Other site hypothesizing Finn Iles could leave specialized.
Would be a serious risk to swap frames (from best in class), tires, brakes, and likely suspension onto another team. All of those cited by top riders as factors that can or do affect their performance. Kev would certainly follow and maybe Nico V (Dak made it sound like Nico is Finn's guy) so it could be a winning package.
Also, if I were at the big S or Pure Agency I'd certainly scrounge together the budget to keep the current squad together- its the best performing team on the circuit and having 3x winning riders hedges the marketing spend on the team from injuries (Finn & Jordan last year, Loic this year) and from a marketing angle you have revered riders covering most critical (Finn North America, Jordan UK/EU, Loic basically entire world) excluding Asia Pacific.
If his contract is up I could see Norco making a push for him.
I raise you Devinci, think it's just a coincidence that we're seeing rumors of a new Wilson?
I’d give that 0%. They would have to throw a lot of cash that they don’t have to lure him to a team with no established infrastructure and would be a wildcard team.
I’d be surprised to see Finn leave Specialized, particularly with the success he’s having this season. Loic is probably (unless he pulls a Greg) nearing the end of his career so that will open up budget in future years.
Blimey is it this time already
Every year on the cresent moon of Crankworx Whistler, 3 ghost appear in Teamrumobenezer Scrooge bedroom and tell him it's time to up Vital's viewer count.
The rumor season never disappoints 😂
Stop using AI for frivolous shit.
+1...Not a fan but I'll bet there will be an AI sponsor within the next couple seasons and it'll be integrated into electronic suspension (like they're doing with the Alpinestars airbag systems). Also going to see the pickleball takeover trend being challenged by data centers
Who are the top U16 riders that will be aging up to Juniors for '27?
Quentin Barbe
Nano Lavergne
Lucy Jenkins
Harry Schofield
Anton Zierl
Arleigh Kemp
Not sure if Megan Pretorius or Mack Manietta (both Canadian) are moving to junior next year?
Others please add to my list if you know of any other fast ones moving up
As I made this list and looked at the American races, it made me think that our category system holds back development in some ways compared to what the European's do?
Harry's going to be a menace on a world cup track. I didn't realize he was going to be old enough yet but that will be sick.
Why would that be? Asa and Pinky are in the top 5 WC overall, Bodie has qualified 2nd and qualified for all WC races all three are 21 or younger. Luca Shaw has won a race and was 3rd overall last year. It feels to my like the US is doing well in the WC races and getting better. JMHO.
I think usa’s primary issue remains accessibility outside of a few well devoloped communities. Cream will always rise to the top and it doesn’t distinguish on anything but results. but it doesn’t take a genius to see why France and Britain punch above their weight in terms of producing career processional riders. As well as a higher proportion of pro riders from working and lower middle class backgrounds. British Columbia probably produces the most (both in terms of pros per capita and creating pros from poorer economic backgrounds). And it purely comes down to bikes, places to ride, and therefore racing being available. Stevie smith is a perfect example of a talent made possible by community rather than personal family wealth and commitment. But here in America things are very much slanted in favor of those with personal family wealth. Just the travel is sooooooo expensive for even most the regional series let alone the national.
I can from personal experience tell you that Pinky's came from commitment and community and for sure not family wealth. He was taken to many many races by families kind enough to bring him when dad could not and rode with very bad tires and bikes with lots of miles. I dont know the situation of the other riders but back to the point of the US category system holding riders back, I dont see a problem at all. JMHO
I’m not knocking on anyone at all. Lots of the top American talent is from very regular backgrounds and are products of network of contributors in and out of the industry. It’s also completely in a young man’s or woman’s right to chase a dream and live their best life traveling to races if they have the means to do so.
But speaking France is smaller than Texas and has the wealth and population of the American west coast it’s not really surprising they produce more cycling pros than America does per capita.
Yes. The US is doing amazingly at the moment. Especially with Aletha coming up we finally have another top tier female racer too. But given our population and depth of brands investment/involvement in the industry etc.. I just feel there has often been large gaps in talent coming through over the years and looking at the category system compared to the relative simplicity elsewhere in race results, just made me think is all.
Ya. Agreed on all counts. Although we are probably just derailing the thread now 😂
You're right, I think we are derailing the thread. But I just think USDH is doing great right now and in my brain fog forgot Evan Medcalf, Gavin Tomlinson and the juniors, Aletha and the Mallon Twins all doing great. Ok sorry to be off topic. Go USA DH and now back to team rumors.
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