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Dunne has said in multiple interviews that his riding style is exactly that, except he puts it as "podiums or helicopters". Anyway is there a suggestion that Moonraker isn't keeping both him and Norton?

To play devil's advocate Dunne is s 2 time world cup winner and a fair bit younger than Dak so I think if the team has a hierarchy Ronan has a fairly good claim on the no.1 spot . Having said that if Dak can have a good off season and get stronger then he's definitely a potential race winner , I'm not sure who Mondraker could get from the available riders who you would say is an upgrade on Dak . That's assuming its Mondrakers decision and Dak hasn't had an offer and it's his choice to leave .

This is not to take away anything from Dunne, I think he's one of the top of the heap right now, especially in the long run, but he can be a bit ride or die, which has come through a few times this year with big results or none at all with crashes/smashes that caused DNF's or low placements, or podiums with 10-15th places otherwise, which is amazing don't get me wrong Dak on the other hand, even missing half the season because of the non race related accident and having to rebuild from not being able to train or...

Dak's 4th today certainly helps his cause for next season...

Vali wasting no time in ditching the YT gear!

Tom Isted looks Rampage ready:

Just listened to the latest OTB . They have osin to Trek and apparently Trek wanted him to sign in the mid season transfer window but YT wouldn't release him which is pretty rubbish considering they can't or aren't paying him . Makes his own kit purchase protest pretty justified I reckon.

I wonder if rogue racing is not continuing with him. Considering the success of the other riders, Thibault and his “rumors” may very well be a hinderance in getting sponsors. And rogue can probably get more points than thibault by hiring a up and coming or mid pack veteran female elite. Which seems unlikely if he is on the team. My guess this is his “hey I’m still available” post before msa. But It doesn’t seem like he’s changed his position of being totally innocent of any wrongdoing. And if that were the case I think it would come to...

Riders provide immense marketing benefit for almost no money. NCAA is getting what’s been coming to them for a while, finally paying their athletes providing free labor while schools live lavishly. UCI, it’s a matter of time. Veering off topic briefly… this episode provides a decent overview of the college sports situation. It’s different in professional MTB considering there are no restrictions on outside endorsements, but it would be interesting to see how the athletes are paid compared to company bottom lines and higher management. https://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-merger-you-never-knew-you-wanted/

Indeed. Agree on all points. YT are deadbeats. They should sell the Mob team to the riders for a dollar and leave forever.

Yt paid team fees to ESo or UCi to enter this year. It would be a nice gesture to give that money back to the Mob riders if they are owed portion of their contract. Riders definitely need a better union because these big bike companies have too much leverage and face no accountability. YT should be banned from world cups for 5 years

I love what I do for work and feel privileged to be able to do it. But, if my employer wasn't paying me, I sure as sh*t wouldn't turn up for work in uniform. In fact they'd be lucky to see me at all.

This isn’t YT’s first time pulling the plug on a race team and not giving any notice. Ask Gwin about that. And according to the team manager in the video, they found out the same day the press release went out to Pinkbike, Vital etc. They all stated they aren’t getting paid anymore and are funding themselves for the final races. I can see why some of them choose not to represent YT on their jerseys.

When you are paying your own way to the races and supporting yourself why would you promote a brand not helping you? They are still riding that frame. How did YT spoil them? By paying them a salary? Kolb said in the interview that he had higher paying offers and went on YT for the long term. That didn’t happen so why promote them?

After watching that PD interview, it's a bummer that the YT team points will be burned. Seems like they are just riding out the dead carcass of a functional org and doing the best they can. I'm guessing WC entry fees and US/Canadian visas are all tired to YT so it's not like the "team" has disbanded - Its just coasting along on momentum. Vali you know will be fine, Andy seemed to say things will be fine next year. Hope Oisin lands well.

Seems like the UCI didn't think very hard about the possible scenarios during the rule change.

If I was in charge of athlete management at TLD, I’d be STOKED he did that.

Just watched the video, apparently team manager Gunnar is paying a lot of things out of his pocket despite absolutely not having to, now that is dedication and what a legend of a man. But in the end he also says all of the riders contracts have been/will be terminated so they are/will be free agents

Vali has had a number of personal sponsors, many of them for 5-10 years: Adidas Five Ten since 2016 Alpro since 2023 Ergon since 2016 GoPro since 2019 Mini since 2023 Oakley since 2018 Red Bull since 2018 Saalbach since 2018 SRAM since 2016 Rockshox since 2016 Sweet Protection since 2025 Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres sponsors: Commencal Schwalbe LesOrres Bike Park Rockshox SRAM MTB TLD Duke Racing Wheels Muc-off Northwave Renthal Cycle Products Time Tioga usa Fidlockbike Feed back sport Acros fasap training There are a few clashes notably Saalbach v LesOrres Bike Park, Saalbach being Vali’s home. Others...

Trek have Sacha and Ella signed today with Ella moving up to elite next season. Ella is supposedly back (from injury?) and given her relative inexperience I wouldn't be surprised if she have a great developing potential.