Then I realised you just think Oisin is pronounced Ocean, or you pronounce ocean as Oisin?? Either way... Oisin. Ush-een. Mush without the M
Are you Ronnie Dunne?
my guess for the 'luscious locks' would be Lou Ferguson, fits the Joe Breedon theory plus she's a previous Nukeproof rider
So the Rat boy "Luscious locks" 50/01 Nukeproof colab is on then!
Yeah when I first saw this hint I immediately thought about ratboy ! I have the feeling he's not quite fitting in cannondale anyway (not really turned into gravity disciplines anymore). Would be great to have him on UK(ish) brand leaning more towards gravity
Would be great to see Booker back on NP. Hardline rider with potential for EDR overall. Or even on the DH team if he wants to go that way. One of the most talented riders in the world.
Can we just call him mush?
This has just been posted on the Pink site:
Which DH teams will get UCI World Series team status from Warner Bros or 2026 and 2027
How does the transfer window work?
Don't understand it as riders will have a contract during that period which won't finish until the end of the season....
Or am I missing something?
No real basis in any evidence but just a hunch:
HSC racing (US-based team with Clay Harper's son Zac, Sully Notaro, and Ryder Lawrence) had YT as their frame sponsor last season for mainly racing the Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series in the US. Ryder did very well in the last two WC races (top 5 at both, I believe). He's been on Intense in the past, so I could see them stepping in as the HSC sponsor with a focus on US series if that team stays together.
B.L.U.F: Transfers can happen at two times. During the mid season transfer window, dates announced in the documents team receive when they register early in the calendar year. And during the offseason. Mid season is the only time when points move with the rider. They also must wait to end their contract before moving to another team, or obtain signed agreement from both teams and UCI to make the transfer prior to contract termination.
Mid season transfers can happen only during the mid season window, announced each year, it was a couple days in July. At any other time during the season a team cannot add riders. 4.18.013
Transfers are then allowed during the offseason, but generally only once a contract has expired. "On the expiry of the term of the contract, the rider is free to enter the service of another paying agent. No system of transfer fees are permitted. Before the expiry date of the contract, transfers of riders are only permitted if a global agreement in writing is reached between the three parties concerned: the rider, his current paying agent and the new paying agent, and with the preliminary authorisation of the UCI." 4.18.022 This is why announcements are usually in January, as most have calendar year contracts.
4.18.023 "A team must announce its dissolution or the cessation of its activity or its inability to respect its obligations, at the earliest opportunity. Once this announcement has been made, riders are fully entitled to contract with another Team for the following season or for the period starting at the moment announced for the dissolution, the end of activities or the inability to perform."
This is why Andi was able to announce with SC early. Unclear why Oisin, Vali, and others may not be announcing yet, but that is often tied up in marketing decisions. SC decided it was in their interest to be the first and announce immediately after the end of the season.
https://assets.ctfassets.net/761l7gh5x5an/6qYIYIddcAPjN248n7tVDI/3a4ef7…
@clivegosling looking forward to seeing Nukeproof back in DH and back in general 👍
My Daughter will happily be a test pilot at regional races for you 😉
Interesting list but in the end it's like everybody gets a slot anyways, just screw the privateers.
I questioned that Cube were getting a spot among the 15 last time around, but I'm just as glad they proved me wrong. This time it's Scott, and hopefully Ethan Craik will teach me to keep my mouth shut.
4.18.023 "A team must announce its dissolution or the cessation of its activity or its inability to respect its obligations, at the earliest opportunity. Once this announcement has been made, riders are fully entitled to contract with another Team for the following season or for the period starting at the moment announced for the dissolution, the end of activities or the inability to perform."
Surely this regulation would have allowed all 3 to jump on to another team for the final 2 rounds? Or, I would assume the 'dissolution or the cessation of its activity or its inability to respect its obligations' is very specific in terms of what that means (i.e. not administration or restructuring or whatever it is they're (YT/The YT Mob) doing?)
We will try and support regional racers through distributors and dealers but it's early days!
It frees up the riders to move to a new team, but it doesn’t get rid of the restriction on teams adding new riders. The teams still need to petition the UCI. I am sure they would be open to it in this kind of situation, but there are other issues at play as well. You’ve got to negotiate a contract, sponsor deals are still in place for most of them and may not align with other teams, mechanic and pit space, marketing, travel arrangements, team rosters for future rounds are likely submitted in advance, and most teams operate right at the top of their budget so they have to find money to add a rider mid season. So yes, they are free and I bet UCI would authorize it, but everything else takes time that it would be really hard to put together all while trying to manage the team you’ve already committed to.
Fair point.
I bet if this happened earlier in the season, during the European rounds where all the big teams have the big rigs/motorhomes with more space we'd have seen the 3 YT riders jump ship earlier.
Heard this earlier in the year. Now it’s confirmed.
Makes the tv schedule easier I guess.
They were scheduling juniors for TV slots? It was already an afterthought.
But seriously, this is bad unless they have legitimate plans to support feeder systems. Where do talented kids get to prove themselves and experience racing like what it will be at the big show?
Straight to elites. Like the old days.
The fastest juniors can qualify elites and the rest aren’t Chris ball’s problem in his mind. Hopefully they at least will expand the elites field for men and women’s.
I'm sure quite a few kids are messing up their education while they chase their dreams in the junior world cup.
Don't roughly only 5 or 6 from the juniors rank every year make it to professional level?
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