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Have you tried running more pressure/less sag in the fork? Similarly, I’d mess with tokens, too. Spring rate is much more important for suspension feel than damping, especially for tuning bottom out, so I wouldn’t assume it’s the damper’s fault until you’ve tried a host of different spring rates first.

I could swear I have seen him use Suntour forks in previous years, but maybe he was on the flow team and only now made it to the pros. ))

Or you just get yourself a set of Hayes Dominion A4. The end.

There's so, So much more with this shock than just the double seals with oil chamber between them at the main seal head area, that is highlighted here. It's not just a conventional shock - eg: a damper shaft unit with an air chamber in place of a coil spring, with the air chamber sealing against the damper body. Note the lack of said, conventional shaft. Note the bladder allowing for oil displacement ( in combination with what appears to be a IFP - this IFP, could be the actual main 'spring' component of the shock - shades of old...

That’s a Hayes D Type rotor from the Dominion Brakes. I’d expect to see a few teams using them this year since they’re so damn good.

Nope. All riders want better bikes. For some that could mean a more fun bike, a more lively bike, a smaller (less travel), lighter bike. Some riders want to have fun regardless of the times they post on Strava, if they even post rides in strava. If all riders wanted faster bikes, 27,5" would have been dead a few years ago and it is in XC where the most important thing is in fact that the bike is fast and efficient. Not so when it comes to recreational trail riding. Or freeride. Or dirtjumps. Etc.