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" I’m so grateful for the people at Clif that kept the athlete program going for as long as they could" This line kind of tells that maybe everyone has been dropped, including Rheeder.

He has consistently said awful things about certain demographics. I personally don’t really care or judge anyone till I meet them a few times but it doesn’t look great to most

Your local bike mechanic doesn’t make enough money to enter a bike race, let alone buy a bicycle. The stock market isn’t the economy. The vast majority of americans are living one paycheck away from homelessness, in constant fear of medical debt, with less purchasing power every week due to the financialzation of the economy, stock buy-backs and sheer unregulated greed. Ymmv, of course.

Manufacturers shouldn’t be saddled with carrying the burden of a social safety net though- that is a particularly American Problem, and it’s why this thread exists in the first place… The American economy is a blind consumption machine based on hope and smoke and mirrors and the fantasy of infinite economic growth The underpinnings of the economy are not sound- poor STEM education, horrible educational outcomes per dollar spent, 3rd world healthcare outcomes, historic attacks on family planning, zero affordable housing being built or subsidized, automobile and intermodal-shipping container-centric infrastructure… all Americans pay real social and economic costs for these...

Adding for context

Your economy doesn't need to be turned around. It's the most successful in the world by an insane margin. Americans are so much richer than the rest of the world it's nuts. Your problems are lack of social policy, not lack of economic activity. From The Economists reporting China themselves are getting annoyed at the offshoring of their companies to skirt tariffs as well, as it means no manufacturing jobs for the Chinese workers and instead the factory owners get richer by setting up new factories in Vietnam etc. They're predicting a mild crackdown on it in the new year...

NY times article on tariffs, leads w/ bike company example https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/business/economy/trump-tariffs-china… (the link was gifted to me, i don't have a sub and i think you have to have a sub to read?) here's a snippet --------------- After President Donald J. Trump slapped tariffs on Chinese bicycles in 2018, Arnold Kamler, then the chief executive of the bike maker Kent International, saw a curious trend play out in the bicycle industry. Chinese bicycle factories moved their final manufacturing and assembly operations out of China, setting up new facilities in Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and India. Using parts mostly from China...

Danny was doing a meet and greet thing at the bikepark I worked when he was at Saracen......which they spectacularly failed to advertise. So I basically spent all day being his personal chaffeur/hang out. He has possibly the driest wit of anyone I've ever met, super down to earth and does not tolerate bs. Top lad.

I love how Danny pokes fun at himself when talking about being a bit of a Diva when they were on Giant together lol. He always seems to have these funny little quips and a good personality for a guy who is a multi-time world champ. Who wouldn't want to sign Danny? Can't wait to see how him and Greg get along now that greg is retired, I feel like it will either go really good or horribly wrong...

vali on Sweet Protection

Champery racetrack 2024 is a one line track, not the super technical and steep track of Hart's greatest run.

Specially since Worlds DH 2025 are in Champery... Hart attack

My Guess for FMD Is move to orbea bikes all but confirmed really Martin Maes and Darragh Ryan to Join the FMD alongside Oli, Tahnee and Phoebe

Honestly was confused when you dropped that name but seeing as pretty much a lot of people in FMD and the FMD account itself is following him, I'm inclined to agree with you. Was wondering what junior they were going to pick for this year. Looks like he's stupid fast as well judging by race results

Y'a plus rien qui va bordel could be translated to everything is going to shit.

I am here for the Danny Hart cartoon image on the back of the truck. So excited for him! We didn't know we needed him on proper Factory Team. He is gonna be the years biggest star!

Tim Bringer off Canyon.. Shame this talent is without a ride..

Giant Factory Team is official with Jewett bros and Alan Hatherly on - full PR - https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/giant-factory-road-team-ups… 2025 Giant Factory Off-Road Team Dane Jewett (Canada), DH Jakob Jewett (Canada), DH Rémi Thirion (France), DH Luke Meier-Smith (Australia), DH Dario Lillo (Switzerland), XC Alan Hatherly (South Africa), XC Jens Schuermans (Belgium), XC Carter Woods (Canada), XC

Also, someone must get to the bottom of where Norco is finding all this money in 2024 and 2025 with the bike market being in the dumpster. Greg, team manager and part-time racer has to still be commanding $200-250K+/yr. Then 6 factory-level riders. Granted the only 'big names' are Danny and Erice (Danny likely still came at a discount, maybe $175k). But still, having 6 full-time riders, Greg part-time. That's a ton of mechanics, travel expenses, etc. And their marketing budget is considerable, based on what they did last year with the videos and design. This fresh team announcement video...