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New article on Pinkbike on rumors shouts out the "sleuths on the vital forums." Haha.
Main one of interest was that they listed Danny Hart off Norco as "debunked" and said they've talked to Minaar who debunked it.
Tying back to the upcoming WC changes — I absolutely love watching DH racing at every level: World Cups, Hardline, Monster Series, Crankworx, you name it.
I’m a big fan of having Juniors included in the WC. They make for great viewing — watching guys like Tyler Waite, Oli Clark, the Alrans, and Asa absolutely send it has been so good. That said, I’ll admit I only tune in for those standout riders, and I’m guessing a lot of others are the same. It’s awesome for their development, and I’d be bummed to see it go, but realistically, it wouldn’t change much about how I watch.
As for the Men’s Elite field, I always catch the live races when Tiz the season. But if I’m honest, outside of the top 15, I’m usually only watching the riders I like. Between 20th and 30th, I’ll check out guys like Kolb, Dunne, or Goldstone if they didn’t make Q1 — otherwise, it’s kind of background noise until the top names drop in. I wouldn’t want an expanded field of 40 because, even as someone who loves this sport, I wouldn’t watch it all. I like the system we have now, especially with no protected status and no semis. I would keep it the same for next year.
Same story with other events — if I’m watching a Monster Series replay, I’m skipping straight to Richie, Gwin, or Dak. It’s just a tough sport to televise. As others have mentioned, I don’t think chasing new viewers is the way forward. The best move is to make the product as good as possible for the fans who are already here, because realistically, no one outside the core audience is tuning in. Maybe the Olympics could change that...
Hasn't been debunked here, so it's still unofficial. @gregminaar @dannyhart please chime in
I didn't want to say "this thread" because I couldn't remember whether it was this one or another one
Don't remember it here, so there's that.
yeah it's funny how as we age our interest change too.
My whole youth was racing DH, Supercross and motocross. Golf and Baseball were far from interesting.
Now I've had a couple of kids, a massive mortgage and half a head of grey hair my interest have shifted to the old man stuff, lawn care, golf, watching sport and drinking beer alone lol.
Riding bikes will always remain, it's more the social aspect of it now. My appreciation for what people enjoy is broadened. My tolerance for dickheads and fake people has decreased.
I am officially old.
Dylan Maples to Pivot, seen testing bike at Morzine..
Was it the broadcast that they said he had multiple options (like 6)? Seems like a decent bike but weird team fit, would prefer to see him on a Yeti, Crestline or Frameworks.
ya, strange one if true. PFR should have been rebranded BK Lifestyle Racing a long time ago, as it seems the primary reason Bernard runs that team is to fund his own preferred lifestyle. A guy who's so close to consistent top 10s like Maples needs better I feel.
They are at 4 elite males already so would have to drop someone.
Not a chance. Maples is way too French to satisfy Kerr’s American fetish.
No reason for Maples to not test a different bike if given the chance. Breeden will move his team to Nukeproof. Intense could then form an American international race team to complement their current domestic team. This international (UCI) team will have Dak, Maples, and some young Americans.
Also, Pivot had an American junior female (Tegan Heap) and dropped her with little to no notice. They also had two Canadians in the Jewitt brothers, who left. I don't see North Americans vibing on that team.
Please not!
btw: Dylan Levesque leaves Scott factory. So there should be a place open.
Tegan heap was under performing, but still not a valid reason to drop her so abruptly
why do ppl think intense can found an international race team when they just exited the european markets due to finacial reasons?
Racing is way cooler than selling bikes. It’s rarely the best financial decision.
Pivot riders had some injuries, but they also all underperformed.
Didn’t intense have a US based development team run by John Hall? Dante Sylva was with them.
They were supporting Joe Breedans efforts, to what degree, who knows? They could come back in a collaborative setup with somebody?
Sounds like Luca Schwarzbauer is off Canyon. Unless I’m reading his Instagram wrong
Because they already do. They raced the world cup this season.
Check out this podcast.. It's a good listen..
https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/state-usdh-dante-silva-john-hall-char…
I wonder if Ella Swegby will be racing this year for Trek. She was away all 2025 season, but she posted that she was back on the bike last month. She had some very good results 2024, after switching from Enduro to DH.
Also a curiosity post, Specialized is speccing both Fox and RockShox with SRAM based bikes. Is there a possibility of them having filled the Höll on the feminine side of their downhill team or have they just had to many layoffs and building closures within the last couple of years to be able to afford her?
Everything at Specialized is 100% oriented towards Bruni. I don't think this is what Höll wants.
I'd guess, her future team will be built around her, with people she feels comfortable with. That is why the Les Orres rumour is pretty obvious. Plus the bike is proven fast.
Specialized has had both Fox and Sram builds in the lineup for years..However, the team is on Ohlins, which Specialized helped bring to the market..
For a guy like Maples with multiple offers I’d imagine he has the option to try bikes. I’m sure most of the offers are in a similar financial ballpark so after that, it comes down to the bike that you’re gonna get along with best. Something about the idea of Maples on PFR (not the bike) doesn’t vibe well for me.
It was mentioned in the pinkbike article that Neko has had people test the frameworks, so might not be uncommon.
I’ve also wondered this before, but how much does the bike matter to pros? Like, could Jackson or Bruni win on a giant or Scott or intense (insert any brand) if decked out with their preferred components?
We definitely have seen pros have at least a longish adjustment period to new bike. To be fast no I think they can be “fast” on anything but winning seems to take everything dilated to their liking
I agree, I think Maples would have a hard time adjusting to PFR and their loosey goosey program after being on Commencal Muc-Off and how professional and dialled they are. Bike aside, I could see the team dynamics being the bigger issue.
Guess Maples can choose from a few premium teams, there is no reason to go to PFR. There is empty space at mondraker, scott, FW, plus there could be possibilities with norco, trek, les orres or nukeproof.
Some low probability conspiracy here but maples is following only specialized, commencal, bernard, and intense on insta… and he does get along well with high profile french teams. If the top 10 teams rule will be in place Pure Agency / Specialized Gravity needs to grow or have all three elites in the top 10 (like YT mob) but that seems a bit like gambling with injuries. Long shot, Intense seems more likely.
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