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A bit of shameless promotion, but hopefully it's relevant. I just put out a podcast episode where me and Alan Milway chat through all the 2025 team moves (confirmed and rumoured). Hopefully it's an interesting watch/listen. https://youtu.be/Mu0JAhGceB8 or https://www.downtimepodcast.com/team-moves-2025/ Clearly this forum gets a mention! Thanks to everyone here who keeps the rumour fire burning, I personally love it!

Hold my fondue skewer...

4 elite

I believe previous world cup winners WILL have career numbers. So they can keep them presumably until they officially declare that they are retired.

Sad to say, but not matter how great a rider was, at some point that phone stops ringing. And, when times are tight, that point will probably come sooner..

I think one thing you ignore is the "cool" factor. As a person that does not want to buy another chinese/asian frame, what are your options in the DH space? Atherton, Nicolai, Foes, else? There are some smaller builders, but they are IMO not on the level of engineering and production as the others mentioned. I bet Atherton looked/are looking at the "bespoke" road bike market and bet on that DH riders are now well-earning folks in their 40-50-ies and want something special, tailor-made, exclusive. For me the best example of losing your uniqueness as a brand is Intense. Previously...

Hi Ryan, Great job validating my work! It’s really cool to see the numbers backing up the theory. Ideally, we would have done the 3D modifications and FEA first, then created the frame or modifications to match. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option as I didn’t have access to the 3D tools or enough time. The first modification was done at Val di Sole. The track was super wet and rooty, and extra frame compliance and grip were needed—that’s when the hacksaw came out 😂. However, as you mentioned, modifying the link without simultaneously addressing the seat stay bridge meant the...

Dan wouldn’t even be able to qualify for a final. Being a fast rider at your own bike park you ride everyday is completely different from racing world cups.

I kinda assumed that Norco took a look at the landscape, saw an opening amongst North American (and specifically Canadian) brands, and is now making a longer term play to increase its market presence. Basically step into a void created by Rocky Mountain and Devinci, both of which are withering.

I got the sense that Martin was kind of 'on loan' to help Frameworks spin up last year on the world cup circuit with the addition of Asa and Angel. I also got the sense that Martin was working for peanuts to make it happen and was going to get back to a factory team as soon as the budget opened up somewhere. He alluded to both those things on a podcast before last season started. He just posted that photo of him walking into Mondraker HQ. As someone pointed out, they may be starting an in-house XC team to...

I’m not hating, but Sam Hill is 39 years old. Hasn't it been more than a decade since he won a UCI DH? Why are we talking about what his program is when everyone is cutting budgets? #flatpedalswinsmedals

With the arrival of 2025 and big changes underway, here's a quick look back at how team and rider numbers have evolved over the years. All data pulled from the UCI website (https://www.uci.org/riders/mountain-bike-riders-teams/1V5hGPnEvXzbIqkjU…). The number of teams peaked in 2023 with a total of 184 (128 standard, 56 elite). 2024 saw the second highest number of teams on record with 163 (112 standard, 51 elite). The bike bubble bursting was already beginning to have an effect going into the 2024 season, even with the upcoming Olympic games. The growth in teams from 2021 (119 teams) to 2023 (184 teams) likely...

If anyone wants to connect the dots on who makes what and where this is a good site to waste some time in. Funny thing at least some of the POC helmets and TLD helmets are made by the same place. https://www.importyeti.com/