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Redbull has grown and changed over the years... Perhaps now they are open to a few more riders with their colors.. If nothing else, it keeps those riders from being sponsored by Monster or Rockstar..

I think it's per category, Freeriders vs racer or Jr. Vs elite in this case. Finn got it when he was a Jr. as well but I forget if it was before Stevie passed as he was the Canadian Sr. At the time. I'd say depending on the situation older riders can keep going with the helmet such as Gee after Laurie got it.

I know the rumor of Martin to Orbea is the leading candidate. However, what about Martin to Atherton?? He seems to have really got on well with them at GT Factory. Gee and Rachel are both in the twilight of their racing careers (not saying either are done, but also not saying I would expect a whole lot from either ever again). They have Millie and Charlie so Martin heading up a young guns team coached by Dan/Gee/Rachel would be RAD! Martin continually sings Dan's praises, it's almost like he misses being on a team with him. Martin already has...

That would be an easy and comfortable one. He's been there before, and his dad was (is?) the USA distributor for Ohlins.

This one is a stretch BUT: PFP is on Reunion racing the Megavalanche (and maybe qualie'd 3rd?) and appears to be dating Kilian Bron (and is hanging out w/ the Commencal crew). Makes me wonder if Commencal is going to put together an XC team?

that'd make a good inside line... spomer and pilgrim probably "the dream", "actually the best thing ever"

are you kidding me!? he's more famous than sspomer.....? no way!!!!!

Orbea now has a new team member every year, even tho martin maes is going there now. Maybe Evan wall to Devinci?

Kate herself said that her contract with Speshy did not include a salary, only bonus schedules for performance. It was in the Red Bull series, Fast Life.

Locally south west England the amount of hibikes is definitely increasing.

Remember, every company has different ideas on what's important to them when it comes to sponsorship/ marketing. For some, YouTube followers could be more important that contests or race results.. But, at the end of the day, it's all about trying to sell more bikes and even if only 1% of those 1.5m followers buy a bike, thats a big boost for most companies..

Sam also has skills that brands find highly marketable. He can go to any car park in then world with a couple ramps and perform for a crowd. Lenosky did something similiar for giant for a looooong time. It’s a major reason why brands invest so much in trials guys and slopestyle vs downhill racing. It’s a great vehicle to get anyone exited about biking as opposed to try to draw market share from the people who are already invested.

Unless they have dropped him now, Haibike paid him a fair wedge to go over and help market their e-bikes as a proper e-MTB brand. At the time he signed there was more than a few comments made questioning why he would make the move to what was seen as a low end breand in the MTB world and I seem to remember that the general answer was 'cash'

massive youtube following.

If ”dropped” translates into receiving money from another company, after a contract has ended, latest team rumour is that I'm open to joining Team Dropped as of right now, accepting veteran's minimum salary! :D Mx

Troy has a long-term contract. Mark is the one who could leave. a couple of star names on that team, they wouldnt be able to support 3 top ticket riders., especially with jack on the enduro side.

I'm fairly sure that Kona is disbanding the factory team for the 2022 season, so unless he went the route of ambassador/youtuber (which I don't see him doing) he would need to make a move.

If it goes that way, does this mean there will be just Commencal vs Canyon in 2025?

i'd argue there is very little difference because strait WAS in the most viewed videos and media forms available during his time. he was as "visible" as jackson and was at the top of dirt jump, slope, slalom, freeride and world cup DH in his day. strait did it all and was shown in every way possible, no different than jackson today.

He said on a podcast that he picked Miranda because he could stay with the brands he already had. Rumours out there that Trek didn’t want him as his demands where to big, same with Redbull. I heard it’s his dad. Hope it goes well, great little rider.