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More like I finally have the option of a downhill bike so I want to see what all the hype is about. I am plenty happy with Enduro and from what I've heard internally, contrary to rumours, Enduro isn't going anywhere. But just wait till you see my latest bike, new year new me.

I think it was explained in the making up the numbers pod. Kade is an Red Bull athlete and therefore obliged to wear a red bull helmet in all competitions. 100% only provide a limited amount of red bull helmets to kade for the season. When he crashed in snowshoe, he totaled his last helmet and they could not provide a new one in time for the race. Jackson offered his Fox reb bull helmet as a replacement but 100% denied that. So he was not allowed to start because he didn't have the sponsor correct helmet.

2024 will certainly be an interesting year. Old riders will be missed and new ones will be celebrated. I wonder if the UCI will recognise the trend and take countermeasures so that the sport is not put at risk due to inconsistency. The semis should definitely be cancelled. They bring no added value and the risk of injury is simply far too great. But above all, there is strong competition coming with IXS and some of the bodywork series. I would laugh my head off if a bike manufacturer took matters into their own hands and launched a counter product...

Oh, but I beg to differ! I was on the hill that day in Champery and it was a very very special moment. I yelled my lungs out and could not believe my eyes and neither could the vast majority of the people on location. Of course, the Freecaster commentary of Rob and Nigel shaped it for posterity, but it's superficial to suggest that Danny owes his career just to that broadcast and that's that. Come on! Danny was a prodigy riding the UK scene for Balfa/Appalache and then delivered everything his talent promised as a kid. Not only spectacular...

What are you on about? Danny is pretty active on social media and has great engagement with his posts, 230k instagram followers and 70k subscibers (50k more than Troy Brosnan btw) on his youtube which he posts good videos on about once a month. Of the top dogs hes for sure one of the more visible outside of racing...

John is a smart man... sees the writing on the wall... Gwin likely racing only 1-2 more seasons. He's in a 'real' job role at Intense (product development). He lives in California, 3,000 miles away from his racer. I'd not be surprised at all if he took a full-time gig at Intense and stopped doing world cups with Gwin. That said, if Gwin is doing his own team with Intense frames, I could see John keeping his full time position at Intense and ALSO go on the road to the 7 world cups and world champs to wrench for Aaron...

Angel Suarez posted a story from a rather bland looking field in North Carolina. That field just so happens to be the parking lot for Ride Rock creek, confirming the rumor of his frameworks ride. Im betting we see an old YT mob reunion soon with Gwin at Windrock.

Photo from IG and Google maps

Neko, Asa, mystery rider, Anxo, Logan, probably one other mechanic/support person. At a minimum average of $50k salary per person per year you’re already at $300k. Then Martin Whiteley’s management cost ($25-50k). Add on travel (bare minimum $5k per race per person, so $25-30k per race x 8 WC races, then domestic races. There’s another $300k at a minimum. Tack on insurance, taxes and other stuff. So $600k on a tight budget, and the whole reason riders get Martin Whiteley involved is so they aren’t on a shoestring budget. I sure hope Neko’s salary is at least $150k though. Hence...

Neko is like the guy that had the vision quest, and the quest turned prophetic. Amazing that being open and honest, showing passion and hard work culminate in success. However this team turns out, how couldn't you root for frameworks? At a time when companies are closing doors and shutting down support, Frameworks is growing.

Either way, Nekos done an impressive job with promotion and sponsorship, since 100 bikes haven’t even yet been sold. But somehow he’s pulling in a million dollars to run three riders on the WC circuit. Three riders, probably two mechanics, paying Martin Whiteley, travel, salary, taxes - surely this venture requires a cool mil.

Ángel and Dunne to Mondraker and alpinestars...that is my guess

Angel's got no angel.. he's been hopping on and off for a while now. Hope he does better next time!

Sounds like Unno is done

Sorry, it certainly wasn't my intention to ignore the second year juniors, that would have been plain rude. Still, I understand why US race fans are getting excited about Asa, it's going to be interesting that's for sure. Mylann Falquet and Lucas Lagneau alongside Hauser should still be figuring amongst the top finishers. They're only going to get faster and I'm sure sure that we'll be seeing a few vastly improve after having a first season of international racing under their belts. That first year can't be replicated as a learning experience.